So I’m back from the Winchester Writers’ Conference – and I have so much to tell you!  But instead of getting bogged down in notes like I normally do, I’m going to distill the essence of what I brought away with me into some handy bite-size – or write-size – tips.  So here’s what I learned.

• Julian Fellowes is a very funny man.
• Agents, editors and publishers are still actively looking for good writers.
• It’s about the writer, not the book.
• Jasper Fforde doesn’t plan his books – hurrah.
• Barbara Large created the conference 33 years ago and this is her last year at the helm.  What a woman.
• A very large goodbye card takes two people to carry it.
• Humorous writing for TV has a number of elements including surprise and rudeness.
• Fast Show clips are always worth re-watching.
• Make your book your own, not anybody else’s (Jasper Fforde).
• Writers love to make up bizarre pseudonyms.
• Climb into your character’s body and see the world through their eyes and from their height (Ben Illis).
• St Alphege and St Edburga are actually the same building.
• You can trip over many times in one day when you’re over-excited.
• Everyone loves a free mini muffin.
• Concentrate on one major aspect per draft to stop yourself getting distracted (Ben Ellis).
• Anyone can be a freelance features writer – just start (Emma Scattergood).
• Just because you haven’t made it yet doesn’t mean you aren’t going to (Julian Fellowes).

I’m sure you’ll agree there’s some invaluable nuggets of advice in there.  But my favourite was, again, from Julian Fellowes.  When he was working hard trying to make his dream of being a writer come true, he said he never let 24 hours go by without doing something to further his cause, whether it was writing, editing, sending an email or anything that he felt was helping him achieve his dream.  And he kept this up for 10 years.  Think I’ll do the same.

PS  I won the Writing for Children Aged 12+ competition and now have some lovely book tokens to spend.  What a fabulous day.