Author: gretayorke

I have decided on this glorious Autumn day that I should forego the pleasures for writing and chill. I climbed over the back wall and gathered brambles(blackberries) and apples growing wild. Every time I gather brambles I think of my grandpa who took me brambling when I was wee. Happy days!
I think I was due a break from writing(and here I am at it again!) as I’ve been working on the next Tartan Witch book, my children’s novel and getting my Tax return organised. All in all it’s been pretty busy. Tax is sorted though so that’s a great relief. I’m back to NYC in December and this morning I had the cheek to ask the Public Library, NYC if I might be able to do a reading whilst there….if you don’t ask!!! Watch this space. I’m really excited about the latest witch story…I suppose I’m pretty excited about the novel too, heyho.
My brain is working overtime telling me of great ideas, it just has to remind the memory part to remember them all because sometimes I just can’t keep up with it!😂 I’m just off to jot down a few ideas…just in case.

I spent yesterday morning at the Outdoor Education Dept with the Learning Outdoors Support Team planning curricular lessons with How the Pirates Turned the Tide as stimulus. This proved most satisfying and I thoroughly enjoyed helping devise engaging activities which will develop the children’s understanding of a healthy lifestyle, recycling, sustainability and plastic pollution through all curricular areas. I am so looking forward to this being implemented in term 3….bring it on!

Last Saturday I was delighted to read the first few chapters of my latest venture, a children’s novel, to twenty keen listeners at Troon Library. After the reading the children played my ‘Scarecrow Drive’ game, a crossword, wordsearch and a ‘How Many Words Can You See’ sheet. Ella and Eilidh illustrated scenes from the chapters read.

Here are two messages from children after the reading of How the Pirates Turned the Tide. Spread the word!

This weekend sees the 50th anniversary conference of The Scottish Association of Writers at the Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld. Over the weekend there will be opportunities to listen to respected published authors speaking to the assembly. There will also be opportunities to sign up for a number of workshops which are always enjoyable and informative. There will be the announcements of winners in the different writing genre competitions and a chance to hear winning entries being read out. This weekend is always inspiring and it’s bound to be extra especially so in this anniversary year. All competition entries receive helpful critiques which are most valuable.
We have come to expect a high standard of food and facilities at the venue which makes the whole experience memorable.
I shall be returning the Poetry Wall trophy which I won last year and the ‘Barbara Hammond trophy’for the best self published book which Tartan Witch also won last year.
With fellow Litereightee, Catherine’s, sketch being performed at some time – and I have a small part- it should all be a fun time.
I have bitten the bullet and booked a pitch with a publisher for a children’s novel which is simmering away so that won’t be the least bit stressful!!!
The weekend will fly by and if it’s like usual I shall go home saying ‘must do better’but completely inspired.