Well, what can I say about Cirque du Soleil except that they were fantastic!  They really lived up to expectations and if you get the opportunity, go and see them.  My hands were sore from clapping by the time we left.

Last week I recommended our monthly newsletter, E-Zee Writer but I’ve just discovered another good read – the Inkwell Newsletter.  It’s chatty, informative and provides information on writing-related events, competitions and markets for your work.

In the latest issue they linked through to a great article that appeared in the Guardian where a selection of famous authors each suggested their ten rules for writing fiction.  There were tips from the likes of Elmore Leonard, Margaret Atwood, Helen Dunmore, Esther Freud, P D James, and my favourite Roddy Doyle.  Who, as you would expect, is humorous and doesn’t take himself too seriously.

It’s well worth a read even if you’ve no intention of writing a novel yourself because it gives an insight into how the professionals work.

If you fancy a spring break, why not try the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival which runs 20^th to 28^th March.  As usual, there are plenty of famous names, but I sometimes think that some of them spend more time doing the rounds of literary festivals than actually writing.  Perhaps that’s inevitable in a world where writers increasingly have to market themselves if they want to keep the royalty cheques rolling in.

Next week, Simon Maginn, another Writers Bureau tutor, is going to be my guest blogger.  I suspect he’ll tell you about his new novella, Rattus, and believe me, it’ll make you think twice before you raise the toilet lid in future!

But before I go, don’t forget our latest 21^st Birthday competition which gives you the chance to win a  Proofreading and Copy Editing course.

This week has been a busy one – London yesterday for a meeting of the ODLQC council.  This year we’re due for re-accreditation – they like to keep tabs on us and make sure that we’re still living up to our promises to students!  Then today I’m off to Birmingham for the Education Show.  All I can say is that from previous experience I’m wearing comfortable shoes!

Have you picked up on the fact that the British edition of Reader’s Digest has been forced into administration because of a shortfall in their pension fund?  We’ve watched a number of magazines start up and then close down during the recession and even some established publications have pulled the plug.  But Reader’s Digest has been going for over 70 years and has always been something of an institution.  Let’s hope they overcome their problems as in the past they’ve provided a good market for students’ short, humorous fillers.

Talking of a good read, I can’t help but recommend our monthly magazine E-zee Writer.  I know you’ll probably think I’m biased but it’s packed with useful information, there’s always a first-class article on some aspect of writing and as a subscriber you receive special offers on our courses.  It’s easy to subscribe; so if you don’t already receive it, sign up – and let me know what you think about it.

This weekend it’s my 30^th wedding anniversary.  I’ll have to see if I get anything romantic from my husband.  Yes, I know what you’re thinking: she should be so lucky after 30 years! But we are going to see Varekai the latest production from the Cirque du Soleil and I’m really looking forward to it.  I’ll let you know whether it lived up to expectations next week!

Well, did you take my advice about how to have an argument-free Christmas Day?  I suspect that if you did, you’re family probably aren’t speaking to you at the moment.  Depending on how you feel about that, it could be either a blessing or a curse.

Joking apart, I do enjoy the Christmas/New Year break – but sometimes it just gets a bit too much and I feel the need to escape.  This year it was a bracing coastal walk in Anglesey and a night’s accommodation within sound of the sea.  Great for re-charging the batteries!

So, what’s on offer for 2010?  There’s eNovella, a new social networking site for writers and poets.  You can share your work and get constructive feedback from the community or just read what’s on offer if you’re not already a writer.

There’s also the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger competition for new writers sponsored by Orion Publishing.  The shortlisted entries are circulated to leading editors and agents; so it’s an excellent way to avoid the slush-pile.  Entry is open to anyone who hasn’t already had a novel published and the closing date is 6 February 2010.  More details and an entry form are available at The CWA

And don’t forget our very own E-zee Writer.  Each month it’s full of useful information for writers – and it’s free whether you’re a student of the Writers Bureau or not.

Finally, before we leave Christmas behind for another year, did any of you read Carol Ann Duffy’s poem, The Twelve days of Christmas? If you did, I’d be interested to know what you thought.  For me, some parts worked – others definitely didn’t.

So, all that remains is for me to caution you in true government fashion against imbibing too many units of alcohol tonight – and to wish you a productive and prosperous New Year.

By the time you read this, I’ll be in the air (hopefully) and on my way to Canada. It’s a weekend break (well, five nights) to Toronto and Niagara Falls. I know… it’s a long way to go for five nights but what does it matter? I’m just determined to pack in as much as possible!

According to this month’s E-Zee Writer, Toronto is home to the world’s biggest bookstore – so that definitely could be on my list of places to visit. (Quick digression here: it might be the biggest but one of my favourite, and most quirky, bookshops is Barter Books in Alnwick, Northumberland. It’s located in the old railway station and you shouldn’t miss it if you’re in the area.)

If I don’t have a book to hand I get withdrawal symptoms and I’ve just finished a terrific one – The Children’s Book by A S Byatt. It’s beautifully rich and textured, a great take on turn-of-the-century history and culture – and very ironic. It’s made it to the Booker shortlist and I think it stands a good chance of winning. And apparently, A S Byatt is also one of the judges in the Sunday Times Short Story Competition that I had a swipe at last time.

But enough of that – I’d better get on with my packing. Looking at the weather forecast, plenty of warm clothing seems to be in order. In the meantime, if you’re a Writers Bureau student, start thinking about our ‘Writer of the Year 2010’ competition. Visit our website to see last year’s winners and I’ll let you have more information on how to enter next time!

Don’t forget, if you’re already a Writers Bureau student we’re still looking for submissions for the next issue of Chapter and Verse. The theme is ‘open’ and the editor, Rob, is accepting submissions until mid-October. Why not visit the Writers Bureau Student Area to read the previous two issues and get details of how to send your own work.

Whether you’re a published writer, or still aspiring to get your work into print, one of the most useful organisations is the Society of Authors. As you’d expect, they have some authoritative guides on agents, copyright, permissions, vanity publishing, rates and guidelines for writers (important when you’re asked to set a fee for your work), plus much more. The membership fee if good value, and with over 8,500 members they have the ‘clout’ to still do what they were founded for in 1884: to protect and further the interests of authors.

Last week I mentioned our new Proofreading and Copy Editing course, but we’ve been busy these last few months and have also made another addition to our range: The Complete Copywriting Course. As the name suggests, it explains everything you need to know to set up in business as a copywriter – whether you want to give up the day job, boost your existing income or top up your pension. In the September issue of E-zee Writer there’s a £60 introductory saving on the course. Even if we can’t tempt you to enrol, I think you’ll enjoy the ezine.

And finally, I’m relieved to see that I’m starting to get comments on previous posts. I was beginning to think that only my mum and her cat were reading my blog…

Until next time!

PS Don’t forget that the closing date for our Twitter short fiction competition is 30th September. It’s free to enter – so get exercising those writing muscles.