Gregor!

Saw at least 3 Gregor collie dogs at the Cricket Club fair, bounding over the jumps and dashing through the tunnel. The twins kept a close eye on me, in case I spoke to any of the owners and said something embarrassing. It was good to see friendly faces there, despite the drizzle. And the majorettes were fantastic as always. It does feel like life imitates art, I wonder why this is? Or how?

Final Proofs

Read through the proofs yesterday on line. The story seems to read differently once it's set into pages - in some ways it reads faster, if that makes sense. Will have hard copies today and expect those will feel different again. Easier to write than the first book in the series; once the characters were established the story told itself.

My favourite character at the moment is Ryder, the surf dude, whose helping the mermaid ("Mer-babe") look for the black dog. She's hidden his Kangaroo designer surf board to blackmail him into helping her, after he ran over her tail on a surfboard.

We are at the Red Triangle club fair today... which is a bit weird as Mrs Groves in my story is planning to show her hopeless, badly behaved dog Gregor at the show dogs event. I keep saying to the children, "Yes, we'll have to make sure we see Gregor". They don't say anything. I think they just feel sorry for me.

Watch Out, Scooby Doo!

Writing some blurb for the back cover for Enchantment of the Black Dog today. I drafted some thoughts yesterday but it reads too slowly. Too much information I think. There's something there at the back of my mind but it's not on the page.... When I close my eyes I can see Shaggy shouting at Scooby Doo, "Watch out, Scooby!" I wonder what that's all about! Writing's a strange thing....

WH Smiths Book Signing, August 2010

These photos were taken at the book signing at WH Smiths, Weymouth in August. Very busy and lots of interest from people wandering through from the beach as well as people who came along to see us.

A photo on the left is Gary Biltcliffe, author of The Spirit of Portland.

Also a photo of me and Jasmine.

















Just reading excerpts from Holinshed's Chronicles - written around the end of the 16th century, The Chronicles take a detailed look at the history of Britain and are mainly known as Shakespeare's source for plays such as MacBeth. The history starts with the flood, after which Noah ruled over the land and the Chronicles follow history from this point. Intriguing and colourful! I'm not sure where this research is going! Although I am fascinated by the idea of a race of giants (son of Neptune, Albion) inhabiting the Kingdom and I think I will be returning to this again soon.

Season of mists

It feels like Autumn is creeping in today. The light on Portland is very bright and clear, but different from summer. School is looming for the kids. I still haven't got all the uniform... and can't find any pencils. Perhaps the seagulls have eaten them.
Enchantment of the Black Dog, the next book in the Chronicles, has gone to the typesetter and Domini is working on the illustrations for the cover. The roughs look fantastic, it will be great to see Church Ope cove on the cover. And the mermaid. And the Southwell fairy. Not to mention the Black Dog of Portland himself.
I've spent so much time over the last couple of years thinking about the black dog and who or what he may be. The research by Dr Simon Sherwood at CSAPP, University of Northampton, has been v enlightening. And thought provoking. But I'll write more about this another time.

There have been so many things happening this summer. I enjoyed the talks at Swanage and Weymouth libraries, and meeting children and grown ups who enjoy The Portland Sea Dragon. I loved meeting Margaret who grew up on Portland and is a fan of the book. I won't try to guess when she lived at the cottages at underhill! I wish we'd had more time to talk.

The Big Groves Summer Festival

It was hot! The children who came to the Island Play tent worked on a fantastic collage of the mermaid, who looks very slightly sinister (just as she should be!). I am hoping to take her with me to the Book signing event with Gary Biltcliff on Saturday at WH Smiths in Weymouth. It's the last week of the school year, a sad week for parents! and a happy one for kids!

Portland Museum Event 2 May 2010

The Portland Museum event on 2 May went v well, it was nice to have an opportunity to chat to people about the book. Of course the Portland lamb stole the show, v beautiful! Not to mention the baby goats. Glad to hear lots of grown ups are reading the book too!!