Fiona on the Flipside

Go on, read something different today!

2012-01-23T11:31:00.004Z

There's always that moment of trepidation when you hear that one of your favourite books has been turned into a film or TV production, isn't there? You think 'please don't spoil it for me!' And that was just how I felt when I heard about the BBC adaptation of 'Birdsong' - how to capture that unbelievable yearning erotica of the love story as well as the total gut-wrenching horror of the World War I trenches. But on the strength of last night's episode at least, justice has been fully done.
In truth I probably would never have chosen to read 'Birdsong' thinking it wasn't really 'my kind of thing'. It was a Christmas present, and I think it's great when people say 'I chose this for your Fiona because I know you'll really enjoy it'. I love having my eyes opened up to new things. As I say, 'Birdsong' is now one of my favourite novels and I have recommended it to so many other people.
A very good friend recently recommended the 'Shardlake' series of books by C J Sansom, and again I didn't think they would be my kind of thing at all. But I find myself lost in a world of intrigue in the time of King Henry VIII; the stench and the strife of every day life, the power struggles of the courts and the political and religious intrigue. The books have opened my eyes to a period of history about which I was shockingly ignorant. And they're a mighty find read on a cold winter's night!
So go on, let someone recommend a book which you'd never have chosen yourself, you never know where it can take you!

New year, new focus!

2012-01-20T14:57:00.005Z

I have been shamed into kick-starting the blog by a letter I received from Alice a pupil at New Mills Primary school which I visited last year. To say I enjoyed my time there would be an understatement - I had a BRILLIANT morning at the school and came away feeling completely energised. There is nothing to beat thinking on your feet with a class full of excited 10/11 year-olds creating a story about a bunch of rock star sheep in search of new hairdos!

When I received Alice's lovely letter (along with the fab one from Chloe) I realised that I was letting down people who I would love to stay connected with by not updating my blog very frequently. So here we are - along with the usual new year's resolutions involving diet and exercise, I promise to keep up to date with this!

New beginnings!

2010-06-30T11:41:00.004+01:00

Well so much has happened since I last wrote, but now I am settled and happy and back in the saddle so to speak.

I have moved back to Yorkshire and I'm loving it.
I love the fresh air, the green fields and the hills.
I love seeing more of my friends - the joy of being able to pop in for coffee as I am going to do later
I love spending more time with Em and Izzy, really love that!
I love laughing more with Flissy
I love taking Mum out for lunch
I love being able to drop everything for an impromptu drink
I love the fact that I can take Ted out whenever I want, even off his lead, and not have to worry about traffic
I love the fact that even though I've only spoken to someone once they call out 'hello Fiona' when I see them
I love fresh eggs from my neighbours
I love the fact that I used to see sheep from my office window (and I'm trying not to dwell too much on the fact that they are no longer there...)
I love standing in my garden in the evening, looking across the valley and hearing mooing and bleating in the distance

Do I miss Wimbledon? Of course I do! People I love are still there and I miss them very much. But it gives me a good excuse to go back and of course I hope that they will visit often so that I can show them how beautiful it is here.

BRRRRR GRRRRR!

2010-01-11T14:49:00.004Z

More snow, more chaos, no school visit!

I am more than a little sad as I was really excited about my first school visit of the year. Appropriately enough I was going to go a little 'off-piste' and rather than do my usual workshop based around 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' I'd been asked to do workshops which fitted with the curriculum and the topics being covered at Grayswood Infant school this term.

With a little (make that A LOT) of help from Flissy (my genius sister for those not in the know) I'd planned some fun things....hopefully I'll get to do them in the not too distant future.

In the meantime I just wanted to share with you my favourite ever letter from a child. After my visit to St. Mark's school Tunbridge Wells last year I received a letter from each of the children in Year 1. They were all illustrated beautifully and said such sweet things, but the one from Kai (above) takes some beating. It reads:

Dear Fiona
Thank you very much for coming to visit us and I am sorry for being aslep

BRIILIANT!

Snow....well everyone else is talking about it!

2010-01-08T16:15:00.005Z

I'm having a bit of a love/hate relationship with the snow: I love going out in it when I've all wrapped up and it's crunchy underfoot, I LOVE seeing Ted running in it with his ears flapping like he's the happiest dog in the world, but I'd really like to get on with my life now please and not have to wait for weather reports and gritters. I want to make plans and know that I can stick to them. But that's life I guess.

I've got a school visit down the snowed-up A3 on Monday and I'm really looking forward to it - I'm clued up on dinosaurs and fairy stories and presents and toys and I've got props and everything. So I hope the snow drifts off completely now....me and driving are not the happiest of friends at the best of times, throw in a bit of ice....and well, I can foresee disaster looming!

2010: The Year of Friends

2010-01-04T14:15:00.003Z

It's that time of year when we're all making resolutions and looking to the future. I think it's important to be positive so my main resolution for the year is to see more of my friends. I haven't seen anywhere near enough of them recently, but ironically the less I've seen of them, the more I've realised how important they are to me.

I have warned them that I'll be around a lot more, it's OK!

My other resolutions are to play the piano for at least 15 minutes every day and to FINALLY finish writing 'On The Flipside'!

...and I've a couple of private ones too but I don't want to jinx those by making them public!

2009-11-09T15:13:00.007Z

Back to a cold November sky. Although looking out of the window at the moment the sun is shining on the last few reddish leaves on the trees and Autumn isn't looking too bad at all.

I think maybe I'm looking on the bright side because I'm still buzzing from a ten day break in the States - half spent in New York and half in California. The vibrancy of the city gets me every time - I love the energy there. And I love the laid-back vibe in Carlsbad where we stayed for the latter half of our break. Bright blue sunshine and 70+ degrees helped too.

A break like that certainly got the creative juices flowing again and I'm back to writing with renewed vigour. A changed of scene is often just what's needed!

Heading Stateside

2009-10-20T09:41:00.006+01:00

I'm playing catch-up, trying to get everything sorted before taking The Schnoops to the States. Little Doogs is packing his bags as I speak, I dread to think what kind of junk he will be taking. As for me, well I'm up against deadlines for a couple of things so packing is the least of my worries at the moment.

I've just received these photos from St Mark's School in Tunbridge Wells and thought I would share them. The feedback is positive so I'm thrilled. I LOVED LOVED LOVED it!

Far from 'Disgusted' of Tunbridge Wells!

2009-10-09T11:21:00.002+01:00

I want to send a very VERY big 'thank you' to all the staff and pupils of St Mark's CEP school, Tunbridge Wells. I had one of the best school visits ever there on Wednesday; I came away feeling really inspired.

Everyone made me feel so very welcome on a very dark, wet afternoon. The sessions were fun and everyone contributed and asked some very thoughtful questions.

I must admit it was a little bit of a leap into the unknown for me as I usually lead workshops for Year 2 and at St Mark's I took them for Years 3 and 4 too. The latter was a revelation. And as always Flissy gave me lots of ideas - what would I do without you Flissy!

Together Year 4 and I started to build up a story, starting with the characters.It reminded me of the very best bit about creating the Schnoops to start with, when Ian (Sanders) and I spent such great afternoons over coffee coming up with the characteristics of Honey et al and then working out the storylines. Bouncing ideas off someone else is challenging, rewarding and a guaranteed way to have a laugh. In and amongst all the chaos over the last year I'd almost forgotten how much fun that had been. Thanks to Year 4 at St Mark's it's come back!

Italy!

2009-10-07T10:09:00.010+01:00

I think we all need to recharge our batteries from time to time and have a complete change of scenery. I love getting back home to Yorkshire - the green fields, the sheep, the fresh air. I always feel so much better for being there. Recently I've had a double whammy: a week in Yorkshire, a few days at home and a long weekend on the Amalfi Coast! How lucky am I?

Italy is pretty much a new experience for me but I have loved everything I've seen so far. Apart from the crazy driving! I feel so much better for the break, more relaxed and ready to face new challenges. And new challenges I have: a school visit to Tunbridge Wells this very afternoon and an increasingly tight deadline on a book.....

Drama in Dartford

2009-09-14T11:35:00.005+01:00

I had a bit of an unusual experience on Saturday when I went to Orchards Shopping Centre in Dartford.When I go into schools I have a captive audience. When I go into libraries I know that the children there love books. A shopping centre....tough gig! The call of Primark was too great. But big thumbs up for the children who did appear...it was fantastic to meet you!

I DO seem to spend a lot of time with my hands on my hips don't I? Bunny with attitude, me!

Schnoops on tour again!

2009-09-09T12:01:00.003+01:00

What I love most about writing is that I never really know what's around the corner. That's particularly true since I've been visiting schools and libraries. I have quiet weeks when I can concentrate on 'Flipside', then there's a flurry of activity with new writing jobs and more visits.

I was very excited when I was contacted last week to do an event in a shopping centre - excited and quite nervous too! The event is this coming Saturday (12th) at Orchard Shopping Centre in Dartford and is to launch a short story competition. So I have lots of new people to meet and hopefully there's lots of fun to be had! I am brushing up my stroppy Honey walk and my lazy Jezza amble as I speak. And if you don't know what I'm talking about maybe you should get yourselves to Dartford on Saturday!

Jargon

2009-08-30T12:03:00.003+01:00

I was chatting with a friend the other day and we both agreed how much we dislike text-speak: You know the C U l8r and TTFN kind of stuff. Neither of us uses it, preferring to spell everything out. Ironic really when I wrote 'Little Book of Chat' which recommends all that kind of stuff. I guess it's for younger people!!

I also hate jargon:
Heads-up (cannot tell you how much I detest that phrase)
Put something on the back-burner
Bandwidth as in 'I do not have the bandwidth for that right now' (I do not have the stomach for that right now so please pass me a sick bucket)

I know that in certain professions jargon is the common language, which is a bit sad but a fact of life. But it IS NOT a part of my life so please do not use it with me.

Birthday!

2009-08-20T16:10:00.006+01:00

I must admit that I love birthdays - they're a great excuse to catch up with friends and to party! I did it in style this year; I think my celebrations lasted around 9 days, even though it wasn't a big one! I saw some of my favourite people and if I didn't actually see them I heard from them. There was lots of catching up, lots of laughter, lots of champagne and lots of dancing! FANTASTIC! It was a good way to say goodbye to what hadn't been my best year to be honest.

Now I'm busy writing again,loving it and you know, I think this year is going to be a good one!

Another good review!

2009-07-30T14:48:00.007+01:00

It's always great reading reviews of your work - well it is if they're good ones. It's a bit of a heart-sink thing if you get a real stinker and you can't help but take it personally. But - fingers crossed - that hasn't happened with 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' - yet! (Talk about tempting fate...!)

It's especially rewarding when I get reviews from children because after all they are who I write for. The one below is from Cicely Norman who attends Wimbledon 12th Brownie pack and is 10 years old. Big cheers to her for being so articulate. And she sent it to me printed out in a funky font on a background of Schnoops characters, as you can see above. She's an all-round classy girl is Cicely!

"I really enjoyed reading this book and found it very funny. The story line is a very good and creative one about a family of animals who are always on the move.

