What's Going On?

I've not managed to put anything in my diary for a few days - this isn't because I've been lazing around doing nothing... no, not at all. I've been at one of those Thinking Of Lots of New Story times that I seem to go through every now and then, so I've been very busy writing things down, making notes and planing.

Will all of these stories get make in to books? Who knows... but hopefully some of them will.

Tonight I'm off to Manchester to see Jackson Browne with Rachel (eldest daughter), tomorrow I'm visiting Blackpool Sixth Form College with some other writers and poets - I'll tell you about that tomorrow.

Must get back to work... bye for now.

Brilliant...

The mad rush of school visits has just come to and end, so now I've got a bit of time to catch up with my emails, letter writing and story writing too - but first I wanted to show you this picture of an amazing robot and his fantastic creator - Jack.

Thank you very much to Jack's dad for sending me this picture and a big HELLO and THANK YOU to Jack for for building the robot... I love it.

My publishers - Hodder Children's Books - are running a Robo-runners robot building competition at the moment so I'll send the picture on to them too. (The winners of the competition get a goody bag) You can find out more about the competition by clicking HERE but you'll have to be quick as the closing date is this SUNDAY.

On the Road Again

Another busy week...

Today I've had a great time at St Michael's Church of England Primary School at St Michael's on Wyre - HELLO to everyone there - it was great meeting everyone. Tomorrow I'm going back down to Liverpool for a visit to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School so HELLO to you too - and them I'm driving straight down to Oxford. Phew - another busy week.

Next week I plan to stay at home and get lots of writing done.

Music

When I visit schools I am often asked what sort of music I like...
I have a wide ranging interest in music - some old and some new - and I don't often go into much detail about what I'm listening to but I've discovered that I can put youtube videos in my diary so here you go:

At the moment I am listening to an album by Paul McCartney (he used to be one of the Beatles) recorded under the name of The Firemen, called Electric Arguments.

Here's one of the tracks from the album. It's a bit diferent from his usual stuff and I like it...

Hunting for Ghosts

Last Friday night, Lorraine, Rachel myself and two friends - Gemma and Louise - went on a Ghost Hunt to Salmesbury Hall. We've never done anything like this before but we thought it would be something interesting to do on a Friday night for a change.

As you can see, the old hall (built in the 14th century) looks very nice in the daytime. It also looks very nice at night, but once the lights get turned out it starts to look a little bit creepy.

We met the rest of the people going on the trip outside the Grand Theatre in Blackpool, then a coach took us to the hall - only about half an hour away - between Preston and Blackburn.

We were given a wonderful guided tour of the hall and heard about some of its history; it's connection with Henry VIII and its use as a boarding school for girls in the 1800's... we were also told about the ghosts that are supposed to be heard and seen wandering around the hall...

Then they turned off all the lights and we had a few hours to wander around the hall in the darkness to see what we could find. Sadly, we didn't really see or hear anything really unusual or ghost-like... or did we???

Catching Up...

On Wednesday I spent the day at Coppull Parish School, in Coppull - Chorley. I've been to the school a few times before, doing writing workshops, and it's always a pleasure seeing everyone again. I was especially impressed when i got the chance to talk to year five as they have been reading books for the Fantastic Book Award and they'd all read Robo-runners - The Tin Man.

On Thursday I spent the day at home - my first day at home for ages - so I had a lot of catching up to do... the day whizzed by as I sent emails, put the finishing touches to a few stories and sent them to one of my publishers. Thankfully I even had time to write a submission for a new story idea and got that sent off to my agent... then it was time to make tea and finish the washing.

I'm almost up to date with everything - just a few letter to write and send, but that will have to wait until the weekend.

The Mitchell Library

On Sunday I drove up to Glasgow - nearly 200 miles - to take part in the Aye Write Festival at the Mitchell Library. The lovely festival organisers had booked me in to a very nice hotel for a couple of days along with a few other authors. After finding my room I thought I'd go out and get some tea. On my way out I bumped into the wonderful Shoo Rayner and the equally wonderful Ann Bryant so we went out together and had pizza.

At breakfast time on Monday morning I met up with David Bedford - the author of lots of excellent books - we had planned to go swimming at some time over the couple of days but never quite got round to it, but it was good talking about what we'd both been up to over the past year or so since we last saw each other.

During the day I did a couple of big sessions at the Mitchell Library - about 100 children in each one - which went well. At lunchtime I bumped into Andy Stanton - author of the excellent Mr Gum books... I had hoped to see Andy's performance but our sessions were running at the same time so I didn't get chance - but we did get to chat about what we were up to and have a laugh with John Fardell - author of The Flight of the Silver Turtle.

Later in the day I met up with David again and we had dinner with Linda Newbery and Hiawyn Oram (who has written hundreds of wonderful books).

After a couple more big sessions on Tuesday I drove back down to Blackpool just in time for bed.

I had a great time at the Aye Write festival and will hopefully get invited back next year to do it all again. Big thanks to all of the organisers and especially Patrick for looking after me all day.

World Book Week and beyond

I've had a very busy few weeks, flying around the country (in my car - so not really flying at all) visiting schools and libraries, talking about books, reading stories, and writing with the cool young writers in Oldham... but it's not finished yet...

This afternoon I'm driving up to Glasgow to take part in the Aye Write Book Festival, then on Wednesday I'm visiting Coppull Parish School in Chorley - I'll see you soon.

Here's a big HELLO to everyone in Year 6 at Withnell Fold - especially Daniel, Henry, James and Davie... Thanks very much for your email - I'll write and put something in the post to you as soon as I get back from Glasgow.

World Book Day

Thursday is World Book Day and this year I will be spending it at Brookhurst Primary School in the Wirral - so here's a Big HELLO to everyone at Brookhurst. I'll see you soon.

On Friday I am off to Pontefract Library to meet children from St Giles School and St Joseph's School so here's a Big HELLO to you too.

And sometime this week I've got to squeeze in a bit more writing.

Thornton-in-Craven

Today I had a great morning at Thornton-in-Craven Community Primary School - it was great meeting everyone in the three classes there. Lots of enthusiastic readers, great questions and some lovely cake in the staffroom - yum...

Tomorrow I'm going back to Oldham - this time to work with lots of gifted and talented year three boys (from all over Oldham) doing a Robo-runners performance and workshop. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Sitting here in my chair I can hear the wind howling outside... Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow.

Manor Beach Primary School

Today is the start of World Book week - World Book Day itself is on Thursday - so I'm going to be aout and about every day visiting schools and libraries. Today I'm driving a short distance up the coast to Cleveleys to visit Manor Beach Primary School... so here's a big HELLO to everyone at Manor Beach.

Tomorrow I'm going further in-land to visit Thornton-in-Craven Community Primary School for the morning - so HELLO to you too.

An early start

It's 7 o'clock, Sunday morning - the time that most people choose to stay in bed a little longer, but I've got up nice and early to try and get some work done. I crept downstairs, made myself a cup of coffee and quietly turned on my laptop... have to be extra quiet with the typing though as one of our daughters is asleep on the settee - one of her friends slept over last night.... ssshhhh!

It's world book day on Thursday so I'm going to be out and about all week - this could be my last chance to get some writing done.

Now, where was I...?