It is something most people have thought about at some point in their lives: running away. Who knows how many Reginald Perrins there really are. As an adult sometimes the pressures of life and the responsibilities it brings can make some yearn for freedom and to get away from it all. This is why that two week holiday/vacation is so important to so many.
I often wish I could be a child again - free to play and have fun as most children should be. Free of the burdens that adult life can bring. But then I recall times as a child when I wanted to run away too...
My mum often regales me with her recollections of me attempting to run away. She says how well I must have been brought up because my small vanity-style case was always packed with clean underwear, slippers and clean nightclothes oh and my toothbrush! I'm not sure where I thought I was going, so ill prepared, but I was very young and never made it past the garage at the end of the garden...
I asked my mum why she never ran after me and she laughed and said, "I could see you from the kitchen and I knew you would always come back!" Which I did! I can't recall why I ever decided to run away but it would have been something very insignificant, I have no doubt, as I certainly had no cause to run away.
Sadly there are children who feel they have no other choice than to run away. Their home lives are possibly unbearable as they have to deal with treatment no children should...
According to The Children's Society, Make Runaways Safe campaign, 'every five minutes a child in the UK runs away from home'. They also state that 'over 100,000 children in the UK run away every year'. These are alarming statistics. It is encouraging that there are such campaigns doing such wonderful work to help our vulnerable young.
With each Larry the Liger story, I touch upon issues children often have to deal with including bullying, fitting in, making friends, accepting others, starting school, understanding dangers...
The final story: Larry the Liger - the Lost Liger, finds Larry making a decision because he feels he has no other choice. He feels unwanted and unsafe so he runs away. Just like that. Just like countless numbers of children do each year the world over...
In The Lost Liger, Larry finds himself in strange surroundings and realises the animals he meets do not always have good intentions towards him. He also wishes he had not run away but he has no idea how he can go home. The story follows the young, liger cub as he tries to cope with being away from home.
I hope this story will help children understand the realities of running away. I also hope children will learn there can be great dangers 'out there'. This story is suitable for children, and adults, of all ages. It has no real violence but very mild threat to highlight some of the dangerous situations Larry faces so far away from those that love him.
Larry the Liger - the Lost Liger is coming very soon. I hope you will all share news of this new release with families and friends everywhere. I would love to think the Larry the Liger series creates an opening for families to discuss sometimes delicate subjects. We can all help our children learn and we should all do our best to keep our children safe from harm...
Happy reading everyone and I look forward to saying "Larry the Liger - the Lost Liger" is now available on Amazon to download. I promise it will be very soon :)
You can download the other Larry the Liger stories here:
http://www.tinyurl.com/c4totfu UK
http://www.tinyurl.com/bnxc42r US
You can support the great work of the Make Runaways Safe campaign and the Children's Society here:
http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/
Sunday, 9 February 2014
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Goodbye my Larry, goodbye my friend...
The time has come and I have to say I am feeling quite emotional about it. I have almost finished the final Larry the Liger story. A lot of love went into bringing the little liger to life and I am proud to say I wrote the ten stories.
It's always amazing how a simple idea can turn into something wonderful. I had a good feeling about Larry ever since Fergus suggested we write about a liger cub who was abandoned outside a Prague zoo: Larry the Liger - his father was a lion, his mother was a tiger! The stories pretty much flowed from me and Larry's character grew and grew, as will he! Once I had the illustration for Larry by the talented Des Campbell I really felt like I knew Larry. He became one of my children and got lots of attention from me when I was able!
I think, as a writer, once you feel that flow and the writing comes naturally then you know you are onto a good thing. I had a spell of writer's block last year but that wasn't Larry's fault and once I sat myself back in position with my bacon crisps the magic returned once again. To feel the words flow from your finger tips is a gift from somewhere unseen. It makes me truly appreciate the opportunity I have had to work with little Larry.
