If you can find like-minded people, they can be an absolute boon. I live well away from the city and struggle to locate my kinds of freak round here. Plus, I don't play well with others anyway, so...
It’s exactly what I went on the creative writing course for - community. I read lots of people saying you don’t need courses to be a writer and whilst I agree I do think they’re missing out on all the other things a course brings you. Writer friends is definitely a highlight!
I have found it very hard (read impossible) out in the sticks to find a writers' group with folk at the same stage - so zoom has become a boon - being able to keep in contact with folk met at live events.
Feel your pain on that! Sorry, but I don't want to join a writers' group where most people are poets - just not my bag, and I'm probably not their bag either. Plus I work four days a week helping people with their writing, so joining a group to do more of the same unpaid doesn't appeal. Happy to offer advice or chew the fat, but I don't want to read.
Hi David, Good advice as always! And well done on finishing your section - good luck with final quarter. I wish I had your discipline. But what I wanted to highlight is the Historical Novel Society Bi-annual conference in the UK. I attended some general writing conferences before I found the HNS. And I'd always felt there that HF was a bit like the 'cinderella' of the genre world. But at the HNS conference I found my tribe - everyone with the same passion, though at all different stages and writing in a range of sub genres of HF. Definitely worth attending, though not cheap, so worth saving up for. (This year's conference is actually in Dublin at the end of August and there are still some spaces - if anyone is interested search for Historical Novel Society 2026 Conference Maynooth)
Me too! BlueSky isn't bad, but not so lively. Treads seems full of the worst writing advice ever... can't tell if it's genuine/misguided people or ragebait bots for angry engagement?
Writers’ groups are the biz! For some people a virtual world like Second Life might provide just the writerly support needed. Useful for those who can’t get out too easily, a virtual world also means you operate through an avatar which is helpful while one gets used to the new environment.
This got me thinking that I should start a writing group.
If you can find like-minded people, they can be an absolute boon. I live well away from the city and struggle to locate my kinds of freak round here. Plus, I don't play well with others anyway, so...
It’s exactly what I went on the creative writing course for - community. I read lots of people saying you don’t need courses to be a writer and whilst I agree I do think they’re missing out on all the other things a course brings you. Writer friends is definitely a highlight!
I have found it very hard (read impossible) out in the sticks to find a writers' group with folk at the same stage - so zoom has become a boon - being able to keep in contact with folk met at live events.
Feel your pain on that! Sorry, but I don't want to join a writers' group where most people are poets - just not my bag, and I'm probably not their bag either. Plus I work four days a week helping people with their writing, so joining a group to do more of the same unpaid doesn't appeal. Happy to offer advice or chew the fat, but I don't want to read.
Hi David, Good advice as always! And well done on finishing your section - good luck with final quarter. I wish I had your discipline. But what I wanted to highlight is the Historical Novel Society Bi-annual conference in the UK. I attended some general writing conferences before I found the HNS. And I'd always felt there that HF was a bit like the 'cinderella' of the genre world. But at the HNS conference I found my tribe - everyone with the same passion, though at all different stages and writing in a range of sub genres of HF. Definitely worth attending, though not cheap, so worth saving up for. (This year's conference is actually in Dublin at the end of August and there are still some spaces - if anyone is interested search for Historical Novel Society 2026 Conference Maynooth)
Bi-annual, so the next conference after this one is 2028?
Yes, the next 'UK' one is 2028 - in the alternate years there is one is the US - hugely expensive to attend for us here.
And not really worth it, unless your books sells very well in the US. I don't have an American deal, only import sales plus ebook and audiobook there.
Agree, I've never gone to it, though I have spoken via zoom when they were having online speakers.
The writing community on old Twitter was brilliant - so supportive and helpful. I came off it when it became X but still miss it.
Me too! BlueSky isn't bad, but not so lively. Treads seems full of the worst writing advice ever... can't tell if it's genuine/misguided people or ragebait bots for angry engagement?
I tried BlueSky but it was a bit ‘meh’ and I don’t like Threads either. I’m getting better at IG but if I could I’d do without any SM
Falls in the necessary evil category for me, alas!
Me too sadly. Next book is out Aug 13th so I need to up my game a bit
What does SM stand for, please?
Social media.
Ah - perhaps I should have realised that! I worked out IG (I think - Instagram? Hence I thought SM would be something entirely different...)
Congratulations on submitting your PhD thesis. Huge achievement.
Still got the viva to go in a few months, but most of the hard work is done!
Sorry, should have congratulated you on the PH.D submission - good luck in the viva, but I'm sure you won't need it.
Fingers crossed!
Totally agree. Other writers are life saving.
Writers’ groups are the biz! For some people a virtual world like Second Life might provide just the writerly support needed. Useful for those who can’t get out too easily, a virtual world also means you operate through an avatar which is helpful while one gets used to the new environment.