The Word Cloud

Before you read this, please know that I understand the thought of going to York cannot be a reality for some people. Everyday life can mean that going away to live in-house for a weekend is just not possible. So this is aimed towards those sitting on the fence, or who haven't really thought about the idea of going.

Let's talk turkey, although it's more ducks and geese, but that's another story.

This year the festival of writing is scheduled for the end of September* - rather than a mad sprint for March, that makes it a controlled pace. But having said that, it still needs to be a fast pace. September from now is roughly 30 weeks. That sounds a lot until you do some calculations that involve having a 90k word manuscript ready. It can be done, but it doesn't leave any time for watching reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Even doing an edit of that length would amount to focusing on 3,000 words a week.

Then there's the cost. Keeping things in whole figures, let's say the festival will cost you 600 quid. Again using the 30 weeks, if you start now, you could achieve this by putting twenty pounds a week to one side. Can this be clawed back from somewhere? Taking your lunch to work? Not buying take-away coffees? Actually sucking it up and catching the bus when it's snowing (this last one is directed at me). I know for some people the money that's coming in is stretched outrageously thin, but maybe for some there is some wiggle room. And for what you get out of York, it's worth wriggling if you can.

There's people here on the Cloud who would be happy to share their experiences and what York has meant to them. Feedback can be seen at the bottom of the page here, but I'm also hoping there may be some posts added to this thread. The festival is a total immersion in writing - workshops, talks, presentations, random agent meetings. There's also the one to one sessions with agents and book doctors, the best chance to get someone in the business to look at your work.

If there's anyway you can get there, and you're really serious about this writing game, then this is the biggest favour you can do yourself.

*It's on 7th - 9th September!

Full disclosure: The Festival of Writing is owned and operated by the Writers' Workshop who also run The Word Cloud. They didn't ask me to write this, or even know I was going to.

Barb, I have just checked Events and think the Festival is 7-9th September, not the end of September?

Quite right - thanks for correcting that. The pace needs to quicken already!

Here here, Barb! York is unique. I have visited for the last two years, and the benefit to my writing has been huge. This year, I will be going along having passed the first hurdle, because an agent now represents me. But I will still be there, because I believe it to be the best place to keep on improving my writing skills. It's painless (apart from the odd hangover) amazing fun and a great place to meet other writers (and ducks and geese).

Well, I hope I will be able to join you two this year. Have not been able to make York Festival so far, I'm afraid.

I would love to go, alas I don't think I can even find £20 a week to put aside, I would love to so much. I will try, though I can't put any more on my credit card - I won £13 on the euro lottery, I shall put that in a jar and see if I can add any more to it!

Any redundant gold jewellery Tenancity? Ask, because I was pleasantly surprised the other day by the sum I received from a local jeweller for old broken bracelets and chains. Perhaps one way of fulfilling your York dream?

Tenacity - have a look locally. Some councils have little pots of money for discretionary funding, and I know one locally was not used for several years because everyone forgot it was there! Of course, they all have different criteria, but you might find one that would encompass arts and education.

I have covered the gold jewellery one - (ex-jeweller already cleaned out) - no idea about local funding, would they countenance such a thing??

I know that one or more storytellers at the Gathering (storytelling equivalent of York) found partial funding, as 1-person businesses seeking opportunity. How they went about it, I'm not sure.

I've kind of decided to go. I need a target and this is one of the better ones. Don't try to talk me out of it you lot.

I wouldn't dream of it, just wish I could go with you!

I have to say that one of the nice things about York, from my side of things, is that it's lovely knowing that there will be friends there...

Just the best writerly weekend ever. If you can...do. You will not regret it for a second.

If there was a "beam me down to York, Scottie" I'd be there. Alas, fifteen hours up in the sky trapped in a metal tube (thirty if I come back) isn't ... well, it just isn't.

I am thinking of going to Writers' Holiday again in July for a week at Caerleon, Wales - I would also like to go to our Festival - Caerleon £400+ - Festival £600?

I think Caerleon wins on the money front (not that I have it yet), but the Festival wins on the pure fact of writing, meeting, agents etc.

Although Caerleon is excellent and as it says, it is a holiday with great food, company, writing and learning etc., where you can do as little or as much as you want.

hmmm yet then again - me being the silent hide-in-the-corner type will I actually be brave enough to go to any ha ha..

I'm already saving...determined to put some faces to names of cloudies and soak up every bit of help I can find to improve my writing. Mind you - if I go this year, the pot will be empty for 2013...and probably 2014 too!

I'm hoping to make it down to York for this year's festival (fingers crossed for a nicely-timed bonus from the day job!) It'll be the first time I've attended any kind of writing event but the feedback from last year makes it sound pretty unmissable. Preparing to be terrified and inspired for an entire weekend!

For a bit of fun we have been calling on writers to follow the Festival on Twitter and when we reach 1,000 followers we will reveal who is on the programme for this year! Now the programme is not quite 100% there yet, but we will be revealing what we can as soon as those 1,000 followers are reached - and as now have well over 900 followers it looks like it might be today - eek!

So please check out @festivalwriting on Twitter for all the latest Festival news.

Of course we'll post here on the Cloud about what's happening at York 2012 and the website will be updated with the programme in time to open for bookings on 1st March.

I heard about the festival through twitter and I'm hugely excited about it already! I will definitely be going, even if I need to live on value baked beans for the next six months - the opportunities look incredible. I've only just joined the Cloud but hopefully I can make a few friends and see some of you there in September!

I went to the first one in 2010 and it was inspiring, constructive, exhilarating, funny, friendly, exhausting....! Best decision to go and never regretted the money it cost me. One of the bonuses, on top of all the writing stuff, was meeting fellow Cloud members face to face I was very disappointed to have give 2011 a miss (too immersed in babyland at the time) but plan to be there with bells on this year. Already virtually camping out in the queue for tickets

I wondered who that rucksack belonged to, Skylark. I just tripped over it!

Fingers and everything crossed for an expansive Cloudie gathering....

I'm going again this year! I fully intend to spend as much of friday and saturday leeching information from anyone who has it, followed by Saturday night getting ridiculously drunk with the cloudies and, in particular, the Nomad Novelists, and then spend sunday wondering why i don't have more self control!!!

:-)

I'm not going to have a one to one first thing Sunday morning this time!