It's Not All About the Writing

I spend most of my time hunched over my laptop, working alone at home. But this Thursday – 1 March – is World Book Day and like many children’s writers, I have been invited into a school for an Author Visit. This year, thanks to organiser and fellow author, Karen McCombie, I will be visiting Year 5 at Campsbourne School in Hornsey, north London. The main focus of my hour-long session will be Flash Fiction and I have already asked the children to make a blank mini-book in advance. I will also do a short reading from Spike and Ali Enson and from Skin Deep, plus a ‘lucky dip’ question and answer session.

So, everything’s under control then? Well, it was until yesterday when I remembered, in a minor panic, that the Campsbourne children – and teachers - may very well be dressing up as their favourite book characters to raise money for charity and that perhaps I need a costume of my own!

From the mask in my picture, you could be forgiven for thinking that I have gone for ‘Burglar Betty’, the good woman who reforms – and marries – Allan and Janet Ahlberg’s ‘Burglar Bill’. But you’d be wrong. The white lumps are the basis of my character’s costume and it occurs to me that I should probably offer a prize to anyone who can guess who it is.

My mask, together with the black cape and possibly some bright red or purple lycra, is actually for the School for Superheroes event the following week at Central Foundation Boys’ School in Islington. I will be running sessions for two groups of ninety Year 5 children from local primary schools as part of the CFBS secondary school transition programme, plus a small, informal session for Year 7 students squeezed in between. I am obviously not at liberty to reveal further details of my superhero identity as it may undermine my ability to save the world...

The day after, I have to be a grown-up and run a one-off workshop for university undergraduates on writing picture books – no dressing up required – and between these events, I have my regular weekly session at another university, offering 1:1 support with academic writing.

Honestly, I love my job!

Kevin and Me

This is an update on my previous post about Kevin.

I am pleased to report that it wasn’t just a one-night stand. Kevin and I have had several dates since we were introduced at Christmas and we’re getting along really well.

He has a new suit – made of lilac faux leather.  I know, I know. It’s a bit out there, but it’s distinctive, protective and, if you ask me, it looks very stylish and smart. It was relatively cheap too, so if either of us has second thoughts about the colour, we can always try something different.

I have sent him lots of free and special offer books and several sample chapters, but I don’t want to give the impression that the two of us are always a cheap date. I’ve bought a few full-price e-books too. To be honest, I haven’t read that much while I’ve been on the move. Most of the bus and train journeys I take are too short for that, but I’m expecting that Kev and I will spend a lot more time together the minute we board a plane and go off on holiday. Fingers crossed!

I’ve also sent Kevin pdf files of my own work. It’s great being able to review and proofread away from the computer screen, but without having to print everything out.  And my agent has downloaded my latest book on to her Kindle. (She loved it!)

Kevin is easy-going and adaptable. He’s happy to perform cartwheels, forward rolls and back-flips so you can view him from different angles and he’s even able to adjust his contrast and size. Now that’s skill!

It’s still early days, of course. We've made it as far as Valentine's Day, but I don’t know if Kevin and I will be settling down together forever... watch this space.

Vocare & Pascho

A couple of months into my RLF Fellowship at the London College of Fashion, I mentioned to a friend how much I was enjoying it. It reminded me of how much I love teaching – the chance to make a difference in a pupil or student’s life, to share in their learning and help them reach their full potential. Teaching, I declared, was my vocation. She was surprised. To be honest, I surprised myself. Where does my writing fit into this? Is it just a job; another career I’ve moved into or is it something else entirely? I’ve been thinking about read more