I wanted to post a blog and a few pictures from my recent school visits.
Chorlton Primary School
On Tuesday last week I was invited to Chorlton CE Primary School. Their motto is - ‘An adventure for the mind and a home for the heart’ - it is no wonder I was given such a warm welcome. The whole school had gathered in assembly to listen to my opening address and a lively debate followed with children from all age groups asking ‘quick-fire’ questions. In particular the children wanted to know - How do you know when to finish a book? Where do you get your ideas from? Why did you choose to write about goblins? How long did it take you to write your book? - all really amazing questions.
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After assembly, I visited year 5 and year 6 and gave an interactive session about the many mythical creatures in my book – Dokkalfar, Ljosalfar, Dwarfs, Huldrufolk, Nixies and of course Goblins. We discussed why goblins are always thought of as evil or bad. It was a magical moment when one pupil said that his goblin would be really, really, good - perhaps goblins aren’t all bad? I was also thrilled to learn that two of the girls had started writing their own novels, already. It’s never to soon to start writing - Jane Austen, one of our greatest novelists, wrote her first full length novel at the age of 15.
Everyone was very excited about my competition to draw their very own mythical creature. So now I’m really looking forward to receiving all the drawings for the ‘Goblin Gallery’ – any day now – keep watching, they’ll be uploaded very soon!
Everyone was very excited about my competition to draw their very own mythical creature. So now I’m really looking forward to receiving all the drawings for the ‘Goblin Gallery’ – any day now – keep watching, they’ll be uploaded very soon!
St Edwards School
The next school I visited was St Edwards Catholic Primary School in Derbyshire.
I first visited St Edwards four years ago at the invitation of my friend, Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Anderson. I first met Mrs Anderson at the York Writers’ Conference when we were both still waiting to be published. Happily, we both are, now. However, at the time, St Edwards was a wonderful ‘test’ where I was able to try out my book on an audience of children to find out if they would like it. It was there that I first knew I was on the right track when, as I read the line - ‘Dad. I’m nearly twelve, I don’t believe in fairies anymore,’ - I heard a voice say “I still believe in fairies.”
Four years on and I have been invited back for the children to see the finished product. Everyone was so welcoming and enthusiastic. Mrs Anderson even arranged for a reporter, photographs, and flowers – thank you so much! Follow the link to the report in the Burton Mail.
I first visited St Edwards four years ago at the invitation of my friend, Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Anderson. I first met Mrs Anderson at the York Writers’ Conference when we were both still waiting to be published. Happily, we both are, now. However, at the time, St Edwards was a wonderful ‘test’ where I was able to try out my book on an audience of children to find out if they would like it. It was there that I first knew I was on the right track when, as I read the line - ‘Dad. I’m nearly twelve, I don’t believe in fairies anymore,’ - I heard a voice say “I still believe in fairies.”
Four years on and I have been invited back for the children to see the finished product. Everyone was so welcoming and enthusiastic. Mrs Anderson even arranged for a reporter, photographs, and flowers – thank you so much! Follow the link to the report in the Burton Mail.
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The children were really enthusiastic about my book. They had been reading it in class prior to my visit and had lots of questions ready. In fact, there were so many that Mrs Anderson said she would start a question bank and email it so I can put it on my website (something I look forward to).
One question for me was ‘How do you remember ideas?’ I replied that my top tip for remembering was to always have a notepad where ever you go. Imagine my surprise when several of the girls waved their notepads at me.
One boy had already made up his own story about a goblin with four heads – what a great idea!
Ideas are the currency of a writer. And to be successful, you must have plenty of them. I’m convinced that the pupils of St Edwards have got a head start.
One question for me was ‘How do you remember ideas?’ I replied that my top tip for remembering was to always have a notepad where ever you go. Imagine my surprise when several of the girls waved their notepads at me.
One boy had already made up his own story about a goblin with four heads – what a great idea!
Ideas are the currency of a writer. And to be successful, you must have plenty of them. I’m convinced that the pupils of St Edwards have got a head start.
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