What a wonderful way to celebrate WBD!  Thanks to everyone at the Guru Nanak Sikh Primary School for making me feel so welcome.  I really enjoyed my day!  Bob and the little snails are still climbing up and down the tank.   I think their day out was a real treat.  They loved being passed around.  Even though snails are quite deaf, they seemed to have picked up on the children’s excitement.  Maybe they’re missing you already?

Thank you, Amarjeet, for making all the arrangements for the day. Everything went so smoothly.  And how lovely to meet a lady who was born in the same place – Pudsey in West Yorkshire!

Don’t forget to fill out your colouring sheets for the chance to win a giant baby African land snail or a soft toy, a TY Beanie, Gary from Spongebob Squarepants.

I had a great day.  Thanks to every single one of you.

See you soon, I hope.

Sarah

WORLD BOOK DAY WITH
GURU NANAK SIKH PRIMARY SCHOOL

I’m so excited about my visit on World Book Day. I’m going to the Guru Nanak Sikh Primary School in Hayes, Middlesex. I’ll be telling the children how we began to write as a family and where we found the inspiration for our stories from.

I’ll be asking what you find difficult with story writing. I’ll try to find out what it is that makes you want to finish a story, what it is that hooks you into stories as readers. We’ll try to look at ways of doing that with your own writing.

We’ll be doing lots of book talk. I’ll also be talking about the lifecycle of a giant African land snail, what they like to eat, how long they live for and how we take care of them. And if anyone really wants to take a look at what’s inside the little tank that I’ll be bringing with me, get the palms of your hands ready for something a little slimy!

AND FINALLY … SLIME IN TIME

Yes and finally, the fourth snail book is nearly finished and I am starting to work with Amy on her drawings. She’s going to produce some different pictures this time, even if she LOVES drawing faces and body poses. She’ll try her hand at action pictures, pictures with scenery, pictures without. We’re going to have some fun preparing them for you, and getting them ready for print, hopefully with the help of the lovely Henrietta Hellard.

We’re very excited about this book. It has taken a long time to write, even with the inspiration that we found from a book on local history. It should be out in the autumn, maybe in time for Halloween. If you would like to go on our mailing list then please send me an email to sarah@madaboutsnailbooks.com and I’ll get a flyer out to you.

Have a wonderful World Book Day on Thursday everyone.

See you soon.
Sarah

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Thank you to everyone at Wroxall yesterday for making me feel so welcome.  I had a lovely day talking about how we as a family began to write, how a welcoming present when we moved into our village gave us the most fantastic inspiration for a children’s story.

The KS2 children came up with some fantastic ideas of their own and for those who didn’t want to write, they were able to draw their own front covers or sketch out characters.

The KS1 children were very interested in our family story and the snail I brought in the tank.  They ended up drawing snails, designing front covers and writing snaily words, even coming up with a new idea for a book – Snails in the Jungle!  With my nine year old son, George, studying rainforests at the moment, it’s certainly a title to think about.

WHAT A TIME TO WAKE UP

The funny thing was, the giant African land snail I brought into the school was still hibernating when I set off from home.  Maybe the car ride woke him up, or the ferry ride – perhaps the Isle of Wight is that much warmer?  But during the KS2 session, Bob woke up and came out of his shell.  Thanks for that, Bob, you made the children very happy by popping your tentacles out.

Thanks again Wroxall Primary for a really lovely day.  Don’t forget to send me those book reviews and those competition entries.

Keep on writing and drawing.

A WEEK TODAY

One week today, I will be visiting Wroxall Primary School on the Isle of Wight. I am going to run a series of workshops on the subject of story writing.  I hope to address the problems children have in KS1 and KS2 with where ideas come from for good story writing, the importance of planning and diagrams, and how to get pace into stories.

I hope to teach you a little bit about, as a writer, when I sit down to write, I am thinking all the time about who my readers are and what they want from the books.  I shall be asking you what you like about your favourite books and what you want from ours.  Watch out?

There’s a lot to cover.  We’re going to have lots of fun.  The children will learn that good story writing comes from good planning and learning to observe what is going on around them in their every day lives.

Not sure that Bob and Gary will be accompanying me to the Isle of Wight.  The school already has its own African land snails – can’t wait to see them.  Just how big can they be?

Can’t wait to meet you all.  Thank you to Mrs. Grey for organising my visit.

RADIO 2 – CHRIS EVANS SHOW

On the school run we listen to the Chris Evans Show in our car. Imagine how it was this morning to hear the launch of the writing competition, 500 words, for 13 year olds and under.

