Writing Buddies launched successfully

Writing Buddies went well. Ten writers turned up and all had lots to say, which was great. We met in the middle of the Borders store and, I have to say, that the store staff looked after us very well indeed.

For more information see the Writing Buddies blog by clicking here.

Express FM

Things are all getting rather exciting! I have been asked to have a 'spot' on a radio show. Now this is interesting as I have never been on radio before. Yes, I have been to radio studios as I have interviewed several DJs in my time and taken photos of them 'doing their thing.' This will be quite a novelty to be on the receiving end of questions, and live too!

The station is Express FM, a local Portsmouth based station which has a writing related show on Tuesdays between 7 and 8 pm. I have no idea yet when I will be on but it is lovely to be asked and so, watch this space for more details.

Writing Buddies will launch this afternoon!

Yes, it is Writing Buddies Day! Can't wait. It will be interesting to meet those who come along and the chat is sure to be lively.

As Writing Buddies is aimed at anyone with an interest in writing, I am hoping there will be an eclectic mix of personalities. I will be there with my ever present camera to record the event for posterity.

If you fancy a cuppa and a chat, come along to Borders Bookshop in Southampton this afternoon at about 2 o'clock, pull up a chair and join in! I look forward to meeting you!

Andark diving...

Well, it has been a long time coming, but it is time for the Legg family to have a little fun. We seem to have been taken up with moving country, working, getting settled again, working, doing up the house, working, and oh, did I mention, working?

Well, today we have taken giant strides towards having some play time. We were driving home after a trip to find a coffee table (successful) when we noticed that there was a dive shop on the road we were travelling along. Not only that, it was having a special sales events, so we stopped and popped in.

Oh boy, were we glad we did! Andark Scuba Diving and Watersports Specialists have a deceptively unpretentious premises, which, when viewed from the road, looks a little like a shed with blacked out windows. Little does one realise that this reaches, Tardis-like, backwards and incorporates a well stocked shop and a huge training pool and classroom area. We met the staff, both dive trainers and highly competent shop staff, and were very impressed with what we heard and saw.

We left armed with leaflets on the Andark Scuba Adventurers Club, their Sunday diving programme, the courses available in the pool, the latest Andark diver's newsletter and with a receipt for a 7mm full length ladies wet suit, which is now on order.

All of a sudden our horizons have been opened and we are full of excitement about the prospect of diving again. There are more courses available through PADI now and I have been browsing these on the Andark website. We are going to get our equipment serviced, book refresher courses for us both as it was August 2008 when we last dived, and then off we will go to see what the chilly waters in England have in store for us. More on this in future posts.

Penny Legg's Writing Buddies is launched!

Well, I have just launched the new blog site for Writing Buddies. So, if you fancy having a quick peek, please feel free to do so.

So far, content is small, but it will grow as the group gets off the ground. I will keep you posted!

The Natwest Everywoman In Transport and Logistics, Industry Trainer of the Year Award

I am very pleased to announce that Joe Thorp is the 2009 winner of The Natwest Everywoman in Transport and Logistics, Industry Trainer of the Year Award.

The event, compered by Ruby Wax, was an 'inspirational celebration of the many talented women working within the transport and logistics industry.' More than 300 guests attended.

My son, who is Joe's partner, has promised photos. I will post them as soon as possible.

In the meantime, congratulations, Joe.

Nik Morton

Nik Morton's latest short story is worth much attention. 'Spend It Now, Pay Later,' is a truly chilling tale that will not let you rest until you have finished reading it. Enjoy!

Well done, Nik!

Simon Whaley and Writing Buddies

Writer, tutor, photographer and friend, Simon Whaley, has been kind enough to advertise my new Writing Buddies group at Borders, to his students. To read what he has to say, click here.

So far, reaction to the initiative has been very positive. Five professional writers have said they will be at the first meeting, with several pledging to come later in the summer, including Simon himself. All good news!

If you are interested or want more information, please do contact me.

Writing Buddies

I am pleased to announce the formation of a new, informal writers' group, Writing Buddies, which will meet fortnightly at Borders Bookshop in Southampton, from Friday 22 May.

I had been toying with the idea of starting my own writers' circle as I did not seem able to find a circle in my area. However, readers of this blog will have read about my discovery of the Southampton Writers' Circle and so the need to start my own group has died away. However, I felt that there was something missing and with the formation of Writing Buddies, I hope to fill the gap I see in services for writers in Southampton.

I know that I am new to the area and there is bound to be someone out there in Readerland who will email me and tell me I have it wrong, there is an existing group offering the services I am about to offer and asking me who do I think I am, starting something similar? Well, I apologise but the fact is, as a newcomer to the area, I have not found them.

So what am I wittering on about? Writers' Circles offer their members a place to meet and try out their writing. Members read excerpts and friendly criticism is offered. Circles run competitions and invite guest speakers to talk about their latest books or share expertise. Writing Buddies is different. Writing Buddies is open to both professional and non-professional writers of all genres and both sexes. It is basically a group which meets for a cuppa and a chat upstairs in the large Borders store in the Southampton city centre. Anyone who has an interest in writing can come along, pick up a coffee and sit down to discuss any aspect of writing they wish to. So, we might talk about the latest developments in the fiction market, an editor's view of journalism, discuss how a plot can be pushed forward, talk about writing organisations and writing courses, the latest developments in book selling or anything else the group fancies. The emphasis will not be on reading out our own work but on the wider world of writing. Thus, Writing Buddies will not overlap with existing writing circles and will, I hope, complement them.

Writing Buddies will not put people in touch with agents or publishers. Writing Buddies will not critique work. Writing Buddies may though, pass on information about where to go for such services if they are necessary. It just depends on who joins the group that week and who knows whom.

The management of Borders has been very supportive. It seems that they have wanted to have such a group within their store for a while, but did not know where to start to find writers interested in coming along. My initiative has therefore been of interest.

Depending on how we fare, I would like to see guest speakers pop in to join the group, to bring new ideas and new possibilities to our merry band.

If you fancy coming along, the meetings are free and start at 2 p.m. If you would like more information, please do contact me.

Folklore of Hampshire by Penny Legg

My new book, Folklore of Hampshire, is now available here , at the Book Depository, for pre-order. This is a real spur to getting it finished! This company has already discounted it too. Amazing, eh?