 | |||
|  |
|
My Journal |
 |
|||
Friday, December 21, 2007
Hello! Here's wishing you, Dear Reader (if you exist!) a very very happy Christmas and an excellent New Year for 2008! The tree is decorated, most of the presents have been purchased (if not wrapped) and the food and menu almost sorted - and hooray, I have time to go back to my current revision with peace in my head. What joyous fun!
Our Catty was bemused by the arrival of the tree, and eyed it very suspiciously. Far better that than having Catty climbing up to get at the jiggling shiny things - especially as the tree is standing on a large flat desk. (Cerrrr-ash!!!???? No thanks!) She has begun having running-round-the house sessions, which she does at odd & anxious times, though she is now snoozing deeply in her regular place, an A4 box-lid on my own working desk. (Not the tree desk, by the way!)
Have a great time, with much happy reading!
Our Catty was bemused by the arrival of the tree, and eyed it very suspiciously. Far better that than having Catty climbing up to get at the jiggling shiny things - especially as the tree is standing on a large flat desk. (Cerrrr-ash!!!???? No thanks!) She has begun having running-round-the house sessions, which she does at odd & anxious times, though she is now snoozing deeply in her regular place, an A4 box-lid on my own working desk. (Not the tree desk, by the way!)
Have a great time, with much happy reading!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
A cheerful couple of days! Not only have I got my Christmas cards done - well, almost! - but I went down to Newark yesterday for a Christmas lunch with five lovely children's writers. Lots of talk and chat and talk and more chat and more talk . . . and lots of laughing too!
Then this morning I went to PANNAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, Harrogate, to present prizes for the first HARROGATE WRITER'S CIRCLE Writing Competition for Children, which I'd agreed to judge. I'd been sent the top twenty entries. Even so it was VERY hard selecting the best!
Eventually, after reading and re-reading, I chose a Runner-Up, who came from nearby WESTERN PRIMARY SCHOOL, and the outright Winner who was in Year Six at Pannal Primary School. Great group of children who listened most politely to my chat about writing and books. Thank you!
Then this morning I went to PANNAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, Harrogate, to present prizes for the first HARROGATE WRITER'S CIRCLE Writing Competition for Children, which I'd agreed to judge. I'd been sent the top twenty entries. Even so it was VERY hard selecting the best!
Eventually, after reading and re-reading, I chose a Runner-Up, who came from nearby WESTERN PRIMARY SCHOOL, and the outright Winner who was in Year Six at Pannal Primary School. Great group of children who listened most politely to my chat about writing and books. Thank you!
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
During November and December, on and off, I've been telling stories about trees at RHS Harlow Carr, and today was the last one - the last outing for some of my favourite tales this year, and suddenly all the sessions are over for 2007. Thank you, SICKLINGHALL PRIMARY SCHOOL KS2 children & teachers for listening today, and thanks to Debbie and Liz for welcoming me each time!
Then a rush down to HARROGATE CENTRAL LIBRARY to talk to the CHATTERBOOKS GROUP. Wishing you all Happy Reading!
Then a rush down to HARROGATE CENTRAL LIBRARY to talk to the CHATTERBOOKS GROUP. Wishing you all Happy Reading!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Three lovely things happened!
One: On Friday I went on a Backstage Trip at the YORK THEATRE ROYAL. A group of people hadn't turned up, so I had a useful & brilliant tour on my ownio, which meant I could ask lots of research-type questions without sending anyone else into a rage. Thank you, kind & patient Maria!
Two: Back in the heat of July, I wrote BELL, a story about a Christmas reindeer, for an anthology of CHRISTMAS ANIMAL STORIES (Tiger Press). This afternoon, I read it aloud to an audience for the first time. A bit scary, especially as it is told from the viewpoint of the reindeer, but I think they all liked it! (Or were polite!)
Three: Such a surprise! Tabitha and Emelia and their mum, who I met at today's Harlow Carr Christmas storytelling, had just read my book THE THIRD ELEPHANT, and had enjoyed it so much they has made a papiermache "lucky elephant" to hang on their Christmas tree. Such a lovely moment!
Oh, and a Man Who Knows at YORK MUSEUM said that most houses DID have rainwater down pipes/drainpipes in mid-Victorian times. That's part of the fun of research!!!!!!!!
One: On Friday I went on a Backstage Trip at the YORK THEATRE ROYAL. A group of people hadn't turned up, so I had a useful & brilliant tour on my ownio, which meant I could ask lots of research-type questions without sending anyone else into a rage. Thank you, kind & patient Maria!
Two: Back in the heat of July, I wrote BELL, a story about a Christmas reindeer, for an anthology of CHRISTMAS ANIMAL STORIES (Tiger Press). This afternoon, I read it aloud to an audience for the first time. A bit scary, especially as it is told from the viewpoint of the reindeer, but I think they all liked it! (Or were polite!)
Three: Such a surprise! Tabitha and Emelia and their mum, who I met at today's Harlow Carr Christmas storytelling, had just read my book THE THIRD ELEPHANT, and had enjoyed it so much they has made a papiermache "lucky elephant" to hang on their Christmas tree. Such a lovely moment!
Oh, and a Man Who Knows at YORK MUSEUM said that most houses DID have rainwater down pipes/drainpipes in mid-Victorian times. That's part of the fun of research!!!!!!!!
