Preparing for Fishguard

It’s been one of those weeks. Well, it’s that time of year for a start. We’re coming up to the week in  the summer where I – and the Babe Magnet – head south and west and cross the border in to Wales. It’s time for the wonderful, special time  that is Writers’ Holiday. The one that used to be at Caerleon but is now held at Fishguard right on the Welsh Coast.

I can’t wait – this is a very special event, shared with some very special people and every year I look forward to it so much. But planning the course I’ll be teaching and getting organised for the journey and the week in Wales always takes some doing. (Yes, I know I’ve taught the course before – perhaps a dozen times,  and it is always based on my  12 Point Guide To Writing Romance -  but I’m always looking for new ways of making it interesting and  enjoyable.)  Then there’s the cats to plan for. We have been training up new ‘cat sitters’, two lovely girls who will be sharing the duties between them. It’s great to know that Charlie and Ruby are able to stay in their own home  and be looked after  every day. But that was another thing to organise.

So everything was going fine until, as well as hair and doctor appointments,  there was a sudden dental emergency which resulted in a struggle to the death with a tooth that didn’t want to be extracted.  It was got rid of in the end,  thank heaven as it seems it’s been poisoning me for an age

 but it was not a pleasant struggle and something I didn’t need as an extra!

So I’m doubly looking forward to Fishguard and meeting up with old friends and making new ones.  The Babe Magnet and I always have such a wonderful time and Anne and Gerry who run Writers’ Holidays make sure that everyone is  happy  and enjoying themselves. All they can control is the weather but  if it’s even half as lovely as it was last year,  I’ll be happy.

I’ll be happy anyway – I always am. Writers’ Holiday has that effect- relaxation, conversation, good food, good friends  and some fantastic course. I’m hoping to do one of the other courses myself, when my teaching is finished.

Fishguard is full for this year  but as the smaller venue is filling up rapidly since the move, plans have been made to admit day visitors, people who are able to travel each day, or maybe holidaying nearby and want to taste a course. Details can be found on the Writers’ Holiday web site here.

So, I’m going back to planning and packing  - but I’ll hope to write another post very soon to give you the details of this year’s So You Think You Can Write -  and other courses I have coming up  very soon. 

And everyone who's coming to Fishguard - I'm so looking forward to seeing you.