Hello Everyone,

I just joined and would like to say Hi.

Ben East
Brittany Writers

Hi Ben

Welcome to WW. If you need any help finding your way around the site just shout and someone will help - we're a friendly bunch around here.

I had a quick look at your linked website (not enough time to do is justice at the moment). I have one question - I live near Bordeaux and having been feeling rather isolated here in the Sud Ouest. Do you know of any similar on-line writing communities based in my region?

I hope you have fun and get whatever support etc that you need from WW.

Regards

Nicci

Thanks Nicci, much appreciated.

When I researched the idea for my magazine, I noticed a distinct lack of writers communities in France as a whole. It was encouraging in a way that we were doing something different.

I've had lots of requests from writers in the past few weeks, asking if we could relax the rules about living or writing about Brittany. So, we decided that anyone who would like to contribute non-Brittany pieces will be more than welcome.

We shall add a section called "other articles" - they will receive the same exposure as Brittany articles and probably add a new dimension to the mag.

If you would like to register as a contributor, you would be more than welcome Nicci.

In the meantime, if I come across a community in your area I will certainly let you know.

Once again, thanks for your welcome and reply.

Ben.
Brittany Writers

Hi Ben,

Funny that - I live in the Limousin and have just started my own writers' group so your website may well be of interest to us. I realised after five years that no-one else was going to organise anything like it around here so I would have to do it.

Mind you, I'm finding it difficult getting people to turn up! There was lots of interest at the beginning but people always seem to be busy. We only have three regulars at the moment but as we haven't been going long, I'm hoping eventually this will increase.

There is a 'French Connection' group here on WW, you may wish to pop your head in.

DQ

Hi DQ,

Fascinating really. So many people move to France in the hope of finding time to write, yet, there are few facilities aimed at getting them all together.

You too are welcome to submit pieces to BWM if you think it will help your members find an interest. Using Brittany Writers Magazine to set a weekly or monthly writing challenge could add a bit of interest at your meetings. I hope you can increase your membership, it does take time to build a community though.

Thanks for the French Connection news, I shall go and search them out.

Regards,
Ben
Brittany Writers

Hi Ben

I'm Nancy, from the French Connection group. I live in London but my dad is from Brittany and I go there several times a year (near Quiberon), as my grandma still lives there.

It's funny how strong the Breton identity is, compared with other regional identities.

I've noticed that France has very few writing communities, in French anyway. I am writing a novel in French and have been unable to find anything like WW in French. Very strange.

Good luck with your mag. I'll have a good look at your website and I hope we can collaborate at some point!

Nancy

Thanks for that Nancy.

I have managed to find your group, though I can't access it yet. I'm checking my pay-pal balance in anticipation of becoming a full member of WW ;+)

I'm pleased to find so many interested and like-minded members here on the forums, very busy and encouraging.

Yes I hope you can find some time to take a look at the mag, the first members articles will go live tomorrow. I'm sure we can find some mutual areas to collaborate too.

Regards,
Ben.
Brittany Writers

Hi Ben

Thanks for your words encouragement re Brittany Writers. I've now been on the website and had a good look around - very interesting and professional.

I've contacted the Ed, and had a reply about possible contributions to the magazine. I've got a list of topics for possible articles that could be suitable. All I've got to do now is write them. HA HA!

Hope you decide to stay on WW and that you join the French Connection Group - I joined about 2 mins ago.

Regards

Nicci

That's great news Nicci. Yes I shall be signing-up to WW too.

Your remarks about getting started reminded me of a old film with Chevy Chase. After receiving his advance for a book, he rented a house in the country, to get started in the right atmosphere. After several attempts, all he had to show was a basket full of screwed-up paper.

His publisher constantly hassled him for the first chapter. After several hurry-up calls, Chevy Chase assured him everything was OK! Don't worry, he said, I have all the words I need, it's just that I haven't put them together yet!! Ha Ha, one of my favorite lines from a film.

Will see you soon on French Connections.

Regards,
Ben.

Hi Ben

Like Chevy Chase I have all the words I need (and lots of ideas too) all flying around my head like some mad mobile.

Actually I feel a little like a cartoon character that's been hit over the head with something. However, instead of little starts or birds flying aroundmy head I haveideas for books and articles. I suppose it could be worse - all my inspiration could have dried up and that would be a tradegy

Think it's about time for some serious prioritisation and goal setting. GROAN - my thesis for my Life Coaching diploma was on Goal Setting - all 10,000 words of it. (Perhaps the start of a book???)

Glad that you're going to join us properly.

Must go as I now have a dilemma - start researching for an article on the local Fete d'autome (ie mushroom fetival) or my french homework. I know which I'd rather work on and which I should work on, unfortunately there in lies with dilemma. Cepes or imparfait verbs - what an impossibly hard choice

Nicci

start researching for an article on the local Fete d'autome (ie mushroom fetival)

Wins every time! Why, because it's a creative exercise of course - "The creative must be nurtured, the studious must be managed"! - In my interpretation, have a plan or be a part of someone elses!

Your subscription has bestowed smilies upon you :+)

Good luck with your decision Nicci.

Regards,
Ben.

If you'd been a fly on the wall at my last French lesson you'd know how creative I can be!

Although I think my French teacher will be impressed that I've been reading and commenting on French poetry today (as part of the French Connection group.)

The fete d'automne is not until next weekend so I have a couple more days to do some research, including a list of questions to ask. I knew there was some reason to impress my French teacher this week. Don't think my vocab is up to in-depth discussions about funghi. Having said that I'm not sure that my English vocab would be either!

Its one of the things I love about writing - you ever know where its going to take you next, or what you're going to learn.

Regards


Nicci