I am thrilled to be a contender in this year's Joan Hessayon Award from the Romantic Novelists Association. (RNA)

This is my interview on the RNA Blog:

​We are delighted to introduce you to the seventeen authors contending for the coveted Joan Hessayon Award in 2018. Before the winner is announced at the RNA’s Summer Party in Oxford in May, you can find out more about each of the authors here. 
​https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/2018/04/joan-hessayon-award-contenders-2018-anita-belli/

Welcome to the RNA blog, Anita, and congratulations on being one of the contenders for this year’s award. How long have you been writing? Is this your first published piece?
I have been writing since I was at primary school, but I got the writing bug seriously at Film School, much later in life. I began by writing screenplays, one of which was nominated for a major award at the Academy of Motion Pictures, whilst I was still a student. I turned that film script into a novel and self-published it as The Art Forger’s Daughter in 2014.
How many years were you a member of the NWS and did you submit a manuscript each year?
I was a member many years ago and submitted RomCom manuscripts about 4 or 5 times. Then I stepped back and reassessed my writing goals. I took a career break, cleared the decks and wrote The Art Forger’s Daughter, in a genre which suits me better; Women’s 20th Century Historical Fiction. I like to write about how the past ripples through our lives, with unexpected consequences; and the impact it has on those who come later.
What came first, agent or publisher?
I don’t have an agent, so it is publisher first.
How did you find your publisher?
Recommendation from an RNA member. I was pleased that Endeavour offered me a POD contract as well as e-publishing.
Do you have a contract for one book or more?
One book at the moment, but I plan to offer them more! I am writing the sequel to The Traveller and The Rose, and I have a back catalogue which I am reworking and enjoying enormously.
When was your book published?
4th December 2017.

The challenge is over! I managed 106,000 words since January 1st.; 100 days ago.
​The best thing about this challenge is that I re-established my daily writing habit and now start each day with Morning Pages. 
​100 days is just enough time to create a new habit, or break an old one. 
I finished a novel, and have put it away to 'rest' whilst I get on with planning a new idea.... ​

January is all about writing; The Traveller and The Rose is released with great comments and reviews, and a special offer on Amazon Here

It has inspired a sequel; working title; ​'The Ties That Bind.’

Two families hunt for a legacy
buried under the betrayals of a forgotten war.
Four strangers, each seeking a truth which they will only find
in the hearts of their enemies.
One shadow comes back to haunt them all.

I have signed up for the 100k in 100days, challenge, which means I must write 1,000 words per day, everyday, for 100 days, the idea being, that at the end of that time, you have 100,000 words which is a novel! Great idea and I am, so far ahead of the curve. I have written everyday this month and one of my promises to myself is that I will get back into the habit of daily writing, something I always suggest to my workshop participants.

​Meanwhile I continue to juggle the workshop programme. We are back in the Primary School this term with more magic to add to the publication of the children's work later this year.

Harwich Writer's Group thrives in its new home at The Harwich Guildhall, and Kickstart Your Writing in Covent Garden, with Spread The Word, launched earlier in the month with a group of wonderful writers.

​I find that working children and writing groups refreshes the imagination, inspires the creative flow and energises a tired mind! 

I am struggling to finish the first story in a new series of rom.com books. The eponymous heroine, Ruby Sixpence, is a joy to work with and I am hoping to launch her into the world later this year.

​Tomorrow I am off to the British Council Literature Roadshow and will take the opportunity whilst in London to do some location research ​

2017 – A Writing Year
​
2017 has been a busy writing year with the publication of
The Traveller and The Rose in December as the highlight.
An epic story of love, war and the search for the truth.

In the tranquil Andalucían village of Santa Carmen, deep divisions are exposed by the arrival of a young English stranger, Kit Brown. He falls in love with Rosa Saragossa, and as Spain tears itself apart in civil war, few will escape unscathed. Kit and Rosa must risk their own lives to save those they love, and when he is imprisoned, Rosa will never give up seeking the truth. In this war, however, the shocking truth is hard to find.

