Adventures in Writing

Selling our house in France

2011-03-03T11:43:00.002+01:00

I haven't blogged for ages and there are two reasons for that. First off, I was busy finishing my manuscript so I could take it to my publisher in England at Christmas. More on that in a later blog.

The second reason is that we're selling our house. The last few weeks have been a whirl of visits from estate agents. There has been a lot of dusting and polishing etc; after all, when photographs of your house are going to be posted on the internet and displayed in shop windows, you want it to look its best! But that was the easy bit. Now comes the waiting.

Waiting for a buyer is sort of like waiting to fall in love. You sort of know it will happen but you don't know who will come along or when they'll turn up. And, rather like waiting for the man or woman of your dreams, you can't quite believe they are out there until they appear...

Anyway, here is our house in all it's glory. http://propertydordogne.rs-webcreation.com/

It has come a long way from the three room tumble down fermette that we bought all those years ago.Now it is just waiting for a new family to love it :)

Bad news for French schools

2010-09-02T16:29:00.006+02:00

This month, the English language newspapers here in France have revealed some unpleasant aspects of the French education system. One paper reports on the findings of a far reaching study which found that school children were racist, homophobic, sexist and held negative views about disabled classmates. What was more, these views were often coming from and being reinforced by the teachers.

Meanwhile in The French Paper, my news story on smacking in French schools made the front page. It was a story I'd wanted to get out there for some time but it took an intelligent editor and a brave parent's testimonial to make it happen.

Smacking has been banned in French schools for over 100 years but it still goes on. Staggeringly, one teaching union says it is becoming an increasingly frequent occurrence - particularly in nursery and primary schools. Whilst researching the article, I talked to a number of parents whose children had been smacked. I also lost count of the number of forum postings I encountered discussing the mistreatment of pupils in schools - teachers, dinner ladies and school bus drivers were all implicated.

To me, smacking children just isn't on. Especially not in a school situation. But I can see how it happens. When I was a newly qualified teacher, I started out with high ideals based on things I'd been taught in college. However, I was quickly told that a lot of what I'd been taught (such as the value of learning through play) wasn't practical in a classroom situation. I didn't let go of my ideals but until I ran my own nursery, I had to toe the line. I had no choice. Luckily for me, the philosophical differences were to do with how to educate rather than discipline children.

Now imagine you are a new teacher in France. You've been taught in college that smacking is unacceptable then you start teaching. One day, you are faced with a difficult child and you turn to your fellow and more experienced teachers for advice. If they tell you the solution is to smack, what do you do? Some, most perhaps, will simply do so. It isn't right, but I can see how this culture of violence in some French schools is perpetuated.

A lot of British expatriates describe France as being 'like England forty years ago'. When it comes to the education system, I think, sadly, they may just have a point......

My new Dordogne newspaper

2010-08-10T14:48:00.000+02:00

It has been ages since I last blogged. Can't really put my finger on why it has been quite so long but I do always seem to be busy.... Much of my time has been taken up with finishing my novel (I say finished, it still needs proof reading but it is v.exciting nonetheless) and writing for newspapers.
The biggest excitement on the journalistic front is that, together with Richard, we've created a new on-line newspaper. It is called Dordogne Today and gives me a chance to write about all the things that are going on in the Dordogne that don't get covered by the English Language newspapers that I write for. It is nice to have the freedom to write what I want and because I can update it everyday, I can cover the news as and when it happens - unlike a monthly newspaper....
Take a look here: http://www.dordognetoday.com/

The world needs people like Heather

2010-02-26T18:33:00.000+01:00

How many of us would put ourselves out for a cause? I care deeply about a lot of things and sometimes I do more than just talk about them. My husband and I took part in two Stop the war marches in the hope of preventing the invasion of Iraq, I sign petitions to try to end world debt and prevent global warming. I click daily on the Hunger Site. I write articles which I hope alert people to the truth. But I know it's not enough. My voice alone won't change things. But, like everyone, I balance my desire in wanting to stop wars, end world hunger, save the planet and unearth unpalatable truths with a desire to live a happy balanced life.

