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This year it was based at Royal Holloway in Surrey and set against this magnificent backdrop.
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Built by Victorian philanthropist Thomas Holloway, at the suggestion of wife Jane, it aimed to provide a college to educate women.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Not only was the Founders\u2019 Building, in all its gothic turretry-ness (yes, it\u2019s a word!) truly splendid, the grounds were wooded and full of life. Muntjac deer, squirrels and rich bird life abounded. What a place to go to university! Very special.<\/p>\n\n\n
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The conference consisted of a mixture of talks, workshops, networking and a chance to catch up with writing pals. It was hot, hectic and huge fun. I\u2019d spent days convincing the other half that it really was work (and it was!) but it was also a chance to socialise and have a drink or two. Or three.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Writers are, by nature, usually solitary and at times I found it all a bit too people-y. Good to find a shady spot and a calming friend. This is Jack aka Cheeseburger, the campus cat and a complete tart! He was very zen, extremely affectionate and soothed my nerves before an important meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n
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At each conference a competition is run called The Elizabeth Goudge Trophy. This year we had to enter the first two thousand words of a novel and, blow me down, I came second! I was so shocked, I forgot Wendy Howell is my real name and nearly didn\u2019t go up to receive the prize and certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n