One of my favourite parts is when Littls Doogs goes to the caravan, which is shaking, and it turns out to be Jezza snoring! I like the way it is set out e.g. when Little Doogs writes in his Special Notepad there is a picture of a notepad. Also, at the beginning "Meet The Schnoops" is a very good feature.

Joe Baglow's illustrations are really excellent and represent the character/text very well. It is nice that when Schnoss or another character is talking, there is usually a picture of him. I really like the way you can see the colouring-in lines.

The five characters are really ingenious inventions. They each have their own personalities and funny sides to them.
Jezza is a 'rubbish artist' (in more ways than one!) and sleep-loving giraffe.
Honey is a shopaholic and fashion-crazy celebrity-loving rabbit with a quick, fiery temper and a love of Triple Caramel Mochachoccoccinos with extra froth.
Schnoss is a sausage dog who always has fantastic business ideas...but they do not always go according to plan.
Last of all is Trevor, a cooking- football- and music-loving elephant from Holland.

I would say this book is best for 6-10-year olds. It is funny and is about animals which appeals to all ages. Also the text is clear and big so it is easy to read for younger children.

Mentors!

2009-07-29T17:59:00.003+01:00

I know what you're thinking! Strange title for the photos! Am I right?

Well to be honest they haven't got anything to do with todays few words but I thought the blog needed sprucing up a little ...!

Today I met up with someone special who I hadn't seen for 12 years. 12 years!

I met Val when I had almost given up my dream of being a writer. I'd been writing for myself, sending off my scribblings to agents and publishers and getting rejection after rejection. I was so despondent that I decided enough was enough and I would train to be a teacher. I went in to help Val in the reception class at Cottenham Park Primary School as it then was - and Val was one of the most inspiring people I'd ever met. She's fun, she's kind, she's encouraging and unfailingly supportive and she is a brilliant brilliant teacher.

Around that time, when I was sending off application forms for PGCE courses, Stephen Thraves came into the picture and that of course is another story. My writing took off and I can't honestly say that I'm much of a loss to the teaching profession.

I always say that Stephen is my mentor. But Val is pretty special in that way too.

Today when we met again, she hadn't changed at all - seriously. Her daughter Emily who in my head was still 5 is a beautiful, confident 17-year old who is bright and fun like her parents.

We inevitably talked about writing and the importance of stories and Val told me stories which took me back to her classroom - all the children spell-bound with eyes like saucers. She is a perfect story-teller, a rare thing indeed these days. I told her how lucky all the children she has taught over the years have been to have someone as inspirational as her as their first teacher. I meant it. I hope she believed me.

Limbo!

2009-07-27T16:34:00.003+01:00

I've got that strange sense of being a bit in limbo at the moment: I feel as though I've packed The Schnoops off on holiday and I'm taking a breath before sitting down to write 'On the Flipside' again. And oh how I've missed that - the writing, the planning, the routine of sitting at my desk and working all day.

However today I have read a little bit, answered emails, gone on to Facebook and did the 'My life according to Queen' thingybob (whereby you answer questions with the song titles of just one band/artist). And that in turn made me look at all my Queen albums (they are indeed all on vinyl, including a rare one which my lovely Em chose for my Easter present last year) and realise that I hadn't heard them in ages but I still know most of the lyrics....and the afternoon is almost over....and my head is full of 'Fat-bottom Girls' and 'Seven Seas of Rhye'....!

Schnoops on Tour

2009-07-15T09:46:00.006+01:00

I really must get my act together. I've been into 6 schools in just over a week and do I have any photographs to share? Nope, not one! How useless am I?

The thing is that I'd love you to meet every single last child and teacher I've had the privilege of meeting because they have all been wonderful and enthusiastic and really made everything so much fun.

We had a Q&A session at the end of my time with Mrs Haig and Year 2 at Cliffe Hill School in Lightcliffe and I was asked 'What's it like being a writer?' and my honest answer was ,
"It's FANTASTIC!"
Going into schools has really confirmed that to me. Virtually all the children contributed to the sessions and the teachers and support assistants were never anything but supportive, enthusiastic and appreciative. My admiration for them all is enduring.

So, highlights?

BARKISLAND - When we were discussing Little Doogs' characteristics by looking at a pitcture of him, Ben said 'he's just himself...' Fantastic answer, could he explain what he meant a little more?
"Well, he's just himself. He's not pretending to be something he's not..."
General 'Ahhhhs' all round. Ben is 6!

SAVILE PARK - brilliant session, enthusiasm and eloquence in abundance and the one place I did get involved in the writing. And what amazing stories they created. I also came home with a poem which one girl had written 'because she couldn't sleep'! (And I'm going to check her name because it's important to get that just right!) Inspiring all round.

OLD EARTH PRIMARY SCHOOL - I'd planned sessions for all day but actually I was in two Year 1 classes and two Year 2 classes for 30 minutes each....cue lots of thinking on feet! Amazingly I did manage to cover most of the things I'd planned and everyone was enthusiastic.
Highlight - Mia putting up her hand to ask a question.
"Yes Mia."
"Fiona.....you look SOOOOOOOO beautiful!"

NORTHOWRAM - Two Year 2 classes, two completely different vibes but again lots of really thoughtful contributions. I had a lot of positive feedback from the Class 4 teacher Mrs Michalowski(tricky name, lovely person!)which gave me a big boost. It's good to hear good stuff from teachers as well as from the children.

CLIFFE HILL - Last session in Yorkshire and one of the most rewarding. Everyone was really keen to find out more about the characters, they did a great job at describing their own characteristics and I felt that they really had got a lot out of it. Mrs Haig was a star too, taking lots of photographs and sitting with the children on the carpet to participate. (Hmmm must tap her for some of those photos to share!)

And last but not least...

SOUTHBOURNE INFANT SCHOOL
A journey to the coast yesterday and a whole school to talk to! I must admit that I was a little bit intimidated by 60 reception class children as they are a bit of an unknown quantity and in retrospect I would do things differently for them. HOWEVER as we had the main hall we acted out the characters and they were really splendid. In fact all the Year groups were. My timing is terrible and I had intended to do so much more with Years 1 and 2 as I had a little more time with them but we expanded on certain things and talked more about the characters' movement before doing 'the drama bit' and the time flew.

So a big thank you to you ALL for making me so welcome ....AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN SOON!

Don't look back

2009-06-30T11:21:00.002+01:00

I've just had an 'oh my goodness it's July tomorrow' moment. Where HAS the year gone?

Sometimes life just doesn't turn out the way you expected, does it? That certainly applies to me this year. But right now, the sun is shining, Ted is asleep at my feet, my friend is hoping to be out of hospital this week, friends are coming down to stay this evening, I'm going up to Yorkshire next week....and life is pretty damn good. If I was sad for the first couple of months, I certainly seem to have been laughing for the last three.

On January 1st I was looking forward to an exciting year ahead. It hasn't turned out how I expected so far, it's just gone down a different path. It's an unusual one, lots of twists and turns, a bit dark in places but it's FUN, leading to lots of new challenges, introducing me to lots of new people.

My niece Emily always laughs at me because whenever I say 'goodbye' to anyone - at a station, after a meal, after an evening out - I never look back. I do my 'goodbye' things and walk away. I don't know if that's right or not, but it's me and it's how I deal with things....I look forward to the next thing.

Right now I'm looking forward to my visits to Primary Schools in Calderdale, West Yorkshire next week. 5 schools, 4 days.......CAN'T WAIT!

Things I have learnt this week #2

2009-06-23T14:25:00.002+01:00

1. It is really not sensible to dance until 2.30am in heels when you have a weak back. It might be fun at the time (oh it was, it was!) but you will suffer for it later.

2. Some people can be unbelievably rude when you have given up your time to do something. The best thing is to remember why you are there, get on an enjoy that and RISE ABOVE!

3. Given 2 alternatives people have a tendency to choose a 3rd: the one they suggest themselves.

4. People cope with adversity in hundreds of different ways, all of them are right.

5. It seems to be the nicest most undeserving people who are struck down by illness. Life is so unfair.

6. I will definitely put more 'bottoms' in my next book - laughter guaranteed!

7. I need to perfect my accents: my 'Newcastle accent' is particularly rubbish.

8. Wimbledon is a particularly splendid place to be at this time of year: I so love the buzz when the tennis is in town.

Going Underground!

2009-06-19T10:09:00.008+01:00

Yet again I am completely behind myself.
The party was fab - brilliant costumes, lots of laughter, perfect!
I couldn't believe that so many people had made such an effort to be there - I have wonderful, wonderful friends.I am VERY lucky.
I am very sad too that other friends couldn't make it - some due to distance and particularly my dear friend who has been struck down by ill-health.
I missed you and I am sending you lots of love.
x
And actually a public thank you to Robert - you did a fantastic job as always!You can have a rest now!

Reviews

2009-06-12T16:45:00.006+01:00

I've always liked the name Sophie, it has a certain ring of sophistication about it. Sophies always seem like top friends: fun, loyal and effortlessly cool. Sophies seem down-to-earth, sensible, whilst knowing their way around a sparkly eye-liner. Sophies also sound as though they recognise a damn find book when they read one. So it was no surprise when Ian forwarded to me a review of our book which had been written by Sophie Grierson, who is a very cool 14 year-old. It was written purely because she wanted to do it - a VERY cool thing in itself - and a mighty fine job she's done of it too!

So BIG CHEERS to you Sophie; you've made my weekend and I'm pretty certain that you've made Ian's too. I'm going to copy it all in here because it is certainly worth a read and hopefully will encourage more reviews - because they are worth their weight in gold.

The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World Of Little Doogs.

Playing the road trip game

This book is obviously meant to be read by children from the ages of about seven to nine. The writing is big, and the size of the book with pictures on every page keep children interested.
The basic storyline is a group of animals always on the move because one of them is trying to get business, and always fails. So they have to keep moving, to find other places. They can’t seem to agree where to go next, and when they eventually do they get very lost. The Schnoops are meant to create funny solutions that maybe children would think of as well to everyday problems. This is meant to be a funny read that will gather the Schnoops many little fans.
It is a good idea that immediately, when you open the book, you get a clear, good idea of which characters do what and what they look like. The language in this book is simple, yet it is also what you would think goes around the head of a child.
The subject and storyline of a group of animals travelling would keep a child reading, because children love exploration and animals. You can tell from the first few lines on the characters descriptions that the kind of things you find out about them are rather random. For example: when you first meet someone and get to know them, they don’t tell you straight away that they like to collect sweet wrappers and spiders.
The name ‘Schnoops’ is quite childish, and children love new words. Throughout this book many new words are used. Sometimes, they use modern language that teenagers use today. For example it says: ‘it smells well rank’.
The Chapters also have the name that the first sentence of that chapter will carry on, for example: “There must be some mistake!” and then the first sentence of that chapter is ‘“There must be some mistake!” Honey snapped.’
Also, sometimes when the authors are trying to demonstrate what these animals are saying or doing, they put the sentences into swirl like shapes or curve them round. For example: ‘enormous’ is written hugely and in a slanted bold font, to demonstrate how big they are describing something.
The main narrator in this story is Little Doogs, who keeps a notebook, and uses it like a scrapbook and diary, and you find out what a lot of the made up words mean at the end. For example: ‘nab the gate’ means ‘navigate’ and ‘Snoepjie’ is a Dutch word for ‘Sweetie’.
This book is a perfect example of what children would love to read, and seeing as it is targeted to that age group, this book should do well.