This year also saw the publication of two books which were the result of creative writing projects.

Stories To Tell: Unlocking the Creative Mind; was published in June with a group of young adults from the YMCA Talent Match programme. We published a collection of their stories and poems following a 12 week creative writing and publishing course. Many of the participants had never written before.

Inspired to be in this World, published in July, is a book of stories and poems from year 6 children based on a Cultural Awareness Project in their school.

Another school's project with The Grand Theatre of Lemmings, and their special guest ​George the Bookworm, was launched in the summer term and continued into the autumn, to bring magic into the school and harness the children’s creative writing. By Easter 2018, we will publish a book of their stories and poems based on the History of Magic.

If you would like to develop a tailor-made programme for your group or school, contact me HERE.

In March, I was invited to speak at a Self-Publishing Workshop at The Writer’s Centre Norwich, to talk about Self Publishing for individuals and communities.

This year it has been a great privilege to work with Dr Abby Waterman who published
Woman in a White Coat in November. I am delighted that this memoir of an 85-year old retired pathologist, Harley Street dentist, entrepreneur and director of a Cancer Research Laboratory is now in print.

I also supported Margherita Oppezzo to publish her Memoir of a Mersea Girl; Unfinished Tapestry; a humorous, honest and heart warming tale. From all of her experiences of sadness, disappointments and loneliness, there is in equal measure, joy, humour, and a great deal of learning.
​
​If you would like support to publish your book, contact me HERE

I was back in London Libraries again this year, first in January with a Life Writing Workshop, and then in June and November for the City of Stories programme for London’s Writer's Network; Spread the Word. Working with groups of people from diverse communities who all share a love of writing is inspiring and stimulating, and this programme was no exception. The results of the best micro fiction from City of Stories were published in an anthology.
 
The Harwich Writer’s Group has also grown this year and has found a new home in the Council Chamber of The Guildhall in Harwich. We are working towards a collection of short stories and poems for the autumn of 2018.
​
If you would like to join HWG contact me here.
 
Frinton Writer’s Group presented a platform of work for the first time at Frinton Literary Festival. A string of successes from its authors means that we are expecting more of these events for 2018.
 
So what about 2018?
My focus will be on writing and publishing, whilst continuing to juggle the workshop programme. As a writer, I spend a lot of time alone staring at a screen. Working with children and writing groups refreshes the imagination, inspires the creative flow and energises a tired mind! 
 
I am currently finishing the first story in a new series of rom.com books. The eponymous heroine; Ruby Sixpence, is a joy to work with and I am hoping to launch her into the world in the Spring of 2018. 

I am also researching the sequel to The Traveller and The Rose,
working title; ​'The Ties That Bind.’
This will require a lot of research and a trip to Spain in the late Spring.

Two families hunt for a legacy
buried under the betrayals of a forgotten war.
Four strangers, each seeking a truth which they will only find
in the hearts of their enemies.
One shadow comes back to haunt them all.

AND FINALLY

I will be refreshing hardpressedbooks.co.uk which will become more active in publishing mainstream genre fiction, and writing related non-fiction.

The workshop programme kicks off in Covent Garden in January, for Spread the Word; a chance to make your New Year Resolution and Kickstart Your Writing.  Sign up HERE and get 2018 off to a great writing year!
 
Watch this space for more creative writing, workshop, and publishing opportunities for 2018
​
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful New Writing Year

From  first idea to publication in five years ....
 
An article about Picasso's painting of Guernica, seen in a Spanish newspaper, became the inspiration for The Traveller and The Rose, out now from Endeavour Press.

Picasso's giant canvas is a powerful anti-war statement and when it was revealed, during the Spanish Civil War, its impact was shocking. I researched the painting, and began to think about writing a story of love and war, set in Spain.

