The Books Are Taking Shape!

The Young Writers really got into the spirit of things last Saturday as they began to make their books.  It was so rewarding for me to see the glow of pride on their faces as they watched their hard work come to fruition.  This is why I do this.  If they are feeling as if they have made such a massive achievement by producing a book themselves, can you imagine how they would feel if they grow up and actually publish one!

Big AYW welcome to our new young lady member (whose name momentarily escapes me as I do not have any of my paperwork with me - terribly sorry).  It was great to see her getting really into it all even though it was her first day and I am sure she will love being a member because she is so enthusiastic.  I will add her name next post and look forward to seeing her again.

Please please do not forget to let me know if there are any school fetes, bazaars or fayres coming up so I can arrange some signings of My Writer whilst supporting our local educational establishments.  I have sold roughly half my stockpile which is brilliant - but because it is about a young girl who loves to write, I am keen to get the word out to even more people so any suggestions appreciated.

Next session is on 4th July but I'll come back to you before that.  Have a good day everyone and thanks again.

We Are Writers!

Have been putting some dummy books together to give the Young Writers some ideas for their own masterpieces.  I will bring them along to this Saturday's session and they can choose which one they want to use as a model.  I will also bring along any other paraphernalia that might help together with one final pointer sheet to help them on their way.  Isn't it exciting?  I can remember producing my very first book without any adult help at all other than asking for some paper and for my mum to staple it together.  Then I drew the cover illustration, added the title, opened it to the contents page and then wrote my story.  Finally - to be doubly sure it would not fall apart (even though it did after working its way round the entire family and most of my classmates at school as well), I put a length of sellotape down the spine.    I wish I still had that book.  I have one of its sequels which was written in an exercise book so it does not show the same kind of flair.  It is the only one to survive those halcyon days though so I will fetch it along and let the Young Writers see it.

Pleased to announce that two weeks on my knee has almost recovered from its mishap.  I actually did a lot more damage than I thought because bruising also began to show all the way down the shin and on the inside of my ankle - which also swelled up.  All things considered it is something of a miracle that I didn't end up down the A & E!  But after careful TLC, lots of massage and Volterol gel, it has finally started to settle down.  There is still some bruising but it is fading fast.  Water under the bridge now ...

Had a lovely evening at the 70th anniversary party for Croydon Writers last night held in a function room at Fairfield Halls.  When I was introduced to the Mayor, she said "Oh - I know this lady ..." - turns out  that last year she enquired about  Addiscombe Young Writers for her daughter -who in the end was unable to join due to music lessons being held at the same time.  I did get lots of  feedback about Addiscombe Young Writers though and it was all positive.  So well done to all our budding authors!

See you Saturday.

PURPLE KNEE

Had a good session yesterday.  The children have come up with some great ideas for their books with some tantalizing titles - "Pony Sisters", "Pressure"  and "Marcey The Dog" to name a few.  Animal and adventure stories seemed to be the favourites with fantasy fiction not far behind.  At the next session (20th June), the actual books will be physically created.

It was interesting to see how the Young Writers vary in their approaches to the whole Book idea. Amber was preparing a story board without even knowing it until I explained how every film, TV programme and advert ever made all start off as story boards! But all of them were so utterly engrossed in what they were doing that not one of them commented when I took my spectacular tumble behind the tables!  One minute I was standing, the next I was sprawled on the floor!  It must have looked incredibly funny and I still don't know how I managed it.   My only conclusion is that my brain was two steps ahead of my feet!  Anyway, apart from a very bruised right knee I am fine and huge thanks to Daniel's mum for hurrying to my aid!

It gave me a huge amount of pleasure to  welcome a new member - Haas - and to hand out so many certificates - Daniel being the first I think, to get his blue and red ones at the same time!  It just shows how much they are taking on board and how very enthusiastic they all are.  It is almost magical how we work so well together and I am very very proud of their progress.

So see you all again on 20th.  Isn't it weird that there is only three more sessions till the summer break!  Where is 2015 flying to in such a hurry?

I'm Back!

Hi everyone.  Just to let you all know I am back from Scotland - had a lovely time up there but not a lot of rest because we were out everyday!  Still, the backdrop is stunning - glittering lochs, snow-tipped mountains, wildlife a-plenty.  Every time I go up to the Highlands I feel as if I have come home!

