(This originally appeared on my old blog 06/09/2015)
Over the weekend, I attended my third Festival of Writing at York. I can’t see myself ever getting tired of this yearly event. For one thing, writing is quite a solitary career even when you have a fabulous online support network of fellow writers and keen readers. Ultimately it’s still you, plodding (occasionally racing) along, putting one word after another and hoping very much that you’ll arrive roughly where you set out for. Actually during the novel writing process there are usually several points where you’re hoping to arrive (or finish) at all! So a chance to attend a three day event where you are among your own kind and don’t feel like an alien visiting a strange world where the natives regard you with varying degrees of disbelief is naturally quite a buzz!
Of course FoW York is more than just a writerly buzz. The workshops are excellent – let’s face it, as writers we never stop learning our craft. There is always more you can do, more you an try. 
There’s the chance to chat to industry professionals so you get an idea of what is and is not selling. And everywhere there are writers to talk to. And not in a ‘distinct whiff of desperation’ way but genuine, friendly people who want to talk shop and trade tips. Plus York is just a great place to visit!
It might all sound like work-work-work but we all had time for a good knees up at the gala dinner on Saturday night. This year there was dancing. There should be dancing every year in my opinion.
Plus I was given books. This is always a good thing 😀
