FOCUS ON: NORTH DEVON CHAPTER

We welcome Jean Fullerton with this month’s edition of Focus on RNA Chapters.

It gives me great pleasure to feature one of our long-established Chapters of the RNA blog and I'm very grateful to Sheila Daglish for taking the time to tells us about the North Devon Group.

'Small and (almost) beautiful' possibly best describes our North Devon Chapter as we gather for coffee, cake, and a two-hour working session in the spacious and pleasant cafeteria at St. John's

Garden Centre, Barnstaple. We meet approximately every six weeks, although winter dates are flexible since our (currently seven) members must tackle ninety-minute drives across Exmoor, Dartmoor or sometimes-stormy coastal roads.

Our Chapter was formed about ten years ago and we welcome new members, whether or not RNA, because fresh ideas and experiences are always appreciated. We agree and are reassured by the fact that, for all of us, holiday weeks, home demands and crises are inevitable, sometimes rendering a daily writing routine impossible. Family life is so often at the core of what we write anyway and, importantly, we know that, whether actively writing or not, all our members make a valued contribution to discussions around the table.

The last few months have brought successes and new adventures. Patricia Fawcett attended the Writers' Summer School at Swanwick in August, brought us news of current short story writing requirements and has plenty of ideas for these - a temporary change from her regular novels. In the summer she gave a talk at Buckland Abbey, one-time home of Sir Francis Drake, where her audience particularly liked the supporting visual aids she used. Frances Evesham's first two Exham mysteries can now be obtained in paperback, and she reports that internet sales of her other books are doing well. At Ilminster Literary Festival she presented a talk on her other love -

Victorian fiction.

Amanda Robinson is writing regularly, an erotic romance which now needs to be finally pulled together. Anne Holman is working on a Regency tale, having had previous success in this genre, and was happy to see 'The Art of Love', her 24th pocket novel, published in July, hopefully also in Large Print. A further pocket novel is currently awaiting a result - preferably acceptance! Lucy Alexander, our newest recruit, attended the RNA Lancaster Conference and, after a one-to-one session with a M&B editor, was asked to submit the next two chapters of her medical romance. An autumn writing course with Kate Walker at Swanwick should help with the final polish. There's one last success for our Chapter to record and that's Sheila Daglish's 'Dangerous Waters' - a My Weekly pocket novel published in May, and accepted for Large Print.

Our North Devon location and cafeteria venue mean that we can't realistically invite guest speakers but, between meetings, through e-mails we always have someone ready to offer encouragement, sympathy, ideas or opinions. Our Chapter does not have a website, nor has it ventured onto Facebook or Twitter, although individual members often find these useful.

For 2017 we plan more of our well-tried recipe - friendly, supportive meetings, always receptive to new trends and movement in the publishing and self-publishing worlds. 'Small and (almost) beautiful', as you'll see from the above success stories, is a concept that seems to work!

Contact for North Devon Chapter is:

Sheila Daglish, 01271 850006.

E-mail: themalthouse94@ gmail.com

Thank you so much, Sheila, for that comprehensive overview of the North Devon Chapter.

Jean x

About Jean: 

Jean was born in East End of London and spent all her career as a district nurse in East London but is now a full-time writer. Wedding Bells for Nurse Connie, is her current release. Her next novel Pocketful of Dreams, set in the turbulent years of WW2, is due for release in June 2017 and is the first in next East London series. 
Her first series with Orion Fiction was set in the Victorian period after which she jumped forward to post-war East London.

She is a proud graduate from the NWS and passionate about the local chapters, which is why she has taken on the role of Chapters Liaison. 

Thank you to Jean and Sheila for this month’s blog contribution. 

If members would like to be featured on the RNA blog please contact the team on elaineeverest@aol.com

Focus on: The Flying Ducks

Today we welcome Jean Fullerton with the first of her Chapter interviews. Jean has taken over from Natalie Kleinman who did a magnificent job interviewing the RNA Chapters over the past couple of years. Over to you Jean.

Although, as Chapter Liaison I’ve been absolutely thrilled that there has been so many new cheers set up it gives me great pleasure to welcome one of the long established chapters The Flying Ducks on the RNA blog this month.

Can you tell us who you are?

We’re the Northern chapter is known as the Flying Ducks because at the time of our formation most

RNA activities happened down south to which we must “fly” from all points north.

How long has your chapter been running?

For the above reason it was suggested we form a Northern Chapter after the first regional conference at Stoneyhurst College circa 1997?

Has the chapter changed over the years?

The core membership has changed over the years with more members coming from the New Writers Scheme through to traditional publication and /or down the self published route.

