Damian's Diary

A Thundering Night

2009-07-01T11:59:00.001+01:00

After spending the morning putting the finishing touches to my latest book, Rachel and I drove to Garstang to visit the wonderful Corner Bookshop in the afternoon - this time so that I could sign a pile of books that people had bought following our school visits the week before - Thank you very much to Mary for asking me to come in and do that.

We drove back home in time to make tea and then headed down to Manchester to see the excellent James Talyor in concert at the MEN Arena. We saw James in Blackpool a year or so ago, when he did his One Man Show tour, but this time he was accompanied by his full band. James performed for about two and a half hours and it was fantastic...

It was still very warm when we drove home at about ten past 11 so we put the top down on the car to try and keep cool. It helped - but not a lot.

Later in the night there was a huge thunderstorm which seemed to go on for ages so I didn't get a lot of sleep.

Rachel's Artwork

2009-07-01T10:26:00.006+01:00

It's been a very busy week so far... On Monday morning I was busy working on a book and in the evening we all went to the Blackpool Sixth Form College where Rachel, and all the other upper sixth form students, were showing their artwork in an exhibition. The exhibition was set up in the new building - which looks great - and lots of people were invited to come along and take a look, including family and friends, and people involved with the college and with art galleries. We get used to seeing Rachel's artwork in the house but it's great having the chance to see it on display.

Over the last year or so Rachel's been busy creating artwork using a variety of techniques and materials . I really like these wax eggs...

You can see more of Rachel's artwork by visiting her blog (there's a link to it on the right of the page) and you can also find out a bit more about how she has created some of her artwork.

Picture Books and Starfish on the Beach

2009-06-24T22:06:00.004+01:00

I've been busy catching up on some writing this week, as there's a short story (about 6000 words that needs finishing - and then another one starting), but today I took a little break from that to try and finish off a picture book story that I've been working on for quite a while.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the picture book finished but I did get quite a lot of it done. I just need to put the finishing touches to it now before I can send it off. Some parts I'm really happy with and other parts... not so happy. I think I'll have to put it away for a good few days and then take a fresh look at it later. This often helps.

This evening we went for another walk on the beach (lots of starfish around today so we had to watch where we were walking) - and did a bit more paddling. Off to bed now. Goodnight...

Hello Hannah

2009-06-22T15:36:00.006+01:00

Over the past few weeks I’ve been out and about visiting schools and libraries to talk about books and share stories. I’ve had a great time and have met some wonderful people, but it’s nice to have a bit of time now where I can stay at home and get some writing done and catch up with a few other things.

On Saturday I received a lovely letter from Hannah – HELLO HANNAH and thank you for the excellent picture of Crank and Al. I hope you enjoy reading The Tin Man.

On Sunday I helped my brother and Sue tidy his loft (lots of fun there) then had a little walk along the beach. Sunday was Father's Day and I received a fantastic present from Lorraine and our girls - tickets to see Fleetwood Mac in November... I can hardly wait.

The Corner Bookshop

2009-06-17T23:12:00.004+01:00

Tomorrow I'm off to Garstang - only about half an hour away - to visit a few schools as part of The Independent Booksellers Week.

There's a big Robo-runners display in one of the shop windows - which is great.

In the morning I'm joining up with Mary from the Corner Bookshop and we'll be visiting three schools in the area - St Thomas's CE Primary School in Garstang, John Cross CE Primary School in Bilsborrow and then Garstang Community Primary School (I hope I've got that right) in the afternoon.

Here's a big hello to everyone at the schools in Garstang and Bilsborrow - I'll see you soon.

Now I'm off to bed... Goodnight.

Catching Up...

2009-06-16T15:20:00.008+01:00

Last week I visited St Mark’s CE Primary School in Scarisbrick, Lancashire for part of their big book week that had been organised by their wonderful librarian Debbie – thank you for inviting me in and for looking after me during the day...