Love ya Sophie!

Chill out!

2009-06-10T09:58:00.004+01:00

We're getting ready for a party. I love a party. I love seeing all my friends, being silly....DANCING!

But I always worry that things might go wrong, that no-one will turn up, that the music will a) fail b) be so crap that no-one will want to dance. (I think I've got the last one covered thanks to iTunes but you never know....!)

What I need is to relax. To chill out. To just let everything go over my head.

Just like Ted!

Key words and phrases

2009-06-05T12:06:00.003+01:00

I check the stats for my website www.fionacummings.co.uk every day - because I'm a bit sad! I usually get a healthy number of 'hits' which is good (I don't trust google analytics any more because I think they just pluck a number out of the air.) What amuses me most of all is the key words, or more to the point, the key PHRASES that people type into search engines which lead them to my site.

Fiona Cummings + author
Fiona Cummings + children's books
Fiona Cummings + sleepover club

are quite common.

I've had

Messy Jessie + children's book

which gives me a thrill because that was one of my favourite stories which I wrote years ago.

But I also have some weird ones too:

Fiona Cummings + hairy scary
Photos of Cummings home
Big blue gym knickers
My old English Sheepdog hates other dogs

And one which we should perhaps draw a veil over:

Fiona Cummings + dogging!!!!

10 random things I have learnt this week

2009-06-04T09:02:00.008+01:00

1. Cats are more difficult than dogs when it comes to administering tablets. Ted eats them as though they are treats, Charlie Cat next door hates the sight of them. Which is unfortunate as he has to have one every morning. We're looking after him this week. It's a two-handed job but I think we've got the hang of it.
Fish are easy - no tablets, just food!

2. Ironing is a killer for the back.

3. It is really tought when parents get old. Espcially when they are quite far away. I feel very guilty that I am not around to help more.

4. Always check what advance publicity there has been for an event you are taking part in. Panic if there has been none. But do not be surprised if nappy-wearing toddlers turn up expecting story time for the under-fives when you are reading from your book which was written for 7-year olds.

5. Remain calm when aforementioned toddlers get restless whilst you are reading, wander around grabbing other children's hair while yelling 'Bye Bye'. Carry on regardless.

6. Remember your friend's advice: when you are reading to a group of children and adults, remember your focus is ALWAYS on the children. Do not try to talk on two levels.

7. The Internet is a wonderful way of connecting people - reuniting old friends and creating new friendships. It is also a way of making connections with people who can help you - great to be the person who can do the 'helping' once in a while.

8. Sometimes you feel a connection with someone even if you have never met them. Make the most of it, it's called fate.

9. It's always interesting (and a bit nerve-wracking) to read what a journalist has made of your words. Best if it is before publication. Great to find out that you come across as happy, fun and passionate about what you do. Even if there isn't a mention of your new book!

10. Everyone's free (to wear sunscreen)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=baz+luhrmann+sunscreen&aq=3&oq=Baz

Big thanks to Wimbledon Library

2009-05-29T16:36:00.003+01:00

I have had a brilliant day. The sun is shining, it's almost the weekend and I had such a great time at Wimbledon Library this morning.

The sun was already bright when I got up, so I thought,
'Oh-oh no-one will turn up, they'll all be doing something outside'.

Then it clouded over and I thought,
'Oh well everyone's probably got plans now anyway.'
And in my head I'd convinced myself that there really would only be me and Catherine (fab librarian) and The Schnoops.

But actually there were quite a few children there - and what fabulous, fun children they were. And so were their parents: really supportive and welcoming and you know we all had lots of fun.

I always love to hear children laugh - especially at something I've written - and laugh they did. A LOT! And I am especially encouraged when I hear adults laughing when I read 'Extremely Very...' because what Ian and I wanted from the outset was something which would appeal to children and their parents alike. So thank you Wimbledon parents for laughing along too. You made my day.

At the end I was asking the children which was their favourite bit of the story. The boy right at the front said,
"Erm, I know....the end!"

That has made me chuckle all afternoon.

The Schnoops do it in a library - again!

2009-05-28T16:54:00.002+01:00

Just a quickie to let you know that The Schnoops are appearing at a library near you tomorrow....well it's near you if you live in Wimbledon and I do appreciate that a lot of you don't. So that was a silly thing to say!

But me and 'the children' (i.e.Little Doogs and his friends) are going to be doing our stuff in Wimbledon Library tomorrow between 11 and 12. And I know that with it being Half Term and supposedly a glorious day there is absolutely no telling how many people will turn up. So I'm playing it by ear and just doing whatever feels right at the time.....famous last words, possibly.

If the worst comes to the worst Catherine (the rather wonderful children's librarian) and I can act out a few scenes from 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' and you know that alone could be worth popping in for!

I am ashamed to admit that I was so thrilled when I saw one of the posters for the event in Wimbledon I sneakily took a photograph of it on my phone.
Sad, very sad!

Teenagers!

2009-05-26T12:09:00.004+01:00

I'm afraid I'm all out of synch (again). I've got photos of the Chelsea Flower Show which I keep meaning to upload but for reasons beyond my control (i.e.they're on Robert's iPhone) I haven't managed it yet!

So instead of gardens let's talk about those delicate little blossoms - teenagers. I for one love them: I love their passion, their belief that anything is possible, their (for the large part) fiercely funny sense of humour. And I think if the future is in their hands, we're going to be OK.

I know that I'm talking from a standpoint of not actually having a teenager of my own, and if I did have one, well I'm sure I might be telling you something very different. Yes they can be loud and cruel and do stupid things - but can't we all?

It was heartening to read last week about the Make Your Mark with a Tenner campaign funded by Nesta (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts seeing as you ask), Dragon's Den person Peter Jones and the founders of Bebo, Michael and Xochi Birch. Teenagers who enrolled for the scheme were each given £10 with the brief to set up a company which not only made money but which also had 'genuine social impact'.

Now if the 'Daily Mail' is to be believed you would expect them to nip down the shops and start slugging back WKDs with the dosh, but in fact 16,000 teenagers took part, making an average of £42 profit with their cash and so far 90% have repaid their original investment. And, hearteningly, most of them have chosen to make a donation to charity out of the remaining profits.

Companies ranged from ones creating cookery books to ones selling fruit to City businesses. The individual winner with a profit of £736.77 rented a 1920s bathing suit and organised (and modelled in) a period fashion show.

Many participants commented on how much they had enjoyed being in charge of their own business and now plan to do the same in future.

If, as I keep hearing, it is true that entrepreneurs can lead us out of recession, then my tenner might just be on those teenage ones!

Frippery

2009-05-19T13:45:00.003+01:00

As well as having at least one notebook in every handbag I own, I also have lots of bits of paper. Some of them have names and numbers scrawled on them (I have no idea why when I could have written them down in the notebook) and some of them are 'things of interest' I have torn out of magazines. Now I should be more like Little Doogs I know, and have a Special Notebook for Special Thoughts and Special Things in which I stick everything as soon as I find it. Alas I haven't managed that - yet!

What usually happens is that I carry the bits of paper round with me for ages, then on a murky old day when I'm feeling a tad bored, I take them out, decide whether they really are worth keeping then chase up whatever was so fascinating in the first place!

That is exactly what happened a couple of days ago and I discovered a fantastic website that not only sells the most gorgeous notebooks with hand-made covers it sells fabulous necklaces and brooches too - win, win, win!

It is called www.frippery.uk.com

I tried to buy something but couldn't so sent an email and received the loveliest one back the next day from Barbara who runs Frippery saying that she was in the midst of an Open Studios in Brighton and would send me pics of her stock next week. She also makes things to order if there's nothing there which exactly fits the bill. Even better (and what made me laugh) was that she assured me she was typing everything in a northern accent having moved south only last year.

Win, win, win, win, win!!!!!

2009-05-17T12:21:00.004+01:00

When I'm in London and I hear a northern accent I immediately feel a connection and have a look to see who it belongs to. I can recognise the ones from my part of West Yorkshire and I want to rush up to the person it belongs to and start talking about 'home'! I have so far resisted the urge, but it is only a matter of time!

Similarly local place names always leap out of newspaper articles. But the other week I'm not sure whether it was because 'Todmorden' leapt from the page or it was the photograph of an attractive young woman surrounded by sheep which made me stop and read the article.You must by now have got used to me banging on about my desire for a lamb or two.

Anyway the article was about Beate Kubitz who gave up a high-flying job in the city, moved to Todmorden bought some sheep and now runs the very successful Makepiece company which makes THE most gorgeous knitwear.(You could say she took one enormous 'Leap' to quote the title of my business partner, Ian Sanders' first book). The website is lovely. What makes me smile is that in and amongst the list of very swanky London stores which now stock the designs are notices about fashion shows in Hebden Bridge (a small pennine town with a reputation for bohemia for those uninitiated among you!)

The one drawback is that at the moment there isn't the facility to buy online but I think that is coming later this year. I have my eye on one or two of the rather fabulous gossamer-like creations. And I love the fact that each piece says 'Spun in Bradford knitted in Todmorden'.

So next time I meet one of those Yorkshire voices down here I might just whip off my cardigan and start to wax lyrical about 'home'! You have been warned.

www.makepiece.co.uk

Party Time!

2009-05-15T13:34:00.002+01:00

One of the best things about writing for children is the letters I get. Just the fact that someone has taken the time to write to me means a lot. I have had a couple of duff ones where the girls took umbrage about something I'd written, but it transpired that they were friends and had been egging each other on. (I won't be writing 'Och aye the noo' again any time soon though. Oops I just have!)

I received an email the other day from a librarian who said that Year 5 pupils at her school write to their favourite author as part of their English curriculum. She had a letter for me but hadn't been able to find my address. She had actually bothered to go out of her way to track me down and not just send the letter to HarperCollins. I always get letters in the end if they DO go there, but it means that I usually get them a month or so after they've been written. Then I always think about the poor little girl (letters are invariably from girls!)sitting waiting for a reply and thinking how rude I am because I haven't responded. I always ALWAYS reply, even to the rude ones! (Although I do appreciate that I'm hardly J.K.Rowling and don't have to wade through 'fan mail' to get to the door!)

And I had another surprise yesterday. A parcel! A parcel full of 'The Sleepover Club: Party Time!' which is the reissued edition of 'Happy Birthday Sleepover Club!'. It might be a few years old, but it's looking good!

Hot water!

2009-05-14T13:19:00.002+01:00

I am cold. I could do with a hot shower. I quite possibly smell....

We haven't had any hot water or heating for, ooh, a fortnight now, give or take the couple of days in the middle of the whole sorry 'what-the-hell-are-they-doing? Call-themsleves-heating-engineers!' saga.

