Tuesday 21 February 2012

Car Trouble and a Great School Visit

Had a good day yesterday at the Lamplugh School in Cumbria talking about writing, sharing stories and showing how I go about writing a story. There were lots of great ideas flying around and Class One had lots of fun working on a story together (about Captain Fancy Pants the Pirate) and writing stories of their own. Class Two came up with a horrible old woman called Mrs McFeegle that I'm sure Roald Dahl would have been proud to include in one of his stories. 
I had about three hours to myself between the last session in school and an evening session with parents. In this time I'd planned to go and get something to eat and perhaps do a bit of writing on my laptop. Unfortunately, however, it was raining so heavily that the tiny roads around school were full of huge puddles. Driving through one of the puddles my car decided to stop and have a rest - and wouldn't get going no matter what I did. I thought I was going to be stranded in the middle of nowhere (200 miles from home)... luckily the car dried out and I got it going again just in time to chug back to school to meet some of the lovely parents that were keen on helping their children write stories - not sure if I managed to offer any good advice but it was a nice evening.


Just made it home in time for a quick bath and then straight to bed. Phew!!!


Today I'm catching up with lots of emails, letters and a bit of writing... More schools in the week to come.

Sunday 19 February 2012

It's been too long...

since I wrote in my diary and lots have people have been telling me off about it.


I'm back now and have lots to tell you about and lots to keep telling you about. Over the last few weeks I've been busy working on some new stories and visiting schools and libraries. A new picture book story has gone to my agent and is now sitting with a publisher awaiting a yes or a no - always a nail biting time (but while I'm waiting for their thoughts I'm busy working on new stories).


Before half term I spent a few days visiting schools and want to say a BIG HELLO to everyone at Aragon Primary School in Morden. It's been great reading all your letters and looking at the Mudcrust pictures you have drawn.