Just a small bit of news. My latest "big" manuscript - or typescript, to be precise - is now doing the rounds of the children's publishers.

Yes, I have marked the weeks off in my diary, but so far we are only just past week one. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Though mentally, rather than physically, as it may be rather a long wait. And maybe no big bit of news at the end of it either . . .

Hope you are enjoying the half term break!  ¶ 2:30 PM

On Thursday night, I went to an absolutely, amazingly, words-fail-me stunning experience at WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE. It was THE ARAB & THE JEW by Amit Lahav and Al Nedjari (Gecko Theatre Company). Strong physical theatre, surreal comedy, poignant tragedy - and so completely wonderful that I went to see it again on next and last night, Friday. Though the performance was just as good, and the balance of sounds and speech slightly clearer, the night did not have the impact of that first stupendous viewing because I had already seen what was coming next - though it was a triumph for the two actors and the company just the same!

So today I tracked down the geckotheatre website and came across their YouTube entry. Oh no! A concise sampler of all the different "action" and moods in the piece, but if I'd seen it before my theatre visit, would that first Thursday show have had the same impact? Or would I have seen it in Friday mode, where I knew what action was coming next? I don't know!

But YouTube, working in short sampler clips rather than dramatic theatre time, does not capture the intense power at the heart of THE ARAB & THE JEW. So glad I didn't see that entry before the show! YouTube might work for music clips, but I can see it as a real problem for some theatre performances.

All the same, if you ever get a chance, go and see the magnificent Gecko, whatever their next show is. Congratulations and all good wishes, Amit & Al and all the crew.!  ¶ 1:30 PM

Busy last week with a trip to London to meet some editors and talk about books. Sat in the sun outside the BRITISH LIBRARY for a short while, among the mighty sculptures. Not sure how the circular courtyard would feel in the winter drizzle.

Further along the Euston Road, chatting at a coffee shop, found the wind whirling through the tall buildings, lifting empty paper cups, straws and wrappers way up into the air - though no Wicked Witch of the West was riding up there among them. Wicked Witch of the Wastebins, maybe?

Yesterday was certainly a day for admiring the improved junctions on the A1, as I drove down to visit children at GREAT PONTON PRIMARY SCHOOL, Lincolnshire, in the morning, and CROXSTON KERRIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, Leicestershire, in the afternoon. Great to meet you all! Followed by stories for BARROWBY & GRANTHAM CHILDREN'S BOOK GROUP. Thanks to all who helped arrange the day.  ¶ 12:58 PM

Not only is the sun shining merrily, but I had a good "Writing Day" today with Year 3 and Yr 4 classes at CLIFTON GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, York. We ended up with a fairy tale about beans ( no, not that one exactly!), a fearful Viking attack on Lindisfarne Abbey, and some scary creatures being let out of boxes . . . Ooooer! Well done all of you, and hope you enjoy working on with your writing!  ¶ 5:49 PM

Another busy time, so I'm catching up big time here by sending thanks to FAGLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL, near Bradford, who welcomed me so well. Thanks to Mrs Warburton for putting up that lovely display of my books!

Then I had a week of reading, and re-reading, and sighing, and puzzling, and reading again for the York Children's "Ghost Story" Competition, so that (at last!) I could choose the four winning stories ready for the Presentation at YORK CENTRAL LIBRARY on Saturday 26th April. Congratulations to the four winners, and thanks to everyone who entered. Your ideas and stories were great!

On 24th & 25th April, I met up with lots of keen young writers at ST. OSWALD'S CofE JUNIOR SCHOOL in Guiseley, along with other writing friends from TRANMERE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL, GUISELEY INFANTS, ST PETER & ST PAUL CATHOLIC PRIMARY, ST PETER'S CofE PRIMARY in Rawdon and WESTFIELD PRIMARY in Yeadon. Two wonderful busy days! Just where did the time go?

Last of all, greetings to the children and staff of CASTLEFIELDS INFANTS SCHOOL & NURSERY, over there in Rastrick. nr Halifax. Thank you so much for listening to my books and storytellings yesterday.

Today I'm trying to make space for doing some of MY OWN WRITING! More news on that soon!  ¶ 6:17 PM