I am so excited to have been given the opportunity to bring new and exciting books to your attention, and I have The Coffee Pot Book Club to thank for that.
The North Finchley Writers’ Group
By Richard Tearle, with Helen Hollick
When
a group of north London writers meet each month for a chat, coffee, and
cake – what else is on their agenda? Constructive criticism? New Ideas?
An exciting project? And maybe, more than one prospective romance...?
Eavesdrop
on the monthly meetings of the North Finchley Writers' Group, follow
some ordinary people with a love of story writing, and an eagerness for
success. Discover, along with them, the mysteries of creating characters
and plot, of what inspires ideas, and how real life can, occasionally,
divert the dream...
Read an Excerpt
LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF
My name – my personal and professional name – is Rob Taylor and I'm a writer.
It
is rather strange to state that as a fact after years of scribbling,
despair at rejections tempered by moments of high elation when one of my
stories was accepted by a respected magazine. But I can state it as a
truth now, for I write regularly for several publications, and my first
compilation has recently been published with a fixed contract for two
more to follow. At the moment, I write short stories, but more than a
few friends have encouraged me with prompts such as “You have a novel in
you, you know,” and, “A short story has the potential to be a novel
writ long.” I am working on the idea.
But enough of that.
About
a year or so ago, I was unexpectedly made redundant. Jobless, but with a
good-enough redundancy bank balance to keep me going for a bit, and a
determination to do what I wanted to do – write – I took the plunge and
converted the spare bedroom into a study. I started writing full time
and joined the North Finchley Writers' Group, where I met some lovely
people who, one way or another, gave me the encouragement to develop my
ideas.
All to my satisfaction, but my wife's dismay.
The
members of our writers’ group are a very mixed bunch, as you will find
out. We meet every month at a different house and whoever is the host
gets to provide tea and coffee – often with cake or ‘light snacks’ – and
chooses a topic for discussion. We talk, voice opinions and yes,
sometimes we argue. But it is all forgotten when we walk away into the
night.
Mostly.
They've
had quite a turnover of members over the years. Some who came for a
couple of meetings and then disappear. Some who weren't really writers
but 'dabble' and think that attending a writers' group meeting makes
them one. They never last long. Some have moved along and, sadly, one or
two have passed on to the great Library in the Sky. Nowadays we have
about a dozen or so regulars. There are one or two who are deliberately
obstructive. Outspoken. Single minded. Cantankerous.
Some
are shy and introvert and, in truth, offer little. But they listen and
learn, and that is what we are all there for. To learn from others, be
they best sellers or unpublished writers. Because, whatever our
differences, we stick together and, if anyone is down, we stand by them
and offer encouragement. If someone is on a high, then we enthuse in
their success.
Most of us, anyway.
We
do have a few Best Sellers. Angela Knight, for example, and Zak
Nichols. Charlotte Caroll is more than adept at Regency romances, (not
my bag, but, well, credit where credit's due) and Jean Hart uses her
history degree to good effect, as does Hilary Jackson, albeit covering a
different period of time.
I'll introduce them all properly as we go along...
You can pick up your copy over on Amazon.
A Word From Richard Tearle :
You
make the rocking world go round...Writers are such a wonderful
community – supportive, helpful and ever willing to give their time and
expertise to one humble chap such as I. Thank you all from the bottom of
my heart. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
Richard – December 2020
A Word From Helen Hollick:
Richard to write this, his first novel. His enjoyment of creating a good story, I felt, should be shared to readers and writers, everywhere. Unfortunately, at the editing stage, Richard became ill, involving hospitalisation. In discussion with his son, rather than abandon the project or put it on hold, we decided that the best course of action was for me to continue with getting this book published on his behalf. The characters, plot – the story – are all Richard’s immense talent, I merely tidied up and added the final polish, coming in as ‘painter and decorator’ to Richard’s main role as architect, designer, and builder.
Social Media Links:
Richard - Website
Tour Schedule:
February 15th
Oh look, another book!
Books, Lattes and Tiaras
B for Book Reviews
February 16th
LoupDargent.info
Let your Words Shine…
February 17th
I got lost in a book
Candlelight Reading
Mary’s Bookcase
February 18th
The Book Bandit’s Library
Zoe’s Art, Craft and Life
The Books Delight
February 19th
Anna Belfrage – Stolen Moments
Judith Arnopp Official Blog
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