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The rise of the celebrity children’s author

The rise of the celebrity children’s author

When comedian, David Walliams, signed a book deal with Harper Collins to become a children's author, did he know his stratospheric sales would make him one of the three highest-earning authors in the UK, clocking up print sales of £11m? Possible not, but he might have...

Encouraging boys to enjoy writing

Encouraging boys to enjoy writing

The majority of the children who come to my creative writing workshops are girls. There aren’t many boys who come to my courses and workshops purely because they enjoy writing. I think mainly it is their parents who are keen to encourage them to enjoy writing because...

Home changes to reflect a growing family

Home changes to reflect a growing family

As our family grows and develops, our home needs to reflect that. We moved into our current home over seven years ago, following a complete renovation. At the time, we had to get everything new, from furniture to white goods, so you know what that means don’t you?...

New workshops and dates for Storymakers Writing Club

New workshops and dates for Storymakers Writing Club

Storymakers offers two-hour workshops, a six-week story writing course and a regular (fortnightly) writing club. Held in Sevenoaks, all are suitable for children aged 8 years and above. I have just added some new workshops to the list, with dates running up to the end...

Creative writing clubs for children

Creative writing clubs for children

Why is creative writing important for children? Writing is inextricably linked to all forms of creativity from art to drama, so why shouldn't children enjoy writing as much as they do these other disciplines? I am a firm believer that fostering a love of stories in...

How do you find time to write?

How do you find time to write?

I'm often asked how do I find time to write and the answer is quite simple - I don't know. Whether you work full time, part time or are a stay-at-home parent, there are never enough hours in the day and using any of this precious time to write seems, well, just plain...

Books for reluctant readers

Books for reluctant readers

Did your child come home with a recommended reading list for the summer holidays? Mine did and it's always met with a rather large sigh, already too much for her to cope with just by looking at it. For some children, reading is a challenge and because of that, they...

It’s been a creative kind of week

It’s been a creative kind of week

It’s been another glorious week of sunshine and down in our little corner of the UK, we even escaped the thunder storms predicted for yesterday. How has your week been? Mine started with a run (literally), which is rare because I never usually pick up a speed much...

Summer reading ideas for kids

Summer reading ideas for kids

I have a number of four and five star reviews for my children's fiction book. This is what some of my readers have to say: "I am 10 and I usually love adventure stories. The front cover of this book appealed to me .... as did the idea of a mystery! I have laughed at...

How creative writing can benefit children

How creative writing can benefit children

Creative writing is not just about language practice, it supports literacy, helps children develop their reading skills and most importantly, it is fun. I am an avid reader and writer so you won’t hear any arguments from me about how important creative writing is....

How low will these IS Extremists go?

How low will these IS Extremists go?

I had a day of writing planned for today: a rare occasion for me and one that I should have been able to cherish. Instead, I've moved from one computer to another and back again, each time staring at the screen and finding myself unable to focus, my thoughts drifting...

A house full of memories

A house full of memories

When we left the house where we'd begun our little family, I was so emotional, I wrote about it (of course!). I love where we live now, but leaving the place which was filled with so many memories from our children's early lives was so hard. I came across this piece...

Preparing for a book launch party

Preparing for a book launch party

There is much excitement in my household at the moment as we prepare for this weekend's book launch. Harnessing my creative side, and that of my children (the girls in particular), we've been busy creating props and displays for the party. Called 'The Mystery of the...