Women who write discover Judith's Room

I'VE just read something amazing.

It's not a published book. But I loved it more than many I have read.

Thanks to Judith's Room, a new online community for women writers, I glimpsed a sneak peek at a work in progress Emily from Maternal Tales has been ignoring since becoming a mum.

Emily writes so beautifully on her blog, I knew it would be good.

But it took my breath away.

Judith's Room is the brainchild of my blogging friend (friend is not too strong a word) and near neighbour Josie, from Sleep is for the weak.

Here's an explanation of the name as detailed on the site:

Our name takes its inspiration from the Virginia Woolf essay 'A Room of One's Own', in which she suggests that "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction". In her essay, Virginia uses the fictional character of Shakespeare's sister Judith to explore issues surrounding the talent and potential of women writers and the difficulties they have faced. Judith may have been as equally gifted as her brother but as a woman of the time would not have been allowed to write or be published. She left for London to try her luck, but ended up dead on a roadside, just another Anon: another forgotten female literary giant that never was.

Here we hope to take up the mantle in Judith's name, providing you with a room of your own and all you need to grow as a writer, and fighting for the end of creative dreams left to die on the roadside.

In two days it has attracted more than 150 members, with some coming from overseas.

What a fantastic achievement by Josie.

For me, it's a chance to find honest feedback on my writing. I know lots of members through blogging, through work and through friendship.

It's going to be great!

Thanks Josie, thanks Emily. Looking forward to reading - and writing - lots more.

Perhaps you would like to drop by too?

Comments

[Karin @ Cafe Bebe]

Wasn't it a brilliant story! I can't wait for the next chapter!

I wrote a Judith's Room missive on my blog as well (mind a plug?)- http://cafebebe.co.uk/blog/judiths-room/

It's quite the place to be isn't it?

Love it!
Karin

[Maternal Tales]

Linda Jones - you are truly wonderful. Thank you, just thank you for making me smile. Ok, I'll think about carrying on with the novel...but only cos you want me to!! x

[Linda]

@Karin - depends what sort of plug, some of those bad boys look painful.

@Emily I expect payment in kind.

Sorry just amusing myself.

In this comment I mean, not with my left hand.

Emily it's a pleasure.

Oh no sorry there I go again.

[Josie @Sleep is for the Weak]

Thank you Linda, and for everything you have done to help this grow.

x

[Rosie Scribble]

This room is great, Linda, I agree and it is great to see it promoted here.

Just one concern regarding your own future contributions that I thought I'd slip in. Having read your recent tweet, you won't be writing on a similar theme, will you? *smirk*

[Linda]

Rosie, I don't know what you are talking about :) but suspect the answer is yes all the same. x

[angelsandurchinsblog]

Loving Judith's Room. It's grown so quickly that there must have been a huge need for it. Josie is a clever writer to pinpoint what was lacking, and then create it. Must re-read your tweets, btw, to see what RosieScribble was getting at!