From that first inspiration, it has taken 5 years of writing, rewriting and editing to bring it to publication. First, I draft a version of the story with all the twists and turns, red herrings and cul-de-sacs, and then I begin to understand where the real heart of the story lies, and which of the many emerging stories will be told first.

Additional characters crop up along the way and are fleshed out, and in the case of Fernando and Paco, become major players. The location itself becomes another character; the characteristics of a small Andalucían town, in the burning sun of the dusty red heat of war. My research took me to Spain, and I talked to many real characters in Andalucía and ate tapas with them, and drank sangria.

I can get hopelessly lost in research, and wander happily through fascinating and diverting stories for months, but eventually, I get back to the story, add more subplots and original tales gleaned from my research and I rewrite. Several times.

There are scenes removed from this final version; scenes of Kit Brown’s English family during WWII, Rosa’s journey through WWII, as well as Katerina Torres’ journey to England to rescue the child. I didn’t want to detract from the love story between Kit and Rosa; I needed to hold the focus on them; the other characters’ stories will be told in due course.
 
The Traveller and The Rose was originally called The Ties That Bind, but the characters of Kit Brown and Rosa Saragossa needed an eponymous title. The Ties That Bind will become the title for the sequel, which has been in my head for a couple of years and will spill out onto the page during the next twelve months. At least, the first draft will.
 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077XKSBXS

Had a great session in Woolwich Library last weekend. For those who missed it, I will be back there on Sunday June 25th, 1.00 - 3.00. For those of you who joined me last Sunday, it would great to see you again and I will be covering more aspects of writing Short Fiction.

​On Thursdays 15th and 25th June I will be in St. Pancras Library, N1C4AG,  from 6.00 - 8.00 pm
​
​The sessions are happening in libraries all over London with a range of writers, all leading towards the City of Stories Short Fiction Competition for 500 word stories. There will be a winner from each participating Borough, but you have to attend a workshop to enter;
​More information about the programme here:
​
​​https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/city-stories-offers-free-writing-workshops-london-adults/

​For those who attended, and anyone else who's interested, here, as promised are my 12 top tips for writing short-short fiction:

We are looking for:
·         A Self-Contained Story (beginning, middle, end)
·         Told in 500 words or fewer
·         No genre restrictions; it should entertain, intrigue and satisfy a reader.
 
The short fiction genre epitomises the art of leaving space for the reader: for example: 
The most famous short fiction is by Ernest Hemmingway and is just six words long:
 
‘For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.’ Hemingway
 
The narrator says nothing at all about the circumstances. He does not tell you anything much. He simply makes a statement and the reader fills in the rest.

My 12 Tips for writing 500 word Fiction
 
1.                   Make the title work as part of the word count
2.                  Make the opening line a hook to entice the reader in
3.                  Create a complete pocket-sized world which intrigues the reader
4.                  Make sure your story has conflict and a purpose
5.                  The conflict can be internal or external
6.                  Focus on one theme or one element of the story
7.                  A short story is not a part of a bigger story, nor is it a synopsis for a novel.
8.                 It shouldn’t have a convoluted plot and avoid time shifts
9.                  Avoid too many characters and points of view
10.              The skill is to arrive late and leave early
11.               Let the reader contribute to the story
12.              Let the last line resonate with the reader so the story lingers beyond its length

​A great project  from Spread The Word which involves FREE workshops, and a competition for the best 500 word stories from each Borough.
 
I will be delivering sessions in WOOLWICH and CAMDEN. Although the sessions are free, you need to book.
 
Book here for Woolwich Library Greenwich: Sundays: 4th and 25th June
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/city-of-stories-woolwich-library-greenwich-tickets-34281525967
 
Book here for Pancras Square Library Camden: Thursdays June 15th and June 29th
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/city-of-stories-pancras-square-library-camden-tickets-34138812106

 Check the Spread The Word website for other sessions.

​WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO TELL. 
Stories are everywhere we look
In the lanes and beaches
The buildings and streets
Why do we need to write a book?
 
Because stories are everywhere we go,
From high street to hedgerow,
From friends flats to snapchat
We want everyone to know
About the tit-for-tat; the dancing wombat; the cute cat…
 
We need to tell our friends and family what has happened to us
Or about the curious thing we saw from the window of the bus
Or in the lane, or from the train
What’s trending on twitter
Is it about us, or someone we know?
Do we care?
Why do we share?
 
Because it is a STORY
And stories matter to everyone
And the whole of life is one great big story
And all the little parts of it are happening all around us
Every day, making up the rich tapestry of our lives.
And tomorrow, this will be His-story
And in times to come, when the world catches up
It may even become Her-Story.
 
But this is about Our-story.
About our unique contribution to the world
By sharing
By caring enough to tell it to others
Whatever it is.
 
Whether it is a lesson learned, or points earned
Some knowledge gained
or the pain of love scorned or gifts pawned.
Of love and loss, of family and friends.
Of silly tales.
Whether it is the highs or lows
Or the in between of our lives
The dull days the cold and bleak and grey days
Or the heat haze which brings us joy
and refreshes our hopes and dreams.
 
To record our ups and downs and inside outs
And share our stories with fellow travellers
who may be carrying their own burdens,
along these self same paths;
and they will add their stories to the great weight
of lives lived,
of hurdles overcome
of triumphs and misfortunes.
 
All united by the same human need;
To tell it to the world in words or pictures
To harvest and mine our past for stories;
To look around and observe our here and now
And to look for the funny, odd, unusual, moving…
 
To tell.
To share.
To learn.
To care.
To bear witness to the here and now
Our stories out there
Living breathing things,
Flying high beside the stories of others
For posterity.
Which is, For Ever…

We live in exciting times!

​Check out these workshops, events and competitions.

This Spring, I will be delivering workshops in London and Harwich and participating in a platform event in Norwich. ​I will also be at the Essex Author Day in Chelmsford, celebrating the Launch of 'Essex Belongs To Us': at Essex Book Festival. This  anthology includes an extract from The Art Forger's Daughter.


Next Harwich Writers' session: February 8th at Harwich Library. 10.30 - 12.30
 
Life Writing Workshop
21st January 10.00-4.00 Islington Central Library
Life Writing Workshop with Anita Belli
Places still available at Spread The Word
https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/events/life-writing-workshop/
 
Life Writing Prize
'For the purposes of this Prize, life writing is ‘intended to be true’, reflects someone’s own life journey or experiences and is not fiction. It is writing from the author’s own personal experience.'
Deadline: 5th February
https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/life-writing-prize/
 
Essex Author's Day
18th March 10.00 - 3.00
Chelmsford Library
Includes launch of Anthology: Essex Belongs To Us at 2.00
FREE to attend. Booking for workshops and more information about the day, here:
http://essexbookfestival.org.uk/event/essex-authors-day/

Essex Book Festival
Programme Here
http://essexbookfestival.org.uk/
 
Publishing Day School
8th April 10.00 - 4.00
Writer's Centre Norwich
Over the course of the day participants will hear from leading experts and innovators in their field, who will look at changes to traditional print media and the impact of digital publishing.
http://www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk/course/publishing-day-school/

 And to you get started,

KICKSTART YOUR WRITING WILL BE FREE TO DOWNLOAD ON  KINDLE FOR TWO DAYS ONLY!

​31st DECEMBER 2016
and
​1st JANUARY 2017

​So no more excuses. Download the book for free and follow the 12 simple steps with excercises to guide you through.

​Learn How To...
Develop a daily writing Habit
Create flow in your writing
​Find and develop great ideas from life
Create compelling characters and settings
Create a story and a plot
​Add the elusive  'page turning quality'
​and most importantly, develop Resilience to stick at it!