So the last story in the Larry the Liger series, number ten of ten, is nearly ready but I need to do some final editing as it is a little longer than I would like for a short, chapter book but then this final story (currently unnamed!) will be published to Amazon for download. I am very excited and also sad that this is the end of Larry's journey.
I can honestly say, "Larry it has been a true pleasure and I will miss you very much. Should the world beg for more then we can pick up where we left off."
Release date coming soon - watch this space. Share the Larry love. His journey is coming to an end...
www.larrytheliger.co.uk
It's always amazing how a simple idea can turn into something wonderful. I had a good feeling about Larry ever since Fergus suggested we write about a liger cub who was abandoned outside a Prague zoo: Larry the Liger - his father was a lion, his mother was a tiger! The stories pretty much flowed from me and Larry's character grew and grew, as will he! Once I had the illustration for Larry by the talented Des Campbell I really felt like I knew Larry. He became one of my children and got lots of attention from me when I was able!
I think, as a writer, once you feel that flow and the writing comes naturally then you know you are onto a good thing. I had a spell of writer's block last year but that wasn't Larry's fault and once I sat myself back in position with my bacon crisps the magic returned once again. To feel the words flow from your finger tips is a gift from somewhere unseen. It makes me truly appreciate the opportunity I have had to work with little Larry.
So the last story in the Larry the Liger series, number ten of ten, is nearly ready but I need to do some final editing as it is a little longer than I would like for a short, chapter book but then this final story (currently unnamed!) will be published to Amazon for download. I am very excited and also sad that this is the end of Larry's journey.
I can honestly say, "Larry it has been a true pleasure and I will miss you very much. Should the world beg for more then we can pick up where we left off."
Release date coming soon - watch this space. Share the Larry love. His journey is coming to an end...
www.larrytheliger.co.uk
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
2014: well hello there!
A delayed Happy 2014! We have said farewell to 2013 and I have been racking my brains to try to remember how I spent those 365 days! It all seems a bit of a blur...
2013 for me was a period of adjustment and acceptance. Adjusting to life without Dad and accepting he is no longer physically with us. It is hard to believe Dad was gone a year on 19th December 2013. We had all those first milestones since Dad's death to contend with and I am assured each special date will become easier to bear. I truly hope so and will have to take others' words for it...
2013 was the year I turned 40. Another thing to adjust to. Turning 40 definitely had an effect on me! That, and no longer having my Dad, converged into deep thinking and over analysing. Thankfully I have accepted my new, middle age and am embracing it. Yes, I know, I am still young, blah, blah, blah... but sometimes it takes certain things to become defining moments and it certainly doesn't hurt to stand back and take a good look at yourself so long as you don't overdo it!
So what did I discover? I overanalyse. I worry about things too much. I worry, far too much, about what others think of me. I am a day dreamer. I complain too much. The list was growing until I realised that all the negative, self focus was doing me no favours whatsoever! I began to look at the more positive traits I possess (there are some honestly!) and realised this is something I need to do more often. I spend so much time worrying about my family, others, and numerous, other, insignificant things, that I often overlook someone very important... me! Yes I am important and realising this has made me feel much more focused on doing positive things with a more positive outlook.
I am determined to embrace 2014 and use the convenient timing of a New Year to kick myself up the rear and stop messing about dwelling on things I cannot change. I am determined to spend time on those that lift me and bring out the best in me because sadly often the issue with how you feel is the effect of those around you...
I'll share some of my positives from 2013. Writing eight Larry the Liger stories and self publishing them on Amazon with some great reviews received. Being invited to a local school to hold an Assembly all about Larry the Liger. Watching my youngest start preschool and take to it like a dream :). Watching my eldest daughter go into Year 1 and thrive under the pressure of proper school work :) - hard for children of this age as Reception is still a little like preschool and Year 1 is a bit of a shock for them I feel. Spending more, quality time with my family as we never get this time back. Performing in New Wickham Court Players' spring production of 'Small's Talk' and the panto 'Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood'. Admiring my mum for getting out and about as a new widow and learning to make choices alone (she made some really good ones I might add). Spending some quality time with my mum and catching up with family at Christmas time - so valuable and lovely. There have probably been many more positive things but at this moment they are tucked away in my memory for me to say, 'oh, yes, that happened!' just after I publish this blog!
