The picture of a lonely tortured writer achingly passing isolated hours is both fact and fiction and as individual as the many authors that fill our shelves. But it is the picture that many would-be writers carry of the craft and it can feel burdensome. I was no different, until I discovered the notion of a writing group.

Nowadays there is so much stimulation for aspiring writers with 'how to' books, seminars, workshops and it was at one such workshop run by Mslexia that I met a group of like-minded interested and interesting local women. We decided to take the plunge and form a writers group, the core of which is still in place some three years later. It became a place to share aspirations, practise writing exercises, encourage competition entries, inspire job applications and diets, congratulate the publication of articles and start to build the courage to call oneself a writer.

Membership and attendance has changed, and the meetings have moved from evenings to mid mornings, but even when the meeting can't be joined by all the life-line of emails that regularly circulate keep the support flowing.

Early reading, editorial critiques and the support that comes from a room full of eager faces who simply believe that if 'we apply ourselves – it can be done' all bear testament to 'At Midnight in a Flaming Town' being published.

Reach out as you reach in, and believe in fairy dust.