The Story Idea
Every author gets asked "where do you get your ideas from?" and I suspect every author has a different answer. In my case, the ideas come from things I see and hear around me every day. For instance, the rhyme Making Friends (working title) came about through two...
Writing – A Point of View
Writing doesn't always come easily to me. Take this blog for instance. I know that I want to publish a new blog every Thursday. I even have blog topics planned through until July. But have I written the blogs in advance? Well, some, but not all. Specifically not this...
Lum’s Adventures in Fenwick
Josie and I have had a busy week in Fenwick. Josie spent a lot of time reading her/my stories, sharing stickers, talking to children and their families, making announcements on the tannoy and organising her display table. She did...
The Route to Fenwick
It started in January 2017 when I attended an introductory day for a new course being run by Colbea (the Business Enterprise Agency in Colchester). The course was funded by the RBS Skills and Opportunity Fund which meant that participants paid a 'deposit' to attend...
Easter Gift Ideas
If you love the fun of Easter but worry about how much chocolate your children eat in the space of one weekend, why not choose a non-chocolate gift this year? I've put together a list of 10 gorgeous gifts for the child in your life, and a couple of bonus ideas for...
90 Minutes Later We Had A Story!
Immediately before any public event, my emotions are on a rollercoaster. I'm over-excited but nervous, stressed and tearful. Usually, I find that I suddenly have a thousand-and-one things to do before I can start preparing for the event. This time was worse because...
My First Festival
With just two days until my festival debut, I'm feeling excited, organised, nervous and I have been having dreams about it. The dreams have included arriving at the venue without my books; going to the wrong venue; having no attendees (I cried in this one!), and in a...
Corporate Social Responsibility from a small business
We've all heard the saying "charity begins at home", but what does it actually mean? A proverb dictionary tells me that it is that "a person's first responsibility is for the needs of their own family and friends". Do you think this is right? I think that although we...
World Book Day
When nearly every day brings another "celebration" it may be difficult to get enthused about yet another day. I hope, though, that you'll join me in celebrating World Book Day. Read on for your special discount code. The purpose of the day may have got a little lost...
2019 is going to be my year!
What is happening? Firstly, in March, I will be one of the author's taking part in the Essex Book Festival. Then during April, I am going to be working and trading in Fenwick, East Anglia's largest Department Store located on Colchester's High Street. Who knows what...
The Joy of Giving Books
Any bookworm worth its salt will tell you that the best present they've ever received was a book. It may be a book they've loved since childhood or the latest blockbuster given last Christmas. What other (low-cost) presents last as long as a book (physically and...
Inspiration
I am often asked where I get inspiration for my stories.I'm also often given story concepts and told to write a book about that. Some even go on to describe the story in detail. My response: they should write the book themselves. After all, 'everyone has a book in...