Don't forget we have the first session of June this Saturday at 9.30.  We are back in the library for this and the children will be planning out their books.  Don't forget the choice is theirs - they can do some poems, short stories or one long story - whatever they like.   They can even do a play or comic if they want to.  Or some non-fiction.  The idea is that they will each have a book at the end of it that they can call their very own.

So see you Saturday then; can't wait.  I miss you all when I don't see you.

Oh and one last thing - please can you let me know if there are any forthcoming school or church fayres, bazaars or fetes, so I can arrange some signings - and also if you would like a copy of "My Writer", just let me know..

Excellent ...!

Unbelievably successful is the only way I can describe last Saturday's Picnic In The Park Young Writer session at Ashburton Park!  Ten children came along (supported by around half a dozen parents) and the weather was very kind to us.  Just like last time, the first thing I did was send the children off to play on the swings and things and ten minutes later I called them all back and handed out the worksheets.  I asked the youngsters to write a list of colours they'd seen and also what sounds they had heard and had them writing down their experiences for the next fifteen minutes before sending them all off again for a runabout.

During their play, I noticed how the grown-ups had intermingled which was lovely and quite a few of them wanted to talk to me about the group itself, so it was all very sociable.  After another ten minutes or so, I called the Young Writers back and asked each in turn how the session had helped them and what they'd enjoyed.  Their eyes were sparkling, their faces flushed from the fresh air and the general consensus was that the session had helped them to notice thing more and had also helped with their descriptive skills.  So all in all - very satisfactory for everyone concerned.  I shall have to see if we can do it again.

No assignment set this time.  At the next session, on 7th June, we will move on and start  to put together our book.  We will decide exactly what kind of book it will be - whether it will be one long story, several short stories or poetry and whether or not they want to also illustrate it.  It is going to be very exciting.

So the next session is on 6th June, at the library this time so any assignments they have accrued should be brought along that day and I will hand back those I have read and commented on.

Thanks for making the last session so successful everyone; I am so pleased everyone enjoyed it.

Good writing!

Picnic In The Park Day!!!

Hoping the weather stays good for tomorrow's very special session at Ashburton Park in Lower Addiscombe Road.  We will meet at the library as usual and, as long as it is not raining (wasn't Thursday dreadful!  Cold and Wet! Yuck!) head over to the park at 9.40, so important you get to the library as near to 9.30 as possible.  If you are running late, and the weather is okay, meet us over near the swings where there are some picnic tables.  Don't forget - drinks, snacks, notebooks and pens!  I will bring worksheets over but nothing else so any outstanding Certificates or Marked Assignments I have got will have to wait until the next session on 6th June.

It should be good fun and an interesting experience so looking forward to a good turn-out.  See you tomorrow!

We Are Writers ...

Somewhat reduced group yesterday but good to have the six turn up that did.  Introduced those present to the new project - yep - we are each going to write a book.  This is something else we have not attempted before and it will be done in several stages.  Saturday's session saw me handing out two worksheets to kick-start it.  One explained the six stages which will get the Young Writers there, and the other was a questionnaire asking them what they like to read, what they enjoy writing, who their favourite authors are, who they'd like to be if they could be a writer for one day etc etc etc, so we have made a start.  Assignment set was for a Book review of their favourite book to be written.

Next session is our Picnic In The Park Day on 16th May.  We will be meeting at the library as usual so we can judge the weather.  Obviously if it is cold or wet, we will postpone it but, all being well we will head over to Ashburton Park no later than 9.40.  Please note I will need mums, dads or grandparents to stick around for this one as I will need some help, plus it would be for Health & Safety reasons.  Bring along drinks and snacks, notebooks and pens.  Not only will this be a great opportunty for the Young Writers to work in a totally different environment, it will give the grown-ups the opportunity to speak to me or ask any questions, make comments and suggestions - and it will give me the chance to get to know you all a bit.  So it is a win/win/win situation!

Another reminder to please let me know if there are any spring/summer/autumn/Christmas fairs coming up so I can book a table and sell some more copies of My Writer.

Sorry it is a bit short tonight but will try to get back in a day or two.