I've joined Southport Writers Circle.

Actually that's not quite true. I have been to five meetings of Southport Writers Circle. I've really enjoyed the meetings, we read out our writing and it varies from chick-lit and short stories for womens magazines, to fairly deep poetry (I'm assuming its deep, lets just say I don't understand it) and equally deep pieces of literary writing.

But everybody is very nice there, and friendly and kind. The suggestions I've received on my writing have been very helpful and supportive.

But here's the thing.

As a newcomer I have to attend eight meetings and I have to read at three meetings minimum. And after eight meetings I am not allowed to go to any more meetings, I have to go away whilst the committee decide whether to accept me as a member. If they accept me as a member, I am then allowed to continue attending the meetings.

But how embarrassing if they don't accept me! Can you imagine having met with people, got to know them, beared my soul via my writing, and then they say no, we don't want you.

I'm no spring chicken and in my life I've failed plenty of exams, I've suffered rejection, humiliation, embarrassment and criticism. But this ... this is scary.