So when I watched 'On Expenses' the other night, a dramatisation of the expenses scandal in the House of Commons, I was bowled over by the actions of Heather Brooke. Heather, a U.S born journalist, spent five years relentlessly applying for the release of politician's expenses claims under the freedom of information act. She didn't stop although her quest clearly put a strain on her relationships and dominated her life. The results of her actions are now well documented and will have far reaching effects. She is not alone. Not quite. A minority of people will relentlessly pursue causes, whether it is uncovering M.P's expenses or speaking out about being tortured or falsely imprisoned. And the world needs people like them for it is their actions that ultimately improve the lives of every one of us and I take my hat off to them.

Today I phoned somebody to ask for an interview. It was the fourth time I'd phoned. I'd been fobbed off on the previous occasions. After a little arm twisting/persuasion, my interviewee agreed to meet me. He called me tenacious; which made me smile, I guess he has never encountered a Heather........

Ever lost for words?

2010-02-16T17:17:00.002+01:00

Apparently there are more words in the English language than in any other. So how come you sometimes find yourself struggling to find a word to explain exactly how a character feels? I suppose the answer is in part because the English language has so many nuances; there are so many words to choose from to describe a feeling that when we can't find one that fits exactly, we're surprised. In French, where there are far fewer words, writers do not expect to be able summarise complex feelings with one word and construct whole sentences to get their point across.

Here's an example of what I mean. A while ago, I wrote a story in which one of my characters (a giant boy) discovers he is short sighted. When he looks at the letters on his eye test chart, they are all fuzzly. Not a 'real' word according to the OED but one that perfectly expressed to me, another myopia sufferer, how text appears from a distance when I haven't got my specs on.

So, imagine my delight to discover that I'm not alone in the pursuit of word creation and that alongside the standard British dictionary are a number of on-line dictionaries of words that people have made up to fill the gaps that they've found in the English language. One in particular caught my eye. It's called Pseudo dictionary and is full of hilarious and useful words. Here is the link: http://www.pseudodictionary.com/ . If you're struggling to find a word you might just find it here.

Meanwhile, I'm using fuzzly as often as I can in the hope that it might catch on and one day find it's way into the Oxford English Dictionary. If you'd like to use it too then feel free, have a word on me...............

Facebook and social networking

2009-12-07T17:50:00.002+01:00

I recently joined Facebook. I'd avoided joining for ages, sensing that it would probably result in me wasting a lot of time but eventually I succumbed. It is great to be able to find all those people you've long forgotten and at times a bit surreal; sometimes I feel I've awoken from a very long coma as I discover that friends have new partners and new children. Collecting friends becomes addictive too, like collecting top trumps and as predicted, I do have to stop myself spending too much time on the site.

When you work for yourself, every second counts. Whilst I take plenty of time out to relax in the evening away from my desk, when I'm on the computer, I have two aims; to write to pay the bills and to get my novel finished. Incidentally, it's getting there..............

However, I recently came across a social networking forum that I can legitimately claim is helpful to my writing career and hence I don't feel quite so guilty about spending time there! In fact I'd recommend it to other aspiring or published children's authors. Access the forum via their website,Wordpool (http://www.wordpool.co.uk/). It is the brainchild of established author Diana Kimpton and her husband. The site is packed with loads of useful information on authors, books and publishers and the other forum members are a mine of useful information. Enjoy.

Enid Blyton - living with her was no picnic.

2009-11-20T17:01:00.006+01:00

Last night I watched a programme recounting the life and times of Enid Blyton. The programme, produced by the BBC with Helena Bonham-Carter in the lead role, was beautifully put together. However, in a funny sort of way, I wish I hadn't seen it. You see, Enid Blyton was a part of my childhood; whilst I never really got into the Famous Five, I loved her school based books, especially The Naughtiest girl in the school series. I also had a friend who must have made present buying for her relatives a doddle as she collected the entire Famous Five then the Secret Seven series. I know my mum grew up adoring the Noddy books. As an adult, I've re-read some of her books and have winced at just how middle class and snobby some of them seem but still, her books hold a place in my heart.

