Week 18: Grandmother This illo is based on my father’s mother Edith, who used to grow dahlia’s on her farm in Jersey, Channel Islands. Week 19: Adventure There has been alot in the news about the refugee situation at the moment and it was on my mind when I was wondering what to do […]
Continue readingMeet The Publishers Day Kidlitvic2016
This time last weekend I was returning from a fabulous day down in Melbourne at the very first Meet The Publishers Day organised by the highly wonderful, friendly and talented authors Alison Reynolds and Dee White. What to pack: layers – no one could figure out what the weather was going to do in Melbourne – […]
Continue readingApril’s illustrations – 52 week challenge
Have I said before that every week I think I am going to fail and not complete an illustration? Probably. Well, surprise, surprise I felt like that again this week. It’s not always down to the lack of time. Many times I wrack my brain for an idea for the week’s theme and feel completely stumped. […]
Continue readingPoem: Kitten Kisses
A year ago I took on two gorgeous kittens that had been rescued by my author friend Kylie. They have had quite an impact on me ad my writing. I was not a cat person but now I can feel myself slowly turning into the mad cat lady. I love their company. They are the […]
Continue readingMarch’s illustrations – 52 week challenge
March is over, Autumn has arrived and the school hols will soon be upon us. So today I am going to work like a trouper, writing blog posts, critiquing manuscripts and editing my own. Week 9: Watercolour (and coloured pencils) This isn’t a medium I am comfortable with. I don’t feel I can control it. […]
Continue readingSometimes I write nonsense poems
Sometimes when I am beginning a new manuscript it feels best in rhyme. Sometimes is doesn’t. Sometimes what I think is a rhyming manuscript is actually a story in verse or simply a poem. Sometimes it is hard to decide. I am delighted that one of my nonsense poems is ‘Poem of the day,’ on […]
Continue readingWhat are your middle grade kids reading?
I am almost at the end of another big edit for my middle grade novel that I am writing at 9-12 year olds . When submitting to editors or querying agents it is suggested that you have some comparable books in mind to your own story that you have written. So here are a couple […]
Continue reading#illo52weeks – February’s illustrations
Week 5: 1920’s This illustration was based on a photo of my grandfather’s cousin Mabel Benest. Copic markers & fineliner Week 6: Printing I got a bit carried away this week with the Gelli plate, creating 3 different scenes. It is such a fun medium to work with and I never really now what the […]
Continue reading#illo 52 weeks – January’s illustrations
Wow. Another year over. Another year has begun. Each time I think I am going to give up, (and sometimes I do feel this way) I remind myself of how pleased I am when I look back over the year and see all the illustrations I managed to complete each week regardless of time limits, […]
Continue reading#illo52weeks – December’s illustrations
Well, I can’t believe another year is done and I managed to complete 52 more illustrations for the 52 Week Illustration Challenge founded by Tania McCartney. Week 48: Warm Week 49: History Week 50: Party Week 51: Family Week 52: World This year I have particularly enjoyed line drawing. Has a […]
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