There were lots of exciting book activities during the week – including a visit from John Malam – the author of lots of great non-fiction books (Hi there John) – and the chance to see a book that had been written in braille and hear it being read out loud.

I visited the school on Thursday and had a great time talking about books and sharing lots of stories. At lunchtime there was a delicious buffet and at the end of the day I got the chance to meet everyone again and sign a few books for the keen readers. It was great. On Friday evening Lorraine, Deanna and I drove up to the North East of England to visit Lorraine’s mum for the weekend – and on Saturday we drove up past the Angel of The North and spent a few hours at the Metrocentre (a huge shopping centre near Gateshead).

This week is Independent Booksellers week and on Monday I drove over to Yorkshire with Laura to visit the Saltaire Bookshop and talk to everyone from year three at Saltaire Primary School. A big thanks to everyone for coming and making it such a fun morning and thanks to David and Yvonne for inviting me in.

After stopping for some lunch we arrived home late in the afternoon but I just had time to put some carpet tiles down in the shed and put my desk together. The shed is already starting to look a little bit less like a shed and more like an office.

On Thursday I'm off to Garstang (only half an hours drive) to spend the day at some primary schools with the wonderful people from the Corner Bookshop in Garstang.

A Quick Hello to Saltaire

2009-06-15T07:34:00.002+01:00

I've not had chance to catch up with my diary since last week but I'll have to do that later on today, because after a great day spent with the wonderful people at St Mark's CE Primary School in Scarisbrick (hello to you all), I've been down in the Midlands and up in the North East of Englang over the weekend. (I'll go into more detail later)

So for now it's a big HELLO to everyone who's coming to visit the Saltaire Bookshop this morning... must dash - don't want to be late.

Excitement at Canon Evans CE Infant School

2009-06-10T08:00:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I was in Bedworth, Warickshire, visiting Canon Evans CE Infant School - there was a lot of excitement at the school when I arrived, but that's because some of the teachers had been to see Take That the night before... in fact, I think all of the teachers will be seeing Take That by the time they finish their three nights at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. I hope you all have a great time and don't lose your voices screaming and shouting.

Thankfully, there was also lots of excitement about books and writing too... I had a great time talking to Reception about dinosaurs, Year 1 about Pirates and Year 2 about Heroes and Villains. At the end of the day I was honoured to be the person asked to cut the ribbon and officially open the new school library - It Looks Great. I singed loads of books and even had time for a cup of tea and an iced bun, YUM!

Thank you to Miss Sherwood for organising the day and for looking after me while I was there...

I was so busy at school that I didn't get chance to take a photograph of anything so here's a picture of the baby rabbits lazing around on the grass (they're about five or six weeks old now - it's amazing how quickly they grow).

A Place To Work

2009-06-08T12:36:00.014+01:00

I've been going on about it for quite a while now - but today's the day - it's finally here - a place to call my own - a place to work... My Shed - or perhaps I should call it an office or studio (what do you think?).

When I visit schools and libraries I'm often asked if I have a special place to work. I used to work in the loft (but that has now been given over to my daughter who wanted a bedroom of her own) I have been trying to work at the table in our front room - which is great when everyone's at school and work, but not so great when they're at home. But today my shed is being built in the garden HURRAH!

I've been taking a few sneaky pictures so that you can see the building process as the shed goes up. I will be itching to get my desk out from under the stairs and set up as soon as I can but first I'll have to get the floor sorted out - so I'll have to be patient. I will also have to get someone to run electric wires up to it so that I can have a light, a heater for the winter, and somewhere to plug my laptop in...but I think I can leave that part until the end of summer.

Tonight I'm off to Bedworth in Warwickshire ready to visit Canon Evans CE Primary School in the morning - and on Thursday I'm visiting St Mark's CE Primary School in Scarisbrick, Lancashire - so here a big Hello to all of you.

This morning it was nice and sunny but as the day has gone on it's got cloudy and a little but chilly - but luckily, it's stayed fine all day and the shed has been finished.

