The problem with short breaks is facing your email inbox on your return - mine were absolutely overflowing especially as I belong to three online writing groups. Among them was a link to the Guardian newspaper website's How To Write series. I haven't had chance to read everything but there are articles on scriptwriting, comedy, poetry, journalism, historical writing and writing for children. There are words of wisdom from Robert Harris, Antonia Fraser, Michael Rosen, Linda Newberry and Meg Rosoff. There is also a great piece on the benefits of reading your work aloud to children by publisher David Fickling. I've mentioned before how horrible I find reading my work to other people, and I haven't yet tried reading it aloud to them although I have had a couple read it and give me their thoughts. Perhaps I should be brave and approach a local school to see if I could try it out on a class. I also think it's important to read aloud your story to yourself - although it can be a bit embarrassing if anyone hears you. When I first read some Dr Midas aloud (to a writer's group) I realised I had used 'said Dr Midas,' and 'said Millie' far too many times. It just sounded silly. It can also help to make sure sentences aren't too long and that there's a nice natural rhythm to your writing. My great ambition of course it to have complete strangers reading my stories, that's why I keep sending them out in the hope of publication. Find out more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/series/howtowrite Another email waiting for me was from the North West branch co-ordinator of SCBWI (www.britishscbwi.org) which I joined just over a year ago. SCBWI is the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators and it has a British group. SCBWI organise regular events with top agents, publishers and writers. The north west group also meet regularly for critique groups (in Manchester and soon in Chester) and have just set up their own website with the fantastic address www.afewofmyfavouritethings.co.uk which publicises local writers and artists including me! If you would like to read my short story 'Diversity' which won the Writers' Advice Centre for children's books competition just check out the website. The final email I'm going to share is from an independent bookseller Simply Books based in Bramhall Village, Cheshire - about upcoming children's author events. I've yet to visit the shop but I will have to as it looks amazing on their website - they were also 'runner-up' for Independent Bookshop of the Year 2008 and have regular author events. On Wednesday, October 1st, (4pm - 5.30pm) Rick Riordan American author of the 'Percy Jackson' series of books will be visiting and signing books. Simply Books say: "'Percy Jackson' books take stories from Greek Mythology and set them in modern day New York -they're fast, funny adventures with lots of action and real page-turners. Perfect for boys and girls aged 9-12 and Rick himself is great fun." Then on Tuesday, October 7th, (11.00am-12.30pm) author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson will be chatting and signing copies of her brilliant new book Stick Man. Simply Books said: "Separated from the 'family tree' we follow Stick Man's perilous adventures and eventual reunion with his 'Stick Lady Love and their stick children three'. Funny and touching, we think this is likely to be another classic of 'Gruffalo' proportions." Find out more at www.simplybooks.tbpcontrol.co.uk Don't forget you can share your writing news and events or links with me via the comments section or email me at www.drmidas.co.uk
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Blog: Writer's Block (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Blog: Writer's Block (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Mariella and guests on the Sky Arts coverage of the Guardian Hay Festival I've set my Sky+ machine for the new run of Hay-on-Sky showing on the Sky Arts channel from tonight (Friday, May 23). For the second year Mariella Frostrup (The Book Show)will be hosting this daily catch up on everything that's happened at the Guardian Hay Festival. Among the authors already lined up for a spot on the sofa are Cherie Blair, Salman Rushdie, Marian Keyes and Jo Brand. The literary festival celebrates its 21st anniversary this year and takes place over 11 days with more than 85,000 visitors expected to take part in the festivities whilst enjoying over 400 events covering themes including the arts, politics, environment, comedy and music. Mariella said: "I can't wait to don my favourite wellies again and talk to some of the most interesting people in the universe!" Every day at 8pm, on Sky Arts (channel 