All writers need a buddy, a fellow writer who understands all the frustrations, with whom you can bounce ideas, who will spur you on and will give you unbiased feedback.
I met Anne Borrowdale at a Writing Workshop when she came to give a talk to my Writers’ Group. I bought three of her books and enjoyed them thoroughly.
Although Anne writes issue based novels about relationships rather than the kind of crime stories I write, I trust her judgement.
At the time, we had both just finished the first draft of the current novels we were writing and plucked up the courage to exchange manuscripts.
Since then we have talked over the last two or three of our novels and for my part I can honestly say her understanding and advice on both my Fiona Mason Mysteries and A Death too Far have been invaluable.
Anne lives in Oxford and, although we send the occasional emails, we meet up only a couple of times a year. This distance is probably part of the success of our usefulness to each other because neither of us have any need to pull the punches – not so easy to do you with someone with whom you regularly socialize.
Take a look at Anne’s website
Brilliant and most interesting!!!
Many thanks, Veronica.
Many thanks. I wrote this some time ago and I am now lucky enough to have several ‘beta readers’ – not only are they great for helping me at the final stage, their support and encouragement all through the long first draft is what keeps me writing.