As you can see, Laura seems to like it - and so does Figaro... purrrfect for a spot of bird watching.

See you soon...

The Ghost Sea and Aquanauts

2009-06-07T11:34:00.005+01:00

Friday saw the paperback publication of Robo-runners Book 5 - The Ghost Sea, and Book 6 - Aquanauts. Hurrah. That means you can now rush out and add these two exciting tales to your collection.

Although each of the Robo-runner books is a complete story in itself, the books do link together in that they follow Crank, Al and their friends in the search for Robotika - a safe place for old robots to live in peace... so it's best if they are read in order (though not really necessary). Books five and six are the only ones in the series that I would really advise people to read in order as they are more closely connected. Books for and six are also the ones that I enjoyed writing most of all.

For these two books I had lots of fun creating the setting and the new characters that the robot friends meet; especially the villainous robot Gore, and the his band of robot pirates, and the dreaded Crodilus.

Happy Birthday Deanna

2009-06-05T13:52:00.003+01:00

Today it's Deanna's birthday and we have planned to have a barbecue in the garden with some family and friends. Of course, this means that the sunny weather is about to come to an end. At the moment I'm sat out in the garden writing this... it' starting to get cloudy and I can even feel the odd spot of rain. Hopefully it will just blow over.

A little while ago I wrote about about a magpie that I spotted stealing the cat's food from in front of the window- well today there has been a seagull pinching food. The seagull is even naughtier than the magpie. It landed on the fence - jumped down onto a box - hopped onto the floor and then jumped up the steps and into the kitchen doorway.

The seagull then ate the last of the cat's meat, scoffed a few of their biscuits, fell into the litter tray, hopped back out of the kitchen and flew away.

I'm going to have to keep my eye on that bird.

Bye for now... I must get some shopping or there will be nothing to eat at the barbecue.

Fun at Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School

2009-06-05T13:12:00.006+01:00

The week has absolutely flown and it's Friday already. I've had a couple of great school visits and have managed to get lots of work done but haven't managed to write much in my diary - so here goes...

On Monday I had a great day at Asfordby Captain's Close Primary School - near Melton Mowbray (famous for its Melton Mowbray Pies and its Stilton Cheese) - it took 3 hours to drive back but it was glorious sunshine all the way and I enjoyed the drive.

On Wednesday I visited a school a little closer to home - Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School - and what a wonderful school it was too... packed with enthusiastic book loving staff and pupils.

The wonderful and talented illustrator/animator/writer Curtis Jobling was also at the school - visiting years 3 and 4 while I was with the excellent writers in years 5 and 6. At the moment Curtis is most famous for being the designer of Bob the Builder and creator of Frankenstein's Cat - but he's done loads of other great stuff too (go and take a look at his website) and is busy doing more.

It was great meeting Curtis and everyone else in school. At the end of the day we sat outside in the sun and signed books and autographs - I came away with a wonderful signed book and DVD. At the top you can see my Frankenstein's Cat fridge magnets (now on our fridge) which come with the DVD. Thanks Curtis...

Year 5 and 6 had been busy reviewing books for Lancashire Libraries Fantastic Book Award - so they all knew about robo-runners, which was great. They had also been busy doing artwork connected with the books they had been reviewing. This is just one of the fantastic pictures they had done.

End of the Holiday and Back to School

2009-05-31T13:12:00.002+01:00

Phew... it's hot outside today.

We've just had dinner - pizza and garlic bread - now we're going for a little walk along the beach, then after that I'm driving down to Leicestershire ready to visit Asfordby Captain's Close County Primary School in Asfordby, Leicestershire in the morning. So HELLO to everyone at Asfordby Captain's Close.

Later in the week I'm visiting Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School at Hoghton, Preston - so HELLO to you too. (see you on Wednesday)

I've got lots of other work to do this week as my shed will be arriving next week - so it's going to be a busy couple of weeks.

