What makes it
especially interesting is that every school visit is different. The
way the day is worked out, the children and teachers in the classes,
the activities you do, and the questions you get asked.
Even though
you plan your day, you're very much working off the seat of your
pants. Questions come flying at you, and you need to have an instant
answer – and make it interesting.
Although most of my
books are for 8-12 year olds and young adult, I'll often be asked to
work with the little ones too – reception and years 1 and 2, who
are very sweet.
Last week on World
Book Day I spent the morning with two reception classes of 25
children each, all of whom were dressed as their favourite character.
So lots of Batman and Spiderman, lots of Elsa from Frozen, Snow
White, Harry Potter, Iron Man – all looking so cute.
 |
| Youngsters were inspired to draw The Beast. |
So as not to terrify
these little sweeties with book covers such as Nightmare and The
Reawakening, I take my polar bear teddy with me, and together we'll
write an adventure story.
Fun though it is, there's no fooling them.
I'm quickly told that no, a polar bear's favourite food is not ice
cream. They eat seals and penguins. Oh dear! I spot a quick
change of plan regarding the plot!
Junior aged children
are just brilliant to work with. They're enthusiastic, they love
stories, love adventure, love mystery, love ghosts – and they
particularly love scary stories.
I can guarantee that
when I set my books out on display, the one they will instantly want
to know about is Nightmare published by Badger Learning with its ghostly ghouly cover. It's
actually meant for reluctant readers yet all abilities seem to go for
it.
 |
| Erdington Library |
My Beast trilogy
always goes down well too, and when there's the opportunity to sell
books at the end of the school day, The Beast sells out like hot
cakes. (Usborne take notice!!) The tragedy is that Usborne who
published it along with The Reawakening and Rampage, chose to stop
publishing and revert the rights back to me about a year ago. So
annoying and disappointing when kids love the books!
So now I'm preparing
to re-publishing as POD and as ebooks with new look covers. So
looking forward to getting all that sorted and out there!
But back to schools.
I love school visits – even working with years 9 who sometimes
think it's just not cool to actually speak!
But they keep you on
your toes and you're constantly thinking on your feet. It can be
exhausting – but in a good way.
And I love the Q &
A sessions. You never know what you'll be asked. Such as:
Q. How you think up
the story ideas?
Q How do you come up
with the character's names.
Q. How do you get
what's in your head onto the paper?
Q. How do you know
where to put the full stops and commas?
Q. How do you
publish a book?
And they also like
to know about you as a person:
Q. How old are you?
I tell them that I
started writing when I was expecting my first baby. Now he's grown up
with babies of his own.
Q. Are you famous?
I ask them if they
would recognise me if they saw me in the street tomorrow.
Q. Do you know any
other authors?
Yes, lots, I tell
them, and reel off a few names. (AE authors – felt your ears
burning recently?)
Q. How much money do
you earn?
Believe it or not, I
was once asked this by a teacher!!!!
How about you, do
you enjoy meeting your readers? And what questions have you been
asked about your books?
Please visit my
website: http:www.annevansbooks.co.uk
And if you'd like to 'like' my Facebook author page it's at: https://www.facebook.com/Ann-Evans-Books-146957850210/?fref=ts
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