The son is back at nursery and to fill the music-festivals-and-museum-trips-and-bike-rides-and-swimming-at-the-seaside-and-ice-cream-and-crafts-and-ice-cream-in-crafts-and-punting-and-fruit-picking void in my life, it’s time to fill it with all things writer, starting with this blog. The summer began with award buzz. I couldn’t believe it when I placed second in the Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Children’s Book Award. Such a huge honour. I wasn’t so lucky at the …
Yippity Zippity Zooooom!
They say a picture says a thousand words so the son will tell you how utterly astounded and flabbergastedly amazed I am to be shortlisted for this year’s Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Children’s Book Award
Don’t Eat That, Phoenix!
So chuffed to announce that I’ve been shortlisted for the Singtel Picture Book Award. All thanks to my son, the inspiration behind ‘Don’t Eat That, Phoenix!’
Plotting with the husband
It’s Sunday evening. Husband polishes off last slice of fudge cake. Laptop battery dies after a hard day toiling away on the current WIP. Me: [inspired by the previous afternoon’s Columbo movie (the one where Dr Sloan from Diagnosis Murder has a shocking Captain Birdseye beard)] Can you help me with some plot issues? Husband: [eyes fill with dread at …
Top reasons to have a child
A child gives you an excellent reason to queue jump whilst waiting in line for the toilet, though this is probably not so acceptable once your child is over the age of eighteen. It’s an excellent opportunity to use all those clichés your parents used on you. My particular favourites, with my fussy-eater, daredevil toddler, at the moment are: ‘how …
Resolution of the Resolutions
At the beginning of this year I resolved to give the resolution concept a go. I thought it was only right I share with you how I got on. Goal-ution one: try to lose weight Epic fail. I developed a post-Christmas addiction to mince pies and discovered an excellent recipe to help me during the summer months. I also won …
Diary of a Greenhouse Funny Prize Shortlisted Author
Wednesday 8th August: Day of shortlist announcement for the Greenhouse Funny Prize 6:15am Husband’s alarm goes off stupidly early. No movement from said husband. 6:25am No movement from husband. 6:33am Still no movement from husband. Consider divorce for waking me so early. 6:36am Starting to think husband might be dead and glad as this will be much more profitable for …
Jubilation
I’m really chuffed to find out that I’m the picture book winner of the Tamarind Books ‘Aspiring Authors’ competition. Of course it’s all down to my son who was the inspiration behind ‘Don’t Eat That, Phoenix’. After today’s two-hour exhaustive hunt throughout the house and finally discovering the whereabouts of five missing Lego pieces and the batteries for the …