Hi there

Anyone planning to go to the launch of Wanna be a Writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones? It's at Borders Charing X between 12-4pm on Saturday 19th May 2007.

Jane will be dispensing advice on getting published, and other authors who've contributed to the book will be there (including me - I wrote The Girls' Guide to Losing Your L Plates how to pass your driving test published by Simon and Schuster and give tips on writing non-fiction and on publicising your book.)

Would be fab to meet any of you writeworders in person!

all best

Maria
www.mariamccarthy.co.uk

I wish I was! Have a great time, and give Jane my regards.

Kate X

Just might be able to get there, if I can persuade my half-terming children that an afternoon in the West End is a good idea... Hope to catch up with you if I do, Maria. The book sounds great!

Emma

Humph! As the months go by getting increasingly irritated by the multitude of intersting events south of Watford.

Nothing personal,Maria, have a wonderful time

Casey

Does Torbay count as South of Watford?

8th June - 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. Jane Wenham-Jones will be talking about her new book Wannabe a Writer? at Churston Golf Club, Dartmouth Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham Tickets £2.00 - Proceeds to RNLI Tickets available from Patricia Maw: 01803 858734 or Torbay Bookshop: 01803 522011

Only in English geography, perhaps, but it should be another good evening.

Emma

Hi, saw your article in this month's Writing Magazine. Very good. I'm taking driving lessons, so look forward to reading what you have to say. I hope people will try and go to this event. When I was trying to get a deal (erm, pre last month) I'd have loved to have seen such an event.

One place I did go to was The Winchester Writers conference (next one, this June). A brilliant place to meet agents and fellow authors. I met my now agent there and have never looked back. My first book is out next year. And I am stil coming to terms with it... Feels weird....

Wow, congratulations Lola - that's great!

Have heard that Winchester is really good!

Thank you!

I have a driving lesson tonight, any tips?

Check out my website http://www.mariamccarthy.co.uk - and look at the Driving Instructors to Avoid section to make sure you've got the right instructor - it's so important to have the right one!

There's also a bit there about Myths about the Driving Test which might be helpful!

Good luck - it's all worth it in the end!

all best Maria

Good website! God, I was so utterly useless at driving it took me 5 goes to pass my test, and when I did, the examiner didn't say 'Congratulations,' he just went, 'Well, you've passed,' in a gritted-teeth kind of way. That said, I've been driving for 20 years and I've never had an accident or points on my licence.

Thanks for the compliment re my website, Kate. If anyone else is thinking of getting one, I'd highly recommend my website designer, Laura at lsd design - (can get to their site via mine and see other examples of her work) - was good value - about £330, I remember, with cheap hosting options recommended.

Re driving - I think that people who take a while to learn often make safe drivers afterwards as they're cautious and don't take unnecessary risks.

Maria, do you know whether there'll be stuff going on for the full four hours of the launch or is it more of a drop-in thing? I'd like to come but don't think I'll be allowed a whole afternoon off from toddler-wrangling, so I'm trying to gauge when would be the best time to turn up.

Helen

I've just asked Maria that, and she said she and she thought most others would be there around 1pm. I'm going to try to drop by then too.

Emma

Re: driving tests.

It took me ten years and seven tests. I have yet to meet anyone who can outdo me on this.

Ten years and five tests, so far. Still haven't passed.