This week, I am pleased with a plodding along sort of week. I’ve plodded on with the first draft of my second children’s book. Plodded on with contacting bookshops and libraries to ask them to stock my book. I’ve volunteered, been out, kept the house (reasonably) clean and tidy, groomed the cats and so on. See what I mean by plodding? It’s good to have a plodding along week sometimes.
What are you pleased with this week?
Share something you’ve achieved, or are pleased with, this week. It doesn’t matter how big or small; go ahead and flaunt it.
In the last week, I have taken my children’s book, The Clocker, to two local libraries. I’ve met lots of children and their families and had a wonderful time. Each session has started with me reading a few chapters of my book, followed by a writing/ craft session. I’ve been very impressed at how many children know what a blurb is and where to find it on a book.
Each child, as well as some of their family members, thought of an animal whether real or imaginary they’d like to write a book about. They came up with titles, drew pictures and wrote a mini blurb. What fantastic ideas they had, from Superflea, to The Finx, from Flight (about a bird called Blue Bell), to Fun Facts About Snakes. There’s definitely some budding talent out there.
Thank you to Nottingham Central Library and Wollaton Library for inviting me; I loved it.
Every month at the writing group I go to – Let’s Write – Esther, the facilitator, sets a prompt. A few months back our prompt was music and I wrote a piece about buying my first single at aged 8. Esther asked me to read the piece at the group session and suggested I submit it for the Yesterday Remembered section of Best of British magazine, which I did. https://www.bestofbritishmag.co.uk/
My piece was accepted and, this week, I picked up a copy of the magazine at my local post office shop. It’s a wonderful feeling and worthy of a flaunt. To use a word from a recent Wordy Wednesday, I’m chuffed.
Today’s the day to share anything that you’re pleased with this week. Here’s mine:
Having had my debut children’s book, The Clocker, published this year, I have been beavering away on a second children’s book. It’s a follow on, with a focus on a different character than the first book.
I’m delighted to have now written over 30,000 words. Although it’s very much a first draft, that feels quite an achievement.
After some set-backs, this week has been positive. Despite the challenge of not being able to drive at the moment (cataracts), I’ve picked myself up and got organised. Train and hotel bookings are sorted so that I can still get to Liverpool Book Festival in August, where I’m sharing a stand with a fellow children’s author. I’ve calculated the maximum number of books and bookmarks we can manage to take. Phew.
On Monday, I heard from my contact at the library that there’d been some bookings for the 2 library events I’m doing next month. She’s also asked me to sign some books as they’re going to be given as prizes for a different library event. All very exciting and uplifting just at the moment I needed it.
Here’s your chance to shout out about anything, big or small, that you’re pleased with this week. I’d love to hear from you.
Here’s my Flaunt it Friday:
On Monday mornings, I volunteer at a local charity shop. I’d noticed the beautiful Royal Doulton tea set a few weeks before, marvelling at its simple elegance. Several customers had admired it, picking up the teapot or milk jug, but no one had bought it. On Monday, I spotted a woman looking at it, turning various pieces over in her hands. She approached the till, enquiring if the price was for the whole set, which it was.
Having taken her payment – £25 – I carefully wrapped each piece, packing it all neatly into a bag. I felt so pleased for her as she went off proudly clutching her bag and telling me she couldn’t wait to use her tea set. I was also pleased for making the sale; it all adds to the money needed by Children’s Air Ambulance.
This week I am really pleased at how wonderful the produce from my small garden is. Delicious new potatoes, enough mini cucumbers for us and our neighbours, mint, rocket … It’s very satisfying to eat food you’ve grown yourself. Fresh blueberries every morning with breakfast is a real treat.
What are you pleased with this week?
Nev, the main character in my children’s book, The Clocker, picks veggie leaves from his garden to give to his hens. My Books
It’s Friday again and time to reflect on achievements, or things I’m pleased about this week. I’d love to hear your Flaunt it Friday too.
I’ll admit it, I’m not someone who finds it easy to ask something of others; offering comes much easier. This makes the task of promoting my children’s book, The Clocker, a challenge. It’s not something you do just once either; it’s an ongoing process. I find it easy to decide it’s not worth asking when, the reality is, I don’t find asking comes naturally. As the saying goes, if you don’t ask ….
With this in mind, I’m pleased that I’ve reached out to several people this week, asking them to review my book. Even if I’m trudging along, I’m putting one foot in front of the other and I keep going.
This week has been challenging. It’s been a struggle to get through the days and nights of heat. We cancelled a theatre trip we were looking forward to and the school visit I was doing today has been rescheduled.
On the upside, being confined to the house with all the curtains drawn has given me the chance to write every day. I’m lucky that the room where I do my writing is relatively cool.
How’s your week been?
I’ve been doing more reaching out to libraries this week. I have dates in my diary for Nottingham libraries and thought I’d see if any in Nottinghamshire would be interested. Libraries are great places where I can read from my children’s book, The Clocker, as well as getting children to do some of their own writing.
I’m feeling positive and looking forward to meeting some of my target audience.
Here is the link to my book at Troubador Publishing bookstore.
https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/middle-grade/the-clocker
