We caught up with Liz, one of our longest standing members, and discussed most things that keep her coming back to the Writers Circle.

Liz joined the Woking Writers circle in 1998 after reading for a local writing group in our local library which she describes as ‘the most excellent, the best in Surrey’ while reminiscing on how there was no online information in those days. She recalls the format of a meeting being much as it is today, with news about writing (including any personal successes) followed by reading out new work for feedback. Sometimes a creative writing exercise was imposed but little time is available now for that in order to spend more minutes on reading the work. A homework topic is always suggested (the prerogative of the volunteer Chairperson of the evening) but no one has to do it.

Over the years the number of members has fluctuated as now. Occasionally so many people turned up that feedback had to be restricted. On other days only one person turned up, such as a wife of a member bringing homework from a husband who was seriously ill in hospital. Motivation is one of our strong points.

One thing she appreciated about the Circle is that members can volunteer for ‘jobs’ for each monthly meeting, including bringing refreshments and taking minutes (which are then emailed to everyone swiftly afterwards). Liz used to have to write them by hand (as she does all her creative words) but now prefers to bring milk and biscuits while others bring wine and spontaneous treats for the break in readings.

Liz is currently working on two novels: Cereal Killer and Letters from the Wall (Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland, 130 AD). After articles, short stories about holidays abroad and the odd poem that gripped her (from dancing to dementia), she now loves penning mostly short poems to fit in with her busy life. She has just self-published her first book, ‘Images: Water Gardens’ which she describes as a ‘beautiful pocket-sized collection of 10 haiku about nature and emotion’ based on a walk around the lovely Gertrude Jekyll gardens and idyllic grounds of Tylney Hall in Hampshire. Liz always has a few copies in her capacious handbag and can post 1 or 2 copies on request. Her book can also be found on the poetry shelves at Woking independent Lionsheart Bookshop.

What keeps Liz coming to the WWC meetings, which she has seldom ever missed is the togetherness and support, great work and socialising over refreshments. She says, ‘the monthly reading meetings on the 3rd Thursday is always a highlight of my months and you can always contact a fellow member for further discussion’.