Don't forget we have one more session left this side of the summer and that is this Saturday (25th July), same place, same time. We will be reviewing some of the topics covered and, of course, there will be lots of encouragement for the Young Writers to complete their books. When everyone is back in September, I will ask them all to bring in their finished books for a photo call!
I won't be setting any assignments for the summer - I think they have enough to do - but I will be suggesting the children keep a holiday diary, just to keep their creative juices in full flow.
I will do another update following Saturday's session - but in a couple of weeks I am off to Jersey with husband Steve so blogs etc will just have to wait till I am back!
If your youngsters can't make this Saturday's session because of holiday commitments, don't worry. We will all be back on 5th September.
Thursday, 23 July 2015
Thursday, 9 July 2015
AMAZING!!!
Had eight Young Writers at last week's session. Huge welcomes to new members Timothy and Sthilta (I hope I have spelt that right!). Lovely to see you.
Had the youngsters working on their books and it was a sight to behold, I tell you. Eight little figures, hunched over tables littered with pens, paper, notebooks - all completely focused on their creations - even the new ones. In fact they were so engrossed that I almost felt like I was intruding if I sat too long with one or asked any questions! They just wanted to write write write - exactly like I did at their age (and even do these days - husband Steve says he knows when he's lost me for a while when I get a certain look in my eye - which is usually when I have had a new idea or am mulling over an old one).
I can't tell you how much I admire these talented wordsmiths! And purely because they hang on to every word I say and have put so much of themselves into these books, I have told them that everyone who completes their book by September will get a special award certificate. Believe me they have earned that!
So we have just one more session left before the summer break and that is on 25th July. I will be bringing in some treats that day, I hope you don't mind. But I have told them they can still write if they want to.
So see you all on 25th then!
Good writing, everyone!
Had the youngsters working on their books and it was a sight to behold, I tell you. Eight little figures, hunched over tables littered with pens, paper, notebooks - all completely focused on their creations - even the new ones. In fact they were so engrossed that I almost felt like I was intruding if I sat too long with one or asked any questions! They just wanted to write write write - exactly like I did at their age (and even do these days - husband Steve says he knows when he's lost me for a while when I get a certain look in my eye - which is usually when I have had a new idea or am mulling over an old one).
I can't tell you how much I admire these talented wordsmiths! And purely because they hang on to every word I say and have put so much of themselves into these books, I have told them that everyone who completes their book by September will get a special award certificate. Believe me they have earned that!
So we have just one more session left before the summer break and that is on 25th July. I will be bringing in some treats that day, I hope you don't mind. But I have told them they can still write if they want to.
So see you all on 25th then!
Good writing, everyone!
Friday, 3 July 2015
See You Tomorrow
Sorry haven't been back in a few days - lots of family stuff going on. Just a quick reminder that we have our penultimate session at Ashburton Library tomorrow - 4th July. Please encourage the Young Writers to bring in the books they made last session and also their notebooks and the Information Sheets I gave out (I will have spare copies on me just in case). Tomorrow will be geared towards perfecting their work so that they can start to write the final draft into their special handmade books.
It should be very exciting because at the end of all this work each Young Writer will have a book to show people, to keep for future reference and to share. It is a huge achievement and they should be very proud of themselves.
So see you tomorrow between 9.30 & 10.30.
It should be very exciting because at the end of all this work each Young Writer will have a book to show people, to keep for future reference and to share. It is a huge achievement and they should be very proud of themselves.
So see you tomorrow between 9.30 & 10.30.
Monday, 22 June 2015
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.
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.
Thursday, 18 June 2015
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.
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.
Sunday, 7 June 2015
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?
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?
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
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..
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..
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