Thanks to Nonie for the kind comments on my Amy Green book, and to Leah for the mention on her book website. Apologies, girls, my reply button is not working for some weird computer reason.
Just as well my lovely boyfriend bought me a new pink Sony laptop for Christmas – if only I had the time (or the knowledge, let’s be honest!) to transfer the files. So I’m still on the kids’ laptop in the kitchen, and my old Dell thing in the study. You know how it is.

I was in London yesterday meeting my new agent who is a fab woman called Philippa. I’m in awe of her superior knowlege and general aura of calm. I’m very lucky that she and her colleagues in LAW decided to take me on, thanks folks! Promise I’ll work really, really hard.

Also met the delightful film people who have bought the rights to Amy Green. Even if Amy Green never makes it to the big or small screen, I have already enjoyed the experience. And the script writer is a doll. Used to do a fishing telly show and his name is Fisher – no kidding!

I had another lovely London trip a few weeks ago to see my two publishers – Pan Macmillan and Walker – I do like London. Great city. Managed to sniggle into Patrick Ness’s launch that trip – did I write about that? You know, I honestly can’t remember.

Anyway, back to writing and to Patrick. He also spoke at a children’s book conference in Dublin on Saturday (Children’s Books Ireland – google them, they are fabber than fab). And he said this ‘Write with joy. Every day. Write – with – joy.’ Hear, hear! It’s so important. You must sit down at your desk/at the kitchen table/in the library and pour your heart onto the page – but your whitest, purest heart. Your joyful heart. You must leave all your earthly worries behind you and just enjoy the writing. Then hopefully you’ll pass on some of this joy to your readers.

Some of Patrick’s scenes are pretty dark. He doesn’t write violence or cruelty lightly. He imagines someone he loves, someone vulnerable being hurt and writes from that dark and upsetting place. It’s excellent advice.

He’s currently the on-line writer in residence for Book Trust in the UK. Inspired choice.

I’ll leave you with that thought – and Patrick’s advice – write with joy.

Best,
Sarah X