Don't forget we have our next session this Sunday between 3 and 4 at PMT. Can't wait to see you all - and see how the animal stories have gone. I do have the certificates for all those able to enter the Mother's Day competition - I just need to finalise production of the Cream Tea Voucher with Amanda; everything else is pretty much ready.
Will away now so this is only a short-short.
See you Sunday xx
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Session 18 - Feedback
Well - we had our first trial Sunday session last weekend and I was relieved that it was so well attended with eleven Young Writers in attendance, out of an average of twenty, so that wan't bad at all. And big thank yous to all those who were able to come along. As I said before, I know it isn't ideal for everyone but it is all I can do for the time being so we will have to keep an eye on it and see how it goes - and I appreciate your efforts, I really do.
The session itself went very well. I wanted to try something a little different so I split them into two groups - girls and boys - then asked the boys to write a story for girls and vice versa. This really tested them and several of them found it quite hard to get going - but at least they all eventually gave it a go. I will be looking at their Session Sheets over the next few days and see how they fared. The important thing is that they tried. As I have said before, sometimes, as writers, we are dropped outside our comfort zones so it is always an idea to experiment with different themes and genres. They worked so hard that I felt obliged to set a relatively simple Assignment which was to write an animal story so if your youngsters couldn't make it, but they want to have a go at that, it is fine. If it could be brought in by the next session - which should be on 28th April, that would be fab.
I announced the Mother's Day Poetry Competition Winners on Sunday and they are as follows:
3rd Place goes to Caitlin for her poem "The Things My Mum Does Best". 2nd Place goes to Hannah for her poem "Mother" and 1st Place goes to Alessandro for his entry "A Lovely Place". So well done you three. I explained to all the children that everyone else is a Runner Up and everyone who entered will receive a Certificate of Achievement. I will do my dead level best to get these ready for the next session but if I don't for some reason then they will definitely be ready for the one after that - date to be confirmed.
Think that is it for now but don't forget to come back to me with any comments or queries as all feedback is very welcome. Good Writing everyone!
The session itself went very well. I wanted to try something a little different so I split them into two groups - girls and boys - then asked the boys to write a story for girls and vice versa. This really tested them and several of them found it quite hard to get going - but at least they all eventually gave it a go. I will be looking at their Session Sheets over the next few days and see how they fared. The important thing is that they tried. As I have said before, sometimes, as writers, we are dropped outside our comfort zones so it is always an idea to experiment with different themes and genres. They worked so hard that I felt obliged to set a relatively simple Assignment which was to write an animal story so if your youngsters couldn't make it, but they want to have a go at that, it is fine. If it could be brought in by the next session - which should be on 28th April, that would be fab.
I announced the Mother's Day Poetry Competition Winners on Sunday and they are as follows:
3rd Place goes to Caitlin for her poem "The Things My Mum Does Best". 2nd Place goes to Hannah for her poem "Mother" and 1st Place goes to Alessandro for his entry "A Lovely Place". So well done you three. I explained to all the children that everyone else is a Runner Up and everyone who entered will receive a Certificate of Achievement. I will do my dead level best to get these ready for the next session but if I don't for some reason then they will definitely be ready for the one after that - date to be confirmed.
Think that is it for now but don't forget to come back to me with any comments or queries as all feedback is very welcome. Good Writing everyone!
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Sunday Session ...
Hello again everyone. Just a little reminder that we have our first Sunday session this Sunday at 3pm at Amanda's. As I said before, I can appreciate that not everyone will be able to come along to every session held on a Sunday, but if the Young Writers can manage to get to at least one in two each month, at least they can still be involved - and I am trying to firm up at least one surprise guest, so if nothing else, keep an eye on the Blog.
