Writing and re-writing

So as well as blogging about some of my writing colleagues' successes, I've been beavering away this month, writing, editing and submitting work. And with submissions, inevitably there have been some rejections, but that's all part of the writing process, and you do become hardened to it after a while.

I'm delighted that my St David story is now finished.  I've worked very hard on it over the last few months, editing and re-writing it with great support from my editor. Now we're looking at selecting scenes for illustration. Exciting times!

But for now I'm looking forward to a well-earned break at the weekend. Happy Easter. Let's hope the Easter bunny remembers to hop this way.

Oh what a circus! Oh what a show!

I've just finished reading 'Flying Tips for Flightless Birds' the debut novel by my writing pal Kelly McCaughrain, published by Walker books. And Roddy Doyle is right - it really does sparkle. The young adult novel is set in a circus school in Belfast and features twins, Finch and Birdie Franconi as it's main protagonists. Their family circus school is facing closure and they have to come up with a plan for how they can save the school.

I love the title - it's very apt to the story on a number of levels. There is excellent storytelling and great characters emerge as the story develops. Granny Lou is a gem, along with Kitty and the Bond girls and trainee clown Hector Hazzard. There's great drama when Birdie is no longer able to perform her trapeze stunts and everyone rallies round to put on the show, though up until the last minute it's still not clear if it will go ahead as planned. I love Birdie's blogposts - they are clever on a number of levels and enable her to have a voice throughout the story.

As well as enjoying the novel, I'm delighted that Kelly has agreed that I can be Finch and Birdie's honorary auntie - but you have to read the book to understand why!

Traditional tales

My writing pal Vicky has launched her first set of audio stories for children. Rumpelstiltskin and Other Stories includes The Stonecutter, the Monkey and the Crocodile, Theseus and the Minotaur,   and my favourite, The Three Princes.

 

They're great for listening to in the car, at bedtime or any other time. While aimed at children aged 6-12, the whole family will enjoy listening to them.

 

 https://www.taletime.co.uk/

 

I listened to these stories last night - and loved them all. Children will love the sound effects and the different characters' voices and there is great humour entwined in traditional tales.The longest story is around ten minutes and they will all keep your attention right to the end. I also love the art work on the CD cover. I'm looking forward to listening the next series coming out soon.

 

Take time out and listen to some traditional tales.

Showtime!

We rolled up to the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast  last night... and what a book launch?

Yes - that is a clown nose!

It was utterly fabulous and raises the bar for how to launch a book. All other book launches are going to seem flat affairs after this circus-themed event. Kelly McCaughrain read from her debut novel 'Flying Tips for Flightless Birds' and left us wanting more.

After Kelly had read, she joined her pals in the Belfast Ukulele Jam to entertain us. It was such a happy, joyful evening and I was delighted to be there to experience the event -  The Belfast Ukulele Jam

 

Kelly thoughtfully supplied red clown noses to the first fifty people at the book launch. I've discovered the clown nose doubles up as a bookmark.

 

 

I started reading the novel last night and am loving it so far.  I'm quite delighted to think I might be related to Finch & Birdie - although unfortunately I don't have their athletic genes!

 

 

 

 

Happy St David's Day! Happy World Book Day! Happy Book Birthday

Amidst the icy cold blasts we're currently experiencing in this wee part of the world, there is cause for celebration today.

1. It's St David's Day. I have to confess that this time last year I didn't know very much about St David, but I've carried out research in the last year and have been working on a story about him. You can find out more about St David here. Who was St David?

2. It's World Book Day - how many children will have been disappointed not to be able to wear their well-thought out 'World Book Day' costumes to school today, because school was closed due to the snow? In this particular corner of the world, while it is bitterly, bitterly cold, the snow has stayed away... so far.. so World Book Day went ahead as planned. snow day or book day?

3. It's book birthday for a writer friend of mine today - Kelly's book promises to be a fantastic book and I can't wait to read it.

Don't forget to feed the birds - they are freezing too! I haven't seen the little one-legged robin in my garden for a while - hope he's ok. feed the birds

Exciting writing

I spent a lovely bookish morning yesterday. It was a beautiful spring morning as I headed into town on the train.

The first stop in town was a quick browse round a bookshop, where a couple of purchases were made.

 

Two of my favourite poems from childhood are from TS Eliot's 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.' They are now in this series of beautifully illustrated picture books, making these fabulous  poems even more appealing to younger children.

 

They will soon be winging their way to my cat-loving nieces....... if I can bear to part with them.
The next stop was the Linenhall library for a SCBWI meet up. Over coffee we chatted with new and old faces, exchanging our writing news. It's encouraging to meet up with fellow writers and great that this group is expanding - there is so much local talent. And I got to touch this new book by fellow writer Kelly!

It's coming out on 1st March. I can't wait to get my hands on my own copy and read it.
Then onwards to another bookshop and, of course, another purchase. It seems impossible to go into 'No Alibis' and come out empty-handed.

I've been meaning to buy this book for some time - it's great to see work by one of my old school pals included in this anthology. The icing on the cake on the bookish day was picking up a few copies of the 'Answer the Call' anthology in which I have a short story.

This is available in 'No Alibis' bookshop with any purchase. It was lovely to speak to David and hear that he had chosen my story to be included in the book. Now to get on with all this reading..... and some writing....

Back at Coney

It was lovely to be back at Coney Island on Saturday in the spring sunshine. It was great catching up with everyone - new and older faces, sharing stories old and new and our recent successes. We also managed to cram in some editing! We celebrated in the obligatory way with chocanana muffins, choc ginger biccies and coffee,

and toasted our successes with some fizzy pop. Here's to more writing successes in the group this year!