So, there I was last night, half expecting that the details of Enid's life would reveal someone rather snobby but eccentric and likeable. Talk about illusions being shattered. Enid's parents split up when she was a child. You sensed this would colour her future but I wasn't prepared to find out that she turned out to be a rather hateful figure; all she cared about was writing and her many young fans, she ignored her own children, her family and sent her husband packing (in favour of a married man). She then denied him contact with the children and successfully managed to ruin his career.

In most cases, I'm a great believer in searching out the truth about people but, fascinating as the programme was, it breaks my heart to think that those books that brought happiness to my childhood resulted in the neglect and misery of her own children, not to mention her husband, who, incidentally had commissioned her first book..............

Wot no crime?

2009-11-05T17:03:00.000+01:00

I love English language newspapers. They fulfill an important niche for ex-pats, telling us all we need to know about what can, at times, seem like a baffling nation. Writing and researching my articles has given me a fascinating insight into how France and particularly the Dordogne ticks.
However, if I were to have one teensy niggle about the English language national papers, it would be this - they rarely report on crime, particularly violent crime. Now, I'm not suggesting that these monthly papers should become gruesome crime digests but it does frustrate me that almost every ex-pat I speak to believes that France is far safer than Britain; a view gleaned in large part from the English language papers. I think it is easy when you write the news to forget that for many of your readers this is their only source of information. Their readership don't, by and large, watch the French news or read French papers.
Round here, where most of us live in the serene Dordogne countryside, it is pretty crime free but still, and I'm sorry if this bursts your bubble, murders do happen, bodies are found in lakes, petrol stations are robbed and youths do still stab each other.
In fact, whilst most crime does occur in the cities, France has pretty much the same crime figures as other European nations (such as the U.K ) though more women (160) are killed each year by their husbands and violent robberies in the cities are rising fast..............

Spell-checkers - are they really good for us?

2009-10-26T14:56:00.000+01:00

Until I started teaching again, I hadn't realized just how dependant I've become on my spell-checker. I gave my eldest pupil a 'tricky words' list and told her to note down any words she habitually had trouble spelling. Following an old adage that you should never ask a child to do anything you wouldn't be prepared to do yourself, I printed out a sheet for me and kept it by my desk as I typed. So far, there are five words on it but I anticipate more. What is of even greater significance is that many of these are not difficult words - address is one of them - they're just words that I have let the spell-checker spell for me so often that my brain has forgotten how to spell them unaided........
But does it really matter? Outside of teaching literacy skills, do we really need to know how to spell when everything is done on computer?
I was talking to someone recently about calculators and how children can't really use them until they have a firm understanding of numbers because they need to be able to discern whether the calculator has come up with a plausible answer. Now I'm beginning to think the spell-checker fulfills a similar niche in the literacy world; of course you need to know basic spelling rules and be able to read competently but that's about it.
Pretty soon, I reckon students will sit exams on computers. Then, just as when I was at school and adults were horrified that we were allowed to take calculators into Maths exams, I bet that spell-checkers will be permissible in English exams. The need for perfect spelling will become a thing of the past. But will that really be such a bad thing??????

Favourite books

2009-10-21T16:10:00.000+02:00

I came across a blog recently asking people to name their favourite children's book. For me this is tricky; I read constantly as a child, have read even more when teaching and, now, of course, keep an eye on all the competition. Charlie and the chocolate factory would definitely be on my list as would Matilda - another Roald Dahl classic but there are just so many.....
For further inspiration I took a look at 'banned books' on Amazon; a bizarre list of books apparently banned by the American Library Association ranging from Judy Blume's Blubber to Orwell's 1984. I was pleased to discover I'd read most of them (and don't think they've resulted in any lasting damage!).
I spent a while browsing the titles, pondering on what was so wrong with the listed titles before coming to the conclusion that for me, choosing a favourite book is like choosing my favourite song - it all comes down to my mood.
Today I'd say my favourite is Dogger by Shirley Hughes - a tale about a small boy who loses his beloved toy at a jumble sale and a kind big sister who retrieves it for him. It's a picture book tale to warm anybody's heart . Ask me again tomorrow though and I'll probably say something very different.........

