Check out my new website www.authorsites.co.uk/helenwendycooper which has got updated information, news and photographs - including one of my dog Wispa!
I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think! Email shape_land@hotmail.co.uk
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Thursday, 10 April 2008
The Touring Author- The Things Children Say!
For World Book Day I was invited to a couple of schools to give half hour presentations on writing children's books.
I felt really honoured to be asked and it was a great opportunity to promote my book at their book fayre's afterwards.
On the morning of the event, I was a nervous wreck! My stomach was filled with butterflies (which meant regular trips to the toilet) and I couldn't eat a thing.
The problem was that children can be the toughest audience in the world. Children need and deserve to be entertained. Their attention needs to be grabbed immediately and if you can make them laugh...all the better!
Another problem I have is actually finding the schools. I can get lost even with a map, AA route finder or sat nav in the car!
Luckily on World Book Day, I knew exactly where the school was, producing one less drop of sweat on my forehead.
My favorite schools are always the little ones, and this school was great. Set in a beautiful location, with only 50 children and a friendly, creative atmosphere.
The children were all dressed up as story book characters and I used this to begin my talk in the assembly hall. Immediately hands shot up into the air and eager faces were all staring at me.
"Do you who I am?" One shouted.
"I'm a wolf and I'm going to eat Little Miss Riding Hood," another child said (his teacher just happened to be dressed up as Miss Hood) and there were many princesses, witches, action hero's etc...They looked fabulous!
We talked about what factors make a good story, favorite authors, types of stories and I was really impressed with the responses.
I then asked 'What would help me be a good writer?'
A princess said 'You should eat breakfast!' A witch suggested 'Weetabix.'
A little soldier said, 'You should try having a wash!' Could they really smell me from a few feet away?
Then Superman suggested 'Watch telly' and a wizard shouted 'Read books,' Hooray... A truly magical answer!
The most entertaining part was when the children got to ask me questions. Their faces lit up and their eyes sparkled as they asked if I'd written the Mr Men (no), was I famous? (No) Was I rich?(Unfortunately not), why hadn't I written Harry Potter? (I ask myself this every day).
Luckily I don't think they were too disappointed that I was just 'Little Miss Normal' and not some super star author who'd sold billions of books...after all we all have to start somewhere and just in case you are wondering, yes I did have a wash in the morning!
I felt really honoured to be asked and it was a great opportunity to promote my book at their book fayre's afterwards.
On the morning of the event, I was a nervous wreck! My stomach was filled with butterflies (which meant regular trips to the toilet) and I couldn't eat a thing.
The problem was that children can be the toughest audience in the world. Children need and deserve to be entertained. Their attention needs to be grabbed immediately and if you can make them laugh...all the better!
Another problem I have is actually finding the schools. I can get lost even with a map, AA route finder or sat nav in the car!
Luckily on World Book Day, I knew exactly where the school was, producing one less drop of sweat on my forehead.
My favorite schools are always the little ones, and this school was great. Set in a beautiful location, with only 50 children and a friendly, creative atmosphere.
The children were all dressed up as story book characters and I used this to begin my talk in the assembly hall. Immediately hands shot up into the air and eager faces were all staring at me.
"Do you who I am?" One shouted.
"I'm a wolf and I'm going to eat Little Miss Riding Hood," another child said (his teacher just happened to be dressed up as Miss Hood) and there were many princesses, witches, action hero's etc...They looked fabulous!
We talked about what factors make a good story, favorite authors, types of stories and I was really impressed with the responses.
I then asked 'What would help me be a good writer?'
A princess said 'You should eat breakfast!' A witch suggested 'Weetabix.'
A little soldier said, 'You should try having a wash!' Could they really smell me from a few feet away?
Then Superman suggested 'Watch telly' and a wizard shouted 'Read books,' Hooray... A truly magical answer!
The most entertaining part was when the children got to ask me questions. Their faces lit up and their eyes sparkled as they asked if I'd written the Mr Men (no), was I famous? (No) Was I rich?(Unfortunately not), why hadn't I written Harry Potter? (I ask myself this every day).
Luckily I don't think they were too disappointed that I was just 'Little Miss Normal' and not some super star author who'd sold billions of books...after all we all have to start somewhere and just in case you are wondering, yes I did have a wash in the morning!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)