Monday 13 July 2009

Penrith, unexpected

It may not be what you expect from a writers conference, especially a romantic writers conference, but walking early in the morning can be rewarding.
When I saw Sue Moorcroft's pic, here I knew we had been photographing the same horse. This is in the mare's own little world at the end of the lane beyond the tennis courts and the football pitches, with Blencathra (I think!) in the distance.











The fields were full of activity, too. Hares speeding across the meadows; not a common sight these days, now that hares are on the list of endangered species.


The conference was informative, exciting and tiring. Some familiar faces, many new ones - and the noise! If I ever had the idea that authors were shy, retiring people, then this gathering blew that idea right out of the water!


Coming from the north-east of the UK, so very close to the Border with Scotland, I don't often make the trip to London. It is expensive and to make anything of it, demands an overnight stay, so it is especially good that the conference comes north and gives us northern writers the chance to make the acquaintance of all the names I see so regularly on ROMNA .

Rachel Natanson gave us a insight into the complex workings of People's Friend where so much change has gone on lately. The audience remains the same - strong, independant minded ladies of a certain age who want stories that feature believable characters perhaps caught up in unfavourable circumstances. The readers do not wish to be shocked or offended or have to worry about leaving the magazine lying around where small hands may find, read and be hurt by it. The Pocket Novel word count has gone up to 50k and still features youngish heroines, whereas the shorter stories like romance stories about older leadies - ie over 50!





5 comments:

AnneMarie Brear said...

Thanks for that information, Jen.
Glad you had a nice time at the conference.

Unknown said...

Great photos jen. I just got back home last night a ten - a long day of travel but it was so worth the effort.
lx

Philip O'Mara said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sue Moorcroft said...

It always takes me about three days to get over a conference! Am still working my way through the list of tasks I collected whilst there. Wouldn't have missed it, though.

Jen Black said...

Yes, it is exhausting, but so worth it! I'm settling down again and thinking about work now.
Jen

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