A new school year begins

2009-09-03T11:16:00.021+02:00

Today is the first day back to school in the Dordogne. Crowds of excited children and parents gather at the school gates, many for the first time, waiting to meet new class teachers and classmates. For British parents here, it is not uncommon for them to find that their children soon acquire more French language and literacy skills than they have; this is, of course, fantastic. It is always surprising how quickly they acquire these new skills and there is no harm in speaking two languages fluently.
However, one thing that has niggled me for a while is how ex-pat parents support their children's learning in their first language; of course, they are speaking to them in English but what about developing their reading and writing skills? Many expats feel they will never return to the U.K but that doesn't mean their children might not want to. Besides, in the world today, a good grasp of the English language (in all its forms) is an important tool in getting ahead.
Last week, whilst researching an article on farming (long story), I stumbled across a forum post looking for an English teacher. It was posted by a British family keen to maintain their children's skills. I answered it straight away, met the family yesterday and start teaching next week. I can't wait! Whilst I love writing more than anything and would never abandon it to return to teaching full time, I have to admit I have missed teaching. The English language is so important to me that it is a joy to pass the skills on. It also makes me feel good to know that at least I'm helping some ex-pat children to keep in touch with their native tongue; having English as a first language is a real boon in the world today, to let it slide seems such a terrible pity ......................

Now is the time to go green

2009-08-25T11:03:00.011+02:00

Time flies when you're having fun and the last few weeks have been fantastic. We've had loads of visitors, took a trip to the coast and I've written eight more chapters of my novel. What's more, the sun has just kept on shining!

I've been learning a lot in the course of writing my book. Most works of fiction involve some research and with a central character deeply committed to saving the planet, there has been a lot to find out about. Staggering statistics about the amount of waste we throw away each year (around 600kg per person in France, more in the U.K) and how much energy we could save if we switched everything off stand by (around 10%) have heightened my awareness. I'm now fervently switching things off, avoiding packaging and plastic bags whilst trying not to be too boring about the whole thing.

This bbc site is brilliant for getting you thinking and offers a plethora of ideas for tiny changes we can make that together could make a huge difference: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bloom/ - one of the other up sides of going green in the current cash strapped climate is that it actually saves you money! Now, there's an incentive............

Be happy, be simply

2009-07-14T11:33:00.004+02:00

When I first moved to France, I confess I found the mis-use of English words irritating; I don't mean poor translations - they still bug me - but the use of expressions such as
're-looking' (meaning make-over) and 'burps attitude' (alcohol induced vomitting). These days I'm pretty relaxed about it. In fact, I find them pretty funny. My favourite at the moment is the name of a nearby supermarket. It's called 'Simply Market' and it's slogan is 'Be happy, be simply.' Of course this means nothing to a native English speaker but with the number of second language English speakers rising fast, I can't help wondering if these expressions may one day find their way into the language.
In the world of motor sport, Formula One is a shining example of multiculturalism. It's multinational nature has led to a universal adoption of English as the common language. Listen carefully to the drivers speaking; it's similar to the English spoken in Britain but there are some differences; note the very heavy sprinkling of 'for sures' used by all the teams. It may well be the English we'll all be speaking within a few generations and that doesn't phase me; the English language is constantly evolving which is at the heart of it's world-wide success.
Constraining a language doesn't work; the Academie Francaise, the french body which oversees the french language, decides what can and can't be included in the dictionary and has tried hard to prevent the use of English. But as 'simply market' shows, it simply hasn't worked............

Spring is here!

2009-03-31T11:48:00.005+02:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I last blogged. I'm now in the middle of writing copy for the third edition of The Advertiser and have just finished a really interesting article about pregnancy and birth in the Dordogne. I have a lot of niggles about life in France but you really cannot fault the standard of healthcare; this is great of course but from a journalistic point of view it does make articles on the subject look a bit one sided!

I'm also waiting with bated breath to see if the publishers like the first three chapters of my book. I'm itching to get on with it, to get it finished and to get it in the shops!

I've received a lot of messages of support from other writers recently and want to say a big thank you to any who I haven't managed to reply to - at certain times of the month my inbox just fills up. I try to put personal messages to one side but the system doesn't always work.

