What Next...

Ok, so I’ve finished writing the story about Eric Bloodaxe… what next? Well…If you’re an incredibly rich and famous writer you can probably put your feet up and rest while people feed you grapes and keep you cool with fans made out of twenty pound notes. But for most writers it means it’s time to get on with something else. So that’s what I’ll be doing.

I have one more story about Sneezy the Dragon to write – and I’m well on the way with that so hopefully that will be finished very soon. I have four books to write in my new mini series – Ice Age Adventures. I’ve written part of the first book and am just about ready to get going and really get my teeth into them. I’ve also got plans for a couple of picture book stories for the very young. A couple of little rhyming stories, some stories set in outer space and a much bigger book about???? Well, I can’t tell you what it’s about yet as it’s Top Secret.

I know that a publisher wants the Sneezy story and the Ice Age Adventure books but the other things I’m working on are new projects that I hope someone will want later. That’s one of the funny things about writing… you spend most of your time working on something that you hope someone will like…. if they don’t like it then you don’t get paid.

The good news is that I have two picture books that a couple of my editors really like so now I’m just waiting to hear if they get a big thumbs up from their big bosses. Fingers crossed. I’ll let you know what they say…

Eric Bloodaxe

Hurray… I’ve finished writing my Viking story about Eric Bloodaxe. Getting it completed on time was a bit touch and go for a minute but I got there in the end - just. Thank you to my very patient editor, Melanie.

It’s quite a small story – only 400 words – but it took me a little while to get, what I think of as the voice, right. I knew what was going to happen but I couldn’t quite get the telling of it right. Thankfully it all came together in the end – along with a nice ending to round it all off.

Writing fiction, as I do, I don’t generally have to do a lot of research for my books. But with The Last Battle of Eric Bloodaxe I did quite a bit. Even though not a lot is known about this Viking King I wanted to at least satisfy myself that I was coming up with a story that could have been possible. I was interested to find various accounts of how Eric Bloodaxe died – some say it was in a big battle, and some suggest it was a smaller fight, perhaps only involving one other person, but they all agree that it took place at Stainmore in the North East of England. I found myself looking into lots of Viking and Saxon Kings to try and work out who ruled which part of the country at the time of Eric’s death. I read about different place names like Mercia, Northumberland, Yorvik, Rheged and Wessex. I even had to remind myself about historic timelines in Britain – Were the Vikings here before the Romans or after the Romans…? Embarrassing to admit that but it’s true. The funny thing is – not much of my research is actually visible in the finished story.

All in all I’ve really enjoyed writing this fictional story with a real historic setting and can see why other people enjoy doing it too. I've now got this urge to travel up to Stainmore and find the spot where Eric Bloodaxe had his last battle - even though I know there'll be nothing much there to see.

I sent the story off to my editor yesterday morning as she wanted to get an illustrator for the book before she went on holiday. The illustrator she is after is very good but we don’t know if he’ll be interested in the story. I hope he is at will be nice to work with him. I’ll let you know when I find out more.

Busy again...

I seem to be saying this quite a lot at the moment but I’ve had a very busy few days … Saturday was Rachel’s 18th birthday so the day was spent preparing for that. We collected the cake from The Cake Lady in the morning – a very chocolaty birthday cake – and spent most of the day getting things ready for the party that night.

The party itself was held in the entrance hall of Blackpool’s Water World (also known as the Sandcastle) which has a wonderful Caribbean Theme. As well as a sic jockey playing dance music Rachel had managed to get a local band – The Glove Puppets – to come along and rock the place with live music… fantastic. The party went on until 1 in the morning but by the time we got home and went to bed it was about 2.30.

Sunday was spent tidying the house and chatting to friends and family that had stayed the night, some with us and some at hotels in Blackpool.

On Monday I got up bright and early and headed of to Greenfield, Oldham, to spend the day at St Mary’s Primary School. I had a great day at the school and had a wonderful time telling stories and talking about writing and being a writer… I hope everyone that bought a book really enjoys them.

Tuesday and Wednesday was spent with the wonderful staff and pupils of Chapel End Primary School, Billinge… so here’s a big Hello the them.
Both of the schools were fantastic… the visits were well organised (everyone knew I was coming) and there was lots of excitement and fun had by all.

Next week it’s half term so I have no school visits at all – phew… that means I can catch up with some other work and think about what I’m going to do on Saturday when I’m talking to members of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Group in Manchester.

Good Grief!!!

... I haven't put anything in my diary since Thursday 9th October - and it's already Thursday again. What have I been doing?

Well for a start I've been busy writing. I have finished my third story about Sneezy the Dragon (I'll tell you more about that later on - but for now I'll jut say that it was my third story about a little dragon called Sneezy. But you probably guessed that already.)

Sneezy looks a bit like this... in fact, he looks a lot like this - but the finished Sneezy that goes with the books will look a little different.

