Library Visits

I've got lots to tell you about in my diary but haven't had chance to do it yet... but here's a quick bit of news before I fill you in on what's been going on...


Today we're off to Rhuddlan Library for a session at 10.30, and this afternoon we're going towards the coast to visit Rhyl Library for a session at 2.00. Everyone's welcome so if you're in the area why not pop in.


See you soon....

Waterloo Sunset and Ironing out the Kinks

Just in case you thought I'd completely disappeared I thought I should let you know that I am definitely still here and am very busy writing... I'm currently ironing out the kinks in chapter one of my latest book. I'd love to tell you what it's called but it hasn't got a proper title yet. So far it's called MUM... but that is definitely not going to be the finished title.


I really should make more of an effort to keep up with my diary writing but it can be difficult at times :-(   Perhaps that could be my New Year resolution... Write more in my diary... Hmmm... I'll have to think about that as I'm sure there are far more pressing things to resolve. Such as FINISH THE BOOKS I'M WRITING!!!


On Saturday Vicky and I spent a lovely morning at Buckley Library where we met the award winning crime writer Martin Edwards... a very nice man whose mind is full of murder and deceit - all fictional stuff of course. Martin kindly signed a copy of one of his novels for us - Waterloo Sunset - and we can't wait to read it...

Saturday night was Vicky's brothers 40th birthday - Happy Birthday Chris - and we spent the night partying.
 
Back to work now... I'll write soon... 

Writers In Schools and Libraries

As well as sitting at home writing, authors and illustrators get the chance to go out on the road to visit schools and libraries everywhere. I love doing this as it gives me the chance to meet fans and readers and hopefully encourage other people to start reading and enjoying books and stories.

I've had a busy week so far visiting schools around the country and it hasn't finished yet. Today, we're off to Cardiff ready to visit the new Central Library where lots of children will be coming along as part of the Capital Reads festival. If you're in Cardiff why not come along. I'll be there from half two until four... See you soon.

School Visits

Had a great day today at Saint Aidan's CE Primary School - here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there. Lots of great questions from everyone today - and good to talk to keen readers of Robo-runners...


Tomorrow I'm off to visit Billinge Chapel End Primary School in St Helen's - so here's a BIG HELLO to you too... then it's home for tea and off across to Nottingham ready to visit St Peters CE Junior School... Hopefully squeeze in a bit of writing somewhere along the way too.

Cats, Cats Cats...

Many thanks to all the authors that have taken the time to send me pictures of their cats... I will certainly be putting some of these pictures on my blog/diary... but I've received so many emails that I will probably create a new page for my website to house all the pictures that I've received...


Thank you, thank you,  than you...


Back on the road again next week to visit a few schools around and about... New of those coming soon... 

Where do writers get their ideas?

This is definitely the one question that writers get asked over and over again..

WHERE DO YOU YOU GET YOUR IDEAS ???

This can be a simple question to answer - Ideas come from lots of places...

Or it can be a difficult question - No one really knows where ideas come from etc etc...

But over the years I have come to know a lot of authors and I feel quite confident in telling you that I know where lots of them get their ideas...

It's from their cats.... Yes, yes...I know what you're thinking... "This is ridiculous!!!"

But I think it might be true....

Most of the authors I know have cats... Our cat, Polly... just hasn't been pulling her weight recently and that explains why I haven't written as much as I should over the last few months (thankfully this is all sorted now)... What other explanation could their be???

Other writer's cats are far more productive and they are producing much more work than me... to prove it I am going to feature other writer's cats on my blog to show how good they are at helping with writing...

So if you want to succeed in writing.... Get a CAT.

Just to prove this is true I will be featuring pictures of authors cats over the next few weeks... so don't be shy.... send me a photo of your inspirational cat....

Working Hard

Lots of writing to get done today... a few things to finish and tweak and something new to start. Must get on with  some of my planned longer books - one of which is starting to move along nicely now. I've set myself a daily word target on that one (not necessarily the right words or in the right order - but definitely a target).


I had a great day as Ysgol Bryn Hedydd in Rhyl last week... years five and six came up with some brilliant ideas for a story... I hope you all have fun working on them together. 


Next week I'm out and about visiting schools and libraries around Britain...


On Monday I'm at Davyhulme Primary School, Manchester - Tuesday Colwyn Bay Library, Wednesday Middleforth CE Primary School, Penwortham... then straight down to Ely in Cambridgeshire to visit Rackham Primary School... My final visit on next week will be to St John with St Michael Priamry School, Shawforth in Rochdale. I'll see you all soon.


On with some work now...

Ysgol Bryn Hedydd

I've got a few school and library visits coming up over the next few weeks and the first of these is on Thursday when I am off to Rhyl in North Wales to visit Ysgol Bryn Hedydd - here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there. 


I'll see you all soon...

Truly, Madly, Deeply...

I am so very happy to be able to tell you that my lovely lady, Vicky Harris, has said that yes, she will marry me... so I am delighted to be able to tell you that we are now engaged and that we will be getting married in October next year. I will tell you more about that as the time gets closer... 