So how has my 2014 been so far? I have been working on the final Larry the Liger story, number 10 in the Series. I began this story a while ago but ended up writing the Winter Surprise as I couldn't seem to finish it. With fresh eyes and a rested brain the words are flowing once more and I am very excited about the final story. Each story can be read independently of the others but there are recurring characters which make the entire series lovely to read too.
For those who haven't met Larry the Liger: his father was a lion, his mother was a tiger! His adventures begin when he is abandoned outside Prague Zoo. With great reviews I can safely recommend these stories to you all. They are short, chapter books so will appeal to independent readers but are equally lovely as read-to stories, for younger children, too.
I really cannot wait to share the final Larry the Liger story with you all and thank everyone who has read the stories so far. I hope you enjoy the final story as much as the other nine. It will be available for download very soon.
So here's to a positive 2014! May your year be filled with happy moments, wonderful memories and lots and lots of time to read. Larry's journey is almost complete...
UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=larry%20the%20liger%20
US http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=larry%20the%20liger%20
and all other Amazon territories.
2013 for me was a period of adjustment and acceptance. Adjusting to life without Dad and accepting he is no longer physically with us. It is hard to believe Dad was gone a year on 19th December 2013. We had all those first milestones since Dad's death to contend with and I am assured each special date will become easier to bear. I truly hope so and will have to take others' words for it...
2013 was the year I turned 40. Another thing to adjust to. Turning 40 definitely had an effect on me! That, and no longer having my Dad, converged into deep thinking and over analysing. Thankfully I have accepted my new, middle age and am embracing it. Yes, I know, I am still young, blah, blah, blah... but sometimes it takes certain things to become defining moments and it certainly doesn't hurt to stand back and take a good look at yourself so long as you don't overdo it!
So what did I discover? I overanalyse. I worry about things too much. I worry, far too much, about what others think of me. I am a day dreamer. I complain too much. The list was growing until I realised that all the negative, self focus was doing me no favours whatsoever! I began to look at the more positive traits I possess (there are some honestly!) and realised this is something I need to do more often. I spend so much time worrying about my family, others, and numerous, other, insignificant things, that I often overlook someone very important... me! Yes I am important and realising this has made me feel much more focused on doing positive things with a more positive outlook.
I am determined to embrace 2014 and use the convenient timing of a New Year to kick myself up the rear and stop messing about dwelling on things I cannot change. I am determined to spend time on those that lift me and bring out the best in me because sadly often the issue with how you feel is the effect of those around you...
I'll share some of my positives from 2013. Writing eight Larry the Liger stories and self publishing them on Amazon with some great reviews received. Being invited to a local school to hold an Assembly all about Larry the Liger. Watching my youngest start preschool and take to it like a dream :). Watching my eldest daughter go into Year 1 and thrive under the pressure of proper school work :) - hard for children of this age as Reception is still a little like preschool and Year 1 is a bit of a shock for them I feel. Spending more, quality time with my family as we never get this time back. Performing in New Wickham Court Players' spring production of 'Small's Talk' and the panto 'Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood'. Admiring my mum for getting out and about as a new widow and learning to make choices alone (she made some really good ones I might add). Spending some quality time with my mum and catching up with family at Christmas time - so valuable and lovely. There have probably been many more positive things but at this moment they are tucked away in my memory for me to say, 'oh, yes, that happened!' just after I publish this blog!
So how has my 2014 been so far? I have been working on the final Larry the Liger story, number 10 in the Series. I began this story a while ago but ended up writing the Winter Surprise as I couldn't seem to finish it. With fresh eyes and a rested brain the words are flowing once more and I am very excited about the final story. Each story can be read independently of the others but there are recurring characters which make the entire series lovely to read too.
