Do I have a special place to write?

One of the questions I often get asked is, do I have a special place where I do my writing?

Roald Dahl was famous for writing in his shed, Phillip Pullman used to do the same and so does Ted Dewan (he even has Mr Pullman's old shed). I heard Michael Morpurgo say that he sits on his bed to write his stories... everyone has their favourite place.

I used to write at my desk in the loft - but our three daughters seem to have taken that spot now so I do most of my writing sitting at the table downstairs. On nice days like today I can open the doors and let in the fresh air... it's great. This is what I can see...

Powerball

One of the joys of being a writing is when the postman arrives with a big parcel full of new books. Not just any new books of course... but your new books - the ones you've written.

Why am I telling you this? Well I'm telling you because today was one of those days. Yes, the postman arrived with a big parcel containing a big pile of Robo-runners Book 5... Powerball.

The book doesn't officially come out until the 21st August (in hardback). If you're waiting for the paperback I'm afraid you'll have to wait until 2nd April next year... but why wait? Get it now in hardback.

Book Signing

Yesterday's mini event at Waterstones Bookshop in Blackpool went quite well. I was a little worried about how it would turn out because it was first time I had been asked to go along to a bookshop for an event where there wasn't going to be any schools involved. Other events I've done have involved schools... this means that I know there are going to be lots of interested people turning up - yesterday wasn't going to be like this so I didn't know how many poeple would turn up... but I needn't have worried.

I'm happy to say that quite a few people came along to hear stories and say hello - some of them had seen the sign in the window saying that I was coming along and a few others had just wandered in and found me there, lurking in the children's section of the store.

It was great meeting everyone that came along - and a real pleasure signing books too. Next time I won't be worried.

Waterstones

Tomorrow I'll be trotting into Blackpool to visit Waterstones to generally lurk around and do a bit of storytelling and chat to anyone there that's willing to listen to me...

I'll be there from about 12 until 2 (I think) - so if you are in the area, pop in and say hello as it will be great to see you. This is the first session that I will have done at Waterstones as most of my storytelling and talks are done in schools and libraries around the country so it will be interesting to see how many people turn up to listen.

The Return of Robin Hood

One of my wonderful editor’s at Franklin Watts, asked me if I would be interested in writing two more Robin Hood stories for them – as I’m sure you already know, I’ve written Robin and the Monk, Robin and the Friar, Robin and the Knight, and Robin and the Silver Arrow (of course, these stories have already been written about 500 years ago – not by me of course, even I’m not that old) so all I was doing really is re-writing them in a way that will help young people can read and enjoy them today.

I of course said “yes… I would love to write a couple more Robin Hood stories… in fact I’ll write lots more…” Writing new stories is always very exciting and sometimes I get a little carried away so I was asked to calm down and told that no! Just two more stories would be enough for now.

So I’m writing (or re-writing) Robin and the Butcher – which is quite an interesting story of that rascally Robin Hood, and one that I’d never heard before, and also Robin and Maid Marian. “Hurrah!” I hear you shout… and yes… it is a bug Hurrah! from me too as not only to I get to work with Jackie, my editor, again, but I also get to work with the wonderful Martin Remphry – the fantabulous illustrator that illustrated the last four Robin Hood books (as well as a few other books I’ve written. If you take a look at the Robin Hood page on my website you will get to see some of Martin’s wonderful pictures… go on… go and take a look now.

Hurray for the summer holidays

It’s an embarrassingly long time since I’ve last put anything in my diary but in my defence, I have been a bit busy so haven’t had the chance to update my website or even write about how busy I’ve been.

The summer holidays are almost here (if you live in Scotland of course, you’re already enjoying your summer holidays) one more week for most people near where I live. I’ve done my final school visit of the year – so here’s a late HELLO to everyone at Alt Bridge where I spent a wonderful day last week.