Eighteen months ago, I heard about Bristol Women Writers, and when I was lucky enough to be invited along, I was immediately impressed by the experience and commitment of the members. These are all writers who are good enough to be published – and most of them have been in some form or other. I was nervous for the first few meetings but I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every one and have benefited from lots of moral support as well as serious criticism.
The group has a mixture of poets, novelists, short story, feature and travel writers, with several of us working in more than one genre or style. This year alone, one member has won two travel writing competitions, another was placed second for a short story, and a number of us have been commended or short-listed. Nor should we forget the member who finished her M.A., and her novel, and has already obtained that must-have accessory, an agent of her own!
I’ve since discovered that the group has been in existence for at least fifteen years, which no doubt accounts for its breadth and depth. We’re about to plan our Christmas outing – one of the few purely social events in our year – and so I think it’s time to wish everyone Happy Christmas and to look forward to (even) more success in 2008!
Ali Bacon / Books and Other Things 