I can forgive human error. We all make mistakes (some of us even apologise for them!)But 4 'human errors' on the trot....hmmm patience is virtually eroded. But it's the level of service we've had that makes me despair - having to wait a week for a part which was in stock at the manufacturer's but because the engineer's supplier didn't have it on his shelf....ooh dear, what can we do? So much red tape tangling everyone up, it's as though everyone is too frightened to apply common sense.

And when we'd been waiting a week wouldn't it be sensible to priortise us and appear first thing? You'd think wouldn't you? But no, the guy appeared at 8.30 on Friday night meaning our plans to go out went the same way as the hot water. And that didn't happen once but twice...

Robert is always very calm and surprisingly nice - last night I was ready to get up and at 'em with a meat cleaver!

I am a cold cross bunny at the moment and channelling Honey...maybe I should adopt Jezza's approach and just go to sleep until it's all sorted!

2009-05-11T10:41:00.008+01:00

I have a craving for lambs. Not to eat of course, to see frolicking around in a field, to touch, to feel that curly white hair. And if I had a couple of lambs I'd need a cow too. And some hens. And definitely a donkey.....

Sadly our garden is too small and I'm not sure that I'm ready to move out of Wimbledon quite yet. And if I want my fresh air fix (sadly without livestock) we're lucky that the Common is almost literally on our doorstep. Not only that but we also have the very lovely Cannizaro Park too, so beautiful at this time of year.

It has in the past looked a little sad and neglected in parts, due to the inevitable lack of funds. But the Friends of Cannizaro have done a great job in sprucing it up, and it even has its own herb garden now which the chefs at Cannizaro House take advantage of.

Ted and I love it there best of all at this time of year with the banks of azaleas and rhododendrons coming into bloom. It smells fantastic too so it is quite an assault on the senses all round. The perfect way to start the day. Even without the lambs.
http://www.cannizaropark.org.uk/

(The photos are well down to my usual standard, but I did take them on my phone!)

2009-05-11T10:41:00.002+01:00

I don't know about 'Sorry' being the hardest word. 'Thank you' seems to stick in a few people's throats too.

Post offices!

2009-05-08T15:57:00.002+01:00

Not the most exciting title ever is it? But say those two words to me and steam starts to pump from my ears, I start to froth at the mouth and....well THAT'S surely exciting, in a sick and twisted kind of a way.

Time was when I had a parcelto post I would pop down the road, queue for a few minutes, bump into someone I knew, have a bit of a gossip and come home. Now I have to DRIVE to the nearest Post Office, park 5 minutes away because there's no space any nearer, queue up outside because there are so many people waiting and then when I'm finally served I have to listen to them recite all the services on offer - including deals on savings accounts which are apparently with an Icelandic Bank - before I can leave to run and find the car has been clamped.

But at least I can drive and I have a Post office to drive to - in my Mum's village the Post Office was the centre of the community, people went there to do their shopping, to get their papers to meet their friends, as well as to buy their stamps. Now it's closed down and the nearest one is a bus ride away.

It is wrong, wrong, wrong!

The only good thing is that I now have an excuse for all those parcels I keep forgetting to post. It's not a case of your cheque is in the post, it's more a case of your cheque is still sitting on my desk because it's raining and I can't be bothered to get off my fat bottom and queue in the rain to post it. Sorry!

Hello California! (San Diego to be specific!)

2009-05-06T10:14:00.007+01:00

I'm waving now to my friends in California who I know check this out from time to time....Helloooo, how are you?!

I know that there are lots and lots of things for you to do out there but I'm going to recommend one special thing - for one day only, a never to be repeated offer (until next year) there's a Children's Book Festival at North University Community Library, La Jolla and I really think it would be worth popping along to.

WHY? I hear you ask ...

Well, what better way to cheer yourself up in these gloomy times than by looking at some wonderful, uplifting children's books?

And I know these things can sometimes be overwhelming so I suggest that you head straight to the AuthorsDen booth where there are some fabulous books to look at (AND BUY!!!)including of course 'THE EXTREMELY VERY SCRAMBLED UP WORLD OF LITTLE DOOGS'. Not only that but the lovely people from AuthorsDen will be handing out lots of Little Doogs' stuff including gorgeous bookmarks, funky postcards and rather fabulous fridge magnets. Oh you lucky people! Can you afford to miss it???
I DON'T THINK SO!!!

http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/bookfestival.shtml

I'm back!

2009-05-01T17:26:00.002+01:00

I've had a very frustrating week without the Internet. I didn't realise how much I used it until I couldn't. It was much worse for Robert of course who relies on it for his work. The only thing I NEED it for is to check emails which seem to be the first port of call for anyone trying to get in touch with me these days.

I've been hunched over a computer at the David Lloyd Club most mornings - when I could get on one of them and man are they SLOW! Patience isn't a virtue I know much about so that was quite testing. It did take me back to our 'Big Trip' in 2007 when I had to seek out Internet access in strange places to keep up to date with the blog. It was a real focus for me......and remembering that made me think that I could really do with a holiday....

I'd been waiting for an email for weeks about a Children's Book Festival in California and had given up hope of hearing anything. So of course it was Sod's Law that it came yesterday (when I was checking up on Robert's iPhone) and discovered that I was in IF I could get the books to them by next Friday. (Sadly it's only the books and promotional stuff going NOT me....I couldn't get things sorted out in time, although goodness knows that would have been a great holiday!)So manic packing and posting has been going on and best of all the Internet was back up and running so that I could sort out all the financial stuff securely online!

PHEW!

London Book Fair

2009-04-24T09:50:00.003+01:00

I went to London Book Fair with Chris on Tuesday. It was fun (as anything is with Chris) but a little bit scary too.

We somehow went in at the wrong entrance and didn't even have to show our passes. I was a bit miffed that I didn't get to wear my flashy 'author' badge, but ended up with it tucked down my skirt later on...best not to ask really!

The first person we saw was someone Chris knew, an illustrators' agent, who showed us the spreads for a book he was trying to sell. It was whilst we were squatting on some steps poring over the pages that I realised that whereas Chris and I were there out of curiosity, for most other people there it was a place of business. Then I had one of those 'my book has to compete against all these' moments.

I am notorious for my wobbles of confidence, but in truth I haven't had one for a while. I have been spending so much time with Little Doogs and his friends recently that I know just what I love about them and I am finding out just what other people love about them too. And the one thing I'm always pleased about is that 'passion' is the one word usually mentioned. I AM passionate about our little characters, and about 'On The Flipside' of course, and I think that's the most important thing, always. Without passion you might as well give up.

One other lovely thing which gave me a boost was an email I received from Russell from Chichester Library. He said that one of the families who had been to the workshop had returned to thank him and to ask if there were any other similar events planned because his daughters had really enjoyed it. They had both been especially good at Honey's stroppy walk, which had been sort of a breakthrough moment of the afternoon as I remember. Apparently the family are Polish and hadn't made many friends in the area yet, but both girls were now fired up to visit the library regularly and meet other children through the events there. RE-SULT!

Chichester Library 18th April

2009-04-22T10:45:00.006+01:00

Saturday saw glorious sunshine - the first of the Easter holidays down Chcichester way apparently. Jaqueline Wilson and Francesca Simon could compete with that I am sure - Fiona Cummings? Not a chance!

I did panic slightly when not a child had appeared on the horizon at 1.55pm - but a few steadily trickled in and more sat with their parents looking at books so it was all cool.

Things I learnt on Saturday:

1. Things will never go to plan - your inner voice might be screaming 'Don't panic Captain Mainwaring' but you have to look as though you're doing exactly what you'd intended all along.

2. It is absolutely vital to participate 100% - the crazier you look the more children will respond. I looked COMPLETELY crazy....and then some!

3. My 'Honey Walk' is quite a sight to behold - but quite possibly not as impressive as my 'lazy Jezza swagger'!

4. Photographs of me taken at 'readings' will never be flattering - but hey! I was giving it my all!

5. Hot pink tights might make children remember you but they do NOT go down well with the old ladies of East Wittering.

6. I found out that I can think on my feet. Now that I know that I feel so much more confident about everything.

7. Every library should have a librarian as committed and supportive as Russell Allen. Chichester is very lucky.

My favourite books

2009-04-19T11:47:00.007+01:00

In my presentation to children I always talk about my favourite books - the ones that I treasure and mean the most to me. There are lots of reasons why a book is important to me - it might make me laugh, cry, remember something particuarly poignant. I always take 5 favourite books with me. But now I am going to have to add another.

At our reunion Cathy (she of the song lyrics) gave me a book which the children in her class had made for me. She had read 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' to them and they had all drawn a picture of one/all of the characters and said what they liked about them. It was such a lovely thoughtful thing for her to do and I will treasure it forever. The drawings are fabulous - Honey and Jezza had obviously made the biggest impressions - and reading what the children had chosen to write is .....actually very moving.

I struggled to choose which pages to upload because quite frankly the whole book is worth sharing.

Children in Class 2 at St Patrick's Primary School in Elland - I think you are WONDERFUL!!!! THANK YOU!

Reunion!

2009-04-19T11:00:00.003+01:00

I seem to be a week or so behind myself which is something of a worry but not really a surprise! Whilst in Yorkshire, as well as seeing Jules and taking Harry's eggs and of course wanting to smuggle a few lambs home beneath my coat, I got to meet up with quite a few old friends. And one new one!

I find it pretty amazing that after so many years when our lives have gone in different directions I can meet up with friends I haven't seen since I was 18 and it can feel like we're back at school. We still laugh like drains, Jenny still has the driest sense of humour, Cathy can quote lyrics like you wouldn't believe (a talent I have always been very envious of) and everyone is an all-round lovely person who is a joy to know. We're older, we're hopefully a bit wiser, we no longer have the silly hang-ups we had as teenagers....but we still know how to have fun!

And the new friend....well I only met Stuart in person for the first time last week, as did everyone else at the reunion, but I feel as though I've known him for ages. He makes me laugh out loud, snortingly loud, but is so sweet and lovely too (although I'm not sure he'll be too pleased about the 'sweet' bit!). He's very much one of the posse now and I look forward to lots more get-togethers in the not too distant future.

Random views from Yorkshire

2009-04-16T17:41:00.005+01:00

Yorkshire was so beautiful last week and we had such a good time I am feeling quite homesick now. The leaves seemed to pop out on the trees whilst we were there and I swear that if I'd taken the time I could have actually watched them growing. There were daffodils nodding and shining in the sun and lambs....so many lambs. It took me all my time not to dash out across the fields, scoop a few up and bring them back with me to Wimbledon. Ted would LOVE them I am sure.

I saw the rainbow as I was walking Ted one day: it was part of a double rainbow and was the widest, brightest, most vivid rainbow you could imagine. I had to stop and stare and wonder if the people beneath knew that they were at the end of it.

The eggs are from Jules' father's hens and are, I am assured, the most delicious eggs in the world with massive rich yellow yolks.

