Pencils and what-not, ipads, laptops, phones, we can write with anything these days. Yet there are still times when the words flow like cold porridge. The solution is two interlocking things. One is that if you’re a writer, you need writing time, lots of it, securely ring-fenced, guilt-free. The second is being among other writers, especially warm, supportive darlings who are fun to be with. The combination is sometimes known as Writing Buddies. So, I am starting local ‘buddies’ groups, for writers to get together in person for special time like this:

On the SECOND SUNDAY AFTERNOON of each month between 2 and 4pm, we’ll be in The Old Curiosity Shop, Harbour Street, Broadstairs, Kent. That’s 8 February, 8 March and so on, and

On the SECOND WEDNESDAY EVENING of each month, you’re invited to Chapters Coffee & Books in Sturry High Street, near Canterbury. We’ll gather from 6.30pm, for two hours writing and socialising between 7 and 9pm. If you’d like to write through the whole two and a half hours, feel free.

Thank you to Maurice of Chapters who has asked us writers to join the Silent Readers there too on the FOURTH WEDNESDAY EVENING of each month – from 6.30pm for a 7-9pm session – to sit among those quietly reading to themselves, write to our hearts’ content and share Chapters’ atmosphere of happy creativity among books and words.

I hope you’ll find a time to suit you. These are just informal gatherings, not a course. You’re welcome to join me to concentrate quietly on your own writing as you like and to chat and meet other writers. Please bring your writing materials and enough £ to buy your refreshments.