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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Can't believe how quickly May and half of June slipped by, so there's lots of little things & a couple of bigger things for the blog this time.
Here's a big hello to the people I visited yesterday: HUTTON CRANSWICK PRIMARY SCHOOL, near Beverley. I had a lovely time and I hope you did too. Year 5 & 6 began some fantastic stories, so hope you enjoy sharing them with each other.
I had a good time telling stories at HARROGATE'S PUMP ROOM MUSEUM at the end of May, which felt good after all the bits & pieces of research & thinking about the tales I'd done. Now I'm looking at stories for a couple of summer events - and getting ready for a very special visit to the Reception Class at ALDERSBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL this coming Friday.
What else? I've heard that: my story for the Stripes WINTER MAGIC anthology has been accepted; my advance copies of FLORENCE & THE DRUMMER BOY (Hopscotch Histories) arrived at 9am today; I've had delivery of the colour proofs of IN THE DEEP DARK FOREST (Franklin Watts); I've put together a very early synopsis for a new long novel - though I haven't yet heard back about my ideas, and I'm waiting to hear who the illustrator will be for A BOY CALLED MOUSE (Bloomsbury 2010.)
I've also been blogging on AN AWFULLY BIG BLOG ADVENTURE, a blog shared by several children and teen writers, where you'll find all sorts of incredibly readable and interesting posts. And some of mine . . .
Here's a big hello to the people I visited yesterday: HUTTON CRANSWICK PRIMARY SCHOOL, near Beverley. I had a lovely time and I hope you did too. Year 5 & 6 began some fantastic stories, so hope you enjoy sharing them with each other.
I had a good time telling stories at HARROGATE'S PUMP ROOM MUSEUM at the end of May, which felt good after all the bits & pieces of research & thinking about the tales I'd done. Now I'm looking at stories for a couple of summer events - and getting ready for a very special visit to the Reception Class at ALDERSBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL this coming Friday.
What else? I've heard that: my story for the Stripes WINTER MAGIC anthology has been accepted; my advance copies of FLORENCE & THE DRUMMER BOY (Hopscotch Histories) arrived at 9am today; I've had delivery of the colour proofs of IN THE DEEP DARK FOREST (Franklin Watts); I've put together a very early synopsis for a new long novel - though I haven't yet heard back about my ideas, and I'm waiting to hear who the illustrator will be for A BOY CALLED MOUSE (Bloomsbury 2010.)
I've also been blogging on AN AWFULLY BIG BLOG ADVENTURE, a blog shared by several children and teen writers, where you'll find all sorts of incredibly readable and interesting posts. And some of mine . . .
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Out yesterday to the HARROGATE ROYAL PUMP ROOM MUSEUM to look at the items in their new exhibition ONLY HUMAN. It's an interesting mix of pots and ornaments and objects all depicting people or faces. And my task - which I have chosen to accept for TUESDAY 26th MAY- is to tell tales related to some of these items. A good visit, but I need to go back, because some objects speak louder than others, but they may be lying . . .
Today I've been playing around with a few ideas for a new novel. Have decided, this time around, to try to do more of the planning first.
Today I've been playing around with a few ideas for a new novel. Have decided, this time around, to try to do more of the planning first.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Today, trying to get my head together about some other angst entirely, an explanation popped into my head. It's the answer to the question, beloved of puzzled children everywhere :"What's it like Being a Writer?" And this is what came into my mind, though who knows from where:
Ready?
At the risk of sounding sentimental, being a writer is rather like being caught in A.A. Milne’s original Hundred Acre Acre Wood. (The Ernest Shepherd version!)
There’s Tigger days, when you have lots of energy and drive, and your writing seems to be going well, and you are maybe unreasonably bouncy and self-centred.
There’s Pooh Bear days, when you plod along, often mistakenly despite the limits of your poor brain but where you know the essential thing is to keep going, in a fog of hope, no matter what.
There’s Piglet days, when it’s all really, really a bit too much for you, and though you might have some good ideas, they might not turn out to be good ideas and could you please just have somebody’s paw to hold.
There’s Rabbit days, when you feel totally on top of things, and you’re actually rather well organised, and can get quite tetchy with friends and aquaintances who get in the way.
