The Larimar

Poetry Please

Larimar — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:28:41 GMT

I've finished the materials for the Rhythm in Poetry Project and am currently writing educational materials on poems by Wordsworth, Blake, Coleridge, Keats, Browning, Tennyson, Hopkins and Shakespeare. I'm also about to submit a proposal to the same publisher for a set of worksheets on spelling for Years 7/8.

I've written 10 tips on writing stories for children and a picture book manuscript as part of the Working Writer's Coaching Programme and have signed up for Suzanne's Summer Bootcamp to kick start my freelance career. See the links at the top of this page for details.

I've attended writing workshops at Tynemouth, based in the Lifeboat Rescue Museum and also at Cherryburn, the birthplace of the wood engraver, Thomas Bewick. Both were productive and enjoyable.

In addition to all this writing, I've started an introduction to Creative Writing programme at my local Community Centre. My students are really keen and I'm enjoying it immensely. It's something I've wanted to do for a while.

Rhythm in Poetry

Larimar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:45:37 GMT

I haven't posted for a while, so here's an update on what I've been up to.

I'm presently writing materials for a unit on rhythm in poetry for Zig Zag publications. It's part of a project where students listen to a recording of the poem, then complete a series of tasks. The materials I'm writing take the form of an initial worksheet, teachers notes, a second worksheet and follow up task. I've always loved poetry so it's been a joy to revisit old favourites and discover new ones.

All being well, the materials will be published for the new teaching year in September.

I've also joined the Children's Writers' Coaching Club so have been getting to know everyone in my group and completing assignments set by my tutor, Suzanne Lieurance. I'm writing things I wouldn't have considered doing before and receiving friendly and constructive feedback.

Once the poetry project is complete I hope to work on a children's novel I started last year. It's a ghostly adventure set on the Isle of Skye. I've started a couple of novels before, but neither really got off the ground, so this will be a challenge. I'm hoping with the help of the Coaching Club and SSWAG (Seven Stories Writers' and Artist's Group) I'll get this one finished.

Keep writing, keep reading, Larimar

Little Red Riding Hooood

Larimar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:31:57 GMT

Check out my Children's Stories section to read the short story which won me Pinestein Press' Things that go Bump competition and led to the commission for the Ghost Twin Tales.

Update

Larimar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:32:07 GMT

I've posted details of Mini Mysteries and Kooky Spookies on my publications page if you'd like to check it out. You might have noticed I've also changed my layout to one more suited to a children's author. What do you think?

Mini Mysteries and Kooky Spookies

Larimar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:15:42 GMT

Hello again. After a long wait I eventually got my books last month. There was a delay and they weren't published until December. Now I'm delighted to find that Mini Mysteries and Kooky Spookies is available online from Amazon, Tesco, Borders and Waterstones, all the major retailers.

My local newsper ran an article and I've had lots of people asking to buy the book. I even got a congratulations card yesterday from an ex-collegue I haven't seen for ages. I've been busy promoting my book online and telling people about it. I found this difficult at first, because many people didn't know about my writing. I was a closet writer, so to speak. Now I've come out, I'm amazed how supportive and interested people are being.