Faves

The subject of favourite books/films/best of the year things has come up a number of times recently so I thought I’d list mine here.

Here goes…


Book of the Year for Adults: Something Beginning With, Sarah Salway.

I also loved The Book of Lost Things, John Connolly, and American Gods, Neil Gaiman.


Book of the Year for Children: Alex and the Wigpowder Treasure, Adrienne Kress.

And the wonderful Love That Dog, Sharon Creech.


Film of the Year for Adults: Pan’s Labyrinth.


Film of the Year for Children (and almost for adults as well): Stardust.


Song of the Year: Release Me, Oh Laura. And American Girl, Tom Petty.


Best Piece of Music Discovered: That wonderful Biber solo piece the lovely Kate sent me.


Year’s Best Telly: Scrubs and The Bad Mother’s Handbook.

Read All About It

Thanks to Amy from the Heywood Advertiser for sending me this, a wee picture story of my visit and library opening a couple of weeks back.

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I’m still struggling a bit with this blinkin’ cold. It’s done my nose and chest and has now nestled in my throat. I hope to be better, and with a clearer head, very soon. There is much writing needs doing.

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I’ve mentioned the terrific Vulpes Libris site before (it’s one of those sites I must check at least once a week) and am happy to be able to point you their way again. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rosy’s article on favourite (picture) books earlier. Well worth checking out, folks.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Nik Perring would like to place on record his complete dissatisfaction in having a cold. He does not enjoy them, nor does he see their point. Or worth. In fact, he thinks they’re an inconvenient nuisance.

He would also like to say that he has not let it get on top of him. He did not let it stop him winning at squash the other night (huzzahhhh!) nor has it been able to stop him from writing. Well, not too much. A little perhaps.

Most importantly it did not stop him from attending Lower Park’s production of the Wizard of Oz on Thursday. It did not stop him thinking that it was terrific either, or enjoying himself very, very much. Fab sets, fab acting, fab dances, fab night. Well done everyone.

In spite of his cold Nik has also been watching this a lot. And singing it a lot. He might have even danced to it earlier. Ding dong…

Quack

I’m still beavering away here – writing, writing, writing. And listening often to an incredible Biber solo piece (THANK YOU KATE for sending it me!).

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I was out with two thirds of Rambo and Leroy last week and was able to hear a couple of their new tracks. They sounded great. (Actually this was from their Special Project and as I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say about it I’ll have to say nothing for the time being…)

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Yesterday I went for a coffee with my beloved. We went to a cafe by a canal and we saw something quite unexpected – a mandarin among some mallards. What brilliant colours! Gorgeous. It was nice to see that the mallards seemed to have adopted him as their own. You never know, they might have just fancied him.


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And of course, happy anniversary, Liz.

New Website!

I think I can now say that I’m happy with my new website. It’s live and it’s launched and, as far as I can tell, it’s up to date. (I still can’t get the old one to delete though, grumble, grumble.) Feel free to have a nosy and to tell me what you think. I especially like the new shop page because it gives people the opportunity to order signed, personalised copies of my book at no extra charge.

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The new issue of Twisted Tongue is now out, which is good if you’re a fan of horror. It’s also good for me as one of my stories is in it.

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And if only all the rejections I received were like this one (nicked from the fabulously princessy Sarah Salway’s blog):

“We have read your manuscript with boundless delight. If we were to publish your paper, it would be impossible for us to publish any work of a lower standard. And as it is unthinkable that in the next thousand years we shall see its equal we are to our regret compelled to return your divine composition and beg you a thousand times to overlook our short sight and timidity.”

I Love my Job #2

(photo courtesy of Amy Glendinning – The Heywood Advertiser)

It occured to me that in all the times I’ve mentioned school visits and workshops and such I haven’t ever really gone into much detail regarding what actually goes on when I do them. So, here goes…

I arrived at Woodland Community Primary School at ten o’clock. This was good; I was on time.

I was welcomed by a very friendly member of staff (this is important – it’s far nicer to be welcomed by a friendly person than a misery guts!) who signed me in. (Which has reminded me – I didn’t sign out at the end of the day. I hope they don’t think I’m still there.)

Then I was greeted by Janet, the teacher who’d organised the event (brilliantly) and the head. I think it’s always encouraging when a head takes time out to meet me because, amongst other things, I think it shows (s)he cares about who’s coming into the school.

Janet then took me to the new library (which I would officially open later) and sorted me out with a nice cup of tea.

The library is terrific. Seriously. It’s the size of a classroom and filled with books. It’s clean and open and airy and not intimidating and brilliant. And it puts the children’s sections of some public libraries I’ve visited to shame. It really is that good.

I was then taken up to the first class where I ran a workshop. We were a little short on time so we weren’t able to finish planning stories but the work we were able to do was very impressive. When eleven o’clock came I had to say goodbye and head down to the library for the official opening. It was at this point I was told that the class I’d just been in with had missed most of their break. Sorry! But there wasn’t even the slightest hint of discontent at the time, which is reassuring for me (ie it must have been at least a little interesting) and also a testament to the class’s behaviour.

So then it was on to the library. I met the head again and chatted with some governors and other teachers and children.

And then a brief interview with Amy Glendinning, the reporter from the Heywood Advertiser, who was great – professional and warm and well, just very good. (I have had some, ahem, rather dubious experiences with local papers so this was a Very Good Thing.)

Then followed the opening ceremony where, after the head had made a speech, I was called on to say a few words. I hadn’t prepared anything so I said what I thought (things about why I think libraries and having the access to books is important and how I wish I’d had something like that at my school, and about how many different worlds and opportunites there are on libraries’ shelves…or something like that), which I think (erm, hope!) sounded okay. And then I was able to say (feeling truly honoured) that the library was officially open.

Then there were a few photos before I was whisked away to a Year 6 class for a forty minute (I think) Q&A which I enjoyed very much.

After lunch it was up to work with a Year 3 class, where I read from my book as well as an unpublished story. Then we wrote a story as a class (it was great, it was about a hairy spider and a girl who loved singing) and then the children showed me their favourite books. This seemed to be the one they all agreed on.

Then on to a Year 4 class and another workshop, which I enjoyed very much. Much Very Good work was done there.

Then the bell rang and school was over. I spent twenty minutes or so signing things before I left. And then that was it. My day was over. And I was a little bit disappointed (and quite tired) because I’d been having such a great time.

A couple of hours later when I got home and switched on my computer I was really happy to see that Amy (fab reporter person) had done as she’d said and mailed me a picture of the opening. (Thanks!)

So there you have it. My splendid day.

I’d like to say a big thanks to all involved. You all made me feel very welcome and you all worked really hard (and that includes Janet whose planning made everything run so smoothly).

Most of all though, I’d like to thank the children. I hope you enjoyed Friday as much as I did.

I really do love my job. Very much.