At a time when newspapers are on the decline, with titles folding all the time, I feel very lucky to be riding a curious wave of good fortune here in France. A few months ago, when it became clear French News was about to fold I must admit I did feel pretty down on my luck. I guess that's life; you just have to keep the faith and take it as it comes. To anyone out there waiting to get published or facing an uncertain future in any field, just keep smiling and keep on keeping on.

What a busy few weeks

2009-02-20T17:18:00.006+01:00

Well, what a busy few weeks. I find February a fairly miserable kind of month so there are worse ways to spend it than tapping away at the keyboard - which is pretty much all I've done since my last blog!

The Connexion decided to launch a new regional supplement for the Dordogne and asked me to contribute. It's estimated that there are about 25,000 permanent British residents in the region so a local paper in English is definitely needed. Even when your French is pretty fluent, reading a whole paper in French isn't easy. Over the last few weeks, I've spoken to fishermen, mayors, teachers, reptile keepers, factory owners - hopefully the resulting articles will prove an interesting read.

I've also managed to complete the first three chapters of a Children's novel I've been commissioned to write. I'm going to send them off to the publisher now to see if it's what they're after then get going on the rest of it. They're a small but growing publisher. Hopefully, I'll be able to play a part in their success. I have my fingers firmly crossed. Keep on smiling and keep watching this space ...............

Happy New Year one and all

2009-01-27T11:46:00.005+01:00

I have to admit, I didn't shed a tear when I saw George W Bush leave the White House. In common with many in the World I wasn't a fan and I look forward to a future with Barack Obama at the helm. So far I've been blown away at his honesty and the vigour with which he has begun his presidency. I have my fingers firmly crossed. However, one thing George said has stuck with me and it's this: "The trouble with the French is they don't have a word for 'entrepreneur'". Now, aside from the obvious comedy inherent in the comment, behind it there lies a grain of truth; 'entrepreneur' may be a French word but French entrepreneurs in France are hard to come by. Recently, I've been interviewing French entrepreneurs - individuals who have risen from nowhere and whose drive, determination and ability to think outside the box has made them ultra successful. Whilst their stories are all different they are united in their frustration with their fellow Frenchman and, more crucially, with an entrenched system which makes it hard to alter your profession once you've chosen it. If you've ever seen Futurama you'll know what I mean. They express great admiration for the British; their ability to experiment, try new things, explore new business ideas and take chances. They are full of praise for the British government who they see as supporting the entrepreneur ....... They tell me it's well known in France that if you want to try something different you'll have a better chance in Britain. Apparently, there are around 300,000 French citizens working in London alone.
It's food for thought and one of the aspects of living abroad which I find truly fascinating - the ability to see your nation from another's perspective. So, wherever you are in the world, take a step back and look at your country; each has it's strengths and weaknesses and we're all guilty of thinking the grass is greener on the other side but if you look hard enough you can nearly always find something to smile about. :0)

The end of an era, well, the end of several actually

2008-12-15T12:07:00.009+01:00

The last few weeks have seen a lot of changes; whilst banks and businesses have been collapsing around the world for some time now it's only recently that they've become personal. First to affect me was the demise of Speed Ferries; not just our favoured means of crossing the channel with it's low prices and speedy crossings but the last remaining fast cross channel ferry. My first trip abroad was on a hovercraft so it's sad to think we'll never travel that speedily across the waters again......

Woolworths is another institution I've known all my life. I still recall my excitement as a child poring over the pick 'n' mix, the hours spent looking at records and magazines as a teenager and Christmas shopping as an adult for toys and cookware for friends and family. I'd love to be picking up the bargains at the closing down sale but then again, the faces of the staff who are about to lose their jobs would no doubt dampen any excitement induced at finding half price items......

A business collapse which represents the end of a more recent part of my life is that of the newspaper, French News, the paper on which I first started working as a journalist. It went into liquidation at the beginning of the month. To be honest, I'd sort of seen the way the wind was blowing a few months back and jumped ship but it was still sad to see it disappear with so many staff, correspondents and subscribers left high and dry. France only has one national English language newspaper now - The Connexion and I'm pleased to say I work for them now so my journalistic endeavours in France live on but my thoughts go out to all those who have lost out as a result of it's collapse.............