Over the summer we spent a lovely week in Tenby with Connor and Vicky's Mum and Dad... here we are sat at the harbour...


Since then we have been having fun planning our wedding and making arrangements for our perfect day - there are so many important things to be considered... including what songs will be played at the reception. Our favourite song, and one that is very special to us, is Truly, Madly, Deeply, by a group called Savage Garden. 

There are so many things to be happy about but for now I can tell you that we are delighted that Rachel, Laura, Deanna, Rachel and Lauren have agreed to be bridesmaids, that my brother Craig has agreed to be my best man, and that Connor has agreed to be ring bearer for the day. There is so much more to tell you about but you will just have to wait...  

Kindle

I can't believe the summer holidays are almost over... the time has flown by. I've been quite busy over summer and have done lots of things so there's lots to write about in my diary now that I'm back to it but for now I'm just signing in to say a quick hello and to say that I'm thrilled to have my first kindle books available. The Mudcrust books are now available to buy and download from Amazon (and other places too).

Lots more news coming soon... watch this space.

Jon Mayhew and busy, busy, busy...

Over the past few weeks I've been busy writing some very short stories for one of my publishers. Three 50 word stories and three 400 word stories. The stories have been done and sent off... the deadline has passed and now all I can do is cross my fingers and wait to see what the editors think. Hopefully one or two will be accepted for publication - I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime I'm going to be getting on with some other, bigger stories.

On Saturday we went into Chester and called at Waterstones where fellow author, Jon Mahew, was visiting and signing to promote his latest book - The Demon Collector. You can find out more about Jon by visiting his website ... just click HERE.

"Thanks for signing our books Jon - it was a pleasure to finally meet you."

The Dragon and the Firebird

As well as writing this year I have been involved with a writing and arts project with St Anne's Primary School in Blackburn, Lancashire. Children in the school were working with myself and some other arts practitioners over the course of a couple of months to produce stories, craft, photography and art pieces.

I was lucky in that I got to work with most of the classes in school and we produced some great stories - including year four's The Dragon and the Firebird (Click on the title to go and read the story).

Year One's story even got made into a little picture book (illustrated by the children themselves) and put together by fellow practitioner Pippa Pixley  (Pippa's first picture book - the Princess and the Pea is about to be published).

On with some stories of my own now...

Book Reviews

When you sit at home writing a story you never know if anyone is going to like it so it's great when you find that people do. It's wonderful to receive an email or a letter from someone that has read one of your books themselves or from someone that has shared one of you books with someone else... it's also great when someone takes the time to write a reiew of a book.

I was delighted to discover that someone has read and enjoyed one of my Robo-runners books recently and has written a review of it for Amazon. Even more delighted that they enjoyed the book and gave it a five star rating. Woo Hoo !!!

Here's what they wrote - "The second great robot story by Damian Harvey does not disappoint. As the robots continue on their quest to find Robotika, Al, Crank and Torch come across some robots who race against each other; the mekanix and the engineerz. Quick paced and exhilarating, enjoyable from beginning to end. I reccommend this as I would all the robo - runners series. Great for young readers."
You can visit the Amazon page here 

Easter Holidays - WWE - Swimming and Writing

I hope you've all had a good break from school over the Easter Holidays and haven't eaten too much chocolate.

As well as going out for a few walks, spending at day at the swimming bath and enjoying the sunshine, we took Connor to see the WWE Wrestling at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.... and I have to say, it much more fun than Vicky and I thought it was going to be. We were sat pretty close to the ring so got a really good view too.

As well as all that I've also been busy writing. Today I'm going to be putting the finishing touches to one or two picture book stories that I've been working on - and then I'll be sending them off into the world to see what people think of them.... always a scary time.

I haven't got any book pictures to brighten up this diary entry I thought I'd show you a picture that I took while we were watching the Wrestling. As I'm sure you already know - the picture if of Rey Mysterio.

Tomorrow afternoon I'm calling in at St Mary's RC Primary School in Fleetwood, Lancashire, to spend a few hours with everyone from Reception to Year six - so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there.

Manor Beach Primary School

I've been a bit quiet on the diary front recently... sorry about that folks...

Tomorrow I'm off to spend the day with everyone at Manor Beach Primary School in Cleveleys, Lancashire, so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there.

I'm also busy working a new story idea but it's TOP SECRET so I can't tell you anything about it just yet.

Hello To...

Everyone at St Luke's CE Primary school in Crosby... and everyone at St Peter's Primary School in Leigh. See you soon folks.

Sinnington Primary School

Had a great day at Gladstone Road Infant School today... just sitting and relaxing now.

Tomorrow is my last day in North Yorkshire and I will be spending it at Sinnington Primary School - so here's a Big Hello to everyone there.

I had a little walk round Scarborough earlier on - round the shops, down by the beach and along the seafront... it was lovely and sunny, but absolutely f-f-f-f-freezing cold.

Gladstone Road Infants

Finally managed to get my internet connection sorted out so that means I will be able to start adding pictures to my diary posts again - Hurrahh!!

