When you make a book you are making a gift for the world. A gift is a talking point, a gesture, the beginning of a conversation, an opening. When you doubt yourself, you close down, you contract, the light can’t get in. Plenty of doubt and fear goes into writing a book, a poem, a song; the biggest being that you will make a complete fool of yourself, and believe me, along the way you will. Yes, there will be moments when you feel so foolish you want to crawl back in your hole and never come out AND there will be moments of total euphoria, as you revel in your audacity and daring to reach for the heights only you know you are capable of.

I’m a bit of a cliff leaper so I’m used to landing flat on my face. It comes with the territory.

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You can join Jan on Moroccan Caravan, a 14 day writing journey on the 1st November, 2014 <Read more>

Check out a recent interview with Jan by Georgie Walsh on the style journal <Wearona.com>

Claire Scobie shares why allies are so important in helping us keep on track with our writing.

When my new novel was launched at Gleebooks in Sydney I had the chance to thank and acknowledge some of those people who’ve helped me along the way. Even though it’s just my name on the cover, when you write and complete a big project like a book, it’s always a team effort.

So who are your writing allies and friends? Here’s a list of mine:

A mentor: when I started out in journalism I worked alongside the brilliant writer Mick Brown. He coached, coaxed and inspired me in those early years.

A writing group: if you can find a group that encourages and supports your writing, all the better. Joining a writing retreat will instantly help you connect with a group. Singabout has several writing retreats on the upcoming events list.

A writing buddy: this subject is a favourite of mine. A writing buddy usually isn’t your partner or spouse, nor your best friend. It’s someone you can trust to give you critical feedback and who’ll tell you to keep going during the dreary and sludge times.

Writers’ festivals or conferences: whatever genre you write, there’s always an event you can attend, mingle with fellow writers and hobnob among editors and publishers.

Writing tweeps: I’m new to the twitter world but there is a very supportive group of writers out there. It’s a great way to access writers who you wouldn’t normally connect with. Check out these writing hashtags: #authors, #fictionfriday #pubtip (publication tips) #writegoal #wrotetoday #writetip (writing advice), #writeabout

My family & close friends: support me and keep writing in perspective.

Scrivener: this software makes the job easier.

Mindmaps: I use Novamind to create colourful mindmaps when I am mapping out a new project.

Favourite books of the moment: to remind me why I do it.

My blog followers: all of you help too! Every time I get a comment from a post, it encourages me to keep blogging.

So share who and what helps keep you writing …

Add hashtag #writeabout and it will help to find our allies.

Enter the Facebook Competition to win a free place in Life Writing and Memoir with Shelley Kinigsberg and Paul C Pritchard.

Go to Facebook Competition link> Good luck!

It's valued at $AUD460.00!! and is a great opportunity to be taking your writing to the next level.

Read more about this workshop and the one that immediately follows it on our events section> this is the link.