New Voices

Last night it was lovely to see one of my old writing pals taking part in this year's Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in Belfast as part of 'New Voices'. I can't wait for Wendy's book to come out later this year so I can find out what happened to Jamie Devine.

https://www.facebook.com/cathedralquarterartsfestival/videos/1771419559572831/

Five Return to Coney Island

The perfect start to a holiday weekend was baking and then sharing these srummy chocanana muffins with some of my writing friends

Yes, it was time to return to Coney Island. It sounds a bit like the title of an Enid Blyton Famous Five novel. As we plotted and wrote stories, including mysteries, five writers, led by the intrepid Maddie spent an idyllic Saturday morning, waiting for the spring sunshine to emerge from the morning sea mists.

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day...

It was hard not to hear the words in my head from that familiar Oklahoma! song as I headed into Belfast on the train yesterday morning. The sun was shining, the sky was brilliant blue and a Saturday morning spent with writing pals - old and new - over coffee beckoned.

We spent a very pleasant morning at our SCBWI meet up catching up on news, sharing the titles of some of our favourite books and making new friends.

The rest of the day was equally enjoyable as an afternoon in the garden was called for - enjoying beautiful sunshine, noticing new growth and doing some obligatory weeding. Another coffee, this time outside, was enjoyed, while listening to bees buzzing, breathing in the heady scent of deep blue hyacinths and finding this year's first ladybird. Bliss!

chocanana muffins can mean only one thing

Chocanana muffins baked early on a Saturday morning can mean only one thing. It's the baking order for Coney Island, the fuel we need to fire up our imaginations to write.

Yesterday was another great Saturday morning spent with writing friends, catching up over coffee and sweet treats and celebrating achievements - Mairi had fantastic news to celebrate, having recently won the international Commonwealth Class Short Story Writing Competition.

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/co-down-teacher-wins-peace-14490289

We were privileged to hear Mairi read her story to us before she submitted it.

Along with a few giggles, there was of course some writing thrown in for good measure.

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.