Ten-Minute Blog Break - 17th December

It's the last Blog Break before Christmas! Work seems to be winding down and I'm pleased to report that all of the important presents have been bought. So that leaves me plenty of time to peruse your posts...


Sue Hyams is chucking out her novel and starting again. But this is not a moment for wailing and screaming and gnashing of teeth, because Sue is perfectly happy that this is the right decision. She gives us ten reasons why.

As much as I try to resist it, that Candy Gourlay keeps creeping into the Blog Break! Apparently, she just can't stop writing terrific blog posts (what a problem to have). Regular readers may remember Candy's October visit to Ellis Guilford school in Nottingham. Since then, the Year Seven pupils have written Candy some fascinating, heartwarming and occasionally grumpy letters, and Candy's blog post presents us with snippets as well as her replies to their questions.

Jane Heinrichs is remembering her grandfather through a photo from the 1940s. How many stories can you tell with just one photograph? she wonders, in a post which is characteristically grounded and quietly inspirational at the same time.

Heather Kilgour has found inspiration too, at a Children’s Book Fair in Montreal. Some of these illustrators certainly sparked off a few ideas for me, and Clotilde Perrin's papercuts reminded me of the work of Philippa Rice, which brought me back to the interview with her on Sarah McIntyre's blog. Two totally different styles linked by a similar approach to freeing drawings from their 2D boundaries. Help! The characters are escaping!

I'm also escaping for a couple of weeks, but I'll be back in the New Year. Have a great Christmas and keep blogging :-)

Nick.


Nick Cross is a children's writer, blogger and all-round techno-ninja. In 2010 he was a winner of Undiscovered Voices with his zombie comedy Back from the Dead and currently writes short fiction for Stew Magazine.

This week on his blog, Nick meets a Sea Monkey and lives to tell the tale! Some real Funny Business.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks as always, Nick. Have a great break.

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  2. Thanks for the mention Nick! I loved those letters. Hey didn't Heather win something in France? She doesn't mention it on the blog!

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  3. and I love Jane's idea of a one photo, three stories. We should all do it!

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