267) and Sky Arts HD (channel 268), Mariella will interview guests in the Sky Arts Studio tent, including Joanne Harris, Michael Wood, Rory McGrath, AL Kennedy and Seth Lakeman. There will also be highlights from each day's debates and talks as well as a live music or comedy performance. Hay-on-Sky will also include a daily sketch from British Comedian Dom Joly who will be out and about revelling in the Hay atmosphere. What the Dickens? is a new arts and culture quiz show This year Sky Arts are also launching What the Dickens? a topical cultural panel quiz hosted by Sandi Toksvig. The show will challenge the teams and viewers alike to, amongst other things, ‘Lose the Plot’, ‘Name the Thesp’ and finish famous lines from well-known books. http://hayonsky.skyarts.co.uk// Hay-on-Sky 2008… Friday 23rd May 2008: TIM SMIT- The Eden Project SANDI TOKSVIG – presenting the brand new Sky Arts TV show What The Dickens? STEPHEN POLIAKOFF – at Hay discussing recent BBC plays Joe’s Palace and Capturing Mary Performance: Tinariwen Saturday 24th May 2008: CHERIE BOOTH – Special interview with Mariella at the festival about her new book CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS – God is Not Dead FAY WELDON – Spa de Cameron SALMAN RUSHDIE – The Enchantress of Florence Performance: Louis de B and Ilone Antonius Sunday 25th May 2008: A L KENNEDY – Day RORY McGRATH – Bearded Tit NINA CONTI AND MONK.(EY) – Comedienne ventriloquist Performance: Son de la Frontera Monday 26th May 2008: JASPER FFORDE TIM WINTON – “Breath” GEN. MIKE JACKSON – “Soldier “ Performance: Sarah Jane Morris and Dominic Miller Tuesday 27th May 2008: SAM TAYLOR WOOD – Short film JO WOOD – Naturally: How to Look and Feel Healthy, Energetic and Radiant the Organic Way MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE Performance: Seckou Keita Quartet Wednesday 28th May 2008: JUDITH KERR – 40th anniversary of The Tiger Who Came to Tea and her new book SIR ROY STRONG – A Little history of the English Church TOBY YOUNG – Film version of “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People Performance: Nick Harper Thursday 29th May 2008: MARIAN KEYES – This Charming Man MICHAEL WOOD – India KATHLEEN TURNER – Send Yourself Roses Performance: Alex Valentine Friday 30th May 2008: JOANNE HARRIS – Runemarks DAN CRUICKSHANK – Adventures In Architecture IAN MCEWAN – His opera “For You” Saturday 31st May 2008: JOHN IRVING FRANCES OSBORNE – The Bolter JO BRAND Performance: John Wesley Harding Sunday 1st June 2008: DON MCCULLIN – “In England” GARRY KASPAROV – Giving Hay Lecture : Putin’s Russia and his book: How Life Imitates Chess Performance: The Ukulele Orchestra of GB plus MANY MORE to be confirmed closer to the day…
Add a CommentBlog: Critical Literacy in Practice - CLIP Podcast (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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On tonight’s Show: A Tribute to Sally Smith Other tributes to Sally: Sally L. Smith from the American U. School of Education, Teaching, and Health Sally Smith by Joe Holley from the Washington Post The Teacher at the Head of the Class by Ellen Edwards from the Washington Post NPR:Special-Education Innovator Sally Smith Dies by Larry Abramson. NBC4.com Lab School [...]
Thanks vivian for doing this. I think Sally would have loved this — she seems to have gotten a great kick out of the interview and how lovely it was to hear her voice.
I think the interview was one of the latest ones that Sally did. It’s amazing how clear she was from the start on how she felt kids should be supported in their learning. She was a treasure.
Thanks Dean Sarah
This is a wonderful tribute. As a 2008 student at LSW, thank you.
Thank you so much for your e-mail Brian. It’s truly amazing how many lives Sally touched.
This was an amazing podcast to listen to. As an American University Grad student who just started this past fall I was never able to actually meet Sally Smith but have heard the most wonderful things about her. The very first time I came to visit the school to learn about the program I was told about her and since then have waited for the day to meet this innovated woman who I hear had some amazing clothes. Unfortunately I never did, but I am truly inspired by all the work she has done and this podcast allowed me to hear her voice and her stories on how she began a school that has become a true blessing for students who have learning disabilities.
Thanks Megan…on the upside Sally touched to many people’s lives that you could talk to any one of many many folks at AU, Lab and beyond and continue to get to know Sally. Those of us who knew her for some time are learning and learning more about her from each other!