How often do you meet?

We meet on the first Thursday of the month from September to December and from March to July.

Where is your regular meeting place?

We tried to accommodate the distances members travelled by meeting around Harrogate and eventually settled on The Smiths Arms Beckwithshaw. Other groups have branched off from this group nearer to home

Do you have many members attend your meetings?

We have a core of about 20-25 members with attendance around 15 at our meetings. It is not unusual for members to come from as far as Southport, Settle, Barnard Castle, Scarborough, York, Hull, Beverley and Huddersfield.

Do your meetings include a meal?

We order our own meal at the bar and then it is served all together at a long table in the restaurant.

Is your chapter open to non-members of the RNA?

Our Chapter is open to non- members of the RNA and former members, some of whom have changed genres. Guests and partners are welcome too. So many writers in the North live in isolated districts and like to join with us.

How long are your meetings?

We assemble for lunch at 12 -30pm and finish around 2-30 to 3 0pm. Many of us stay on to chat after that.

Can you give an outline of speakers/guests you’ve had in the past year?

We have had many guest speakers over the years: novelists, agents and visiting committee members but lately rely on the varied talents within the group such as Frances Brody, Jessica Blair, John Jackson, Val Wood, Freda Lightfoot and many more.

What do you have planned for the coming months?

Our first meeting after a break is always to have a “round robin” meet and greet session so members can tell us their news, introduce new attenders, discuss a possible programme for the rest of the “term’s “meetings. We are keen to use the talents of our group to lead us in discussions around publishing and writing. As members travel long distances we like to have something useful or inspiring to take back to our desks as well as a chance to catch up with Friends in the group.

Being one of the longest formed groups we have witnessed many changes to the RNA and its social activities but it is within this smaller gathering real issues can be thrashed out, problems shared and successes celebrated. A warm welcome to new members is always guaranteed.

Does your chapter have a website, Facebook page or Twitter account?

Our group shares a closed group email and a closed Facebook group page: The Flying Ducks

Who is the contact for new members? 

The contact for new members is Helene Wiggin/Leah Fleming Tel 01729 822550 or h_wiggin@hotmail.com or by just requesting to join the online Facebook group to find out more about our meetings.

Thank you so much Helene for taking the time and trouble to answer my questions and I hope to be coming to see you again sometime in 2017.

Thank you Jean and Helene.

If your RNA chapter would like to be featured on the RNA blog please contact the team on elaineeverest@aol.com

RNA Chapter: Border Reivers

Welcome to Caroline Roberts who has come along today to answer our questions about the Border Reivers chapter of the RNA.

Please tell us a little about your Chapter.

Our Northumberland Chapter, also known as the Border Reivers, was founded in 2000 and has grown steadily. We live in the north-east of England and cover a wide geographical area, even having one or two members further afield/abroad who keep in touch with us.

When do you meet?

Once a month, usually on Fridays.

Where do you meet?

At the home of one of the members, moving location to try and cover the area. We all bring something to contribute to lunch, which makes it a lovely social occasion with a chance to chat before a fairly informal meeting, where we discuss our writing, work-in-progress and any issues.

Is your chapter open to non-members of the RNA?

Yes, it’s open to full members, former members, NWS members and anyone interested in the RNA and writing romance-based fiction.

What do you have planned for the future?

We recently had a very successful day of workshops run by our own members at a retreat house in Northumberland, on the topics of self-publishing, e-books, synopses and using emotion. It was a great day, and the group would like to repeat this format again. We are also pro-active in promoting romance writing and the RNA in libraries and have taken part in regular 'Girls' Night In' events in libraries, where we have teamed up with beauticians, craft stalls and caterers to give a fun night for readers.

What would you say makes your chapter of the RNA so special? 

We are a very close and supportive group – more like a friendship group – but everyone is professional about their writing no matter what stage of their career they are at. And we have such a wide range of writing experience between us. We support each other through good times and bad – and celebrate first publications with champagne!

Who is the contact for new members?

This is Anna Scamans. Contact details: anna@annalouiselucia.com 

How many members attend your meetings?

It varies, but usually somewhere between six and twelve.

Tell us more about your latest get together:

The October meeting was at Prue Phillipson’s house in Hexham with 12 present, welcoming a new member, and congratulating her and another newly published member on their successes over a bottle of bubbly.

 

This photograph was taken at our Writing Retreat Day at Shepherd’s Dene this year.

 

Thank you for finding the time to speak to us, Caroline.

The RNA blog is brought to you by
 

 Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman
 

 Why not have your RNA Chapter featured on our blog? Contact us at elaineeverest@aol.com