The Second Taste is Sweeter than the First

The second taste is sweeter than the first, and so it is with the magic of Swanwick Summer Writers’ School. I first visited three years ago. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I arrived I found myself in an inclusive, as opposed to exclusive, club, where I was welcomed in with open arms.

All these writers I’d never met before greeted me like an old friend. They talked of Swanwick Magic. But I was too bewildered and fascinated for it to have much effect. Like all White Badgers (Newbies with a white badge) I lapped up all the expertise that was on offer. I wanted to attend as many courses and workshops as I could. I was exhausted by the second day.

I confess I didn’t do much actual writing that year; I was too busy talking writing to half the 200+ other delegates, although I did find time to walk/wheel around the beautiful lake in the grounds on my little mobility scooter.

The Hayes Conference Centre, which has hosted the school for 68 years, is very accessible for those on wheels. My disabled room was big enough for my scooter, had a wet room and overlooked the lake! What more could I ask?

By the end of the week, magic or not, I knew I wanted to return. Even so, life intervened and it took me three years.

This time was different. I’d kept in touch via Facebook, so my fellow Swanwickers really were old friends. It felt like going home. The last three years dissolved into nothing. I had the same room again, I knew where I was going and how it all worked. I was now a yellow badger (I’d been here before). It was my turn to welcome in white badgers, especially if they looked a bit lost.

I was more sensible this time and took part in far fewer courses. My two favourites of the ones I did do, were Veronica Bright’s Flash Fiction and Troubador’s Cover Design and Marketing. I saw three of the evening speakers. John Lamont’s motivational talk on the first evening was a great way to start the week.

Doing fewer courses gave me time to do my other favourite thing and take lots of photos. I took some gorgeous shots of the lake. Some of them are included in this blog post.

I might have to retract the more sensible bit though. I signed up for the Procrastination Free Day. It was successful in that I was focused and wrote more than twice as much as I usually do in one day. But I also wrote for twice as long as usual and, MS fatigue being what it is, I overdid it. By the next day I had the beginnings of a migraine. So I reluctantly missed Page-to-Stage and went to bed straight after dinner. I didn’t get up again until afternoon tea the next day. The success was worth the price, but I’ll maybe not do it again.

But my long sleep restored my energy and I made it to The Dregs Party on the lawn. It’s the last day celebration, where everyone dresses in their finery, and drinks whatever alcohol is left. Then after dinner it was the panto. I will never again be able to hear The Proclaimers 500 Miles, sorry Words, in the same way again.

And the icing on the cake – I was shortlisted in the 100 words Flash Fiction competition.

The Swanwick Magic has cast its spell on me. There is no escape now.