Susan L. Edser
As I walk through the café doors, I feel like I am hosting a party and fear I might be the only one going. I scan the tables, looking for familiar faces. In the far corner, I see Brad Gyori, the MA Creative Writing and Publishing Programme Leader, and Nika, a fellow graduate from my year. The tension fades away as I stride across and embrace them both. More people from my cohort arrive within a few minutes, and graduates from previous years join us, too. It turns out that I am not alone in my desire to stay connected with alumni from the course. Over food and drinks, we discuss our writing, give book recommendations, and share our journeys since completing the MA. One person talks about the PhD they are pursuing, and I provide a contact who might be helpful. Someone else has a marketing question, and several people offer practical suggestions. The gathering is bound together with open-hearted friendliness and easy laughter.
The following meetings are similar, with a combination of people who have been before plus new ones. We are all different, but we all share a desire to pursue writing. Just like the first group, the bond is instant. We empathise over challenging situations and encourage each other to enter competitions. The impact of AI and the usefulness of apps like Swell and Padlet are discussed. One person talks about inspiring people who have helped them and has a eureka moment with their memoir. Another shares their desire to write about their beliefs and, after the meeting, finds an ideal journal seeking submissions. Everyone appreciates the social contact and alliances that are building. Dani says she was ‘excited to find a group of like-minded writers’, Julie finds it ‘helpful to air thoughts and ease the isolation of writing’, and Emily describes it as ‘a supportive group where you can find your community.’
My vision is a network of MACWP graduates who elevate each other by sharing their knowledge, skills, and contacts. Someone may need help solving a plot flaw, another might need advice on increasing their public profile, and professional introductions could help one of us secure a job. Joining together benefits everyone. The regular meetings allow us to share our common ground and support each other along the various stages we are in on our writing and publishing journeys. I have often been asked if it’s a writing group, and when I say no, people seem pleased. The agreement is that there is no need to replicate what already exists. Bourne Creative happened because of a serendipitous moment, and it is exciting to see it evolve meaningfully.
If you are interested in joining Bourne Creative or have ideas on how you could support us, please contact me, Sue Edser, at s5645209@bournemouth.ac.uk or via Facebook (Susan L. Edser). We meet on the first Tuesday of every month, from 1pm to 3pm, at Flirt café.