Off to the beach - bye for now.

Bank Holiday activities

2009-05-27T10:05:00.010+01:00

For a change, I've actually managed to get some writing done during this school holiday - not easy to do as I am still working at the table. My shed won't arrive for another 10 - 12 days.

As well as writing we've managed to do a few other things too. Over the weekend we had a little walk along Blackpool Promenade and saw a little bit of the Dance festival that's on. We didn't see very much of it but I was impressed by this trio who performed their dance/drama on a moving platform in the the air. Very interesting and very different.

On Sunday evening we visited the cinema and saw the film version of Neil Gainman's Coraline... And it was excellent. Not quite the same as the book - but that' doesn't matter - it was still very nicely done and deliciously creepy.

On Monday the weather was nice so we went for a walk in the Hodder Valley. The walk was supposed to take a circular rout which means we could park the car - do the walk, and end up back at the car.

The walk would involve crossing a river in two different places on stepping stones, however, one of the stepping stones were missing - which left a big gap so we couldn't get across without getting very wet feet (the water is deeper than it looks) so we ended up having to walk back in the same direction instead of going all the way round. We still had a good time though.

There were lots of styles and gates to go through but they didn't cause a problem. But there were also a few little rope fences dividing up one of the larger fields - and for some reason, Laura found these a bit tricky for reason and decided to have a rest.

Distractions

2009-05-22T08:54:00.005+01:00

This morning a grey squirrel has been charging around the garden, running along the fences and racing up and down the trees. It's also been playing chase with a magpie.

Sitting here at the table with my lap top and a cup of coffee I've also discovered what's been happening to our cat food.

For those of you that don't already know - we have four cats. If it isn't raining in the morning I often put their food bowls outside. They don't always eat their food straight away - but often have a little bit and then keep going back to take a nibble. Sometimes they miow for more food when they can't possibly have eaten everything in their bowls. And sometimes their food disappears very quickly. I always thought it was other cats that had been eating their food but now I know the truth... It's the magpie.

As you can see, I'm easily distracted this morning.

Hopping About

2009-05-21T15:13:00.003+01:00

I went out to feed the rabbits this morning and found one of the babies hopping about - eyes wide open and looking very lively. The other little ones were still fast asleep. As soon as I opened the cage door to put the food in, the little one came hopping straight over to see what I was up to. Mum and Dad were keeping a close watch so I took a quick photo and left them in peace.

Kennington Primary School

2009-05-20T19:46:00.004+01:00

Today I visited Kennington Primary School in Fulwood, Preston. I'm happy to visit schools, libraries and festivals ANYWHERE, but it was nice to be visiting a school that is not too far from where I live for a change.

Thank you very much to Mr Carroll for inviting me in for the day - it was great. Visiting schools can be exhausting but good schools that are full of enthusiastic teachers and pupils can make it all worth while. This year I've been lucky to visit lots of great schools all around the country - so now that I'm home I feel exhausted but happy because it's been a great day.

There were some great displays on the wall in the school hall - including this one of Simon Bartram's excellent book - Man on the Moon.

It was especially nice visiting Kennington Primary School today as I got to meet Sue Hogarth and her lovely daughter Sarah again - Hi Sarah...

Most schools are on holiday next week - so no visits then. Hopefully I'll get time to catch up on some writing.

Bye for now....

Giving up the day job...

2009-05-19T09:38:00.002+01:00

Lots of people think that writers are all rolling in money - sadly this isn't true and most writers have another job that they do as well as write. I've been working in a boring office for years but I'm delighted to say that from next week I will no longer be there. This means I'll have a lot more time to write stories, visit schools, libraries and festivals and hand the washing out at home. I will still be doing a bit of no-writer work to help pay the bills but it will be much more flexible and will take up much less of my time. Hurrah!

