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Wednesday 13 November 2013

Do writers need friends who write?


Peaslake (last spring)
I signed up for my first writing course in the summer of 2004 at Richmond Adult Community College (“RACC”). Up until then, I’d been tapping away on an old laptop and I’d completed a first draft; a load of old rubbish. That's when I 'came out' as a writer. You know what I mean. When you first start writing, you don’t tell anyone except for close friends and family. Then the questions begin and you're not prepared for them: 'How's the writing?' and 'What's your book about?'; and you wish you'd kept it quiet because this means there's no going back, otherwise you'll look like a fool.

I went to several courses at the RACC, where I began to mould Book 1 into shape (still working on that…) and it was great to meet other writers, the array of talent inspiring me to improve. A few years later I signed up for a course with Ruth Brandt at Guildford Adult Learning Centre. Ruth started the ‘Write Away’ courses at The Hurtwood Inn in Peaslake in February 2012.  

Last weekend I returned to Peaslake for my fourth ‘Write Away’ course. The Hurtwood Inn closed for refurbishment on Sunday and there’s a chance the hotel may be turned into apartments. I hope The Hurtwood Inn remains a hotel and that Ruth's ‘Write Away’ weekends return. Peaslake is a village in the Surrey hills, reached by driving through sunken, single-track lanes (not that easy in the dark when you don’t know where you’re going!). The décor at The Hurtwood Inn is dated; the curtains flower-patterned and the windows in the rooms so old, they might as well be open when they’re closed; but that’s part of its charm. When you walk upstairs to your room, the carpet has that musty smell which takes you back to the 1970s. A log fire crackles in the bar (this time the smoke set off the alarm) and there are brown leather sofas to sink into. Again we were plied with food and endless cups of tea and coffee and the staff put the Prosecco in the fridge especially for us.

Writers are never short of conversation and often very supportive towards each other, there to pat each other on the back and say ‘Keep going!’. It was lovely to see old friends and make new ones and I enjoyed listening to everyone’s stories and poems. There were moments where we laughed so much, I had tears running down my face and I can’t wait for our next get-together.

On the way home, I stopped at Guildford to buy a pair of shoes I'd had my eye on for The Romantic Novelists' Association Winter Party next Wednesday; another opportunity to see lovely friends who write.

I wonder if these will make my feet hurt...


Other posts on Peaslake:
Writing in the Surrey hills and using snow to make a character vulnerable
Getting into the writing zone: Peaslake part II

26 comments:

  1. Aah Anita, I had such a wonderful time and I haven't laughed so much for a long time! Wish we could do it every month. You are right about how us closet writers pat each other on the back and encourage each other, nobody made any harsh comments (probably because we all have fragile egos). Ruth, our leader, was brilliant as usual, and loved seeing her so tipsy and giggly. Roll on the next one xx

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    1. Thanks Kay. It was great to meet you and your story is so interesting-look forward to hearing more. The photo of Peaslake is the one I mentioned-out of the window of room 10 from last time!x

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    2. I thought it was! Thankyou for your kind words - see what I mean - we are always praising of our fellow writers. I enjoyed yours too and actually thought it sounded like a "real" book!
      (ie published of course!) Kay xx

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    3. Thanks Kay-that would be nice :-)x

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  2. Great post about the Write Away weekend, Anita, and really good to learn your writing history. It's so true that, for some reason, being a writer is like some sort of dirty secret. I spent years not telling anyone about my writing, when it is a fundamental part of who I am. I, too, have had the help of Ruth's classes and the support of other writers and the belly-busting Write Away weekends (long may they continue).

    Hopefully I will be over my jealousy of those shoes by the next time we meet! Enjoy your party; I look forward to seeing a picture of you ready to rave!

    Best wishes, Lorna :) x

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    1. Thanks so much Lorna! It was great to see you again-we always do have a real laugh. Your sorrow poem was amazing. Re the shoes-have no idea how I'll get up to London on the train in them! Will probably take some flat ones too...Look forward to seeing you again soon.x

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  3. Lovely post, Anita. Have a fab time at the winter party. I won't be there but hope to catch up with you soon! LOVE the shoes! X

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment Sarah! Lovely to hear from you. Will miss you at the party, but hope to see you at the next one.x

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  4. Sounds wonderful, Anita - I love being in the company of other writers as its so encouraging and inspiring. Gorgeous shoes!

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    1. Thanks Rosemary-love the shoes too, but I'm not sure if they will love me! (mustn't forget to take plasters...)

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  5. I can't wait to see your feet at the Winter Party, Anita. The shoes look fabulous!

    I enjoyed your posting, and yes, indeed, writers do need other-writer friends. With such friends, writing is less of a solitary occupation than it otherwise might have been.

    Liz x

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    1. Hi Liz, so lovely to hear from you. Look forward to seeing you next week.x

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  6. Great description of The Hurtwood Inn and lovely shoes :)

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    1. Thanks Linda. I hope they don't change The Hurtwood Inn-it's perfect just the way it is!x

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  7. Writers certainly need friends who write; friends who aren't going to say, "Haven't you finished yet?" or "Why don't you just sit down and write it," or even worse, "What's it about?" - guaranteed to make the flailing writer with a wayward story cry. Yet another fabulous weekend in the characterful Hurtwood Inn. The level of writing was really high and some fabulous new work written/started, aided, of course, by the great, fun company! I sat back, enjoyed and marvelled (and ate a little).

    So, if anyone knows of a lovely little hotel in/near Surrey, relatively isolated, with 11+ rooms and an air of smoky intrigue, please let me know. In the mean time, I will be starting a more active search in a couple of weeks.

    Keeeeeep writing!

    Ruth

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    1. It was such a good weekend Ruth with a wonderful group. Thanks for your feedback in the one-to-one. Your notes will be very useful when I edit those scenes. Hope you find somewhere as charming as The Hurtwood Inn!x

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  8. Great post, Anita! I think writing friends are wonderful, and only they really understand what the associated knocks and joys are like. As for the shoes, I am filled with envy! They are gorgeous. Hope you have a fantastic time at the RNA party. I would love to re-join next year and come and meet everyone!

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    1. Thanks Clare! I must start wearing those shoes around the house in preparation for Wednesday night...I hope you re-join the RNA-would love to meet you 'in real life'!-I'm sure we'll meet one day especially with the Cambridge connection.x

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  9. The response to your post show how writers support and help each other by just meeting and talking. It looks as though those shoes are made for dancing. Have a good time at your party! wx

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment Wendy. I love the shoes, but know they're going to give me a hard time! Lovely to meet you on Twitter today.

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  10. Yes, writers need other writers. I can't imagine surviving this industry without other writers.

    I hope they don't turn your writing retreat location into apartments. That would be sad. :(

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    1. Thanks for visiting Kelly. Me too, have a feeling that whatever happens, the hotel won't remain the same.x

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  11. They definitely do need writing friends! Your writing retreat sounds wonderful.The shoes look fabulous too.

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    1. Hi Rhoda, thanks for visiting and for your comment. Hope to see you at the Winter party on Wednesday!x

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  12. Sounds like a good place to stay and meet up with like minded friends and yes the shoes will probably hurt but they're sparkly so who cares?

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    1. Hi Anne, thanks for visiting. Lovely to hear from you. The shoes did hurt, but I took some flats to wear on the way home-can't believe I haven't done that before!x

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