RESURGIO, TOME TWO!

A good working day today.

I think I've finally got Tome Two moving. I've been cutting and pasting sections of confused old document into Brand New Document. I've also been putting in useful new patches as well as having thoughts hard as iron about the main characters. The Tome may be coming together at last but there's still a long writing journey to travel. Quite glad to NOT be going out much over the next few weeks.

But, oh heavens! I glanced at the Diary blog as I jumped through to do this posting. Can't help thinking it needs lots more sections added, but how do I find time to do all that and keep the Tome moving along?

JUST A COINCIDENCE?

Well, a really good day making up stories and poems with the Year 3 & 4 classes at RAWDON LITTLEMOOR SCHOOL. Thank you for a very welcoming school visit - as well as the interesting surroundings full of intriguing things to see. Tigers sleeping on cupboards anyone?

Odd coincidence! Today a child asked me about MR POD & MR PICCALILLI, a picture book I'd written some time ago with NICK SHARRATT so not one I talk about as much as I used to. And another child asked me about what kind of pen I used.

Then I got home to find a parcel from WALKER BOOKS, the P&P publisher. Inside were three special copies of the book, and a special "pen" that will read the text aloud for the young reader if you put the "pen" at the start of a line. It comes all the way from Korea, where P&P is now part of a Learning English scheme!

SEE HEAR

Monday, and a day for tidying and getting ready for tomorrow's school visit to RAWDON LITTLEMOOR PRIMARY SCHOOL, near Leeds.

This morning I took part in a three-way Skype conversation with a couple of other writers about a project we're involved in. Although we know each other a little, I wasn't sure the session would work out. The technology certainly doesn't help, as the slightest cough or "um" (or miouwing cat) cuts out whoever is talking, which makes the discussion rather dislocated. But, as it happened, the session went well and was a really enjoyable chat.

I have heard of authors doing school Skype video visits, which are probably enjoyable too, but I know I'd rather go to tomorrow's school and see everyone in person.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hello again! I had a lovely long Christmas, although that happy time was followed by a horrible sneezy cold. The first weeks felt a bit of a struggle as an editor had asked me to revise a story for a Spring anthology. The school visit requests started arriving, so I had to re-arrange my School Visit folder very quickly. Some interesting visits to come!

Last Thursday, I went to ST. AIDAN'S HIGH SCHOOL "STAR" reading group to talk about A BOY CALLED M.O.U.S.E. Thank you for the sweet-scented narcissi, which lasted until yesterday.

This week I've been thinking about some old and new writing projects. I've also gone through my diary and blocked in some good writing time. Yes, new resolutions for the New Year!

A GIFT OF A POEM

Yesterday evening, when I was sitting in an empty dining room with my books for sale, a girl brought me her poem to read, and actually gave me a copy too. It was such a delightful gift that I'm putting it - with her and her mother's permission - here in my Diary:

I see the stars above my head in the dark blue sky.
I seee the stars wandering by, dancing as they die.
I see the world starving by hunger, I feel a whirlwind blow.
I see the poorly people walking to and fro.
I see the children in Africa, Asia and Japan.
I see the starving children also in Taiwan,
I see the guns and weapons,
I see throughout the fight.
I see the animals scratching,
I see the animals yawning.
I see the trees blow in the breeze
I realise people's needs
Help our lovely planet,
Because it grows the seed . . .


Thank you for those thoughts, Ellen!

Last week, this week . .

Yes, a busy time. Last week at Harlow Carr was lovely, and the rain didn't rain on us the Poetree explorations very much at all. Thanks for all your poems, everyone. I had a great time and am sure Debbie did too.

Tomorrow I'm in another local school, OATLANDS JUNIOR SCHOOL in Harrogate, for the morning, I'm working with groups of Yr 5 & 6 children. Then I'll have a quick chance to sell my books before the Learning Event in the evening, but I'll be home for lunch & some writing in between!

NOVEMBER'S HERE!

Had a great time with my last set of visits. Then I had a busy writing time, working on a tight short story deadline, as well as a lovely half-term break with family.

I popped into HARROGATE LIBRARY too. It's my local library, which had only just moved back into its old-but-renovated home. I'd got quite used to the temporary "office space" library over the last two years, but really like this new one. The roof has had a huge "lantern" put in so the building is full of light and feels very open, which it definitely wasn't before. They open on Sundays now so later today I may pop to change some books.

Bonfire Night is over, so this week I'm looking forward to working in the new Bramhall Learning Centre at RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, and sessions with classes from WESTBROOK LANE SCHOOL, SHARROW PRIMARY SCHOOL, FOLLIFOOT PRIMARY SCHOOL and BELMONT GROSVENOR SCHOOL. See you all - and the lovely trees - soon!