I'm kept very busy writing during the winter months, but do like to get out occasionally to meet real, live people.
I'm very happy to talk about the books and the whole business of being a writer - where ideas come from, how I go about writing a full length book, how I structure my day and so on. I bring photos and tell stories about my pig, about working at the zoo and for Storybox Theatre so that my author visits are fun as well as instructive.
I'm happy to do creative writing workshops as well as talks and readings, although these require more planning and consultation and can only be done with smaller, class sized groups.
I've listed some of the things I can do, but I'm always open to suggestions and ideas. If you have something special in mind, drop me an e-mail using the Contact Form.
TALK AND WORKSHOPS
FLOTSAM & JETSAM
The books were partly based on Storybox Theatre's production of the Grimm's fairy tale The Fisherman and his Wife. I bring along the large carved figures we used in the show - children are always interested to know where ideas come from, and these two are a very graphic example of inspiration. Using these puppets I tell them the tale of the Fisherman before reading a story from Flotsam and Jetsam. I chat to the children about the seaside and what can be found on the beach.
With small library groups (12 - 15 children) I sometimes then do a driftwood sculpture workshop in which they make their own sea creatures. To do this with a larger group I need lots of adult helpers. A pair of googly eyes on a stick looks fantastic when topped with a little dried seaweed! This can be part of the session, or it can be done as follow up work in class after a visit - it's up to you.
* For ages 4 - 11. Yes, really. In order to do the making children need to have a certain level of manual dexterity, so that particular part works best with children over seven. But I've found that these books appeal across the entire primary age range - everyone relates to the sea and the magic of what might come in one new high tide.
BEING AN AUTHOR
I talk about how I started writing, what I did before that, and how to make a tapir roll over. I show them photographs of Tilly - my pet pig (now sadly deceased) - and read extracts from 100% Pig, Waking Merlin, The World's Bellybutton and, of course, Flotsam and Jetsam.
* For ages 7 -11
TALKS FOR TEENAGERS
I talk mainly about Apache - how I came to write it, the historical background to the book, the importance of research, the vital role of an editor. I also touch on Useless, and talk about what I'm writing next for Young Adults. Although some of the subject matter is very serious, I always begin on a light, entertaining note - that way I engage the audience before hitting them between the eyes with the grim facts.
Teacher's notes on Apache and a Story Starter can be found on the Write Away website -
www.writeaway.org.uk
* For ages 12 plus
TALKS FOR ADULTS
"Books are Dangerous" is the title of the talk I give to librarians, teacher, teacher trainees and anyone else who's prepared to listen to me. It attempts to answer the question of why books and reading are so vitally important.
CREATIVE WRITING
I've done sessions for both primary and secondary school pupils on all sorts of themes - creating characters, creating plots, creating a distinctive voice. I've visited castles with groups of children who then write ghost stories, and sat in classes with strange objects from the local museum spinning tales about what they might be used for.
Anything is possible - I'm always open to ideas - but do bear in mind that these sessions take more planning and require more teacher input than an simple author visit.
* For ages 7 to adult
TO ARRANGE A VISIT
I live in Bideford, north Devon, so prefer to do visits that can be done within a day. I do sometimes travel further afield, but overnight accommodation costs do push up the price.
The Society of Authors recommend a rate of £300 a day (up to three hour long sessions) and £200 for a half day plus travel but this is flexible - for small groups and tiny schools I'm happy to do a special rate.
If you're interested in a visit, drop me an e-mail using the contact form.