Julie
Roberts
Author
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My Blog
by Julie Roberts
Romance fills the pages of these romantic novelist's stories. Eighteen members of the RNA Reading Chapter celebrate their sixth annual Valentine's Writing Workshop
Romance is celebrated on 14 February each year. There are no excuses when it comes to the Reading Chapter of the Romantic Novelists Association.
The Reading Chapter members meet each month at Great Expectations Hotel to explore the joy and art of writing romance novels. There is always a theme to discuss, author's new writings needing collective critiques. Cover designs, the back cover teaser to tempt the reader to buy, dialogue, tension and the most important, characters. Where would a story be without them? All of this within a multitude of genre – contemporary, historical, rom-con, fantasy, sci-fi, vampire and sub-genres too.
Lunch, with a glass of wine or coffee is accompanied with news and gossip of the publishing world.
February is special. This is our Lover's Day meeting where we celebrate, and work, in our Valentine's Writing Workshop. A whole day, and where we have more time to delve deeper into the art of writing.
Our members are both published authors and new writers who belong to the RNA New Writers' Scheme.
RNA Reading Chapter Christmas lunch
During 2018 Reading Chapter enjoyed many achievements: welcoming NWS members; success stories of securing agents, being published and manuscripts under consideration. And I am happy to say, several draft novels being edited.
Our annual Christmas lunch at Coté Brasserie hosted nineteen members seated at a very long table. Each members chosen meal accompanied by lots of laughter, chatter and wine.
A kind letter from the Civil Service Social Group Newbury – 8 October 2018
"Dear Julie,
Thank you so much for coming to speak to our group yesterday afternoon and for giving us so much pleasure.
I feel sure I need hardly tell you just how much we all enjoyed listening to you because - as I'm sure you will have noticed - even before the teacups had been drained, people were crowding round your table, picking up "memory-joggers" and excitedly telling anyone who cared to listen just what this item or that meant to them. Suddenly, people were chatting and mingling in a way which rarely happens - all because of you!
Carol will be sorry to have missed hearing you but, at least, she'll be able to browse a copy of your handout which I will send to her. I'll also make sure she is aware that you have several other talks in your repertoire.
With thanks again and all good wishes,
Liz"
Jane Austen Festival
Town of Bath, England
14 - 23 September 2018
For ten days during September, the town of Bath celebrates with a festival of Regency splendour. This year I was only able to go for two days. The highlight of this mini stay was the Twilight Tour of No.1 Royal Crescent on Friday 21st. Costume dress was not obligatory, but many ladies were wearing the high cut gowns, including me. Tony and I arrived at the house as the sun was setting to be greeted by a costumed footman. And so our tour began…
The house is as so many viewers see on television: the entrance hall, with the stairs against the wall leading to the floors above. Every room is set out for the period circa 1796 and lit by candlelight, very authentic, but sadly electric. However, they did give the house the dimness that would have been endured by the household during the long cold winter evenings of two hundred years ago. Warmth only supplied by open fires, and made me shiver, for I can remember living without central heating.
The dining room had the largest floor area to accommodate the family and friends. And I was pleased to see the bedrooms were compact as fires were again the only means of heating. But I loved the curtained beds; they gave me a cosy cocooned image of how to keep warm when the snow is laying thick outside on a bitterly cold January night.
We did not venture into the servants bedrooms, but ones imagination can fill the gap. Our tour continued down the servants’ staircase into the kitchen. The large black range would have been both a blessing and torture. This would be fired all year for cooking and heating water. Our recent summer heatwave of thirty degrees came uppermost in my mind, yet a joy on Christmas Eve.
We ended out tour in the servants’ hall. A large room with a very long table spread with our buffet supper and glasses of champagne. As the room filled with many regency gowned ladies it added the flavour of a time gone by. I had experienced an evening of living in a town house with the ghost of Jane Austen at my side.
To watch a video tour and see photographs of each room go to:
An early start to travel to Bedford to see The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery's collection of Joseph Mallord William Turner's watercolour paintings. In pride of place is Turner's The Great Falls of the Reichenbach. This painting was put on view in London at Somerset House, the home of the Royal Academy – 1780 to 1837. The occassion was the Summer Exhibition in 1815.
The art gallery is well laid out and has many other artists' paintings.
The day ended with three generations of the Roberts family talking about our visit whilst enjoying a restaurant meal. We were home in time to see the France versus England rugby match on TV. Well done England, a great win.
Marlow FM Radio interview
What an exciting morning was had at the recording studio at Marlow FM by four of the RNA Reading Chapter members. On a Friday, the Mid Morning broadcast is their Book program. We had two slots, discussing our present and forthcoming books. Where we write and beaver away with our fingers flying over the keyboard living the lives of our hero and heroine. We touched on our future book releases and chatted about what other author's books we read.
Happy and hungry we lunched in Marlow to celebrate.
Valentine's Day Workshop
We have, for the past three years, met to celebrate the romantic day with a champagne lunch, have open discussions on any writing pieces, titles, current trends that as authors crop up in our writing days. A happy and fun day is had by all. Our fun photo theme was HATS. What an assortment!
Romantic Novelists' Association
I am a member and organize the Reading Chapter. We meet monthly in Reading's town centre for lunch and spend a couple of happy hours discussing the ins-and-outs of writing, publishing and helping each other with any sticky problems we encounter. Sitting next to me is Jennifer Squire (Jen Gilroy) our Canadian member. She was visiting England and found time to lunch with us.
An afternoon to remember
I joined a tour to view the National Trust estate of Basildon Park in Berkshire on a day that was beautiful, the sky blue, the sun warm. But with a cold wind rushing across the open parkland. Inside, our guide spoke warmly of the family that had restored the house to its present glory. Volunteers and builders were busy preparing the house after its winter sleep. And we, the visitors, completed our tour in the tea room. And, of course, a delightful shop to browse before I left. For any historical enthusiast a house worth visiting
Children's Book Launch
A friend and I went to A.F. Harrold's launch of his new children's book, The Imaginary, at Chapter One Bookshop in Woodley on Halloween Day. It was great fun. There was a children's fancy dress competition and Ashley's entertainment was fantastic. Only the children sat on the floor and I would have loved to be sitting with them.