Public Speaking – I gave it A Go

I had the honour of giving a talk at a local WI group recently. WI stand for Women’s Institute.

The Women’s Institute (WI) is the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the United Kingdom. In 2025 we celebrate 110 years since it first formed right here in Anglesey.

Its primary goal is to empower women by providing them with opportunities for learning, development, and social connection, while also giving them a voice in community and national issues. The WI’s mission includes inspiring women, advocating for change, and acting as a force for good in the community.

We have 12 on our island, and the rest are scattered over the United Kingdom.

We regularly have speakers and I was invited to entertain a group near to where I live.

My own group Trearddur Bay WI had the local ranger come into give us a talk. He was so natural and adapts his talk to his audience. He didn’t have notes and didn’t appear to follow any structure. Therefore is was natural and fun, as he interacted with his audience.

I wanted that. The only reason he could was because he knew his subject so well. I know books, as an author and a reader.

My talk included ‘My Journey to Being An Author’ – then a little about publishing – independent authors – genres and newsletters.

For those interested in reading a specific theme, check out my Authors, Genres, and Newsletter page,

I’m compiling a list, as I’m a big advocate of newsletters. Yes, genres cross over, which makes it more exciting, doesn’t it? The beauty of today’s writers is that every subject is covered, it’s just a matter of finding it.

If you are an author and would like to be included in my list, let me know.

The talk went very well. I went off topic and that was okay, too. The audience was receptive and talked back to me. This made it a great experience all around. I even sold a few books!

One member recognised my name from my school’s Facebook group. I left the school as she joined and knew me as admin on there. Considering we were both a long way from home, it turned out to be a small world.

She took a couple of photos, and I’ve decided to share them, something I rarely do. I hope you appreciate seeing the real person behind the headshot that I usually banter around.