Today I'm busy working on a story that has sabre-toothed tigers prowling around it - I'm also taking the car to the garage, popping over to see my mum and hanging out washing (washing never seems to end in our house). I'll also be going out from time to time to make sure the rabbits have plenty of food... the babies are getting bigger all the time and were even hopping around this morning. By the time I took a picture though they were all fast asleep in bed.

Tomorrow I'm off to Kennington Primary School in Fulwood, Preston so here's a big hello to everyone at Kennington Primary School (especially Sarah) see you tomorrow.

Writing Time

2009-05-17T09:25:00.004+01:00

I've got the house to myself for a little while - which doesn't happen a lot at weekends - so I'm making a start on a new book.

Getting started can be the hardest part... At the moment I'm imagining that it's a bit like jumping out of an aeroplane (with a parachute of course - plummeting probably wouldn't be as much fun). I know that the journey is going to start with one simple step and I've got a rough of idea of where I'm going to end up. It's exciting, but frightening at the same time.

I know that once I've taken that first step on my journey it will get easier. I'll have a better idea of where I'm going. I'll become more familiar with the scenery and what's around me. Once I get going I know that I'm going to enjoy the journey - I'll go faster and faster, and nothing - absolutely nothing - is going to stop me until I get to the end.

But as with jumping out of the aeroplane, taking that first step can be the hardest part, and I find myself looking for other things to do just to delay it...

The cats have been fed, the washing's been done, the house is tidy... there's nothing else to do but get going. So here I go - it's time to take that leap

GERONIMOOOOoo...

Baby Rabbits Again

2009-05-15T08:15:00.003+01:00

Yes, it's that time of the year again... Regular visitors to my diary might remember the baby bunnies from last year - well it's happened again. Thumper and Louis are now the proud parents of about 6 baby rabbits (well - what did you expect, baby rhinos).

This year we have a much bigger rabbit hutch and this, understandably, seems to be making the whole having little bunnies thing much easier - and safer for them. (The cats can't stick their noses in to see what's going on.)

Last year I received lots of emails about how to look after baby rabbits and what to do when/if your rabbits have babies. We are definitely not experts on bringing up baby rabbits, but here's my advice.

1. Leave the babies alone and let the parents look after them. Mum and Dad won' be happy if you start rooting around to see what's going on.

2. Make sure you provide the rabbits with plenty of food and water. Mum eats and drinks more whilst looking after the babies.

And that's about it.

People often wonder whether they should take the male rabbit out of the cage. Some people say you should and some say you shouldn't. We didn't take the male rabbit out of the hutch but our hutch is big enough to allow a safe area for the babies to nest and for Dad to run around a bit without stepping on them.

Hello Heath Mount

2009-05-13T08:45:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I spent a wonderful day with everyone at Heath Mount School, Watton at Stone. And what a fantastic day it was too... The sun was shining when I arrived at school at 8 in the morning and didn't stop shining until it set as I arrived home in Blackpool at 9.30.

The day was packed with storytelling, chat and lots of fun. Here's a BIG HELLO to everyone in Nursery (Caterpillar and Elmer) Reception, Year 1 and Year 2... I hope you had a great time and that you all enjoy the books your bought. I'd also like to say a massive thank you to all of the wonderful teachers and staff at the school for making me feel so welcome - and especially Mrs Morris for inviting me in and looking after me.

If only...

2009-05-11T10:56:00.002+01:00

If only I had magical powers like this wonderful wizard - illustrated by the amazing Andy Elkerton for our book The Wizard's Wish - I wouldn't have to spend over 4 hours driving the 240 miles to Watton at Stone later on today. But alas, I don't have magical powers and I haven't got a helicopter so I will be driving there. The good news is that tomorrow I will be spending the day at Heath Mount School (which is of course at Watton at Stone) so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone at Heath Mount School.

I don't often think about having magical powers myself, however, I was recently asked to fill in a little questionnaire by my publishers - that was full of odd questions. I know you're dying to to see it - so here it is.

What is your earliest childhood memory?

