David Yearsley, author of the Cloverdaisy series: how my granddaughters inspired me to write books for children . . .
“We’ve read Narnia, Pops, and Alice in Wonderland. Please do something new for us like that?”
As a self-published author used to writing things from ‘scratch’, a blank canvass, this is when the agility starts to mould creatures into their own being and not yet invented or named.
“Pops, do something about talking frogs, mermaids, ghosts, haunted places and journeys like Dr Who and Star Trek!
A blessing and a joy
It is a blessing and a joy – sometimes a curse-having a creative mind magnified by watching children play and argue with competing tales and imaginations that are wider than mine! That said Roald Dahl never complained when he wrote, and rewrote, through his varied imagination and incredible ability to bring scenes to life.
I watch how my grandkids ‘act’ and perform, then compare them to colourful animal scenes and their competitive streak. In the end, no one wins or loses but there are tears and falling out along the way!
I also write because I can as it comes mainly from the heart! And then through my mind to either a pen or the laptop!
“What about this time-travel we’ve hears about in school Pops?”. “Ah that’s called teleporting girls. You should try it!”
I write because it is natural
I write because it is natural for me and my best school subjects were always English language and English literature! Then there’s the immortal Steven King’s quote: “Good ideas come from nowhere!” They are a gift to cherish and pass on.
I’m gazing at landscapes and nature, puzzled by how the composite animals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians are all interwoven to survive. Then the humour joins in led by colourful, curious acts with an absence of fear and being in the moment. No mobile phones or laptops!
Living in a rural village and surrounded by farmland growing up was the best education I could ever had. That was even before I went to secondary school. Those were the primary school days when I daydreamed and gawped while the teachers scoffed, ‘pay attention lad’, concentrate properly. Little did they know I was already composing novels in my head?
Write ideas down quickly
Then as now, it’s always been long hand-written drafts before typing up from a blank on my laptop screen. That was always a first draft but the initial groundwork laid the frame. Then I have to write ideas down quickly as they otherwise disappear as fast as they first entered my thoughts!
Then comes the biggest test of all… trying the script out on the grandkids and their mates. “Come here kids, what d’ya thinks of this?”
As a forward-thinking author, I’ve always started a new book before finishing the current one. It comes naturally to me although life experiences and events flick off easily to convert into writing about almost anything
Despite many knock-backs from literary agents and book publishers direct; it makes me more determined to strive harder for success.
The Mystery of Cloverdaisy Cottage
The local pond life was a haven for nature, its inhabitants and generating great ideas. Moreover it made it stimulated my granddaughters with their own ideas, suggestions and shouts of…
“Hey Pops can you write about where everything comes from!! What about the haunted Abbey? And those medieval knights we read about somewhere?”
Nell was especially mesmerised by the strange little creatures swimming around like something is chasing them! ‘Tadpoles, tadpoles! Some have little legs and tales growing as they develop to the next cycle of life. In the adjoining stream pool Molly is staring at a young ‘froglet’ who appears to be trying catch their attention.
“How unusual Molly.”, winced Kate. “It’s now pointing to Nanna’s cottage!” Molly dismissed her, saying don’t be nuts it’s just a coincidence and that he’s flexing his dancing muscles!
Narnia comes to mind again and the anthropomorphic stories. “Yes girls, ones that can talk to humans not just their own kind. I heard about one in particular called the Panamanian Golden frog who was thought to be extinct? Maybe that’s him doing the aerobics?!! Ha-ha!”
Now let’s all go back for pop and ice cream and read out what we’ve written. Despite writing about the same subjects, kids are never writing the same-magic!
Can’t write?
Can’t write? Of course you can! Pick up paper and pen and put down what you’re thinking about even if it’s nonsense! Then pop along to your local library and ask them if they will pin it up or enter it in a children’s competition. Also read what the famous children’s authors wrote. Like us they simply started with an idea – or maybe a push from a child.
(c) David Yearsley
https://www.davidyearsley.com/
About The Mystery of Cloverdaisy Cottage: Part 2
A year has passed since Cloverdaisy 1 when, during a recent holiday in Cornwall, haunting vibes and ghostly callings filter through to Kate and Clara and ‘call’ them ‘home’. Lost souls from the Abbey, through Ida the Nun and the Lord Abbott, combine with links to King Edward I – the Abbey’s founder – and the Arthurian legend at Glastonbury.
Following a meeting at the Church manse with the Minister, Reverend Donald and Arthur the baker, this leads them to the summer solstice where a mind-blowing plan is hatched through the enchantments, taking them back to 1270 – the year the Abbey was built prior to being consecrated.
Ghosts, sorcerers, teleporting, a subterranean lake, haunted houses and a Wizard – Mervyn – takes them beyond earth and to new ‘depths’ – literally.
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