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How To Book Margaret For
An Event
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MARGARET
IS HAPPY TO VISIT YOUR SCHOOL, LIBRARY OR OTHER EVENTS TO TALK ABOUT HER
BOOKS and perform book readings. For more information please read Margaret's profile below
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Due to health problems Margaret will be unavailable for visits, talks
and readings for the foreseeable future, as and when there are changes a
notice will be posted. Margaret would like to take this
opportunity to thank all those who have supported and championed her
over the last few years.
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TESTIMONIAL
I just wanted to say thank you for your
wonderful visit to our school. The children and staff loved the
sessions and you have inspired and motivated the children to
write some brilliant stories. You delivered each presentation at
the right level for the children and gave them ideas to develop
on their own. Year 5 and 6 are currently re-writing ‘The Hobbit’
and would love you to read it when it is finished.
Thanks again
Mrs Tracey Callison-Bailey
Literacy Subject Leader, Barnby Dun Primary School.
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Loving Mad Tom
With a host of furious fancies
Whereof I am commander,
With a buring spear, and a horse of air,
To the wilderness I wander.
By a knight of ghosts and shadows
I summoned am to tourney,
Then leagues beyond the wide world's end.
Methinks it is no journey. Anonymous
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HOW MANY
BOOKS HAVE YOU HAD PUBLISHED?
I have had 5 books published, 2 adult non-fiction, an e-book, and three
children's books and I have written many more.
The Adventures of the Children of the Dragon
Queen was my first children's book, followed by
Dragonworld and the Room of Strange Hangings
which is the first in a series, the second,
RISING STAR has just been
published and volumes 3 and 4 are already written.
THE INVINCIBLE DREAM (children's fiction) and
STAR FIRE (adult fiction) are
awaiting publication.
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DID YOU WRITE AT SCHOOL FOR FUN?
Yes, loved reading and writing at school and at home, in fact I much
preferred to be in a wonderful world of make believe! (and still do). As
a teenager I promised myself that I would write a book, but along came
the sixties and a new world evolved! So I did not realise my promise
until much later on in life.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS EARNED A LIVING AS A WRITER?
No, after I married and the children came along I stayed at home to
bring up my family. When they were older I then went back to work. For
many years I worked in the field of mental health which was very
rewarding. Retiring early gave me a new lease on life to follow my
childhood dream - to write a book! |
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WAS IT
DIFFICULT GETTING YOUR FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED?
I was very lucky with my first adult non-fiction book as I co-wrote
it with Claire Nahmad, who is a well established and acclaimed writer in
her own field. But even with the success of
The Secret Teachings of Mary
Magdalene, on my own, with the children's book The Adventures of the
Children of the Dragon Queen, it was hard, and I do mean hard.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN?
It is very hard to answer that question as all the books that I have
written, even those that are not published yet, are special to me and
hold within them a part of me, like a child. So I think I will have to
say, all of them!
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITTEN BY SOMEONE ELSE?
SNOWFLAKE by Paul Gallico. The most endearing, delightful and
beautiful story of the life of a single snowflake and her journey. I
would recommend it wholeheartedly. As a young girl it awoke within me
the awareness to the fact that everything, every creation in our world,
our universe is living, and has a story to tell.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WRITING FOR CHILDREN?
Because you have more freedom to spread your imagination and in turn
inspire theirs. Also children's minds have not yet been closed down,
children love the wacky and surreal. Stories can plant seeds within
children's minds and hopefully will grow with them throughout their
lives. Many adults love my children's stories too, this fills me with
joy, as they have escaped the system of having their minds closed off!
HOW DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?
Usually at 3 o'clock in the morning! They come to me at the
strangest of times. One day I was out shopping (which I find very
mundane) and I noticed a frail man looking the worse for wear. He was
carrying a couple of tatty carrier bags holding all his belongings.
Suddenly a rather rude man pushed past him, as though he did not exist,
my heart went out to the old man, and by the time I got home I had the
story I was next to write: The Templar's Apprentice. I have learnt to
always carry paper and pen and I always have plenty of paper at my
bedside. (I have tried a Dictaphone and they don't work for me).
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?
It depends on the type of book, non-fiction can take a year or two.
For the children's stories, depending on the length, and if I have that
continued flow of inspiration, 3 -6 months
DO YOU HAVE A WRITING ROUTINE?
No. I try to write everyday, but this is not always possible. On the
days I write I like to do at least a thousand words, even more on those
inspirational writings days.
DO YOU HAVE A LOT TO REWRITE?
No. I tend to rewrite as I go along.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO CHILDREN WISHING TO WRITE?
Read as many books as you can. Have belief in yourself and remain
positive in all that you attempt and you will succeed.
You will find rejection is inevitable, but remain persistent even when
you have repeated disappointments, because eventually you will achieve
your goal. |
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