I have almost finished judging the poetry competition. It has been much harder than I expected because all the entries are astonishing in their honesty and the overall standard has been incredibly high. I will announce the winners on Sunday but the presentation of prizes will have to wait until at least the next session. The prizes are as follows: 1st Prize - a free Cream Tea for the winner and his/her family at PMT (two adults and however many siblings), plus a whole batch of my published work, signed personally to the winner and, of course, the all important Gold Standard Certificate. And I would, at this point, like to thank Amanda for providing said Cream Tea, which will be presented as a Voucher. 2nd Prize - Signed copies of the two Yucketypoo books plus the Silver Standard Certificate and finally, 3rd Prize - Signed copy of the first Yucketypoo book, plus the Bronze Standard Certificate. All other entrants will also receive a Certificate for taking part. I will also speak to Amanda about all entries being exhibited at PMT at some point for everyone to see. Big thank you to everyone who took part. All will be revealed on Sunday.
Okay - better go - lots to do before Sunday! Good writing everyone.
I have almost finished judging the poetry competition. It has been much harder than I expected because all the entries are astonishing in their honesty and the overall standard has been incredibly high. I will announce the winners on Sunday but the presentation of prizes will have to wait until at least the next session. The prizes are as follows: 1st Prize - a free Cream Tea for the winner and his/her family at PMT (two adults and however many siblings), plus a whole batch of my published work, signed personally to the winner and, of course, the all important Gold Standard Certificate. And I would, at this point, like to thank Amanda for providing said Cream Tea, which will be presented as a Voucher. 2nd Prize - Signed copies of the two Yucketypoo books plus the Silver Standard Certificate and finally, 3rd Prize - Signed copy of the first Yucketypoo book, plus the Bronze Standard Certificate. All other entrants will also receive a Certificate for taking part. I will also speak to Amanda about all entries being exhibited at PMT at some point for everyone to see. Big thank you to everyone who took part. All will be revealed on Sunday.
Okay - better go - lots to do before Sunday! Good writing everyone.
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Grimm - It Was Not ...
Hello everyone. Well, here I am back from our few days break in North Devon. Okay - I admit it was very cold - but we had such a great time and the sun did actually shine a few times, so I think we were lucky!
Wanted to get straight onto the blog to thank everyone for helping to make the Polka trip such a huge success! My greatest reward was hearing some of the Young Writers begging Snow White not to bite the poisoned apple. I mean just how involved were they? I am so delighted they managed to become so much a part of the stories performed - and for understanding the symbolisms used, such as the hands making wingbeats against the actors' chests to depict the birds.
I think the back stage tours were a great success as well and, now that I know it works, I will see if we can incorporate other trips during the year, so watch this space.
Finally - big thanks to all you mums and dads for being so supportive (especially the group hug at the very end, thank you Matthew!). I couldn't have done this without you.
Have a great Easter everyone. See you on 14th.
Good writing.
Jilly xx
Wanted to get straight onto the blog to thank everyone for helping to make the Polka trip such a huge success! My greatest reward was hearing some of the Young Writers begging Snow White not to bite the poisoned apple. I mean just how involved were they? I am so delighted they managed to become so much a part of the stories performed - and for understanding the symbolisms used, such as the hands making wingbeats against the actors' chests to depict the birds.
I think the back stage tours were a great success as well and, now that I know it works, I will see if we can incorporate other trips during the year, so watch this space.
Finally - big thanks to all you mums and dads for being so supportive (especially the group hug at the very end, thank you Matthew!). I couldn't have done this without you.
Have a great Easter everyone. See you on 14th.
Good writing.
Jilly xx
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Session 17 - Feedback
Thank you to all those who managed to get to today's session at PMT. Although there was not as many Young Writers present as last time, the enthusiasm was just as strong. In preparation for Saturday's Polka trip, I read a shortened version of Grimm's "Hansel and Gretel" and asked the Young Writers to write an alternative ending. I also had them guessing other Grimm titles and I was surprised at how many they knew. I haven't read through the session sheets yet but I will do before our first trial Sunday session on April 14th. The assignment set was for the children to write a brand new fairy story or folklore tale and I challenged them to really use their imaginations - and to remember all about description - so it will be interesting to see the results.