For those who haven't met Larry the Liger: his father was a lion, his mother was a tiger! His adventures begin when he is abandoned outside Prague Zoo. With great reviews I can safely recommend these stories to you all. They are short, chapter books so will appeal to independent readers but are equally lovely as read-to stories, for younger children, too.
I really cannot wait to share the final Larry the Liger story with you all and thank everyone who has read the stories so far. I hope you enjoy the final story as much as the other nine. It will be available for download very soon.
So here's to a positive 2014! May your year be filled with happy moments, wonderful memories and lots and lots of time to read. Larry's journey is almost complete...
UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=larry%20the%20liger%20
US http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=larry%20the%20liger%20
and all other Amazon territories.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
The magic of the season
Christmas is coming and there's a bustling atmosphere wherever I go; everyone rushing to get everything just right for Christmas. There is a lot of excitement in our house with a three year old and a nearly six year old (Ella is 6 on Thursday 19th December!). Amy, my youngest, thinks Father Christmas isn't coming as she's been waiting ages for her Peppa Pig bike to come down the chimney! We aren't allowed to put anything in front of the chimney in case it blocks Santa's way in. I sneakily move my flowers back when she's not looking.
I have had the pleasure of seeing both of my girls' Christmas Concerts and they both did a fantastic job. Ella as a sparkly angel dancing around and Amy standing up to sing 'Dear Father Christmas' song. Both were a nice balance of traditional, Christian focus and modern-tradition reference. Well done girls!
Amy turned 3 in November and she had a little party to celebrate with two friends from pre-school. They had a lot of fun. On Sunday we had a party for Ella's 6th Birthday ahead of her actual birthday. There were more children and it was a little bit more loopy but they all had fun and that is what it is all about.
It's an emotional time for me as it's almost a year since Dad passed away from Mesothelioma. We lost him 5 years and 25 minutes after my first born Ella came into the world. It's going to be a day of highs and lows. I am not sure how the day will be but I will be a brave mummy and smile a lot for my Ella. She deserves a lovely birthday especially because I wasn't here for it last year.
Some days I feel low and others I feel ok. Sometimes something happens that just brightens my day and the Christmas Concerts definitely lifted my spirit. Today I found three fantastic, new reviews for some of the Larry the Liger stories and they have made my day. If you ever wondered just how important reviews are then imagine the little face of a hard working writer when they read them! Mine was a beaming and very chuffed one :D
I will share the reviews and hopefully you will get the urge to get yourself some Larry love too! Seasonal greetings one and all. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year full of the best life can give. Enjoy every moment as you just never know...
"5.0 out of 5 stars 'Worth a read',
This review is from: Larry the Liger - The New Home (Kindle Edition)
This story is a lovely story I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series of larry the liger amazing books for children."
"5.0 out of 5 stars 'Cute',
This re...view is from: Larry the Liger - The New Friend (Larry the Liger Series) (Kindle Edition)
This is a lovely story of friendship definitely worth getting to read to your children I love it as an adult."
"5.0 out of 5 stars 'Lovely Lovely Lovely',
This review is from: Larry the Liger - The Easter Liger (Larry the Liger Series) (Kindle Edition)
Its a lovely story about not to judge a book by its cover and continues the magic of easter for children highly recommended to buy and read."
I have had the pleasure of seeing both of my girls' Christmas Concerts and they both did a fantastic job. Ella as a sparkly angel dancing around and Amy standing up to sing 'Dear Father Christmas' song. Both were a nice balance of traditional, Christian focus and modern-tradition reference. Well done girls!
Amy turned 3 in November and she had a little party to celebrate with two friends from pre-school. They had a lot of fun. On Sunday we had a party for Ella's 6th Birthday ahead of her actual birthday. There were more children and it was a little bit more loopy but they all had fun and that is what it is all about.
