The retreat:
This was SCBWI (British region's) first such endeavour and it really was worthwhile.
It was held at Croydon Hall, an old country house, I'd never heard of, and which was set in beautiful Somerset country. The views were spectacular and the surroundings very peaceful. We were fed a diet of very healthy vegetarian food which meant that by the second day we were suffering from sugar withdrawal and were desperately in need of dessert, which we finally got, AND it was lovely. Of course, the food and the setting were not the main focus. The writing was! And that was fab.
The first real day was Saturday which we spent writing and learning. Debi Gliori- writer and illustrator was the invited speaker and she was really very good. She spoke about her experiences in publishing, how she got started and what she is doing at the moment. As a novelist and picture book writer and illustrator she had a lot to offer and plenty of talent to share. Amongst her pearly words of advice were the ideas that agents were like umbrellas after the rain and a plot was like knitting. Remove one thread and the whole thing can unravel.
We also met Imogen Cooper, fiction editor with Chicken House who went through the ins and outs of the publishing world and editing process. She outlined what Chicken House is looking for and the main errors that writers make. There's loads more to tell and once I've figured out how to upload photos from my mobile onto here, I shall post some pics and write in more detail about the retreat.
Suffice to say, I got a lot out of the weekend: I met some fellow writers and accomplished a lot. I got some thinking and writing done which will definitely help me to move my plots along....so I would definitely recommend time away from it all to all of you.
Well, here is the photo, as promised. It was taken by Chitra, an attendee, and is of some of us on a walk. I say us, but I have to admit that, when these adventurous few went on an early morning walk, I chose to stay in bed. Not the right attitude, I know.... so here are Debi Gliori, Natasha, Terrie and Gill.
12 comments:
Jude, it looks like a great place to experience writing. I read about these all the time and I hope to be able to afford to go to one near me soon.
I'm very happy for you and the experiences you wewre able to enjoy.
:-)
It sounds like you had a good time, Jude
I definitely had a good time JR and thanks, Sam, for your kind wishes. (You should treat yourself to the retreat Sam- I couldn't really afford this one, but I thought I deserved a break)
Hi, Jude!
How wonderful you were able to go on a writing retreat! I am sure you got a lot out of it and made some new contacts and friends as well. Here's to many more! :)
So glad you got alot out of it, Jude. I am going to Winchester in November-will you?
Addy
It all sounds wonderful and personally inspiring, Jude. Every bit that you've mentioned. And in this vein, I continue to wish you the very best of success with your writing ambitions. I just wondered if there were writers using their laptops to write at all? Thanks & love as always
Thanks Addy, Lotus and Susan. I did meet some lovely people and yes, laptops were used Susan. It was the main way people wrote, I think.
Sounds like it was an amazing experience, Jude, and I'm deeply envious. Someone suggested recently that I should take a busman's holiday and try to attend one of the SCBWI conferences in the US or UK - they certainly sound like they are well worth it. Maybe I'd better start being kind to my piggy bank so she'll be kind to me!
Don't suppose you'd like to share the kind of stuff Chicken House are looking for? I recently subbed to them but got one of those bits of paper I plan to use to redecorate my study - when I have enough of them!
And I was just about to ask where you were in the picture...
Sunshine looks divine though.
Yep, Susan I skilfully avoid cameras, at all times, although some very sly people have been known to capture my image on occasion. If only I had vast sums of money then I could bribe them never to show them?!!! I hate having my photo taken. Had you guessed?
Addy, I may go to Winchester, if I'm not working... will look into it.
And, Nicky, thanks for reminding me... I'll write about what Chicken House wants and what Imogen Cooper talked about in my next post.....
Jude, yes I had guessed.
I too, dislike having my photo taken and try to avoid such a situation as often as I can.
love
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