So while I’ll try and stick to the subject – writing (yeah another one, don’t roll your eyes) I expect I’ll meander into the strange things I scribble about, weird places I’ve been and day to day insanity that we call adulthood. Sometimes you might like what I write. And other times, you’ll probably give me three out of ten for effort. It’s just the way I am. Sorry.

So to kick off, and, while this exercise book is new and I’m keen to make it as neat and tidy as possible, I’m going to give a shout to the ladies at YA Fiction Fanatics, the crit group I belong to. When I was looking for a group to join, it became clear very early on that the most exciting stuff was going on in the US, and if I was serious about YA fiction, I’d do well to look west for help and inspiration. And I’m so glad I did. The writers in this group are awesome. I’ve read compelling, beautifully written, original stories I’m convinced will be on your shelves in the next two years and am still a little surprised they let me in. Their critiques are detailed and thoughtful, each one a testiment to how well they know their craft. And their attitude to their work is breath-takingly professional.

Being the only Brit in the group is great and I feel very lucky to have met and made friends with these remarkable ladies. This week, as if working on their individual future bestsellers isn’t enough, they’re launching a new project – YAFF MUSE, a series of weekly short stories created from an image meant to inspire our Muse.

I haven’t taken part in the first one – and that’s one of the reasons I’ve finally caught up with the rest of them and started a blog.  So I’ll be having a bash from next week onwards. But in the meantime, check out what these fabulous writers have come up with at

RM Gilbert (http://rmgilbert.com)
Min Buchanan (http://neverasthecrowflies.blogspot.com)
Rebekah Purdy (http://rebekahlpurdy.wordpress.com)
Cambria Dillon (http://www.cambriadillon.com)
Traci Kenworth (http://tracikenworth.wordpress.com)
Vanessa Barger (http://thatwritersblog.blogspot.com/)

Hope you enjoy them.

lol px