This sounds like a magnificent opportunity for those young writers out there to get writing.  So, if you’d like to write a story that is 500 words or under, get writing!  Chris Evans is interviewing some high-profile writers on his shows.  They are giving some very useful tips, including, this very morning, the importance of thinking.

Thinking

I walk a lot.  I like to swim.  When I do these ‘activities’ my brain is tick-ticking all the time, thinking about plots, characters, making the pace matter in my stories, how to keep the mystery going and the reader hooked.

The thing about kids is that you don’t want to wait for things to happen.  It’s ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!  You like things to happen, all the time! So it’s a compromise between building up to the high point in a story without losing the readers.  Keeping your interest going.  It’s a challenge, but a great one.

The author interviewed this morning, Anthony Horowitz, gave a very important piece of advice.  He said if you want to write, do not to sit down in front of a blank piece of paper.  He is right.  Though part of the thinking process for me is filling lots of scraps of paper with ideas, drawings, diagrams, columns and arrows, what he was saying is to do the thinking before putting any pen to any scrap of paper.

Writing

Keep a pen and paper with you wherever you go.  You never know when you might need it.  Sometimes I see things I want to record, not for the book I am writing, but which I feel might be useful later on, for another book.

I wake up in the morning with fresh ideas.  I write them down on the pad I keep next to my bed.

Sitting outside school, waiting for pick-up, I am always writing down ideas.

The Ending

Before I start to write I have to have a pretty good idea what the ending might be, even if it changes along the way.  This shows how important it is to go through the whole thinking process over and over again.  It’s something you can do even with the television on.   Think a little bit about your story every day.

Planning

Making notes is the key here.  I used to write on post-it notes. I used to write on pieces of A4 – on one side and then on the other.  Now I use the reverse side on rolls of old wallpaper which I no longer need.  I end up with a long scroll full of ideas, arrows, coloured pens and crossings out. The old wallpaper becomes my black or whiteboard, and it’s always there as a reminder of plot, characters, pace and planning and how I reached the decisions I did.

Interested in joining the 500 words competition? Go on line to the BBC website and look for more details.  It’s a fantastic idea for all those young writers out there who’d love to take part in a wonderful writing competition.  You might find yourself, as the winner, going along to the famous Hay Literary Festival later this year and hearing your story read out by a famous author.  Wow!  How cool would that be!   Go for it!  My little boy, George, is going to have a go.  I have promised to do nothing other than help with his planning so we’re very excited about that!

BRIDGET

Many congratulations to a little girl called Bridget.  She knows who she is.  She has written a really good story called Bridget on a Mission.  She has even done her own illustrations.  Bridget has the most amazing imagination and has taken the inspiration for her stories from her bunny rabbits.  I have a feeling that she may well be published one day.  I really hope that she is.  A massive ‘Well done!’ to you.

Until next time, happy writing to you all.

Sarah

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Guru Nanak Sikh Primary School, March 2011

‘I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for making World Book Day at our school so enjoyable.  All the children and staff thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and learning about your life as a writer. I’ve had fantastic feed back from the deputy head about the whole day. Once again I want to say a huge thankyou to you and the snails for giving us such a fantastic experience. We hope to see you again.’

Amarjeet, Guru Nanak Sikh Primary School, Hayes, Middlesex

Alton Convent School – November 2009
‘The children had a lovely day … especially your 3 special snail fans. You were so nice coming back and seeing them. They were thrilled! ’

Binsted CofE Primary School – February 2010
‘One cloudy day in January the absolutely fantastic author, Sarah Lucas, came to visit Years 2,3,4,5&6 of Binsted Primary School. She came to talk to us about how she became an author and how to write interesting books. We enjoyed having Sarah and her snails with us in school and had lots of fun. We wish that one of her snails had escaped and stayed at our school!’

Rowledge CofE Primary School – March 2010
‘I enjoyed you coming to Rowledge School and talking to us. I love your books about African land snails. Now I love African land snails. World book day was the best one ever because of you.’

Sheet C of E Primary School, 26th March 2010
‘Thank you once again for a fantastic visit – we are still hit by ‘Snail Trial mania’, so many parents said at parents evening that their children are glued to reading the books – thank you, Sarah’

Robert Piggott Primary School, November 2010
‘The books flew off the library shelf!’