Final reminder about the Polka trip. Amanda has said she will be around from 8.30 on Saturday morning so if you'd like to treat the kids to breakfast out, she is more than happy to accommodate. If you don't make it to breakfast, then please make sure you are at PMT no later than 9.15 as we will be leaving at 9.30 on the dot. That will give us a full hour to get there and an hour and a half before curtain up, so we should be there in plenty of time. Please have your ticket money handy (£2.00 each) when we reach the theatre as they have to paid for at the box office when we arrive. I spoke with Fran earlier today at the Polka about the proposed back stage tours and she has asked me to nominate one other adult to help supervise the tours (as there isn't much room by all accounts), which we will do in two hits so, on this occasion, I will ask Lisa (Oliver's mum). No offense intended to anyone else, but I could only choose one and Lisa's was the first name to come to mind and I hope that is ok. Obviously those of you left behind can explore the cafe area and - hopefully - the teddy exhibition, and keep an eye on the rest of the children whilst the tours take place. I estimate we should be back at PMT by around 2pm - give or take - which I hope is ok for everyone.
Here is a list of all those I am expecting - and please note that we have only got 23 tickets so we won't be able to cater for anyone else. Please remember though that I am going to try and organise other trips so everyone should get their chance in due course.
Tomaso and Renata
Grace and Penny
Oliver and Lisa
Annika and Roberta
Danny, Cuan and Yvonne
Clint, Phoebe and Miriam
Hannah and Claire
Alessandro, Guilia and Katia
Luke and Lucy
Steve and I
Thank you to everyone who paid their contribution costs today. I don't think there's more than a couple left outstanding so I will have a quick count-up over the weekend just to make sure.
Should have the Mother's Day Poetry competition results by 14th April as well.
Can't think of anything else offhand but if I do, I will add a little PS later. All the best and Good Writing!
Final reminder about the Polka trip. Amanda has said she will be around from 8.30 on Saturday morning so if you'd like to treat the kids to breakfast out, she is more than happy to accommodate. If you don't make it to breakfast, then please make sure you are at PMT no later than 9.15 as we will be leaving at 9.30 on the dot. That will give us a full hour to get there and an hour and a half before curtain up, so we should be there in plenty of time. Please have your ticket money handy (£2.00 each) when we reach the theatre as they have to paid for at the box office when we arrive. I spoke with Fran earlier today at the Polka about the proposed back stage tours and she has asked me to nominate one other adult to help supervise the tours (as there isn't much room by all accounts), which we will do in two hits so, on this occasion, I will ask Lisa (Oliver's mum). No offense intended to anyone else, but I could only choose one and Lisa's was the first name to come to mind and I hope that is ok. Obviously those of you left behind can explore the cafe area and - hopefully - the teddy exhibition, and keep an eye on the rest of the children whilst the tours take place. I estimate we should be back at PMT by around 2pm - give or take - which I hope is ok for everyone.
Here is a list of all those I am expecting - and please note that we have only got 23 tickets so we won't be able to cater for anyone else. Please remember though that I am going to try and organise other trips so everyone should get their chance in due course.
Tomaso and Renata
Grace and Penny
Oliver and Lisa
Annika and Roberta
Danny, Cuan and Yvonne
Clint, Phoebe and Miriam
Hannah and Claire
Alessandro, Guilia and Katia
Luke and Lucy
Steve and I
Thank you to everyone who paid their contribution costs today. I don't think there's more than a couple left outstanding so I will have a quick count-up over the weekend just to make sure.
Should have the Mother's Day Poetry competition results by 14th April as well.
Can't think of anything else offhand but if I do, I will add a little PS later. All the best and Good Writing!
Monday, 18 March 2013
Quick Note ...
Hi everyone. Just wanted to remind everyone that this week's session will be on Thursday instead of Wednesday, 3 till 4 as usual. We then have the Polka trip on Saturday (children aged 6 and only over I am afraid, I checked with the theatre) and then - all being well (and I will confirm), the first trial Sunday will be on April 14th. Once again I can only apologise if this doesn't suit everybody, but maybe a couple of months down the line, we can revert back to a weekday somehow, so please bear with me!
Also needed to add a gentle reminder that I am still collecting contributions towards the production of Word Magic. If you cannot remember whether or not you have paid, please come and ask me on Thursday as I will have my receipt book which is a good record of all the contributions I have so far received (and thanks again to everyone who has brought theirs in). There are still at least four outstanding and I would be very gratfeul if these could be handed in asap. Have to keep the bank manager happy!