And Jules....she is my Oldest Dearest Friend. I love spending time with her when I am 'home' I miss her very badly when I am not.

The Schnoops on tour!

2009-03-31T16:28:00.007+01:00

Little Doogs and his mates started their world tour yesterday. First stop Watford - California in October!!

I couldn't think of a better place to begin than Orchard Primary School - it sounds a happy place to be and it certainly lived up to that. I would like to thank everyone for making me so welcome, especially Mrs O'Callaghan and Year 2.

It was a happy day for me all round because I met up with Melanie whom I haven't seen since we left school (coughs loudly) years ago! She was looking great and it was good to catch up with her over lunch AND to have her support. (She took the photographs as well as doing all sorts of other things including operating the white board which, I'm afraid, defeated me!)

It was a brilliant day and I learnt so much:

1) Organisation is crucial but going with the flow is just as important. Children will always go off on a tangent and quite often it is one well worth exploring with them.

2) I suit a bowler hat apparently

3) Any mention of 'bottom' is always a winner

4) Whereas I think 21 is very young, to a 6-year old it is almost geriatric

5) Hearing a boy say "that's a great story, I loved that!" is better than gold-dust...or diamonds... or indeed a wardrobe full of boots

6) I most definitely have the very best job in the whole wide world ever

I had a great day, I hope the children in Year 2 at Orchard Primary School did too.
Their work was superb and I look forward to seeing them again on World Book Day next year.

Friends

2009-03-25T17:15:00.003Z

Friends - where would we be without them?

I'm answering a series of questions for an interview at the moment - really different interesting ones too.
Eg : "If you could co-write a book with any author alive or dead who would it be and what genre would the book be?"
That's one to exercise the brain cells for sure.
One question asks: "What 5 things could you not live without" and my first answer without a shadow of a doubt is 'my friends'.

I have close friends whom I don't speak to as often as I should but the occasional texts let them know that I am thinking about them. I 'speak' to my more distant friends far more frequently via Facebook and goodness knows I would have sunk without them recently. But now of course the Government wants access to our profiles. They have obviously realised that my long posse ride to Dodge-City-On-Sea with my mates to sort out a rogue weasel was in fact a sophisticated terrorist plot!Yeah right - we were navigating revenue streams in canoes for goodness sake!

Today I caught up with one of my very good friends who lives very close-by but who I haven't seen since the beginning of January. Well, I SAW her at the book launch for 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' but I never really managed to speak to her. So today we'd planned an 'away day' together and with Robert's words ('Don't buy any more boots we've no more room!') ringing in my ear we set off.

It was just so great catching up. I didn't realise how much I'd done since I last saw her, she'd forgotten that she'd won an award AND been away since we last met....sometimes it's only chatting with a friend like that that you take stock and think 'Wow! I'm doing OK!'

So go and hang out with your friends for a while: celebrate each other's triumphs, sympathise with each other's woes. It's good for the soul.(And my bank balance - I didn't buy any boots, or shoes or even any clothes....I did have a glass of wine though. But that's OK, right?)

A buzz

2009-03-21T15:03:00.004Z

I feel as though there is a bit of a buzz starting now about 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' which is GREAT and makes everything so worthwhile. When Ian was in Texas he passed copies on to a couple of publishers out there, Lindsey my lovely agent has been so supportive and is taking the books to Bologna, which is the big Fair for children's books, next week. I'm going to the London Book Fair and to an event by the Society of Authors and of course most importantly of all I am going into schools to meet the children I write for.

As well as schools I had sent emails to local libraries offering my services to read to groups of children. I am quite passionate about libraries because they are such a valuable resource and I don't want them to go the same way as our Post Offices - do NOT get me started about that. I hadn't heard anything since firing off the emails so was feeling a little despondent, then yesterday I heard from Wimbledon library who are very keen for me to go in at Half Term. FANTASTIC!

I've been working all morning, preparing for my visit to Orchard School on 30th and I also seem to have been fielding a rash of phone calls offering me everything from help with my overdraft (non-existent I am happy to say) to numerous unbeatable share offers (like yeah, I'm really going to take that up over the phone). So when the phone rang yet again with a 'caller withheld' number I wasn't in the best of spirits. In fact I could possibly have been quite rude. Big mistake! It was Raynes Park library wanting me to go there to read. I feel so ashamed. I hope I made amends with my enthusiasm later, but really I have no excuse. I promise that from now on I will always answer the phone in a happy manner - because I never know who will be on the other end. Johnny Depp you have my number!

2009-03-19T10:11:00.004Z

I was going to write about 'dongles' today, for no other reason than it's a funny word and it made me and my friends laugh on Tuesday evening....

But then I thought 'no', I don't know what they are anyway.

Yesterday saw me going up to London to see my dentist. It was a beautiful day so we walked from Waterloo to the City alongside the Thames. And every time I do that I feel so proud to live here. It's such a beautiful city. And no matter how many times I do that walk I always feel as though I'm on holiday, seeing the view for the first time.

Yesterday there were lots and lots of tourists, exchange students mainly heading towards Tate Modern and the Globe theatre.( A lot of them had carrier bags from Hard Rock Cafe which I found a bit worrying as they seem to have them in every city all over the world, why would you want to buy a souvenir from London there?)And I wondered what they thought of the view, what they thought of the city in general. London always has the sound of glamour and excitement and I think sometimes that because I live here I don't experience it all as fully as I should. So I'm going to do that more from now on. When Em and Michael come to stay they explore places I'd never dream of going to. And I should. So I'm going to take a leaf out of their book from now on. (They photos are courtesy of Michael by the way.)

And the dentist.....well that's another (painful) story!

Friday 13th

2009-03-14T16:02:00.002Z

I'm not very superstitious. Apart from where single magpies are concerned - I salute for all I'm worth every time I see one of those. But as far as all the other things are concerned, they don't bother me. And to be honest it hadn't even registered that it was Friday 13th yesterday. Until I came back from my afternoon walk with Ted.

I'd gone out a bit earlier than usual, debated whether to take him to the playing fields over the road, but decided against it due to the possibility of lots of traffic when it came to crossing back at the end of our walk. It was Friday, 'rush hour' starts a bit earlier etc. etc.

Walking back home after 'going round the block' I saw a pizza deliver scooter pulling into a driveway then waiting to turn out again. I saw the 200 bus dropping off passengers and turning round. I saw passengers crossing the road and one woman go a little way and then go back due to oncoming cars. Recognising the woman as having the reputation as being 'mad' I hurried up a little wanting to avoid her, then remembered that the one time I had seen her close-to she had been very sweet to Ted.

The scooter pulled out, we walked on I heard a clatter; what sounded like a lot of plastic boxes being dropped from a height. I turned round for a second and saw only the scooter in the road and the rider attempting to get up, his pizza boxes scattered around. Cars slowed down, we walked on. Turning the corner for home I looked again. This time I saw people on mobiles in the middle of the road, the rider on the ground.

Ten minutes later there were sirens lots of them. The traffic was at a standstill, drivers using our road to turn round. Robert went to find out what was going on. The woman had been knocked down by the scooter and was critically injured. The road was now a crime scene in case she had been fatally injured, a very possible outcome according to the policeman.

I felt shocked. I had noticed nothing on my backward glance, I hadn't seen her lying there. But in that moment 2 people's lives had changed beyond belief. If I had been 2 seconds later I would have seen everything. It haunts me just how short life is, how we never know what is waiting for us around the corner.

And one detail which makes me almost cry is that a neighbour said "I thought it was her, I recognised her coat." None of us knew her name.

Dilemma

2009-03-13T13:35:00.002Z

Ok so following on from my revelation about the benefits of swinging, I have found my perfect 'vehicle'. It is shaped like a horse, made from recycled tyres and available, conveniently enough, at John Lewis. The problem? We do not have a tree in the garden from which we can suspend it.....

Somebody somewhere must have an answer to that particular dilemma surely....

Hold the front page!

2009-03-12T14:29:00.002Z

Well the feature about me is in The halifax Courier today....it's kind of funny because I've only seen it online and I can't imagine what it looks like in a newspaper. Mum rang me up to tell me that it was a 'double page spread' and that it all looked good. All I could say to Robert when I saw it online was 'My face looks fat! It's horrible! Is my face really that fat? I can't go out if I look like that!' etc. etc. etc. so now he is blaming me for his awful headache!

I did enjoy talking to Virginia Mason because she was so much fun, and I knew that she wasn't going to twist my words. But the whole 'selling myself' is hard, I must admit. I'm just trying to get my profile together for a website which is for anyone wanting a children's author for a visit/talk/workshop etc. and I'm finding it difficult choosing just the right words, the right tone...I know that 'getting out there' is something I HAVE to do now. And something I AM looking forward to doing but....at the same time I'd quite like to just sit in my office and write.

Now we all know what a disaster I am with links on here so I will attempt to put one up for the article. If it doesn't get highlighted, I suggest going onto the Internet and googling 'Virginia Mason' then when the Courier website comes up, go on to 'Features' and look up the one entitled 'I'd forgottne how good it is here'
...then go back and read some more of Virginia's articles, because they're very good!

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/features/I39d-forgotten-how-good-it.5064276.jp

2009-03-06T16:54:00.002Z

I've had a bit of a whirlwind week - shooting up to Yorkshire and back and doing quite a bit of travelling around whilst up there.

I met Virginia Mason from the Halifax Courier on Wednesday and had such a great time with her. The fun started with having my photograph taken on the swings in Stainland rec. - I so loved that (the swinging I mean, not necessarily the photo-taking!). I had forgotten how exhilerating it is. I think I might have to get one in the garden; it's the healthiest, cheapest form of 'therapy' I know.

Then it was off in search of coffee and cake, a search which ran into the buffers at a deli where we weren't allowed to sit in the cafe upstairs because they 'had no plates and the coffee machine wasn't on yet', so we took our sandwiches and sat outside and it was truly lovely, a bit chilly (or 'parky' as we northerners like to say), but really relaxing.

I think I might have waffled on a bit too much, but sometimes it's only when you're talking to someone else, someone you don't know too well, that you discover things about yourself. I found out just how much I'm looking forward to going into schools and meeting the children I write for. I reaffirmed how I eager I am to get back to 'Flipside' because the time for that is now. And I realised how in awe I am of Flissy who is just so passionate about her job as an early years literacy consultant and is such a wonderful warm communicator of her subject. Thanks to her I'm now armed with a bucketful of ideas, a couple of bags full of props and the desire to get out there.....

Big thanks to Virginia, I had fun.

2009-02-20T17:32:00.002Z

To relieve the gloom we've had a film crew at No.7 this afternoon and my goodness me there were a lot of them! It's for a training film so we're never going to see it, but if you think of all that effort - and all those PEOPLE - going into producing it, what on earth must it take to make a TV series? And I can't even begin to think how complicated it would be to organise a big blockbuster film. They certainly wouldn't be able to fit all the vehicles down our little road, that's for sure!

But it's been fun seeing the guy with his big furry sausage, and all the walkie-talkies echoing what's going on inside. I watched the actor walk past our house about 6 times before I realised that he was being filmed! I think Ted had worked that out as he was standing on the window seat taking it all in.

