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!

Jargon

I was chatting with a friend the other day and we both agreed how much we dislike text-speak: You know the C U l8r and TTFN kind of stuff. Neither of us uses it, preferring to spell everything out. Ironic really when I wrote 'Little Book of Chat' which recommends all that kind of stuff. I guess it's for younger people!!

I also hate jargon:
Heads-up (cannot tell you how much I detest that phrase)
Put something on the back-burner
Bandwidth as in 'I do not have the bandwidth for that right now' (I do not have the stomach for that right now so please pass me a sick bucket)

I know that in certain professions jargon is the common language, which is a bit sad but a fact of life. But it IS NOT a part of my life so please do not use it with me.

Birthday!

I must admit that I love birthdays - they're a great excuse to catch up with friends and to party! I did it in style this year; I think my celebrations lasted around 9 days, even though it wasn't a big one! I saw some of my favourite people and if I didn't actually see them I heard from them. There was lots of catching up, lots of laughter, lots of champagne and lots of dancing! FANTASTIC! It was a good way to say goodbye to what hadn't been my best year to be honest.

Now I'm busy writing again,loving it and you know, I think this year is going to be a good one!