Creative monsters, listen up! Creative Writing Magic: 80 Tips and Tricks for Young Writers by Andy Jones, illustrated by Olaf Falafel, is published today!
Discover brilliant writing tips, tricks and story prompts in this hilarious and accessible guide, from the winners of the Lollies 2023 Book Award for Non-Fiction.
#CreativeWritingMagic #UnleashYourCreativeMonster #OlafFalafel #AndyJones #CreativeWriting #CreativeWritingForKids #WalkerBooks
My next children’s book sends Bob to the year 2049 where Ai has taken control! Also there’s been a global pandemic of aromavirus, aka the farting flu.
Expect robots, farts and loadsa time travel.
And entirely written, illustrated and designed by humans!!
Thank you @piccadilly.press@thenickstearnlondon@robin_boyden_illustration@ruthmarybennett
It’s taken me a month to read this (had a couple of book flings on the side), but there’s nothing slow about the book. It’s my second John Irving, after A Prayer for Owen Meany – maybe one of my all time favourite novels.
The Cider House Rules is (another) miracle of a book – a large, varied and thoroughly human cast. I’d say it’s primarily a character novel, dealing with Homer - an orphan destined never to be adopted, and the father figure and abortionist, Dr Larch. John Irving wanted Larch to be the ‘hero’, but I think this is Homer’s story.
If you’ve only seen the film, then you’re missing out on Melony – a terrifying, heart-breaking, funny character – maybe my personal favourite.
We also have Wally, Candy, Mr Rose, Angel, Mrs W and Mr K and all the rest of them. Tremendous storytelling, love, death, drama, duty and all that other good stuff.
John Irving is a genius.
Think I’ll pick up Garp next.
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Just finished Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada. Amazing book based on the true story of a man and wife’s small and insanely dangerous propaganda campaign to undermine Hitler’s regime. Dropping anti nazi postcards around Berlin.
Real page-turner watching their campaign and pursuit by the Gestapo unfold. Also a powerful insight into what life was like for German citizens under Hitler. Awful and terrifying.
He eeks our every drop of story form this. Don’t want to give anything away, but the final chapters were among the most moving I’ve read. Actually said ‘wow’ out loud.
And then the author’s biography at the end is astonishing. From duelling, to accidental murder, addiction, hidden sexuality and a good pistol-whipping from his wife.
For some reason I can’t fathom, it took me a long time to read this book. (Life getting in the way). Fallada wrote a draft of the book in only 24 days.
One of the best books I’ve ever read.
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#worldwar2 #nazigermanyhistory #adolfhittler #hansfallada #aloneinberlin
It's a special publication day today - this novel (my debut children’s novel) was inspired by my daughters, and I imagined them standing over my shoulder as I typed. Occasionally they brought snacks.
They're two amazing girls who continuously make me proud with their kindness, humour and simple joy. I hope I captured a fraction of them in this book.
I wrote it for my girls, but you can read it too if you like. In fact, if you order it today you can take us (and Mr Djjnn) on holiday with you.
There’s a link in my bio
#childrensbooks #authorsofinstagram #aladdin #genie #wishes #summerreading #bullying #mentalhealth #selfbelief #booklover #readersofinstagram
It's that time again!
I have a new book coming out exactly one month today.
A few years ago - pre-covid, anyway - the girls were watching Aladdin and I asked them, if they had one wish what would they wish for.
Ruby: "World peace."
Evie: "A million pounds."
And it got me thinking about what we wish for. About good wishes and bad. And then I thought - what if the genie from 1001 Arabian Nights was still kicking around? Very old and looking for one final worthy wisher.
And the idea sat there for a long time just brewing.
Then we moved house.
Then Evie posted leaflets though all our neighbour's doors offering free dog walking. 'Cos that girl loves a dog. Having a dog would be (besides a million quid) her number one wish.
And that was the final piece of the puzzle. Lockdown happened and I wrote Wishes Come in Threes.
It's about friendship, growing up and believing in yourself.
And, of course, dogs, magic and a genie.
I love it - if I'm allowed.
Final word - don't be fooled by the cover, it's a book for boys, girls and all you big kids.
If you want to pre-order, you can do it at the links in my bio.
Andy
#writing #authorsofinstagram #literacy #literacymatters #storytelling #howtowrite #amwriting #art #kidsbooks #kidsbookillustration #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #craft