It's my second day in Scarborough and the sun is shining brightly... Today I will be spending the day at Gladstone Road Infant School so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there.

Scarborough Schools

I had another great day at Padiham Primary school yesterday... a big thank you to Mrs Billam and everyone there for making me feel so welcome.

For the rest of the week I am in Scarborough visiting schools with the school library service - starting today with Hinderwell Primary School... I'll see you all soon.

Allanson Street Primary

Today I'm spending the day with Allanson Street Primary School in St Helens...

Here's a big hello to everyone and a big Good Luck with your tests. I'm set up and ready in the school hall so what are you waiting for :-)

Holly Spring Infants

Today I'm in Bracknell visiting Holly Spring Infant School...

Here's a HUGE HELLO to everyone there. See you soon.

The Cathedral School

Today I'm in Cardiff as I'm spending the day at The Cathedral School in Llandaff. I arrived here at midnight last night and think it's time I got out of bed and got myself ready.

Here's a BIG HELLO to everyone at The Cathedral School... And a big HELLO to you, wherever you are.

Happy World Book Day...

King Edward and Queen Mary

Yesterday I was at King Edward and Queen Mary Junior School in Lytham and had a fantastic time with everyone there.

As well as telling stories, talking about writing and having fun, I was given the difficult task of judging some competitions. Everyone had been hard at work drawing pictures and building amazing robots... As soon as I get home I will put pictures of the robots up here for you to look at. They are amazing.

A big thank you to everyone for making the day so wonderful.
I'm writing today's diary entries using my phone and am hoping they turn out all right.

Padiham Primary School

Hi folks... I hope you're all enjoying book week.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go - today I'm heading over to Padiham Primary School in Lancashire for the first of my visits there (I'm going again next week), so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there.

Tonight I'll be staying at my Mum's house so I'll be ready to go and visit King Edward and Queen Mary Junior School in Lytham St Annes.

Brookhurst Primary School

It's Monday morning and today I'm off to Brookhurst Primary School in Bromborough, Merseyside. It's a couple of years since I last visited the school and I'm very much looking forward to going again. See you all soon...

World Book Day 2011

World Book Day 2011 falls on Thursday 3rd March this year but lots of schools and libraries will be celebrating World Book Day at different times. For the next few weeks I will be out and about visiting schools around the country... I will be starting off on Monday by visiting Brookhurst Primary School in Bromborough, Merseyside, on Tuesday I'm in Padiham, Lancashire, visiting Padiham Primary School, then it's over to Lytham St Annes to visit King Edward and Queen Mary Junior School. On Thursday I will be at The Cathedral School, Llandaff, near Cardiff in Wales, and on Friday I'm at Holly Spring Infants in Bracknell. It's going to be a busy week but it should be lots of fun too.

Catching Up

Yes, it's official... I have finally caught up with all of my emails, letter writing and other admin work that needed to be done but always gets in the way of the actual writing side of the business. It's a good job too because next week sees the start of a batch of school visits and I'll be zipping around the country. Hopefully I will still be able to keep up to date with everything while I'm doing that and have free time to spend with loved ones.

A Great Time

Yes... I had a great time with everyone at West Walton Community Primary School on Tuesday of this week. It was a long way there and back - four hours drive each way... but it was well worth it. A lovely little school with lots of keen writers and book-lovers.

It's cold and wet in Blackpool today... brrrr. A good day for snuggling by the fire and keeping warm I think.

No school visits for a few weeks now but everything goes mad at the end of February for the start of Book Week (and World Book Day of course). I'll keep you up to date on where I'm going and what I'm up to so keep on coming back.

Right now I'm busy writing and updating my website... See you soon.

West Walton Community Primary School

Tonight I'm hitting the road and heading across to the south east coast ready to visit West Walton Community Primary School near Wisbech. I visited the school a couple of years ago and I'm really looking forward to going again.

The drive to school takes about four hours... so there's a lot of traveling involved. Perhaps I should buy a helicopter instead of a car???

Here's a BIG HELLO to everyone at West Walton CP School... see you soon.

King Edward and Queen Mary

Here's a big hello to everyone at King Edward and Queen Mary School, Lytham St Annes. I'm very much looking forward to seeing you all in March during World Book week.

Walverden Primary School

Here's a big HELLO to everyone at Walverden Primary School in Nelson... my first school visit of 2011.

I'll see you soon...

Happy New Year

2010 was a very messy year for me with one thing and another. There was a mixture of good and bad throughout the year and for probably the first time in my life I am glad that a year has come to an end and I am really looking forward to the coming year... it promises to be a good one.

On New Years Eve we picked Rachel up and drove her to Llandudno where she was going to be visiting her Uni friend, Chris. Chris kindly took this photograph of us on the beach at Llandudno. This is the first picture of Vicky and I together - with Connor and Rachel too of course.

I hope you all have a great 2011 and that it brings you and your loved ones lots of happiness. I'm getting on with some writing now but keep coming back to visit my diary for news of what I'm doing.