2010: The Year of Friends

It's that time of year when we're all making resolutions and looking to the future. I think it's important to be positive so my main resolution for the year is to see more of my friends. I haven't seen anywhere near enough of them recently, but ironically the less I've seen of them, the more I've realised how important they are to me.

I have warned them that I'll be around a lot more, it's OK!

My other resolutions are to play the piano for at least 15 minutes every day and to FINALLY finish writing 'On The Flipside'!

...and I've a couple of private ones too but I don't want to jinx those by making them public!

Back to a cold November sky. Although looking out of the window at the moment the sun is shining on the last few reddish leaves on the trees and Autumn isn't looking too bad at all.

I think maybe I'm looking on the bright side because I'm still buzzing from a ten day break in the States - half spent in New York and half in California. The vibrancy of the city gets me every time - I love the energy there. And I love the laid-back vibe in Carlsbad where we stayed for the latter half of our break. Bright blue sunshine and 70+ degrees helped too.

A break like that certainly got the creative juices flowing again and I'm back to writing with renewed vigour. A changed of scene is often just what's needed!

Heading Stateside

I'm playing catch-up, trying to get everything sorted before taking The Schnoops to the States. Little Doogs is packing his bags as I speak, I dread to think what kind of junk he will be taking. As for me, well I'm up against deadlines for a couple of things so packing is the least of my worries at the moment.

I've just received these photos from St Mark's School in Tunbridge Wells and thought I would share them. The feedback is positive so I'm thrilled. I LOVED LOVED LOVED it!

Far from 'Disgusted' of Tunbridge Wells!

I want to send a very VERY big 'thank you' to all the staff and pupils of St Mark's CEP school, Tunbridge Wells. I had one of the best school visits ever there on Wednesday; I came away feeling really inspired.

Everyone made me feel so very welcome on a very dark, wet afternoon. The sessions were fun and everyone contributed and asked some very thoughtful questions.

I must admit it was a little bit of a leap into the unknown for me as I usually lead workshops for Year 2 and at St Mark's I took them for Years 3 and 4 too. The latter was a revelation. And as always Flissy gave me lots of ideas - what would I do without you Flissy!

Together Year 4 and I started to build up a story, starting with the characters.It reminded me of the very best bit about creating the Schnoops to start with, when Ian (Sanders) and I spent such great afternoons over coffee coming up with the characteristics of Honey et al and then working out the storylines. Bouncing ideas off someone else is challenging, rewarding and a guaranteed way to have a laugh. In and amongst all the chaos over the last year I'd almost forgotten how much fun that had been. Thanks to Year 4 at St Mark's it's come back!

Italy!

I think we all need to recharge our batteries from time to time and have a complete change of scenery. I love getting back home to Yorkshire - the green fields, the sheep, the fresh air. I always feel so much better for being there. Recently I've had a double whammy: a week in Yorkshire, a few days at home and a long weekend on the Amalfi Coast! How lucky am I?

Italy is pretty much a new experience for me but I have loved everything I've seen so far. Apart from the crazy driving! I feel so much better for the break, more relaxed and ready to face new challenges. And new challenges I have: a school visit to Tunbridge Wells this very afternoon and an increasingly tight deadline on a book.....

Drama in Dartford

I had a bit of an unusual experience on Saturday when I went to Orchards Shopping Centre in Dartford.When I go into schools I have a captive audience. When I go into libraries I know that the children there love books. A shopping centre....tough gig! The call of Primark was too great. But big thumbs up for the children who did appear...it was fantastic to meet you!

I DO seem to spend a lot of time with my hands on my hips don't I? Bunny with attitude, me!

Schnoops on tour again!

What I love most about writing is that I never really know what's around the corner. That's particularly true since I've been visiting schools and libraries. I have quiet weeks when I can concentrate on 'Flipside', then there's a flurry of activity with new writing jobs and more visits.

I was very excited when I was contacted last week to do an event in a shopping centre - excited and quite nervous too! The event is this coming Saturday (12th) at Orchard Shopping Centre in Dartford and is to launch a short story competition. So I have lots of new people to meet and hopefully there's lots of fun to be had! I am brushing up my stroppy Honey walk and my lazy Jezza amble as I speak. And if you don't know what I'm talking about maybe you should get yourselves to Dartford on Saturday!