Debbie Thrower, Broadcaster, 2008
‘There’s nothing snail’s pace about this story. Many swift twists and turns are executed by our pint-sized Misses Marple as they solve a highly unusual village mystery. Looming large all the while are the exotic Land Snails who inspired the tale, and are enduringly intriguing.’ r

Jane Bonney, Conchological Society of Great Britain, 2009, on Snail Trail
‘This delightful book, written as a result of the events happening in real life to the author and her daughter Amy, will appeal to children of all ages, from 9 to 90.’

‘We really enjoyed reading Snails Don’t Burp! Our favourite illustration was the devil baby. We thought it was cute and funny. Well done Amy! Florence thinks that this book is a bit better than the first book, Snail Trail, but I think the opposite.’ Emma and Florence

‘I like Snails Don’t Burp! because it’s about a snail that gets poisoned. Then he gets full of wind and has to burp. When he gets really sick his stomach comes out of his mouth.’ Tom, Yr. 4,

‘I like the way there are small chapters in the book and the writing is not so small. Whenever I read a chapter of the book I could almost imagine that I could see what was happening. I could picture everything. It made the book really good.’ Yasmin, Yr. 6

‘The book Snail Trail is brilliant!’  Flora, Yr. 5

‘When I’m reading and mum says ‘bed time’ I don’t want to stop!’ Emma, Yr 6

‘I love your books because they are funny and exciting.’ Sophie, Yr 4

‘I love your book Snail Trail.’ Grace, Yr. 5

ROBERT PIGGOTT C of E JUNIOR SCHOOL

I have just received a bundle of Snail Trail colouring competition entries in the post today. I’ve had a quick look.  It’s not going to be easy because they are all FABULOUS!  How I am going to choose some winners, I just don’t know. I’ll get Amy and George to help me – it’s a fun job for us all. Well done to everyone who took part. I’ll be in touch before the end of term with some prize winners.

CHRISTMAS FAYRES

It’s been a busy time with Christmas Fayres and book selling and of course the snow has added to the fun and madness of it all.  I met some lovely people at the Medstead Pre-School Christmas Fayre last night and am looking forward to a school visit to the pre-school and the primary school there next year.

WROXALL PRIMARY SCHOOL

I am very excited about my visit in February to this school on the Isle of Wight. Bob and Gary will be coming with me, of course, with Gary well out of hibernation by then.

SNAIL NEWS

Somebody told me last weekend that there was an article in the You magazine ten days ago about a woman who has the illness knows as ME.  She got herself a giant African land snail and it’s really helped. I’ve been on the internet but had no joy. If anyone has kept a copy of that article I’d love to read it.

…. AND FINALLY …

Some VERY big news!  Out of the 175 eggs that a certain little girl called Molly gave me at the Ropley Christmas Fayre, last night the FIRST OF THE BABIES WAS BORN.  If you’ve never seen a baby giant African land snail that’s not even one day old, then it’s something I think you should see.  It came out of the egg casing, a perfect little snail, all rolled up in its shell, a miracle of life.  It’s smaller than the smallest pea, yet perfectly formed.

We look forward to some more babies being born later on today and to making lots of children very happy later on in the year when we give some away as pets at another book signing.

Well done to Molly and Louise for being brilliant keepers of African land snails!

Bye for now.
Sarah

PS  Watch out for Christmas cracker jokes.  If you get any snail ones then do pass them on.

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Hi all! Just back from a really happy night in Ropley.  Met some lovely people and giant African land snails, Bob and Gary, had a wonderful time being held.

Thanks to everyone who came and held the snails so nicely. Well done to all the children who were so brave, and a big thank you to all the mums, dads, uncles, aunts, grannies and grandpas who let the little ones have a go at holding a rather unusual snail!

A special thanks to Molly for all those snail eggs.  They are now in a massive tank in our playroom, and will be well looked after. The Walden family seriously knows how to look after African land snails, take it from me!  Watch out, Molly, for what might come your way at Christmas …….

Thank you to everyone who bought snail books and toys tonight, and a Merry Christmas to you all.  If you’re coming this way, see you at the Selborne Arts & Crafts Fayre next weekend.

Gary has gone to sleep after an exhausting night.  Bob is still crawling all over the lid of the tank – guess he needs more exercise yet.

Good night Gary.  Good night Molly.  Bob – go to sleep!

Good night to you all.
Sarah

NOT SEEN OUR BOOKS?

If you are not familiar with the style of our snail books you can now follow a link on the Home Page to see sample pages of all three books.  This will give you an indication of the reading level and whether or not the subject matter is of interest.

SNAIL SIGNINGS

If you would like to buy copies of any of the madaboutsnailbook range in time for Christmas, then do come along this Wednesday evening to The Maltings in Alton.  We’re taking a table at the Chawton Primary School Christmas Gift Fayre from 7.00 pm to 9.30 p.m. and can sign books all in good time for the festive period.

