Hi everyone. Welcome to the mini-blog for my November news. It’s mini, so let’s get straight to the point!
A school visit with a difference:
This month I had the total honour of visiting (irl!) my own former school. It was amazing to be back, to see how much had changed (including how small the hall now seems… it used to feel ginormous when I was a kid) and to work with the children to help them dream up their own ‘creature characters’! I have been rubbish at sorting out my events page (I will do it, I swear), but if you’re a school and you’d like me to visit, or you’d just like to enquire about rates and other details, please do get in touch.
Writing life:
I’m about to get started on draft three (yes, three! And there’ll no doubt be plenty more) of my next book for children. Rewriting and editing can feel exhausting and disheartening, but other times it can feel quite liberating and fun. Sometimes the same draft can feel all those things at the same time! For me, on this occasion at this particular moment, it feels like a lot of things have fallen into place, both plot- and character-wise, and (for the time being at least) I’m raring to go!
Books, books, books:
I’m currently reading Nisha’s War by Dan Smith, which is due to be released in February 2022 and is absolutely stunning. It’s spooky, atmospheric and deftly-written, as you’d expect from a pro like Dan. I can’t wait to see what happens to Nisha, her Amma, and the mysterious Twig next... One to look out for in Feb!