Richelieu Writers

RICHELIEU WRITERS

“Novel ideas for your next best seller don’t come easy. Today, and the next few weeks, is more about finding your path, your style and possibly your niche. As I said in my invitation, this class is about sharing ideas and enjoying your writing. I’m not here to tell you what to write, to criticise you or give you homework. I want to encourage you in every aspect of your writing. I want to share the information I've learned from my writing and learn from you. More importantly, I want to find my inner writer who has been on a long vacation without even sending a postcard”

I looked around the room hoping that the faces I saw were more relaxed than mine. This was my first meeting of the Richelieu Writers and I want to keep it as informal as possible.

Young James put his hand up to ask a question.

“Please James, this is not college. No formalities.”

“Sorry, force of habit. I just wanted to know if we were meeting here at the same time and day every week. I have a class every third week that’s going to clash with this.”

“I have no idea, James. I decided today as it suited everyone today but we can easily mix it about if needed. Besides, one of the suggestions I have is for us all to write a short story each week based on the writing prompts I get each week from a site called Reedsy. They’re one of the main websites I go to for information and they have the best webinars and people for all types of authors.” I said. This seemed to break the ice as everyone started to talk at once.

“I can’t make it next Thursday.” Said Susan

“What’s a writing prompt?” asked Gerry

“Can we maybe alternate the days every week or is that awkward” Susan kept her flow going.

“Do you tell us when to write and when to stop writing?”

I smiled and waited for the talking to stop. I noticed that Helen kept quiet and smiled at the questions. I couldn’t tell if she was enjoying the simplicity or if she too wanted the same answers.

Personally, I was just glad that she wanted to join the group. I wondered at this point if she needed any extra help in the future.

“Hey Luke” Helen brought me back to the present.

“Are you smiling at us or are you in another universe right now?”

I laughed and said “Guilty as charged. I’m just thinking about my next adventure.” I lied.

Helen pulled an accusing face that I quickly ignored.

At least everyone had stopped talking.

“Today is more about meeting each other, seeing what we each want to achieve and working out what works best for all of us. I believe that if we keep the same schedule then it will become more customary for us to meet up, rather than try a different day or time each week. If anyone can’t make it then they can simply send their weekly sample into the group email, if they wish. As I said before, this is about feeling comfortable and enjoying the writing.”

I looked around and everyone nodded in agreement and left me to keep talking and explaining my thoughts.

“Writing prompts are a set of scenarios given to you and you then decide which one works best for your style. I find them great when I’m struggling to find any ideas for my writing. Taking a break and tackling a prompt gives my imagination a reboot.”

James spoke first “Cool, I can just send in my assignment when I have class.”

I laughed knowing he was messing with me.

“I joined because I want something else to focus on. My life is a bit messed up right now and although I love reading, the thought of writing has me inspired. They say that everyone has a book in them though I think mine would probably be more like the Mr men than a James Herriot.”

Excellent, Susan had everyone now on the subject of why they accepted my invitation.

Gerry was next “I left school to help on the family farm and although I struggle with writing, my kids say that I tell fantastic stories. I’m not looking to get rich but it would certainly give me enormous pleasure to have a published book with my name on it. It might even help make my in-laws accept me and not be so judgemental”

“I want to use this as an extra class for my English Lit. I love the classics and like Gerry, I want my books out there but on everyone’s shelves.”

James may have seemed like an odd one to join but I knew he had a tough time at home due to his failing grades.

I looked at Susan to see if she wanted to go next but she gestured for me to take the stage “Ok, a quick synopsis of me then. I’m Luke, Forty-six and I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember. I self-publish as a hobby and, I guess like Gerry, I like to have my books on a shelf to admire. I’ve six published now. I suppose I may someday go full time and quit my teaching job but then I wouldn’t get to work with a future Tolstoy, Like young James here.” I gave him a playful wink.

I looked to see if Susan was ready to talk yet, but again her sweeping hands said otherwise.

“As you know, I teach English Literature with all the usual classics but to be honest I think you could learn just as much, if not more, from some of the contemporary writers out there. The extremely detailed and researched books by James Patterson. Stephen King and his grasp of how to take the human mind to somewhere it doesn’t want to be. Maybe the humour and imagination of the unknown author Ross Wylie, his mind is quite a place to travel in. My own favourite is Sansu Snipe, Have any of you read her books?.”

Only Susan and Linda nodded and with little surprise, confirmed my thoughts about readers and styles.

“It amazes me that people stick to what they think are books for women or for men. I like to read everything and I’m so glad or I would have missed out on some stunning works of art. I kid you not guys, the way Sansu describes a scene is like no other writer. Her first book ‘Unforgotten Lies’ took the book world by storm. The first two lines were so well written that the TV gets turned off and your mobile goes to answerphone. I’m not going to spoil it for you but maybe for next week everyone can get hold of a copy and we could focus on those two lines.”

James looked at me in a new light “I would not have put you down as a modern reader sir “James, do you imagine me every night reading Dickens by candlelight?” I shook my head “And please outside of class, call me Luke or Mr Benson.”

I returned the swishing hand gesture to Susan. She had something to tell or else she didn’t like the attention.

“Hi everyone. I’m Susan and I answered the newspaper ad/invite because I also have a love of writing. Like Luke, I’m already published and I was hoping to join and hear other perspectives and stories from fellow authors. I’d also like to see how others go through their journey from idea to the bookshelf, and if I can help in any way I will gladly give my knowledge.” Susan looked at the group and anticipated questions.

“Do you sell your books or are you a hobbyist like Luke?” asked Linda.

“I sold a few, but it took a long time and many submissions to various publishers and agents. If you’re serious then my advice is to never stop submitting. There are 8 billion people out there and most of them love to read. You said earlier Linda that there’s a book in everyone well I believe there are readers for every book.”

I looked around the table to see if there were any more questions for Susan but all was quiet on that front. “Well, Susan I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say welcome to our little writing class. Your insight into the dark world of publishing will be invaluable to us all. May I ask what you’ve written, are we likely to have seen you on a bookshelf?”

Susan laughed and had all our eyes widened in excitement.

“Okay, yes you have heard of my books but no you wouldn’t have seen me on a bookshelf”

“Wow, a bit of mystery already. Yes to your books but no to you, how does that work then?”

“I use a pseudonym for privacy.” Susan raised her eyebrows to add to the drama. My full name is Susan Pines but my author name is an anagram of that. I’m sure you can work out the mystery, after all, you mentioned me earlier.” Susan folded her arms and waited for the penny to drop.

“Hang on a second, are you..”

“Yes,” said Susan “ ’Unforgotten Lies’ was my first novel.”