Writers 2000 remains virtual but hopes to expand

Despite continued Covid-19 restrictions, meetings, monthly writing challenges and the annual writing competition will continue during 2021.

Virtual Zoom meetings were held during 2020, and the new chairperson, Meggan Preuss, intends to open up more social media platforms for members this year.

The first virtual meeting was held on January 14.

The speaker was Kim Vermaak, author of two successful novels, mother of three and brand builder who has been an entrepreneur for nearly 20 years.

Kim wrote her first children’s story during loadshedding.

Surrounded by three frightened and tearful children, she told them a story.

“Storytelling helps us deal with life’s struggles in a non-threatening way,” explained Kim.

“There is always a story within a story, like the time our kitten climbed the tree and couldn’t get down.”

This real-life saga became the draft The Great Dragon, her first self-published young adults story. She later changed the title to The Last of the Silver Wings.

Kim, who has always been drawn to fiction, said she has found it more interesting. Although Kim started out writing for children, her fiction novels are written for young adults.

Kim believes by reading fiction, readers can understand the struggles of others and identify with other people in a non-threatening way.

“Some examples of modern-day, everyday struggles are an abusive boss, predator men who take advantage of women’s vulnerability, bullying at home, school or the workplace and depression,” said Kim.

Kim advised up-and-coming authors to do as much research as possible.

“It’s helpful to research what you plan to write about on YouTube or watch a documentary. I like to interview successful self-published authors on my channel Write, Learn and Earn,” she said.

“I learned so much in my early days from YouTube, especially the rules of English and editing.”