And talking of Word Magic, if anyone would like to sell copies on, please let me know how many you think you might need and any you don't sell can then come back to me. Since we have had to hold off on the exhibition again - and therefore also the proposed launch - it seems silly not to get the book out after all the hard work the Young Writers put into it. I am also going to ask Amanda if she could sell them. And hopefully I will find time over the next few days to send out the proposed complimentary copies to various people; it is ridiculous how the threat of redundancy has played havoc with so many other aspects of my life, all of which I am now trying to run and catch up with!
And finally, I have had a sniff of interest from a publisher about a guide book I am proposing which could help other Young Writer groups to get set up, so fingers crossed for that.
See you thursday then - and Good Writing!
Also needed to add a gentle reminder that I am still collecting contributions towards the production of Word Magic. If you cannot remember whether or not you have paid, please come and ask me on Thursday as I will have my receipt book which is a good record of all the contributions I have so far received (and thanks again to everyone who has brought theirs in). There are still at least four outstanding and I would be very gratfeul if these could be handed in asap. Have to keep the bank manager happy!
And talking of Word Magic, if anyone would like to sell copies on, please let me know how many you think you might need and any you don't sell can then come back to me. Since we have had to hold off on the exhibition again - and therefore also the proposed launch - it seems silly not to get the book out after all the hard work the Young Writers put into it. I am also going to ask Amanda if she could sell them. And hopefully I will find time over the next few days to send out the proposed complimentary copies to various people; it is ridiculous how the threat of redundancy has played havoc with so many other aspects of my life, all of which I am now trying to run and catch up with!
And finally, I have had a sniff of interest from a publisher about a guide book I am proposing which could help other Young Writer groups to get set up, so fingers crossed for that.
See you thursday then - and Good Writing!
Sunday, 10 March 2013
Session 16 - Feedback
Hi everyone. Thank you for your patience. There has been so much going on that I never seem to get five seconds to myself - let alone five minutes! Never mind - here I am now, so let's get cracking.
Firstly - what a whopper of a session last Wednesday! 19 young writers! Fantastic turnout so thank you all very much. Last week, we looked at Descriptive Writing. This is a very important foundation stone for any writer and is of course used in every genre, be it poetry, prose, non-fiction, fiction or plays. I asked the Young Writers to describe PMT as the session exercise and then to describe their home for the assignment. I asked them to remember things like colours, smells, sounds etc because all this helps to make things real for any readers in the future. If these assignments can be handed in at the next session (see below) that would be great.
Thanks to everyone who entered the Mother's Day poetry competition. It will take me a couple of weeks to read through these so please be patient with me. As I explained to the children, there can only be three winners, but everyone who entered will get a certificate in recognition of their work. Since this seems to have been such a huge success, I will plan a couple more over the rest of the year if possible. I am looking forward to reading through the entries for this one, though, so once again, thank you. And I hope you have all had a lovely Mothering Sunday!
Now a quick update on a couple of other things. Regarding the Exhibition. I am so sorry we have had to postpone this again. With imminent redundancy hanging over my head, I have been tied up for a while as I try to get things back on track, and preparation for the exhibition fell by the wayside. On top of that, Nicky the artist with whom we are sharing the exhibition, has been unwell, so it made sense to hold off for the time being. It WILL happen at some point, I promise you, and I will make sure it goes with a bang when it does!
The trip to Polka Theatre on 23rd March has been confirmed. We pay for the tickets upon arrival at the theatre. We will meet at PMT on that day at around 9.15 to leave at 9.30. The show begins at 11am and will run for 90 minutes which includes a 20 minute interval. The Back Stage Tour will probably be done in two or three groups and takes about 15 minutes, but I know there is a Teddy display there and that there is a cafeteria, so it shouldn't be too long a wait for anybody.