I haven't been inside No.7 since they've been there but needless to say Robert has. They have apparently cleared the book cases and put in their own CDs (although I was quite pleased to hear they'd left all my 'Sleepover' books on the shelf!) They'd brought cornflakes and loaves of bread for a 'kitchen scene' but had to beg some milk from Pam and Geoff next door as Robert had just drunk ours. And I was quite pleased to hear that the woman called everyone 'Lovely!' when she was asking for it.

I have left various Schnoops bits lying around so hopefully someone will be curious and ask about that!

Oh and apparently the director sounds very like Colin Firth. I will have to get myself down there before they leave this evening.

Goodbye!

2009-02-19T15:49:00.004Z

Goodbyes are always sad - whether it's to friends after a weekend away or a final goodbye to someone you always thought would be around.

I've had a goodbye today that I suppose I knew was coming but I'd put off for some time because I knew it would be painful.

Am I sad? Yes, very.

But I'm positive too. I feel that I am able to move forward again...and there is such a big bright future out there. I can now see all the colour without being shrouded by the grey.

2009-02-18T12:47:00.001Z

And if someone could tell me how to make my links on here actually work I would be eternally grateful!!!!

2009-02-18T12:38:00.002Z

Well, after what was basically a really rubbish week last week, things turned right around on Sunday when the book got a rave review on the bookbag website http://thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php/The_Extremely_Very_Scrambled_Up_World_of_Little_Doogs:_Playing_the_Road_Trip_Game_by_Fiona_Cummings_and_Ian_Sanders
I cannot tell you how thrilled I was. It was a totally independent review by a mother and it ticked every single box that Ian and I had set out to fulfil. As a writer there can be no better feeling than that.

And this morning the cut-outs of the characters from the book were delivered. I will need them for my talks in schools and libraries and of course they will be making their public debut at the book launch next week.

They are so lovely. They're like my children and I'm very proud of them!

Another day...

2009-02-13T13:56:00.003Z

I've had a strange week - ANOTHER ONE - massive lows, big big highs and some odd conversations (although they were more like 'shouts') with what sounded as though it should be a 7-year old but was actually a middle-aged man. I credit myself with at least sounding like a teenager!

Petulant men/boys aside, I've met some lovely people this week. Women whom I recognsied but have never spoken to before who are just so sweet and lovely about the book. I've spoken to a couple of journalists who were delightful and not a bit scary (as I'd assumed). I've just received (2 months after it was posted) a letter from a reader of the 'Sleepover Club' which reaffirmed why this 'job' is the best in the world. And my facebook posse of course! That is too long and complicated to explain but we have just laughed and laughed online this week and have our very own story going.

Also a bit of a name check to Chris, Jen, Kirsty, Keith, Jules, Flissy and of course Roberto - I ranted, you listened, bless you!

In the spirit of Valentine's Day (and in an American sitcom type way) - to all my friends - "I love you guys!"

On a lighter note!

2009-02-09T11:13:00.002Z

Times are hard! We've all got to do our bit - even TED!

Inspiration!

2009-02-09T10:59:00.003Z

I watched 'Just Read' on BBC4 last night. It was presented by Michael Rosen and was part of the channel's Book Week. He went to a school in Cardiff and looked at the way books were presented to children, how children repsonded to reading and how important it was to get the family involved too. It was an inspiration.

There is a big push towards getting boys inspired to read, boys who are notoriously 'not interested'. That seems a sweeping generalisation because we all know boys who love settling down with a book as well as playing football and computer games etc. But it IS a challenge to inspire some boys when reading has an (undeserved) reputation as being for the 'nerdy'.

It was heartening then in last night's programme to see even the most relucatant readers (of both sexes) getting involved. By the end of the 10-week 'project' they were reading more themsleves and enthusiastically reading to younger children.

Throughout the programme I felt my own passion being rekindled. I write because I want children to feel that joy, to enter another world, to feel confident to explore new ideas themselves, to let their imagination run wild and I want them to LAUGH! That's why I write, pure and simple. And whereas in the past I have been quite nervous about going into schools, now I can't wait!

A funny old week

2009-02-06T13:49:00.002Z

I've had a funny old week. It started with all the fun of the snow and I just loved that. I loved the crunching out in it and everybody laughing, faces red with cold and fingers tingling from throwing snowballs. I loved watching Ted going beserk and not really knowing what it was, but not caring much either.

Then the middle of the week - no more snow, icy pavements and ....more hassles on the 'Extremely Very....' front. I feel that I just don't have the support I deserve and that in a lot of ways I have served my purpose as another box that can be ticked off on a portfolio - 'Children's Book - yep done that, can move on to the next thing now.' It got to the stage where I realised that I was looking at a very dark abyss and I could easily tip over into it.

But that wasn't reckoning on my family and friends - especially my lovely Facebook friends who rallied and made me laugh,long and snortingly hard, so big cheers to them. And I realised in the scheme of things, no-one is ever worth getting so upset over. So I'm not anymore.

Thursday brought a brief meeting with some delightful Brownies who said they would review 'Extremely Very...' for me and were just so articulate and made such positive comments I came away quite heartened. And today has given me a big boost too - friends have ordered lots of copies in various local bookshops to start a 'buzz' for me. A Facebook friend was so thrilled when I gave her a copy for her grandson, told her friends and one has asked me to go into her daughter's school next week for Book Week. (Which is scary but exciting too.) And there's a new American follower on http://theschnoops.blogspot.com/.

Suddenly I feel as though Little Doogs is getting the wider audience that he deserves.

Snow!

2009-02-02T15:13:00.005Z

I love the snow, possibly today because I had the luxury of not HAVING to go out in it: I don't have to commute to my office, I didn't have any pressing engagements anywhere. I could just enjoy it. Ted loved it - went quite beserk running around in the garden. It was way past his knees and almost up to his body. It must have felt strange.

We walked up to the Common and what a community atmosphere there was - everyone happy, building snowmen, having snowball fights, just enjoying the thrill of an unexpected day off. OK so some people won't have enjoyed the inconvenience. And if it lingers for weeks and weeks and weeks I'll be complaining as much as everyone else. But today, I'm just having fun!

2009-01-27T16:15:00.002Z

In 'The Times' at the start of the year there was this very short snippet of a story:

BERLIN Police stopped three children aged 5 to 7 at Hanover railway station as they tied to set off on a trip to Africa. The boy and older girl, who had packed Lilos and swimsuits, were planning to get married.

In a longer version in another paper there was the added information that the girl had taken her younger sister (the 5-year old) to act as their witness.

My reaction was 'How sweet! What a great story!' I imagined them seeing a programme about Africa on TV, planning their elopement and deciding what to take with them - and of course essentials in Africa would be Lilos and swimsuits! It took me back to when I was a child and I imagined running away. I did actually set off with my suitcase one day, but sadly I was only heading off to my grandparents' up the road as my Mum had been cross with me!

Sadly everyone else I told didn't share my enthusiasm.

Where were their parents?

What if they hadn't been found? Something dreadful could have happened to them.

It was January for goodness sake, what if they'd got hypothermia?

Oh dear. If all that had happened of course I wouldn't have thought it was a great story. But it didn't!

Hurrah for children's imaginations!

If it feels good...

2009-01-22T11:08:00.003Z

I'm always reading interviews with authors who sound so very disciplined in the way they write. You now the kind of thing: I write every morning from 8 until 2 then I'm finished for the day. Or, more scarily, I start in the morning and don't stop until I've written 1,000 words. And so many people seem to have every single part of their book mapped out in minute detail - graphs and charts or seperate files for each character and plot strand and....

I've got a stack of papers all muddled up in an A4 Box file, a filing cabinet filled with random snippets and bits of paper all over the house. Plus of course notebooks filled with pages of scribbles in every handbag I own.

So there's always that worry of 'Am I doing this right?'

But if I spent too long worrying about that I'd never get anything done. And as it is I keep flicking on to the Internet for 'research':

vaccinations required for Zambia
Dates of term times
Details of Leeds Festival
Oh...new boots....must check those out....

So I guess we all have our own way of working and if it feels good and we're happy with what we're getting written, well it's got to be 'right' for us.

A change in routine

2009-01-20T09:58:00.003Z

I've just returned from my walk with Ted and feel totally re-energised. Which is a surprise on so many levels.

The lateness of the hour = lots of school-run mums with buggies for potential entanglement + lots of dogs on the common

Total anticipated result: the need to lie down with a strong cup of coffee!

It just shows how sometimes a small change can make a massive difference.

I discovered that Ted is actually quite sensible - no rearing up and embarrassing me amongst all the 4X4s by the school gates, he just strolled on by quite calmly. And when we did a detour to avoid oncoming German Shepherds (and Pointers and Dachshunds) he responded to 'Wait' and indeed did wait until he was saddled up and we headed off in a different direction. I was so proud.

Yes we got horrendously muddy thanks to taking paths we didn't intend to take, but so what! He's had a shower (oh the luxury!), I'm going to have a shower now and all in all I've just spent a perfect hour.

Me + Ted + fresh air = total bliss!

I blame Google Alerts!

2009-01-15T10:38:00.002Z

I set up Google Alerts as a way of knowing when somewhere on the Internet makes a mention of me (narcissistic? Moi?) or 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' (I say that knowing that Ian will now also be alerted to the fact that someone has mentioned the book and will be forced to take a look at the blog!) Hah! GOTCHA!

Anyway, I digressed there in a very childish manner - where was I? Oh yes...google alerts...well inevitably lots of random stuff comes up, who knew that 'scrambled world' features in quite so many newspaper articles from reports on fish (I didn't bother to read that one) to the state of the financial markets. But a recent GA threw up a mention on www.jacketflap.com. So of course I logged on to see that I had profile as 'a writer of young adult fiction', so of course, intrigued, I delved deeper to discover it is a 'networking site' for everyone connected with children's books - from authors through to booksellers with a few agents thrown in along the way (painful!)

Now if I'm trying to get 'Extremely Very...' out there, as of course I am, then logging on to such a site is not to be passed by. There's always the chance that you're going to meet someone who loves it and will help 'build the brand' (Look Ian I'm talking the talk!) and of course there is the real chance of meeting like-minded people.

I have dutifully uploaded my 'bio' panicking as always about what to put, and was gratified to see that when uploading the ISBN for 'Extremely Very...' a whole load of 'Sleepovers' also came up. But now there's the stressful bit about 'friends' - what if no-one likes me, should I make the first move, what should I say??? And of course I have that nagging feeling that I'm just not making enough of a great opportunity because I simply do not know how to.

All offers of help gratefully received. Are you still there Ian?
Ian?
Coo-ee Ian????

Putting my back into it!

2009-01-13T17:49:00.007Z

I've had a 'niggly' back for a long time. Nothing that a few days away from the gym wouldn't sort out. Only over the last few months it's got worse. I haven't been to the gym for a month now, which is not good at all. And since Christmas a hot water bottle has become a necessity at all times, which is so not a good look and a sure sign that geriatric dodderiness is heading my way fast! Time to do something about that - I want my dancing shoes back on!