There’s Eeyore days when all you understand is deep, deep gloom, and you know nothing will go right because the whole world of books and publishing is against you, and there’s no point in trying anyway, because it will all go wrong.
There’s Owl days, when you’ve sure that you’ve hatched a very wise and praiseworthy plan, and when all your work seems to be the very best writing you’ve ever done, and accomplished and clever at that. Only others know differently.
There’s Kanga days, when you need to care for yourself, and do what’s best for you and your health and your general tidiness and well-being, because you know it’s good for you.
There’s Roo days when you’re just way too interested in all sorts of special things to settle to any writing at all.
And there’s Christopher Robin days, when you know that all these different friends need watching patiently and lovingly, and that all will probably be sorted out happily, and that the important thing is to have serious fun while you’re playing. Because there are far less happy places you could be.
Ready?
At the risk of sounding sentimental, being a writer is rather like being caught in A.A. Milne’s original Hundred Acre Acre Wood. (The Ernest Shepherd version!)
There’s Tigger days, when you have lots of energy and drive, and your writing seems to be going well, and you are maybe unreasonably bouncy and self-centred.
There’s Pooh Bear days, when you plod along, often mistakenly despite the limits of your poor brain but where you know the essential thing is to keep going, in a fog of hope, no matter what.
There’s Piglet days, when it’s all really, really a bit too much for you, and though you might have some good ideas, they might not turn out to be good ideas and could you please just have somebody’s paw to hold.
There’s Rabbit days, when you feel totally on top of things, and you’re actually rather well organised, and can get quite tetchy with friends and aquaintances who get in the way.
There’s Eeyore days when all you understand is deep, deep gloom, and you know nothing will go right because the whole world of books and publishing is against you, and there’s no point in trying anyway, because it will all go wrong.
There’s Owl days, when you’ve sure that you’ve hatched a very wise and praiseworthy plan, and when all your work seems to be the very best writing you’ve ever done, and accomplished and clever at that. Only others know differently.
There’s Kanga days, when you need to care for yourself, and do what’s best for you and your health and your general tidiness and well-being, because you know it’s good for you.
There’s Roo days when you’re just way too interested in all sorts of special things to settle to any writing at all.
And there’s Christopher Robin days, when you know that all these different friends need watching patiently and lovingly, and that all will probably be sorted out happily, and that the important thing is to have serious fun while you’re playing. Because there are far less happy places you could be.
Labels: Being a Writer, explanation, Hundred Acre Wood
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
To the YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK on Monday, and to my delight found that a piece of soundscape art had been renovated fairly recently. Though it looks like a simple domed gazebo, once you step inside, your movements activate varied patterns of music and speech and applause and more. Great fun!
Tomorrow I'm off to the Key Stage Two children at WHELDRAKE NEAR THORGANBY PRIMARY SCHOOL, for a morning of talking about writing and some writing time too. Looking foorward to seeing you all! (And seeing SAVIOUR PIROTTA there too!)
I'm also feeling a little smug as I today I finished a short story that - fingers crossed - may end up in an anthology. If not, it''s written anyway, so maybe someone else might like it. And I can cross it off on my To Do list as well!
Tomorrow I'm off to the Key Stage Two children at WHELDRAKE NEAR THORGANBY PRIMARY SCHOOL, for a morning of talking about writing and some writing time too. Looking foorward to seeing you all! (And seeing SAVIOUR PIROTTA there too!)
I'm also feeling a little smug as I today I finished a short story that - fingers crossed - may end up in an anthology. If not, it''s written anyway, so maybe someone else might like it. And I can cross it off on my To Do list as well!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Yes, everything went brilliantly at OXFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL. With no modesty at all, I can report that Helena Pielichaty and I gave a stunning session, with mentions of chewing gum, mysterious keys, old photos, broken statues, football scarves, cuttings from old newspapers, portions of snacks, plus much laughter and no tears. If you were there, all this will make sense. If you weren't, what a session you missed! And we decided we'd BOTH won the debate! Many thanks, Helena! (Check out her website too!)
Then, just as I'd unpacked all my "talk-bag" stuff for the Easter break, came an emergency phone call! So my last last-gig-of-the-term became three stand-in sessions at Adrian Thompson's "LEAP INTO BOOKS" festival for children from Year 5 to Year 8 at LAISTERDYKE COLLEGE, Bradford. It was great fun with great people, though annoyingly I had to escape before BOB PEGG did his musical performance. I had to stock up with Easter eggs for the weekend's visitors, and clean the floors. Hey ho, such fun!