And finally. I have been lucky enough to secure another job when my current one ends which starts on Wednesday 3rd April. The new job is 9 - 5, Monday to Friday, so Wednesday afternoon sessions for the Young Writers will come to an end. Anxious to keep the momentum going, however, I have had a chat with Amanda and she has suggested we try Sunday afternoons, 3 - 4, for a couple of months and see how it pans out. I hope this is all right for everyone but I will understand if it is doesn't suit everybody. If it doesn't work out, we might have to fold, which I know we all feel would be a tragedy, especially with everything going so well. Hopefully it won't come to that. Let's give the Sundays a fair crack of the whip first, shall we?
Having said all that, there will be a session next week - but on Thursday 21st, usual time. And we still have the Polka trip on 23rd. Steve and I are actually away the week after that for a few days and, of course, I start my new job the week after that. Plus Easter falls somewhere in the middle. All being well, though, I should tentatively like to suggest our first Sunday session take place on Sunday 14th April, 3 - 4 at PMT. And I will confirm that nearer the time, depending on any feedback from yourselves. I do hope we can keep things going and will keep my fingers crossed.
I think that is everything for now. Great to see you all last week and see you again next Thursday. Till then - Good Writing!
Firstly - what a whopper of a session last Wednesday! 19 young writers! Fantastic turnout so thank you all very much. Last week, we looked at Descriptive Writing. This is a very important foundation stone for any writer and is of course used in every genre, be it poetry, prose, non-fiction, fiction or plays. I asked the Young Writers to describe PMT as the session exercise and then to describe their home for the assignment. I asked them to remember things like colours, smells, sounds etc because all this helps to make things real for any readers in the future. If these assignments can be handed in at the next session (see below) that would be great.
Thanks to everyone who entered the Mother's Day poetry competition. It will take me a couple of weeks to read through these so please be patient with me. As I explained to the children, there can only be three winners, but everyone who entered will get a certificate in recognition of their work. Since this seems to have been such a huge success, I will plan a couple more over the rest of the year if possible. I am looking forward to reading through the entries for this one, though, so once again, thank you. And I hope you have all had a lovely Mothering Sunday!
Now a quick update on a couple of other things. Regarding the Exhibition. I am so sorry we have had to postpone this again. With imminent redundancy hanging over my head, I have been tied up for a while as I try to get things back on track, and preparation for the exhibition fell by the wayside. On top of that, Nicky the artist with whom we are sharing the exhibition, has been unwell, so it made sense to hold off for the time being. It WILL happen at some point, I promise you, and I will make sure it goes with a bang when it does!
The trip to Polka Theatre on 23rd March has been confirmed. We pay for the tickets upon arrival at the theatre. We will meet at PMT on that day at around 9.15 to leave at 9.30. The show begins at 11am and will run for 90 minutes which includes a 20 minute interval. The Back Stage Tour will probably be done in two or three groups and takes about 15 minutes, but I know there is a Teddy display there and that there is a cafeteria, so it shouldn't be too long a wait for anybody.
And finally. I have been lucky enough to secure another job when my current one ends which starts on Wednesday 3rd April. The new job is 9 - 5, Monday to Friday, so Wednesday afternoon sessions for the Young Writers will come to an end. Anxious to keep the momentum going, however, I have had a chat with Amanda and she has suggested we try Sunday afternoons, 3 - 4, for a couple of months and see how it pans out. I hope this is all right for everyone but I will understand if it is doesn't suit everybody. If it doesn't work out, we might have to fold, which I know we all feel would be a tragedy, especially with everything going so well. Hopefully it won't come to that. Let's give the Sundays a fair crack of the whip first, shall we?
Having said all that, there will be a session next week - but on Thursday 21st, usual time. And we still have the Polka trip on 23rd. Steve and I are actually away the week after that for a few days and, of course, I start my new job the week after that. Plus Easter falls somewhere in the middle. All being well, though, I should tentatively like to suggest our first Sunday session take place on Sunday 14th April, 3 - 4 at PMT. And I will confirm that nearer the time, depending on any feedback from yourselves. I do hope we can keep things going and will keep my fingers crossed.
I think that is everything for now. Great to see you all last week and see you again next Thursday. Till then - Good Writing!
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