Finally, this blog wouldn't be complete without paying tribute to the late great Oliver Postgate whose children's programmes so greatly influenced my life and the lives of a generation of British now thirty and forty somethings. From the Clangers to Ivor the Engine, Bagpuss to Noggin the Nog, his programmes provided a gentle and kind view of the world and their production - created in sheds using hand knitted props makes me smile as it is so British. The importance of sheds should never be underestimated...................

From ryan air to private jet

2008-10-31T15:22:00.009+01:00

With Britain sliding into recession and house prices tumbling it felt quite strange to be heading for the Jet Centre. No one asked to look at my plastic bag of liquids nor was I required to remove my shoes. Needless to say I didn't have to arrive hours in advance or queue either. Even my luggage was spirited from me. The plane was luxurious; my feet actually sank into the carpet as I climbed aboard. Even the seat-belts were gold plated and everything was covered in a shiny wood veneer. "This must be what it's like for Victoria Beckham," one of our party mused. One thing I hadn't counted on was that the seating would be so different. Of course I expected more space than on Ryanair ; I'm 5 foot one and find it a bit cramped, but I hadn't anticipated sitting sideways on a sofa (white leather and yes, supremely comfortable). As we took off I had a fabulous view out of the opposite window but I was also aware of the sharp climb of our ascent! Slightly hair raising but not as peculiar, a fellow journalist reliably informed me, as her seating position - sitting backwards. There were eight of us on board including an air stewardess who, once we were comfortably cruising, pressed a button to reveal a large dining table. She covered it with a white linen table cloth and breakfast was served. Not just any breakfast either. As well as croissants, pain aux raisins and jams, we each had a curious plateful of exotic fruit which we ate with heavy silver cutlery. It was a promising start to a fascinating press trip - I can't say more about it, I'm busy writing up the interview for a newspaper - but, I must say I fear Ryanair will no longer hold the same appeal for me. Ho hum.

Happy days spent with aliens

2008-10-22T14:42:00.009+02:00

I spent yesterday preparing for a forth -coming press trip. I'm flying so have been busy ensuring my luggage is the right size and that my toiletries are in a clear resealable bag ready for inspection at the airport! I've dug out my Dictaphone, typed out my interview questions, gathered together a clutch of biros and recharged the batteries in my camera. I wanted to get everything sorted out in good time so I could spend the rest of this week engaged in the very serious business of finishing my book. It's called The day of the Slorb and is the follow on from Attack of the Animated Aliens (which you can download for FREE on my website). The Slorb, as you've no doubt surmised are aliens. I'm having a wonderful time writing about them; whilst human characters have to conform to certain parameters, aliens can do and say, well, anything. I'm particularly enjoying creating a whole new language for them. I guess the only downside is that I occasionally find myself speaking Slorb out-loud resulting in very strange looks from friends and strangers alike. Ah,well, it's a small price to pay.............

Website is ready

2008-10-17T17:05:00.008+02:00

Much of this week has been swallowed up by French Bureaucracy. Before moving to France, I'd always thought people were exaggerating about the endless form filling and visits to myriad government departments. The penny dropped soon after we moved however, when I asked one of our French neighbours how to register a car. "Go to the Prefecture," she said. "But don't forget to take a packed lunch and a sleeping bag." Ah, well - c'est la vie as they say in these parts.
Anyway, despite all this, my husband Richard has finished constructing my website and my books are now on sale. Watch this space. I've got my fingers firmly crossed for success .......................

Welcome to my world

2008-10-14T11:48:00.000+02:00

Hello and welcome to my blog. When I embarked on my quest to become a published Children's author, I knew it wouldn't be easy; even JK Rowling had trouble at first but, naively, I hadn't anticipated quite so many highs and lows. It's hard to stay positive when the rejection letters keep coming but perseverance is the name of the game if you're going to succeed.
Join me as I continue on my quest. If you're an aspiring author I hope you'll find some inspiration from following my journey!