Building a writing community

As usual at New Year, I took some time out to review 2019 and see what I achieved.  My major goal for the year was to get represented by an agent, and as for the previous twenty years, that goal wasn't achieved.  As usual, that's become my top goal for 2020.

In 2019 I was involved in a lot of writing-related events.  I continued to be Chairwoman of Havant and District Writers' Circle.   Carol Westron and I have rebuilt this group from an all-time low to a lively, diverse and committed group of writers.  We had another day retreat this year, led by the brilliant Charlie Cochrane.

I've continued to be involved with spoken word group T'Articulation.  This year's big events were performing at Southsea Castle in June as part of Portsmouth Festivities, and at the Square Tower Southsea as part of Darkfest.  The group also held two highly-enjoyable socials during the year.

I've continued my involvement with Portsmouth Writers' Hub.  In January  I delivered a workshop on character deepening.  Towards the end of the year I became a Director of the Community Interest Company which will run the Hub in future.  

In February I gave a talk on coping with rejection at Portsmouth Bookfest, and in June I renewed old acquaintances with the Dunford Novelists group when Carol Westron organised a local Dunford Day.  Also in June I went to London for the AGM of the British Science Fiction Association.

The biggest event of the year was five days in Dublin at the World Science Fiction Convention.  I'd proposed three panel topics, and all had been accepted.  I spoke on all three of those panels, and came away on a high after a brilliant five days.

In October I went to London for Gollanczfest Writers' Day, a specialist event for science fiction and fantasy writers.  As well as talking genre things, I got to reminisce about Worldcon.

In November I went to local NaNoWriMo write-ins, renewing friendships from last year. December saw  me selling my books at the Victorian Festival of Christmas at Portsmouth Dockyard.

That's a lot of stuff in one year.  I'm hoping that 2020 will be as fun and informative.  I already have an Arvon course with my favourite SF author to look forward to, and the promise of two retreats with friends.  I think 2020 will be a good year.