In the last few weeks I’ve done several
sessions with 10-12 year-olds in a very lively school (Finham Park 2, Coventry)
that is deeply committed to instilling a love of writing and reading in its
students. I had the pleasure of hosting four workshops, each with a group of
eight children and the help of the wonderful school librarian. I’d like to
think I encouraged them to some extent in their love of books, but I can say
for sure that they inspired me.
I did something I’ve never done
before – shared some early ideas with potential readers for a book I’ve just
started to write. Possibly dangerous, I know. I used to be very wary of sharing
new ideas with anyone, but it felt right this time, and this story is not exactly
new to me anyway. It’s being doing the rounds of my head and a few other places
for several years and had a number of knock-backs on the way, in particular
from my publisher several years ago, who commissioned a series from me based on
the idea and then, after I’d done quite a lot of work, dishearteningly told me
that she’d changed her mind.
It took a while for that puddle of
disappointment to evaporate or flow under the bridge or do whatever puddles
of stagnant publisher-polluted water do. It has certainly taken me some time to
re-friend the book. The story has changed along the way – so much that I
can almost believe it’s a wholly new book, which is probably a good thing.
I’m certainly re-enthused and
re-energised, and this is due in no small part to the wonderful children who gave
me dozens of new ideas and also provided what I most needed, which was the
assurance that this was a story (and maybe even a series) they would love to
read. They wrote down, illustrated, described and, in the case of one group,
acted out (at their own suggestion) their ideas for how the book should
continue. They were delighted when I promised I would put all their names in
the back of the book to say thank you for their help. (If this turns out to be
a deal-breaker with any prospective publisher, tough – I’m quite happy to
self-publish this book, especially as I have a very talented illustrator on
board – watch this space.)
I’m not one of those authors who
loves to give school visits and talks – I’m much happier closeted away with my
imaginary people.
But these encounters
were special and I’m very grateful to the school, to the wonderful librarian
who organised it all and, of course, to the children, some of whom were already
pupils at the school and others who come from the feeder primary schools and
may well become Finham Park 2 students in a year or so’s time.
I’d
love to include pictures but I don’t have the relevant permissions, so you’ll
have to use your imagination to conjure up the smiling faces of
the children involved. Just so my August contribution isn’t entirely
picture-free, I’ll take the opportunity for some shameless publicising of some
earlier books of mine.
All best wishes,
Ros (aka Sheila)
Proofreading and editing, for anyone who needs a bit of help
Suspense, relationships, coping with familes and life: a novel for ages 11-13
Music, mental health and other stuff: a novel for adults
Also a novel for adults - psychological suspense, science fiction, identity and other issues
Follow
me on Twitter @Ros_Warren
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