I have also started work on a little story about the infamous viking king - Eric Bloodaxe. I've wanted to write a story about vikings for quite some time so I was delighted when one of my lovely editors at Watts asked if like to write one for them. I said YES... YES... YES. I'm having fun working out what the story is going to be about and was hoping to have a rough version ready for tomorrow - but it's taking me a little longer than planned ... oops.

One of our daughters, Laura, has been off school ill this week so that's made working at home a little difficult. Thankfully, she is feeling much better now and will be back at school in the morning.

Today I went to visit Rossall School which is at Rossall, Fleetwood - just ten minutes drive from where I live. I've driven past the school many times but have never been in... today that all changed and I spent the day talking to everyone in Reception, Yr1, 2, 3 and 4. And what a great day it was too. So here's a big HELLO and thank you to everyone at Rossall. It was great meeting you all.

A Day Out In Liverpool

On Wednesday I went down to Liverpool with Rachel for the open day of John Moores University. The other open days we've been to have been held on the university's campuses, however, this one was held at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. It's a very impressive building.

We had a good look round and picked up information on lots of the courses then went for a walk round Liverpool.

We were impressed with the new shopping centre and then went over to the Albert Dock to have a little look round the Maritime Museum. We spent about an hour in the maritime museum but didn't have time to see everything... so we will be going back there again sometime soon.
Thursday (today) was World Poetry Day and I've spent the afternoon with the lovely people at Poulton Library. A couple of classes came in from St Chad's Primary School and we had a very noisy time sharing stories and poems... It was great seeing people from St Chads - Thanks for all your enthusiasm.

A visit of a different kind today...

On Monday and Tuesday this week I left home just before 7 in the morning so that I'd have enough time to drive to where I was going. On Monday I spent a wonderful day at Melling Primary School in Melling, Liverpool, and yesterday I had a great day with everyone at Moss Park Infant School in Manchester.

These were both excellent schools to visit and both of them were so well organised... everyone knew I was coming and who I was. They'd looked at my website and were all ready to talk about books and writing - it was great.

So here a big HELLO and THANK YOU to everyone at Moss Park Infant School for a terrific Tuesday and to everyone at Melling Infant School for a marvelous Monday.

The picture of the toucan was taken at Melling Primary School... the hall is decorated with some wonderful big wall hangings like this one.

Today I didn't have to get up quite as early as I'm not visit any schools or libraries today. Instead I'm going down to Liverpool to visit John Moores University with Rachel. I won't be doing too much talking today so I can give my voice a rest.

A Whale of a Time in The Park

Today I spent most of the time at Stanley Park in Blackpool where I'd been asked to come along and take part in the Wordpool 2008 festival. I was worried that it might rain and ruin things but it didn't... it's been beautiful and warm all day.
I told a few stories, chatted about books and even signed a few of my books for people. I wasn't on my own in the park as there were lots of folk from Blackpool Libraries and a giant 50 foot whale that belongs to the Circo Rum Ba Ba theatre company who were doing performances of a mariners tale. I didn't get chance to take a look inside the whale but it sounded like everyone was having a great time inside.

Tomorrow it's back to school for me - I'll be driving back to Liverpool early in the morning to visit Melling Primary School - in Melling.

Hope University - Liverpool

Today we drove down to Liverpool to have a look round Hope University with Rachel... and we were very impressed. So far, this is the University that has looked the most promising. The fine arts course and facilities look great, the students, lecturers and other staff we met were very friendly and enthusiastic. We've got a few more universities to look round yet so nothing has been decided.

Tomorrow I'm taking part in the Wordpool literature festival that has been organised by Blackpool libraries... If you're near Stanley Park from 11.30 onwards come and have have a look for the library tent where I'll be. It should be easy to find as there's going to be a giant inflatable whale there too. Hopefully the weather will be nice - if not it might be a very short day. I'll let you know how it goes.

Back to Stockport

On Wednesday this week I went back to Stockport to continue my sessions with the wonderful people from the Stockport School Library Service. The day started off early with a very slow journey through torrential rain on the motorway but I arrived at Reddish Junior School in time to do two morning sessions. The four classes I saw were really loud and enthusiastic which was great. Lots of enthusiasm and lots of fun... fantastic. With my Robo-runners series coming out in paperback next year I've been slowly adding more robo-runners bits to my sessions - and it seems to be going well.

After going back to the Library Service headquarters for some sandwiches we went to St Mary's RC Primary School for a great afternoon session. The sun was shining when I packed all my stuff back into my car but as soon as I started driving home the rain started again.

My Thursday sessions in Stockport didn't start until 2pm so I had a bit of time to catch up with emails and a few other things in the morning before setting of for Ladybrook Primary School in Bramhall. The session there went really well and was followed later that evening with a little sessions at Bramhall Library. It was great to meet the staff at the library and wonderful to see everyone that came out in the pouring rain to hear me talk and share stories. I can't believe how fast the time flew by.