Great Odd Sock Mystery – Now Available!
If you've been hanging around here for any length of time, you will know that I love to come up with creative writing prompts. I use them in writing groups as well as programs like the 12 Days of Christmas. I have hundreds floating around that have been used in...
Tips for Giving Books as Christmas Gifts
Books make fantastic gifts for any occasion, but especially for Christmas. They are easy to wrap, and there are so many different books for sale you are sure to find a book for even the most reluctant readers. Books can be enjoyed on Christmas Day, they are great for...
Reading as a Stim!
When I did my autism assessment last year, the neuropsychologist asked about stimming, or 'self-regulatory behaviour'. In my memory, I have never done hand flapping or rocking, though I love being on a swing. So many of the things that people usually associate with...
Writing Through a Bad Day
There are days when everything is crashing down around me and I just want to run away, to escape, break something, throw something, blow something up. But I'm an adult. I'm 'responsible'. I can't do these things. Not in real life... Instead, I grab a notebook or open...
Supporting Young Creatives
I love working with young writers. I have been working with them for the last ten years, inspiring them to be creative and have fun with creative writing. Encouraging them to play and explore, to find methods that suit them as well as keep writing as creative writing...
What I’ve Read – November 2023
It's the start of December! I can hardly believe 2023 is over. On the reading front, there weren't as many books as in other months, however there was a lot of driving, so I listened to quite a few audiobooks. I am grateful for Borrow Box that means I can easily...
Writing Without Agenda
There is something freeing about writing for the sake of writing. You come up with an idea. It may be something fully formed, or just the vaguest of thoughts. You grab a notebook or open up the computer, and just write. You let the words flow and wait to see where...
Reading & Writing for Wellbeing
I have been doing a lot of thinking and soul-searching this year, trying to work out what I want to do with my life. My kids are both adults now, one has moved out of home. I had a job earlier in the year that I lost due to funding cuts. Since my AuDHD (autism &...
Writing Prompt Advent Calendar
It's nearly the end of November, and this means Christmas is on its way. When I was a kid, my Mum made an advent calendar that followed the nativity story through Bible verses. Each day we would read the verse, then put a decoration on a felt tree, with the angel on...
Breaking down stereotypes in fiction
One of the things I love about the young writers' groups is that it often doesn't matter what I've planned to do, things change to whatever the group is interested in at the time. This morning, I was at the Young Writers' Group in Sale. As always, we chat generally...