Bob and Gary will be there, along with the usual colouring competition sheets if anyone would like to try and win a baby giant African land snail, all in time for Christmas.  Most of the snail babies have gone into hibernation but you can still win one if you wish.

Our next appearance after Wednesday is at the Victorian Christmas Market in Ropley which takes place at 6.00 p.m. on Thursday 25th November, Ropley Village Hall.  Do come along and see us if you can.

MOLLIE’S SNAILS

Spooky news indeed!  Mollie from Ropley Brownies has two snails called Sarah and Brownie.  They have recently laid some 197 eggs.  We know this because her mother, Louise, kindly counted all of them!

This is astonishing news because her snails are only thirteen months old.  African land snails do not reach adulthood until they are two years old, at which point they become old enough to breed.

We are seeking help from local snail expert, Dr. June Chatfield, who will no doubt shed some light on this rather miraculous happening!

Watch this space.

SHUDDERSOME!

The new book for 2011 is finally well under way.  This spooky Halloween mystery will be ready as soon as we are happy that it is as scary as we dare to make it.

Thank you to the wonderful Guy Nicholson who has delivered the visual for the front and back covers.  Girls from Alton Convent – I will be contacting you once we’ve made one or two tweaks to it!

For those of you on the mailing list – watch out for a  SPOOKY pre-Christmas delivery!  Not on our mailing list and would like to be?  Send an email to sarah@madaboutsnailbooks.com.

Bye for now.

Sarah

Robert Piggott CofE Junior School

I had a wonderful day at this school yesterday with Years 3,4 and 5. The children were so careful with snails Bob and Gary and I’m looking forward to receiving some lovely colouring sheets back in the post soon. I hope all those who bought books yesterday enjoy their snail reads!

With thanks to Jane Miller for making all the arrangements, to Jenny Hargraves, the school’s literacy co-ordinator, for finding me on ContactAnAuthor.com and to everyone at the school for making me feel so welcome.

Waterstone’s

Sadly, we have had to postpone our 6th November appearance at Waterstone’s in Alton because most of our baby snails have gone into hibernation. Sorry if anyone was hoping to grab a snail in time for Christmas. But they will reappear, as will we, at Waterstone’s, in the springtime.

Lavant CoE Primary School

Bob, Gary and I had a wonderful reception at Lavant CofE. The children were very careful with the snails and listened patiently to our story about how we as a family began to write children’s books. The snail delivery went very well, and was completed all in time before the snails went into hibernation. Enjoy your snails everyone!

Bishop Tufnell

Two wonderful specimens were safely delivered care of Royal Mail, to Sasha Cremor at Bishop Tufnell School, Felpham near Bognor Regis in October. Harry, who won the Snail Trail colouring competition way back in the summer, took delivery of one baby giant African land snail, whilst the school added the other to their existing tank.

Snail News

Some interesting news for African land snail lovers. I read a useful piece of news on a snail website recently. For those of you who have rabbits and feed them with pellets, it has been suggested that African land snails could benefit from rabbit pellets because they offer a good source of calcium. This means that the snails would get extra calcium to make their shells grow even stronger. We have already introduced rabbit pellets to our snails and they are munching on them very happily. Must remember to put that snippet in one of our books …..

…. And finally ..

Talking of books, I am FINALLY in the middle of writing the fourth snail book, Snail Movie, having started it so many times this year, as some of you may have already read! I wanted the book to have a Halloween theme so I’m trying to make it as spooky as I can.

To the lovely girls from Alton Convent who have waited so patiently – I will need your help on the cover which has now got a very different feel to it – so watch this space.

I have briefed the wonderful Guy Nicholson on a design. He tells me that we will have a rough sketch by November 15th.

I am too excited for words!

I will be inviting Sienna, Charlotte and Rebecca from the Convent to see what they think of the rough sketch, particularly as they were so kind to offer some original thoughts on the Snail Movie cover. If they think it needs any changes I will be open to all their thoughts …..

In the meantime, can anyone help with ideas for a goody bag for Snail Movie please? Would anyone like to design a T-shirt for the book? Should we design our own purple notebook and purple smelly pen? Thoughts on a post card to madaboutsnailbooks ..

Enjoy Bonfire Night, everyone, but remember, if you do have African land snails they should be able to hear the loud bangs associated with fireworks, so please keep them tucked away indoors this weekend.

Bye for now.
Sarah