Creative Writing Summer Workshops at Storymakers This summer, I will be running one week of workshops for 7-10 year-olds and in addition, a week of English Revision for Year 5’s. Please go to the Storymakers website to book. The summer holiday creative writing...
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you’re gonna get.” Remember who said that? It was Forrest Gump. I love that film don’t you? I find it impossible to say that quote, though, without adding the southern lilt (even if it’s in my head). I love...
French novelist, Marcel Proust, famously wrote about the childhood memories that came flooding back to him when he dipped a Madeleine in a cup of tea. He had been feeling down up until this point, but the taste of the cake evoked in him, memories of being a child when...
My thoughts for today are on the importance of rituals and routine. We’re creatures of habit are we not? When the children were small, they needed a routine in place for them. It was so much easier on us all if we knew what to expect out of our day. As an adult, I...
I’ve been thinking a lot recently, about being an introvert and what that means. I guess that’s something an introvert might typically do, but it’s helped me gain an understanding of the type of person I truly am. I often joke, there’s a reason why I’m a writer and...
Over the May Bank Holiday, I took part in the Chiddingstone Castle Literary Fair. The fair, which takes place both inside the castle and around the ground, runs from Saturday to Tuesday and this was it’s fourth year. I was there on Family Day, running workshops with...
You know how much emphasis I put on the importance of reading, and on encouraging children to love stories and enjoy writing. Today though, I’m championing the reluctant readers out there, those who feel the pressure of being constantly told they must read more. I am...