I was invited to the July meeting. I survived it and wrote it up:-
Today was the bi-monthly local Romantic Novelists’ Association lunch. I love going to these – not only is it held in a nice venue, and I get lunch out, the event makes me feel young and rather techno whizzy (as opposed to feeling old and techno Neanderthal, which is my usual state).
Out of about fourteen people present, there was an author in her thirties and then, at a sprightly fifty-one, I was second youngest. (Apart from my sixteen year old daughter, of whom more anon.) If I was being stereotypical I’d say that most of my fellow romance writers look just like you’d expect them to. And there’s nothing wrong with that, in fact it’s rather reassuring.
It’s always interesting when we start chatting about how we meet other authors, promote, deal with publishers, etc. A number of people aren’t into online stuff at all, which makes me think I’m cutting edge, although it was interesting that it was the youngest author who thought one of the reasons Kindle wouldn’t take off was not being able to read it in the bath. And one of the more mature ladies who said that Kindle was the way forward, once they sorted out the technology and was outlining its many advantages. (So don’t judge a book by its cover…)
The speaker was Jean Fullerton; it’s always fascinating to hear successful authors talk about how they got their break and she was particularly interesting when she spoke about her experiences with the RNA new writers scheme, which had been decidedly curate’s eggy. She is dyslexic, so had taken the decision to have her submissions professionally produced to create a good impression (that rang bells, given the four macaronis’ experiences on the acquisitions team for ‘I Do’).
I sat with a different group of people this time, so had to go through the whole “What do you write?” “Gay romance, Edwardian gay romantic suspense.” Slightly different responses this time – not negative but a distinct hint of people thinking “I really don’t know what to say in reply”. Interesting to have Number two daughter listening in, as she picked up this, too. The pro-Kindle lady was least nonplussed, comparing the genre to Sarah Waters’ work, and the conversation neatly turned to doing historical research for novels. Still, I got invited to another writers’ event (a group who meet at Borders) so I wasn’t persona non grata.
And as for my beloved daughter? Another book you can’t judge by her cover. She creates a rather ditzy impression, so people are left gobsmacked when she confesses to wanting to read medicine. She doesn’t say a lot when she’s with strangers but what she says is very perceptive. When asked if she had any writerly ambitions, quick as a flash she said “Writing’s a bit too much inward looking for me. Authors are in a room somewhere, working on their own. I prefer things where I can interact with other people.”
Which left silence around the table and me with real food for thought.
People never look how I imagine them to be. Doesn’t matter if they’re authors. I just never imagine people as they are in reality. LOL. And ugh…reading in the bath. I have a friend who does. Tried it once but so uncomfy. Couldn’t relax at all. Could enjoy the book or the bath. It really is a mystery to me how people do both. And your daughter is right. Writing is rather a solitary pursuit. Sometimes too solitary. That’s why I appreciate many of the friendships I’ve made through technology. It’s been wonderful to connect with other writers (readers too, but no one understand what’s involved more than another writer) instead of just quietly tapping along all by oneself.
I’m a great one for reading in the bath. We have a tub which is perfectly shaped to combine a soak, a read and a cup of coffee. Perfection.
The net is an absolute lifeline in terms of liaising with other writers, although it’s a two-edged sword. I find myself easily distracted from writing…
Charlie
Ah, the RNA – well I submitted three novels to their new writers scheme – had three quite lengthy crits – and never got beyond stage one. I sort of accepted I was still learning for the first sub. More upset for the second and devastated that the third never got further. That was it for me. I’ll never join.
All three novels have subsequently been accepted for publication with no significant changes. The comments from the editor were so wonderful I could have cried. I realize that its all subjective but that scheme didn’t help me at all. Well maybe it did by pissing me off. I got the feeling from the magazines that it’s all very cozy. They have their authors they like and they aren’t – rather like their American equivalent – interested in new technology or sexy books.
As for romance writers looks – well after attending the RWA conference in Orlando – I think Brit writers – at least of the sort of stuff I like – are younger, fitter, hipper (if there is such a word), a lot thinner and much more intellectual. The American writers were very friendly and approachable but – gulp – rather large. Their taste was different. They want less thought -provoking stories, no adultery, less character driven, more sex – well that was my impression.
OOps – off the soap box
Barbara
You’d have loved to hear the speaker as her experience with the RNA new writers’ scheme mirrored yours. And at one point she had devastating feedback I suspect she almost jacked the whole game in.
I’m not an RNA member – I just go along as it’s fun – and I’ll try out some of the other writers groups they recommend and see if any of them suit me.
“younger, fitter, hipper (if there is such a word), a lot thinner and much more intellectual. ” That would be the local group. Just about.
Charlie
Oh that is interesting, Charlie. The feedback I had was very thorough in lots of ways and was encouraging just not accepting (LOL) but I had the distinct impression I wasn’t ‘moral’ enough. The irony is that American readers insist on loyalty and faithfulness of their romance heroines. British authors are much more adventurous in their dissection of relationships.
I’ve not found a ‘realtime’ group I’d want to join – not yet. It would be nice to have a meeting every few months with like minded people. The Americans have that sussed. Their local chapters have chapters on chapters from what I’ve seen. Even the well known authors belong to them and help the newbies. I don’t think that exists in the UK.