So off to the osteopath for me only to discover that the muscles down my spine are at war - nice! Lots of manipulation and disconcerting cracking and I'm (hopefully) on the road to recovery. Only it doesn't feel like that today.

Still I've been using my enforced 'rest' wisely and have been trying to get 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' 'out there' with the aid of the Internet. And whilst it was Frustration Central here this afternoon with lots of rather nasty language when 90 minutes' worth of writing disappeared into the ether, I am feeling quite pleased with myself now.

OK so I did have to call on Chris (yet again) to transform a PDF into a jpeg and I have had to keep going back to alter links but I think everything works....so I am now registered on www.authorsden.com which has a readership of one million plus if everything I read is true (!) So hopefully it was worth all my hard work...and my now VERY achey back.

I am now going to lie down with my hot water bottle if you don't mind!

Guilty pleasures!

2009-01-11T17:10:00.002Z

As I have written before I love walking Ted, it's a punctuation to my day. When I'm writing the morning walk is when I sort out my day and the evening walk is the interim between work and relaxation: I have a mental round-up of what I've written and I plan what I'm going to do the following day. At weekends I just let my head go where it will. Which is a bit of a scary thought really!

But whatever the day, I especially love my evening walks around 'the block' and I especially love them in winter because I get the chance to have a look into people's houses. The lights are on and I get a snapshot of people's lives. People are in the kitchen and I wonder what they're preparing. Quite often I see a teenager on a computer and I wonder whether he's doing his homework or whether he's on Facebook. I've seen people yelling at a large screen TV showing football and a couple in a lingering embrace. The worst is seeing someone in tears, never knowing why.

Also on Sundays it's recycling day for the following morning. And I get to compare people's rubbish, especially how many bottles they have got through compared to us!

New Year

2009-01-09T09:45:00.003Z

Well after being laid low by a virus for a week I am almost ready to get back to work again, which might be as well as there is so much to do. 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' is due to be officially published on February 10th so it's a mad scramble to make sure all the relevant people/publications know about it so that we can generate as much publicity as possible. And I must admit I am struggling with it.

I write, that's what I love doing and I do it because I love it. I find the whole thing of 'selling myself' really really difficult. Ian always says that 'selling is not a dirty word', but I say it just comes easier to some people than others.

I love meeting children and talking to them about ...well anything really, because they are so honest. So although I'm a bit nervous about going into schools, just because it's a while since I've done it, I am looking forward to it. It's just the dealing with adults in the 'real' world I'm not really relishing. But I guess as a writer it's all part of the territory now, so I'd better get used to it.

At least I have a gorgeous new desk to work from. I love it! And note how very very tidy it is! How long do you think that's going to last?!

My lovely sister!

2008-12-29T18:02:00.003Z

Christmas!

2008-12-29T17:51:00.005Z

I have had such a lovely Christmas with my family - it was exactly as it should have been. Everyone enjoyed it, we had lots of fresh air walking the dogs - Ted and Fliss's family dog, Murphy, the labradoodle - lots of laughing and just the right amount of eating and drinking.
I was very sad when everyone headed back to Yorkshire yesterday, well everyone apart from Emily who is still here with Michael so we're still having fun, although it is rather quieter.
Ted had a ball and, thanks to Vince's magic touch, was actually very good....and he has added to his harem!

Two important people

2008-12-24T08:50:00.002Z

Two important people also need thanking for making 'Extremely Very....' look so great: Joe Baglow and Christine Lacey.

Joe is our fab illustrator and I think it was fate that he found us and became part of the Schnoops family. He is an art student; one of Ian's friends in Leigh-On-Sea had taught him and suggested that he might be just right for our project. We wanted someone whose style is loose and quirky so we sent him briefs for each character and...his illustrations came back and were absolutely bang on! And the strange thing is that we've only met him once. For twenty minutes! But everyone seems to love his work as much as we do so big cheers to you Joe!

Now I know that I've mentioned Chris in the past and I'm sure I will again because she is one of my dearest friends. But her design skills turned a flat manuscript into a lively, funny book. And, I'm still blown away by the fact that she designed some bookmarks for me one Friday and I had them in my hand the following Wednesday ...she works fast does Chris! So massive hugs to her, we couldn't have done it without you!

Oh and can I just say a big thank you too (crikey this is getting to be like an Oscar acceptance speech!) to Robert for supplying bags of reassurance,for being a sounding-board and for never telling me to 'Shut up' even though he must have wanted to. And of course for putting up with me when I was being a cow. And finally to Jennie for letting me rant on in virtual style and for being supportive and making me laugh - lots.

So a big thank you to them and a big Happy Christmas to you all!

At Last!

2008-12-23T17:10:00.004Z

Great whooping and celebrations all round! I can finally FINALLY hold in my hand a copy of 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs: Playing The Road Trip Game'. There have been many times when I thought this day would never come, for many different reasons.
3 years is a long LONG time to take over writing something and very unusual for me as I tend to write very quickly. It seems like a lifetime ago that Ian and I sat in 'The Spencer Arms' in Putney and discussed working together on a project based on his basic ideas for some characters. Oh the hours and hours of writing and discussing and drinking coffee and peppermint tea, wine and champagne (I DESERVED it!) And the hours and hours and HOURS I have spent writing and rewriting and then completely rewriting again. And although this is a joint project I was the only one of us who could do the writing....so hours and hours of stressing on my own...and oh the twists and turns to get here.
But we did it....and I am so very proud!
AND my family should be arriving from Yorkshire very soon so we can have a proper celebration....I think a few corks will be a-popping in Wimbledon tonight!

One very blatant plug coming up:
www.theschnoops.com

And another:
http://lifewiththeschnoops.blogspot.com

Friends

2008-12-17T10:33:00.003Z

I don't really believe in horoscopes (or horrorscopes as Little Doogs calls them), but yet I look at mine most days. I'm a Leo which means I'm supposed to be generous, loyal and love being the centre of attention. Well I hope the first two qualities are true but I'm not sure about that last one! Leos are also supposed to be 'fixed' signs. And I suppose in so far as I don't like change then that is very true.

If you ask me what are the most important things in life I would say without a moment's hesitation: 'friends and family'. And as far as friendships go I really don't want them to change. But they do.

This year some of my friendships have become a bit looser, some have been tested to the limit but have survived - weaker or stronger? I don't know yet, but different that's for sure. But some of my older friendships have grown from strength to strength even though we don't see each other. And thanks to the magic of Facebook I've met new friends who otherwise I couldn't have hoped to have met.

So maybe I should learn to embrace change and go with the flow. What I do want is for all the friendships I have in place now to be 'fixed' for a long time

Retail therapy!

2008-12-09T14:45:00.003Z

Robert was out for a Christmas lunch so I headed to the village to do some Christmas shopping. Unfortunately most of what I bought was for myself. But it was in the sale, so that was OK.

I was trying stuff on and came out to ask the assistant's advice, you know the kind of thing,
"Does my bum look big in this?" etc
And that's not always a wise move because they usually say,
"No of course not, but you'd look good in this and have you tried that and what about this belt with that cardigan...."
and you end up with a whole heap of stuff you don't really want to try on.

When I went back into my little changing thing I heard the woman next door asking for the dress I had on in her size. I came out again in a different dress and the same thing happened. Flattering, but odd. I didn't look fantastic in what I had on by any means....but apparently I looked happy and confident and would have a lot of fun whilst I was wearing them!

Did I buy them? You can bet your life I did!

Christmas spirit

2008-12-08T15:19:00.002Z

It's funny but this year I am swinging wildly between being as excited about Christmas as though I was a child, and being all 'bah humbug!' about it. Today I've experienced both things, which is rather unsettling.

This morning we went to choose the tree which is always the real start of Christmas. We had the whole measuring thing to make sure it was tall enough, the looking at about 5 different ones to make sure it wasn't too spindly or too bushy, the man netting it all up, the inevitable 'shall we just have another look just to make sure' and the deciding on the one we looked at to start with. This year we also had the 'tree falling on Fiona's head' and the 'Robert tripping over a trunk' shenanigans! Oh happy days!

We then went to a big out of town M&S to look for various bits, expecting it to be at least a bit buzzy but it was so quiet it was as though a disaster had befallen Merton and no-one had told us. And that made me sad too...nowhere seems as happy as it usually does at this time of year.

I am so looking forward to my family coming down from Yorkshire as it's the first time we've spent Christmas all together. But before then there's 'Extremely Very...' coming out which IS exciting, VERY exciting, but I still have that sense of panic - are we doing enough to direct traffic to www.theschnoops.com (shameless plug) because if people don't go there then it could all go horribly wrong.

What I need, I know, is a little faith, a bit of confidence. And a very large glass of champagne!

Brownies!

2008-12-05T08:56:00.003Z

I went to badge test for the local Brownie pack yesterday. As well as testing the Booklover badge I also test the Hostess badge - that's the nice one with the cups of tea and the cakes. Unfortunately as I was doing the 2 together (multi-tasking) the girls forgot about me and although I did get a late cup of coffee I missed out on the goodies, which was a bit sad as there looked to be some nice crunchy-cakey stuff with Smarties on top. And you can't beat a cake with Smarties on the top, can you?

I've been testing the Booklover badge for 6/7 years now. In previous years almost all the girls were reading Jaqueline Wilson and J.K. Rowling. This year every single girl had chosen an Enid Blyton book as one of their favourites, which got me thinking, in a Carrie Bradshaw-type way:What has happened to give Enid such a resurgence? Is the innocent unchallenging idyll which her books represent an antidote to the ever-present restrictions and pressures surrounding children of today?(And do the publishing companies plough back the inevitable profits gained into supporting and encouraging new writers?)Enid Blyton is very very easy to knock - I must confess that I'm not a big fan - but you have to admit that if her books are still being read and loved after so many years, she must have done something right!

Anyway, back to my badge-testing. I was introduced as a 'proper author' and it was gratifying how many of the girls had read some of the 'Sleepover Club' books. (Note to HarperCollins: why did you end the series? Bring it back - please!)
As I'd finished testing each one I signed a copy of a slightly out-dated 'Little Book of Chat'. They were all fascinated by my appalling signature and one of them asked,
"Is that what you do then, write children's books?"
"Yes"
"Wow! Are you famous?"
Me, laughing: "No!"
To which another Brownie replied, earnestly,
"Well to some people you are!"
Have I told you how much I love children? Especially little Brownie-uniform-clad children!

Rant!

2008-12-02T16:47:00.005Z

Just lately I seem to have been defending my corner a lot when it comes to writing children's books. It's amazing how many people tell me they're going to write one - when they have a spare 5 minutes. And they usually also tell me that they won't tell me what the story is about in case I steal their idea! Well thanks for that.

But writing for children, as well as being so very rewarding, is a bit harder than it appears. Every word has to count. Every word has to be just the right one for the story, for the reader, for me...which is probably why I tend to over-analyse what people say. Words are my currency. The hardest job, but surely the most satisfying, is getting those children who struggle a bit with reading, who don't find it easy, to read a story which is fulfilling and exciting for them and which, though a challenge, makes them want to read more books.

