For The Kids!

So, last Tuesday I did something I’d not done in too long. I ran a workshop for children. That’s the kind of thing I used to do an awful lot of when I wrote for children, but when I changed to short stories (ver much) for adults I stopped. I think I probably thought I wasn’t qualified anymore. But, when I discussed the idea with a nearby library I jumped at the chance. I realised I missed it.

 

And on Tuesday, it happened. It was the first I’d done since 2008, if memory serves, and I loved it. It was great fun, the children who came were great, their stories were great, and everyone ended up leaving after achieving something and with a smile on their faces.

 

And as a result we’re now looking at turning it into a regular thing. An after school club, probably bi-monthly, for over 7’s (though all ages above are welcome) with a view to producing an actual printed book at the end of the term. If you’re in the Macclesfield area and fancy it, or would like more details when they’re available, then drop me a line by using the form on this page. Places are limited because I want to be able to give a decent amount of attention to everyone there. Give me a shout if you think you might be interested!

Five Things About My Next Book

I’ve been busy over the past couple of weeks with edits on my next book, Beautiful Trees, so, now they’re done, it seems the right time to do the 5 Things About Your Next Book thingy that Helen Krionas, Dolly Garland, and Dan Purdue have all tagged me in.

But before I do, there have been other things I’ve been busy with too. Editing has taken up a lot of my time, as has running my flash/short fiction online course (there’s still a space or two if anyone’s interested). I’ve been preparing for tomorrow’s children’s workshop, and I’ve had a birthday (which, thankfully, passed without incident). So, yes busy, but fun.

So, Beautiful Trees…

 

1 It’s the second in the Beautiful trilogy and picks up where the last book left off, continuing Lily, Alexander, and Lucy’s journey only this time, instead of telling it through significant words, it’s told through trees.

 

2 Like Beautiful Words, there are facts in there too. I’ll not reveal too much but one thing I did learn that surprised me, was that some trees can communicate with each other.

 

3 It’s definitely not a write what you know book, which has been a really cool change from what I usually. Researching before I wrote the stories was fun.

 

4 There are a couple of birds in my trees. Well, there would be, wouldn’t there?

 

5 It’s illustrated, like the last one, by Miranda Sofroniou. And the illustrations are, in my humble and biased opinion, stunning. They look a little like this:

cherry

And there you have it. I’ll not tag anyone myself, but if you feel you’d like to share then let me know.