News

ANDERIDA MEETING, 17th JUNE 2026

Following the positive reaction from members to the split critiquing groups at the last meeting, the same format was adopted once more.

For the first half of the meeting, people divided into two smaller groups, each with their own leader. In the relaxed and friendly environment, those who read received detailed and considered feedback. Participants asked questions, leading to informed discussions on relevant points and issues, ensuring everyone went away with ideas and solutions.

During the feedback session in the second half of the meeting, everyone who took part felt they’d benefitted from the sessions. The advice and suggestions given were accurate and helpful.

Several themes emerged, such as the importance of creating believable characters, controlling viewpoint to avoid confusing readers, and the importance of emotional depth in any story or narrative.

With readings from science fiction to memoirs to poetry, Anderida’s writers display a wide range of interests and have a lot to offer.

If you’re writing and would value some input to help you, please come along to the meetings.

NEW FORMAT A GREAT SUCCESS

The new feedback format adopted at the May meeting of Anderida Writers at the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne, was declared a great success by those who attended.

Further to discussion and input from members, the meeting focused on critiquing.

Those present were split into two groups, under the leadership of Tamara McKinley and Michael Fleming. Members in each group read out their work (extracts and poems up to 600 words) and received detailed feedback in an informal atmosphere.

After the break, the leaders spoke about the key issues and subjects that arose from the group sessions. Each member was also asked by chairman Tony Flood to tell the whole attendance how they benefited.

Members requested that the exercise be repeated at the June meeting, which is to be held on the third Wednesday of the month instead of the third Tuesday, due to availabilty of a suitable meeting room at the Hydro Hotel. This will also be the closing date for the annual Anderida Short Story and Poetry competition, details of which have been sent to members.

Full members will also receive a new email newsletter from Anderida's secretary Robert Crouch, containing guidance, information, and updates on creative writing and marketing. We hope this will become a regular feature for members during the year.

MAKING THE TIME TO BE CREATIVE

Journalist, actress, singer, publisher, editor, writer, artist, and public speaker are some of the many activities in Maria Bligh’s busy life.

So, how does she find time to remain fresh and creative?

At the meeting in the Hydro Hotel on 10th March 2026, Maria let members of Anderida Writers into her secrets.

Experience has taught her the value of discipline and planning to develop the essential routines she uses. These include maintaining health by drinking plenty of water and taking regular exercise, such as walking.

Maria then led us into an exercise she performs at the start of each day. Called The Morning Pages, it’s an exercise where you write about anything in your mind to fill a page or two of notepaper. You don’t read or review what you write.

This is an exercise to clear your mind and banish negative thoughts.

She also detailed approaches such as visualising what you want to do or achieve. Or you can think about what you might have done in another life. Perhaps you could still do some of these things. As members read out ambitions and goals they would have liked to achieve, the discussion focused on which ones were still possible.

But overall, the message was simple – do what makes you happy. And create the time needed.

To make the most of creativity, you need to be organised and develop routines to get the most out of the time you have available.