That's a challenge I intend to rise to in future.

Writing is a brilliant job, and I love it, really really love it. I'm not sure my books change people's lives though.

Ted is struggling a bit with his hips at the moment and today we took him to Greyfriars www.greyfriarsrehab.co.uk for his hydrotherapy. The therapists there really do change lives - for the dogs and for the owners. I'm always a bit in awe of what goes on, but I love going as much as Ted does because the therapists are so lovely and funny...and reassuring. So thank you Lisa and Kim....and everybody else, where would we be without you?

Ted's women!

2008-12-01T14:49:00.005Z

Ted is very fond of our female friends and is quite happy to pose with them! That's the fabulous Stephie on the left and the very wonderful Chris on the right.

I think Ted is paying for his over-amorous behaviour now as his hips seem particularly bad and he's been very subdued since he came back from being groomed. He looks gorgeous but...poor Ted, I feel so sad for him.

ODF

2008-12-01T14:47:00.003Z

One of Jules' friends once dubbed us ODFs - Oldest Dearest Friends. I think he was trying to be sarcastic but the term has stuck. I don't see her nearly as much as I should but she's always the first person I turn to when I need a shoulder to cry on. She always cheers me up and I hope I do the same for her.

There were no wet shoulders this weekend though when she and Adrian came to stay. We had such a great time - talking, shopping, eating and drinking - the only problem was that it sped by all too quickly.

Adrian proved to be something of a dog whisperer, managing to calm down Ted with a spot of massage. Unfortunately it didn't quite work when Jules was around and Ted spent most of the time humping her leg. Strangely enough she found that the way to cure him was to get down on all-fours....I know, don't ask. Consequently every time she came in the house we all yelled,
"On your knees!"
Oh we know how to live here in Wimbledon!

Passion!

2008-11-28T12:21:00.004Z

I hadn't heard of Malcolm Gladwell until Monday, and now it seems the guy is everywhere - OK he was on 'The One Show' - and the one thing that everyone seems to know is his theory that to be 'great' at something you need to have spent 10,000 hours doing it. Which I think he said equates to doing it for around 4 hours a day for 10 years. I am sure there is more to it than that, and I'm not entirely sure I buy into it - some people are innately good at something, surely - but by his theory at least I should be a great children's writer as I've been doing it for over 10 years now. I just think I'm 'quite good' at it.

I know that when I walk into a bookshop and I see all those other books I think 'Crikey, my stuff has to compete with all this! Am I good enough?'. There are people, I know, who look at other books in their genre and think 'My book is so much better than all these other ones I don't know why the bookshop bothers selling them as well.' But that, I think, is a) not usually true and b) very arrogant. But at the same time I wish I shared some of that supreme confidence.

With 'Extremely Very...' I swing from being wildly excited to being butterflies-in-the-stomach panicky - what if no-one buys it at all.

But for me passion is the most important thing there is. If you don't have it you won't succeed and maybe you don't deserve to succeed. In anything. I am passionate about 'Flipside' - I can bore people forever (and I quite often do) about what I love about teenagers and how fantastic Zambia is. But I am so passionate too about those little Schnoops. And I want everyone else to be as well.

So buy the book for goodness sake (and shut me up)! http://www.theschnoops.com/

Oh and I know that I'm truly great when it comes to footwear and the buying thereof!

Stress Test!

2008-11-26T11:06:00.004Z

We are big fans of 'The One Show' and encouraged by Chris we took the 'stress test'
www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/getinvolved/stresstest/
I was in the lowest section of 'Mild' and Robert was just about as unstressed as it is possible to be by being at the very bottom end of 'Normal'.

Inevitably then, I found myself tossing and turning and unable to sleep last night because I was 'stressed' about everything I have to do today:

1. Clean No.7 as Jules and Adrian are coming down for the weekend (YIPPEE! - That's for the J & A bit, not the cleaning!)
2. Buy poster for Will's Christmas present so they can take it back with them
3. Check arrangements for Saturday as I have been vague as usual and I'm not sure whether Keith and Jayne are coming round or not!
4. Try to sort out some bookmarks for 'Extremely Very...' but as I haven't a clue what I'm doing that could take some time...
5. Do a little bit of research and write down some names and addresses for Peter
6. Do some more research for a children's book and make some notes for when I meet Jenny on Monday
7. Send off a cheque
8. Oh yes...there's writing 'Flipside' to fit in there somewhere!

I suspect if I took the test again now I would be hovering in the 'Severe' section.

Designed by Chris

2008-11-24T17:14:00.002Z

On Saturday we had a chilled evening with Chris and Nigel. They are very very good friends and very very good with Ted. Even when he is being very naughty and rude they ignore him, turn their backs on him (easier said than done when a 40kg dog is getting frisky with your leg) and carry on talking. Ted does calm down eventually, which just leaves me to apologise for all their inevitable bruises!

Not only is Chris a dear friend but she is also a very talented book and magazine designer and it is she who created her magic and made 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' come to life as it has done. I had my words, we had the fab illustrations from Joe, but it was only when Chris put them together as she did that I thought 'Yes, this is really going to work'! I got more excited every time I saw a new PDF.

I suppose the design is something you don't often think about when you look at a book - I know I didn't - but it is such a vital part of it. And quite frankly we would have been stuffed without Chris's skills. And patience. Lots and lots of patience when we kept changing our minds.

Check out the free treaser on www.theschnoops.com and you'll see exactly what I mean.

Grown-up stuff

2008-11-20T14:42:00.002Z

I had a long chat with a neighbour yesterday about a book he is writing. I didn't know until then that he was writing one but it sounds brilliant, exactly the kind of book I would choose to read myself. Talking to him I realised 2 things:
1) The way he described it was so intriguing and funny, he 'sold' it to me. I envied him that clarity. I am always so vague when I'm describing my writing and I really have to work on that.
2) I do know what I want from my writing, because I articulated it to him: I want to make children laugh!
I don't think there is anything like having a good laugh. I laugh out loud at Louise Rennison's books. There is no way on earth that I am in the same league as her, but I would so love it if I could inspire that kind of response in a reader.
I have a friend - and Jennie, you know who you are - who makes me laugh like a drain (which is not very attractive, believe me!) She has always made me laugh; I remember trying to stifle snorts at school in lessons. There's nothing like that feeling is there? And I think one of the tragedies of being 'grown up' is that we sometimes forget what that feels like.

Writing

2008-11-18T17:01:00.002Z

For the last few days I've been writing 'On The Flipside' and I can't begin to tell you how much I'm enjoying it. Because I'd been busy with 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' writing 'Flipside' has got very much pushed to one side. At first I worried that it would be hard to pick it up again. But because I'm so familiar with all the characters it was like taking up with old friends. And I know that sounds SO corny, but I'm afraid it's true!

My one worry is that I get carried away with scenarios and I don't rein them in enough - one little scene takes on a life of its own and lasts pages and pages just because I'm enjoying the interaction between the characters. And I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not. I think maybe I should send it off to Lindsey (my agent) so that she can exercise some control! Poor Lindsey!

He still wasn't too sure about the drying bit though!

2008-11-17T16:14:00.002Z

Ted!

2008-11-17T16:07:00.004Z

Walking Ted is an important part of my day: it's the first thing I do in the morning and it's what I always do when I've finished writing. In the morning I sort out plot strands in my head as he's snuffling through the leaves and racing across frosty grass. And in the evening as I'm walking I go over everything I've written and make a mental list of what I have to do the next day.

Today that pattern was interrupted by Ted's swimming! We hadn't been since July so it was just a case of him getting used to everything again and not doing too much. He wasn't too impressed with the yappy little dog who was swimming at the same time, but I think he was glad to be back.

Oh dear!

2008-11-14T13:21:00.002Z

I am a very tidy person, I don't like mess. I'm always tidying up the kitchen because I don't like to see bits all over the work-top. I get cross when Robert leaves his clothes on the back of a chair instead of hanging them up. I'm forever picking Ted's toys up off the floor and putting them back in his toy box.

So why in the name of Little Doogs' bottom does my desk look like this???

Mary Poppins a go-go

2008-11-10T15:42:00.003Z

Flipping heck but it's wet and windy here. I had a meeting up in London and when I came back the wind swept me off my feet. My umbrella was just about useless as all the spokes had gone a bit limp so goodness knows what I looked like as I drifted helplessly up the road.
I'm busy sending out more emails alerting people to www.theschnoops.com. It's amazing how many far-flung friends I have, the website has already had hits from the States, Japan and Belgium and I've just sent emails to friends in Holland and New Zealand, but really the most important thing is spreading the word on the home front ...and translating the word into copies bought!!!
And actually what I really REALLY want to do now is get back to writing 'Flipside'.

Tired and Emotional!

2008-11-09T12:08:00.003Z

I think yesterday was the first time that it finally hit home that 'The Extremely Very Scrambled Up World of Little Doogs' is about to be published. Ian had been rewriting a press release which captured perfectly what 'Little Doogs' is all about and reminded me of the journey we've taken to get this far. 3 YEARS!!! At times it has felt like a long road but right now, when it is all finally coming together, every step has been worth it.
Ian sent me a photograph he'd taken of 'Schnoss' right at the beginning of us working together and I must admit that I felt quite emotional...
Celebrated with Stephie and Martin. And Ted. Who was a little bit naughty. But calmed down - eventually!

Tapas, teething trouble and Ted

2008-11-06T15:49:00.004Z

Yesterday I had a really fun day - retail therapy with my good friend Anne, a late tapas-type lunch and a new pair of boots. Heaven! I'd been away from my desk for most of the day so returned to deal with emails including one from James who is building the website for The schnoops - http://www.theschnoops.com/. I had to give him some quite simple information but my brain went into panic mode: TECHNOLOGY ALERT wibble, wibble, wibble. I'm sure James thought I was completely stupid and I was SO cross with myself. It all got sorted out (very easily) and I am determined not to sound so wet again.

I'm a bit worried about Ted (my gorgeous Old English Sheepdog) he's only 20 months but has hip dysplasia, that means his hips don't fit into the sockets as they should so they tend to get very sore and can cause a lot of pain. We take him swimming which really helps but because we've been going up to Yorkshire a lot over the summer he hasn't been for a while. Now his legs are looking very stiff and he's looking a bit hunched up which was one of the signs he had a problem a year ago. I MUST book him in at Greyfriars asap. www.greyfriarsrehab.co.uk

Things I have done today

2008-11-03T15:56:00.000Z

Today I was supposed to be extra efficient - sort out 'loose ends' on 'Extremely Very...' and start writing 'Flipside' again - the book NOT the blog! And what have I done?
Went shopping
Tidied up a few loose ends - and unravelled a few more
Did a bit of 'research' i.e. surfed the net
Tried to change my driving licence online -from my very torn paper one to a flash new photocard, but the site kept crashing
Set up this blog...
Not really sure about the style of it yet - may have to use a new template. What do you think?