It's an emotional time for me as it's almost a year since Dad passed away from Mesothelioma. We lost him 5 years and 25 minutes after my first born Ella came into the world. It's going to be a day of highs and lows. I am not sure how the day will be but I will be a brave mummy and smile a lot for my Ella. She deserves a lovely birthday especially because I wasn't here for it last year.
Some days I feel low and others I feel ok. Sometimes something happens that just brightens my day and the Christmas Concerts definitely lifted my spirit. Today I found three fantastic, new reviews for some of the Larry the Liger stories and they have made my day. If you ever wondered just how important reviews are then imagine the little face of a hard working writer when they read them! Mine was a beaming and very chuffed one :D
I will share the reviews and hopefully you will get the urge to get yourself some Larry love too! Seasonal greetings one and all. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year full of the best life can give. Enjoy every moment as you just never know...
"5.0 out of 5 stars 'Worth a read',
This review is from: Larry the Liger - The New Home (Kindle Edition)
This story is a lovely story I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series of larry the liger amazing books for children."
"5.0 out of 5 stars 'Cute',
This re...view is from: Larry the Liger - The New Friend (Larry the Liger Series) (Kindle Edition)
This is a lovely story of friendship definitely worth getting to read to your children I love it as an adult."
"5.0 out of 5 stars 'Lovely Lovely Lovely',
This review is from: Larry the Liger - The Easter Liger (Larry the Liger Series) (Kindle Edition)
Its a lovely story about not to judge a book by its cover and continues the magic of easter for children highly recommended to buy and read."
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
My message of goodwill
I am so pleased to share the latest Larry the Liger story with you all. Larry the Liger - the Winter Surprise is now ready for download from Amazon.
This book is a joy to share because it was mostly written after a spell of serious, writer's block. I began to write it a few months ago but then something halted me and I could not write... at all. It was one of the most frustrating periods of my life because I knew I could do it but nothing would come... not one, single word.
So I sat back and allowed being a mum, and also my rehearsals for the local pantomime with New Wickham Court Players, to distract me from it and I would even avoid turning on my laptop because the sight of it annoyed me so much.
In the last few weeks something changed and I felt the words bubbling up inside me desperate to escape so I gave the laptop a warning look and took up my usual writing position. I began to type and I could not stop. I had to of course because I have two, young children to look after but whenever I could I would get back to the story and not for one minute did I even have to really think about the way the story was going to go because it just did... go!
When I finally finished the story I knew it was a good one. Yes I am entitled to say that because the story literally came out of me and I do wonder if there is an angel somewhere very pleased they got me to write it for them!
So what will you think of The Winter Surprise? Well the only way to find out is to read it and I am pretty certain it will warm your cockles and bring a smile to even the meanest person out there.
The Winter Surprise is all about Larry facing the changes the winter period brings for the other animals. He faces a period where potentially he will have no one to play with. Even the school is closed. One of Larry's friends decides that something must be done to cheer their sad, liger friend and preparations begin.
The ending is seasonal and festive; it will make you believe in the wonder of the season and the importance of goodwill. It makes a humorous observation of just how distracted we all are at this time of year. This is my message of goodwill as told through Larry the Liger. This book is for children of all ages right up to 110!
So what are you waiting for?
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GY15HIY
www.amazon.com/dp/B00GY15HIY
and all other Amazon territories.
Winter seasonal greetings everyone :)
This book is a joy to share because it was mostly written after a spell of serious, writer's block. I began to write it a few months ago but then something halted me and I could not write... at all. It was one of the most frustrating periods of my life because I knew I could do it but nothing would come... not one, single word.
So I sat back and allowed being a mum, and also my rehearsals for the local pantomime with New Wickham Court Players, to distract me from it and I would even avoid turning on my laptop because the sight of it annoyed me so much.
In the last few weeks something changed and I felt the words bubbling up inside me desperate to escape so I gave the laptop a warning look and took up my usual writing position. I began to type and I could not stop. I had to of course because I have two, young children to look after but whenever I could I would get back to the story and not for one minute did I even have to really think about the way the story was going to go because it just did... go!