Today I'm having my after-Easter tidying time - except for a meeting this afternoon . . Ooops Must hurry!
Then, just as I'd unpacked all my "talk-bag" stuff for the Easter break, came an emergency phone call! So my last last-gig-of-the-term became three stand-in sessions at Adrian Thompson's "LEAP INTO BOOKS" festival for children from Year 5 to Year 8 at LAISTERDYKE COLLEGE, Bradford. It was great fun with great people, though annoyingly I had to escape before BOB PEGG did his musical performance. I had to stock up with Easter eggs for the weekend's visitors, and clean the floors. Hey ho, such fun!
Today I'm having my after-Easter tidying time - except for a meeting this afternoon . . Ooops Must hurry!
Labels: Oxford Literary Festival
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday was my "last day of term", almost, as I was being the visiting author for FOREST OF GALTRES PRIMARY SCHOOL near York, who are having a story-writing competition ove rthe Easter holidays. Had a lovely time, and hope you all have fun imagining your own stories.
I'd spent all day Sunday finally finishing off the revision of my long manuscript, correcting it according to the editors edits, and now it has gone. Always a rather sad & hollow feeling, as if there's something you should be working on but instead there's a space. I have been gathering some another ideas together, so once I've completed a couple of small projects, it will be exciting to start on the next big bit of work! But feel as if I have to wait to hear it's arrived back with the editor before I'm free to do that.
I've also got to gather myself together for a talk I'm giving with the wonderful writer HELENA PIELICHATY at OXFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL this coming Saturday morning. Very, very exciting! We're arguing on behalf of either FANTASY OR REALITY - with me going for fantasy, of course. Am bringing along my unicorn to make sure!
I'd spent all day Sunday finally finishing off the revision of my long manuscript, correcting it according to the editors edits, and now it has gone. Always a rather sad & hollow feeling, as if there's something you should be working on but instead there's a space. I have been gathering some another ideas together, so once I've completed a couple of small projects, it will be exciting to start on the next big bit of work! But feel as if I have to wait to hear it's arrived back with the editor before I'm free to do that.
I've also got to gather myself together for a talk I'm giving with the wonderful writer HELENA PIELICHATY at OXFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL this coming Saturday morning. Very, very exciting! We're arguing on behalf of either FANTASY OR REALITY - with me going for fantasy, of course. Am bringing along my unicorn to make sure!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, and some welcome hours at home, catching up with admin and getting back into a serious writing mode. But I have had a great couple of days.
Monday was great fun, because I was at the Stoke on Trent "Big Adventure Day" at Port Vale Football Club Stadium. So hello at all the people (big and little) who came to meet me, especially to all the classes from THE PRIORY PRIMARY SCHOOL , NORTHWOOD BROOM PRIMARY SCHOOL, HILLSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL and anyone else who was at my sessions. Thanks to all who arranged this VERY HUGE DAY!
Tuesday was a lovely afternoon of sharing stories with the Reception Classes of GREENSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL in Pudsey Library - and their teddies. We were there for a Teddy Bear's Picnic celebration, arranged because the library now has some great COUNT ME IN 1,2,3 packs for families to borrow. I even sneaked three iced gem biscuits when the teddies weren't looking!
Monday was great fun, because I was at the Stoke on Trent "Big Adventure Day" at Port Vale Football Club Stadium. So hello at all the people (big and little) who came to meet me, especially to all the classes from THE PRIORY PRIMARY SCHOOL , NORTHWOOD BROOM PRIMARY SCHOOL, HILLSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL and anyone else who was at my sessions. Thanks to all who arranged this VERY HUGE DAY!
Tuesday was a lovely afternoon of sharing stories with the Reception Classes of GREENSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL in Pudsey Library - and their teddies. We were there for a Teddy Bear's Picnic celebration, arranged because the library now has some great COUNT ME IN 1,2,3 packs for families to borrow. I even sneaked three iced gem biscuits when the teddies weren't looking!
Labels: Greenside Primary School., Hillside Primary School, Northwood Broom Primary School, The Priory Primary School
