Thanks again for coming along last night - it was good to meet you all, and great to feel such enthusiasm. Long may it last!

I mentioned that I hoped we could use the internet to to broaden our discussions, publish our work-in-progress, and add a 'virtual' meeting-place to our weekly sessions. Hopefully the site itself will grow pretty rapidly. I've put in a few links over on the right, and I'd intend to build this element into a source of useful info and advice - not just on writing itself, but on getting published, freelance opportunities, writing competitions, and on the arts and culture in NI. Any suggestions gratefully received.

I'm adding your emails to the 'permissions' list, which means that any of you can 'post' pieces of writing, or ideas about writing, directly onto the site. I'm also going to draw the attention of previous members of the group, and others who write, have an interest in writing, or whose opinion I think you might find useful. They won't be able to post directly, but they will be free to comment. Hopefully these will encourage us all. And if you know of anyone who you think might be interested, pass on the address.

How will we use this? Well, as I said, it's a good place to try out new work, or to experiment, or to post the pieces we'll be discussing in the future. It's also somewhere we can discuss the progress or direction of the group, suggest ideas for future 'classes', ask for help or advice when we're stuck ... the possibilities are many, and it's up to us to use the blog as regularly and enthusiastically as we can.

Over to you!