Lying in bed with measles and waiting for my Dad to come home from work so he could do one of his tricks. He would ruffle an old silk scarf around in his hands until something appeared – a packet of peanuts or a bar of chocolate. I though it was magic.

If you had one magical power, what would it be?

I occasionally dream that I can fly. In these dreams I don’t effortlessly whizz around like Superman – I have to actually flap my arms like a bird. It’s really hard work but absolutely amazing. So my magic power would definitely be to fly like a bird… or breath underwater or…

Where is your favourite place to write?

On the deck of my beach house. The sun is shining, the sea is clear and the gulls are crying to each other as they lazily float on the warm breeze. I might go surfing later. Sadly though, I don’t have a beach house so I write in my shed at the bottom of the garden.

If you won £1million on the lottery what would you buy?

I would have to do lots of sensible things like make sure the bills are paid, and that there’s enough money for our girls to go to university… but then I’d buy a boat, have sailing lessons and drift around the Bahamas, the Florida Keys and anywhere else that takes our fancy.

What was your favourite subject at school and why?

I didn’t really have a favourite subject, but I loved anytime that people told stories – some in English lessons where one enthusiastic teacher shared his love of books - others real memories as one teacher could easily be persuaded to tell us about life in the army.

Why did you choose to write children’s books?

Characters, stories and ideas seem to continuously fill my head so I had to let them out somewhere. I started with the intention of writing something to entertain our children but it grew into a desire to write, share stories and encourage a love of books with all children.

Time to get going I think... bye for now.

A rather blustery day...

2009-05-09T15:24:00.004+01:00

I think I am definitely to blame for this strange weather we are having. Everything was fine until we bought some new fence panels. They were delivered last Monday and ever since then it's been wet and windy so I haven't been able to take the old, rotten fence panels out and put the new ones in - but this morning was different. It was nice and sunny and there was only a small breeze... Hurrah!

But as soon as we started moving the fence panels the wind started to blow and the rain started to pour. Thankfully we managed to get the job done without sustaining too many cuts and bruises - though we did end up soaking wet.

As soon as we'd finished the wind died down and the sun came out again. Grumble, grumble, moan, moan. Now that the job's done the weather might settle down.

Here you can see the nice new fence panels and a pile of the old rotten ones. I'll have to break these up into little pieces and take them to the tip because in a few weeks my writing hut will be standing here - I can hardly wait.

Congratulations...

2009-05-07T08:41:00.004+01:00

... to Alex, James, Maddy, Daniel and Melissa - winners of the World Book Day Make Your Own Robot competition.

Earlier this year, schools all over the country were busy building robots using cereal packets, egg boxes, toilet rolls, sticky paper and other things like that. Photographs of the best robots were sent in to Hodder Children's Books and these were then sent on to me to choose 5 winners.

Over 200 entries were received for the competition - that's a lot of robots - and they were all absolutely ROBO-TASTIC. I had a really difficult time trying to pick the winners.

So congratulations once again to Melissa, Daniel, Maddy, James and Alex... you should have just received your set of Robo-runners books, Certificate and other goodies.

Big THANKS to the wonderful Lucy Rowley at Hodder Children's Books for organising the competition - and to everyone that entered.

Heathfield School - Rishworth

2009-05-06T10:25:00.003+01:00

On Monday evening I packed the car and set off towards Halifax, ready to visit Heathfield School - Rishworth the following morning. I spent the night at the side of the canal - not in the canal of course, but in a hotel room very close to the canal.

The following morning I got up at 6.30, showered, had breakfast and then set off down the road towards Rishworth where I spent a wonderful day meeting all the staff and pupils... and what a great day it was. Mrs Wilby looked after me all day - thank you Mrs Wilby - and it was an absolute pleasure meeting everyone in school.

Today is soggy and wet, so I'm staying in and trying to get some work done. Lots of things to finish - and a few things to start too... so I'd better get on with it.