I got another rejection today. This is the second one for this novel and funnily enough, both agents loved the concept but didn't fall in love with the writing - quite the opposite of the previous novels I queried with. I seem to not be able to put together a great concept and great writing. …
New essays
This seems to be the year for essays. The word 'essay' goes back to the 15th-century verb which was used in the sense of 'test the quality of something'. That verb, in turn, was borrowed from Old French 'essay, essai', from Latin 'exagium' (weighing, testing, ascertaining). Although I tend to express myself easiest through fiction, …
The Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant @jlancetgrant
Everyone knows I adore pirates. I mean, I wrote a book about a girl pirate! So when I came across The Pirate Mums, I had to read it. And what a delightful picture book this is! Billy's mums are not exactly, well, normal, their pet parrot is loud and rude, and their clothes are not …
Continue reading "The Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant @jlancetgrant"
Essay on writing in a second language
At last, sixteen months after my PhD viva, part of my critical essay is now published in LOGOS. Hurray! The Challenges, Advantages, and Consequences of Writing Prose in a Second Language. According to Homi Bhabha, hybridity in the context of identity where two cultures or languages collide is a third space where new views and …
Ever Rest by Roz Morris
I recently had the chance to read an advance copy of Roz Morris's Ever Rest. What first attracted me to it was the fact that it was about musicians (I used to date a bass player once upon a time) and that it was about grieving. Here's the blurb: Twenty years ago, Hugo and Ash …
The Pirate Tree in different forms
I'm very lucky to have brilliantly creative friends. One of them has transformed The Pirate Tree into a kamishibai form, which is a form of Japanese street theater that became popular during the 1930s Depression and the post-war period. It's becoming increasingly popular again and it's no wonder because it joins the best aspects of …
The Pirate Tree free activities
During the lockdown, I was busy creating free activities for readers of The Pirate Tree. You can now download them on my publisher's website (scroll down). You'll find a crossword puzzle, a labyrinth, a fun board game and more. Have fun playing and creating and do let me know how you like them!
Lockdown activities
Now that we're all staying home during this global lockdown, my publisher Lantana publishing wanted to help children pass the time until they can return to schools and kindergartens. They came up with the idea of setting up a Lantana Book Club. As part of this book club, Lantana will share book readings on their …
Viva distractions
The 31 January was a magical day. I woke up in Swansea (in a terrible hotel, but that didn't manage to ruin the day). My PhD viva was scheduled for later that Friday. Needless to say, I was nervous even though I kept telling myself that I wrote the thesis so I knew what it …
Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Last night I ended up watching a documentary about space. Space has always fascinated me, not just because of its vastness, but mostly because of the mystery that still surrounds it despite the incredible discoveries made by modern day scientists. With all our knowledge, technology and supercomputers we practically still know only a fraction of …
Brigita Orel 