A (mostly) sunny day at Swanwick
The serious business of the day was attendance at the second part of Roger Ellory’s crime writing course. He was also the evening speaker and gave a very clear and humorous insight into his own struggle to be published. After having 22 novels rejected, his 23rd was accepted!
Swanwick isn’t all about hard graft, though. An international dance evening included some very spirited belly dancing
with everyone invited to join in
and have a good time.
Salsa and cha cha cha were included
and no evening would be complete without some Scottish numbers.
Posted 09/08/10 - Post the first comment on this story
First full day at Swanwick
This was a very full day for me. I attended publisher John Jarrold’s course on preparing a submission package, the first part of writer Roger Ellory’s course on crime thrillers and Jean Saunders’s workshop on wartime sagas.
I enjoyed the singing and playing of the talented cast of the Swanwick Soirée
but had to pass on the Skool Disco. Hardier souls danced on until midnight!
Posted 08/08/10 - Post the first comment on this story
Swanwick 2010
The first afternoon at Swanwick passed in a blur of unpacking and greeting old friends.
The evening speaker was Simon Whaley, who assured us all that ‘A productive writer is a positive writer!’ It’s certainly true in his case, as shown by his impressive list of publications. Afterwards, I sat in the bar for a while with Leeds Writers’ Circle members Joanna and Dennis and had a chat with travel writer Will Randall. It was only broken off by the need to go back to the Main Conference Hall to attend an icebreaking session based on the big storm in The Tempest. We exchanged insults, swayed, pulled ropes, baled out and generally had a fun time.
Posted 07/08/10 - Permalink to this story
Havana comes to Harrogate
A highlight of this year’s Harrogate International Festival was a performance by Alex Wilson and his Salsatak band at the Royal Hall.
Thanks largely to the influence of our wonderful Strictly Salsa teachers Trisha and Deej, what was to have been just a concert was turned into a dance event. The official function closed at 11 p.m., but the awesome twosome had also thoughtfully organised an after show party at Revolution, with dancing until the small hours of Saturday morning. A very good time was definitely had by all!
If you look very closely at the photo, you’ll see me below the left side of the stage dancing with my bearded friend Del.
Posted 24/07/10 - Permalink to this story
Beyond the call of duty
Our Strictly Salsa teachers were at Harrogate bus station to publicise the forthcoming evening with Alex Wilson and his Salsatak band at the Royal Hall.
Who could resist the opportunity to dance with the lovely Trisha!
Posted 23/07/10 - Permalink to this story