When I finally finished the story I knew it was a good one. Yes I am entitled to say that because the story literally came out of me and I do wonder if there is an angel somewhere very pleased they got me to write it for them!
So what will you think of The Winter Surprise? Well the only way to find out is to read it and I am pretty certain it will warm your cockles and bring a smile to even the meanest person out there.
The Winter Surprise is all about Larry facing the changes the winter period brings for the other animals. He faces a period where potentially he will have no one to play with. Even the school is closed. One of Larry's friends decides that something must be done to cheer their sad, liger friend and preparations begin.
The ending is seasonal and festive; it will make you believe in the wonder of the season and the importance of goodwill. It makes a humorous observation of just how distracted we all are at this time of year. This is my message of goodwill as told through Larry the Liger. This book is for children of all ages right up to 110!
So what are you waiting for?
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GY15HIY
www.amazon.com/dp/B00GY15HIY
and all other Amazon territories.
Winter seasonal greetings everyone :)
A winter surprise
Fergus writes:
"What is the collective
noun for a Group of Ligers?
I wish I knew!
Larry was lonely in
Rachael’s latest A Winter Surprise with no siblings to keep him company. I
think I’ll ask Rachael? What do you think? Is it a Pride of Ligers? No that’s
Lions. Is it a Society of Ligers?
It is becoming
contagious. I find myself say 'My father is a Scot and my mother English! I am
British!'
Fergus."
Well, Fergus you are right Larry does indeed feel a little alone in the upcoming release, The Winter Surprise. His friends are all preparing to have their long sleep and Larry wonders who he will play with. There is a surprise in store though and everyone will have to download the ebook to find out what happens.
As for a group of ligers: some say a pride, some say a streak or ambush, however I have decided that for Larry, should he ever find others like him, it will be called a legion of ligers. What does everyone else think?
Larry the Liger - the Winter Surprise is coming soon and is full of seasonal wonder for you and your little ones. Here is a sneak preview of the new cover :)
Enjoy the journey...
Friday, 13 September 2013
What does the fox say?
'What does the fox say?' This is the type of question my writing often forces me to ask. Yes, my research time is often spent trying to find out what noises certain animals make in their efforts to communicate. The Larry the Liger stories have sent me on a learning journey of all things animal related. Thank goodness for the Internet is all I can say; it has saved me hours of becoming one with all things outdoors.
Recently when I was asking Google one of my strange and bizarre questions about animals, their noises and expressions, I discovered something I never quite expected. 'A song about a fox?' I thought and I had to check it out. Well, what can I say? You need to see it to believe it really! This is a song I could almost have written myself such is my knowledge now of animal noises! ;) It seems I am not the only one asking such questions. The Fox by Ylvis can be found here http://youtu.be/jofNR_WkoCE
This is a funny video and I ended up reading all about how it has been received. Some people appear to have missed the humour element of it but, regardless of all the reactions, if it's that stupid how come I find myself asking these rather ridiculous questions on a daily basis? I do believe I have discovered the next Gangnam Style hit and if this does go global then remember where you heard it first :)
Is it any wonder I don't get much writing done some days?! Now to discover what a worm says...
Recently when I was asking Google one of my strange and bizarre questions about animals, their noises and expressions, I discovered something I never quite expected. 'A song about a fox?' I thought and I had to check it out. Well, what can I say? You need to see it to believe it really! This is a song I could almost have written myself such is my knowledge now of animal noises! ;) It seems I am not the only one asking such questions. The Fox by Ylvis can be found here http://youtu.be/jofNR_WkoCE
This is a funny video and I ended up reading all about how it has been received. Some people appear to have missed the humour element of it but, regardless of all the reactions, if it's that stupid how come I find myself asking these rather ridiculous questions on a daily basis? I do believe I have discovered the next Gangnam Style hit and if this does go global then remember where you heard it first :)
Is it any wonder I don't get much writing done some days?! Now to discover what a worm says...
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