My 2016 – Don’t blame the Year
- At December 29, 2016
- By Niel
- In Writing
0
2016 has been an odd year. In spite of its cavalier attitude to celebrity lifespans and its blatant disregard for commonsense voting, opinion poles and the general prospects for the future of humanity, my 2016 has been a bit, well… meh! It’s not been a bad year, I’ve had some really good times, a fantastic holiday, and made some good progress with my writing. But I can’t call it a good year either. It’s been a year of waiting, a year of plodding on, a year of… hang on! This sounds an awful lot like 2015!
And therein lies the problem with 2016. It hasn’t given me the results I was hoping for. But then it’s not 2016’s fault, it just happened to be the year on watch while I didn’t fulfil my potential. Likewise 2016 didn’t kill all those great artists, writers, actors and musicians we lost this year, it was just happened to be there when it happened. 2016 is the lamp-post that we all drove into on a dark rainy night. It’s not the lamp-post’s fault. It’s not 2016’s fault. The only person I can blame for me not getting where I wanted to this year is me.So when 2016 turns into 2017 I’m going to do everything I can to get me where I want to be by 2018. But before I dive into my over-complex plans for world domination, here’s a brief look back at my 2016.
January
I start the year by planning what I hope to achieve in the next twelve months. Some of this happens, some of it doesn’t. I also release the third video in my new YouTube series, Writing & Stuff, featuring advice for writers from my agent Juliet Mushens.
February
More Writing & Stuff fun, this time with my good friend and collaborator Chris Chatterton. We talk about picture-books and making a living as an illustrator, all from the inside of a car at night! I also complete draft two of Project Artichoke.
March
For tax reasons I spend the month as a tree. For the most part this is an extremely enjoyable career change. I enjoy the wind blowing through my branches, the early morning conversations with the birds and insects, but there’s a dog called Muffin who relieves himself on me every day. My bark shows signs of staining. I really want to kick Muffin.
April
The third draft of Project Artichoke is done, and I manage to do a few drawings to go along with the text. I don’t get enough time to draw these days, so it’s a fun diversion. I’m also appointed at the Patron of Reading at North Durham Academy Academy.
May
I’m invited by the Queen to play in her back garden and eat tiny sandwiches. Hard to believe but it’s actually true! I behave myself and manage not to get involved in an international incident. Really, it wasn’t my fault.
June
I fulfil a lifetime ambition when I meet Apollo Astronaut and all-round legend Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin. They say don’t meet your heroes but Buzz didn’t disappoint. He was funny, eccentric, energetic and enthusiastic, keen to promote the colonisation of Mars and beyond.
July
I finally get some copies of the Brazilian edition of Timesmith, even though it’s been out over there for about a year. Apparently this is due to a temporal rift in the space-time continuum that has opened up in the local postal depot. The postman babbled about dinosaurs and robots, he even said Trump would be President, but I could smell alcohol on his breath so I’m not sure what to believe.
August
I take a much-needed holiday in the beautiful landscape of Lake Garda in Italy. I take a break from writing too, leaving my laptop in England so that I could completely relax and read books. The only downside of the holiday is the return to reality at the end.
September
The first draft of my latest book, cryptically known only as Project Nova, is done. This is my fifth book! How on earth did that happen? The shock of this plunges me into a deep coma that lasts for eighteen seconds.
October
I am officially named as the new Chair of the Society of Authors regional group, Authors North. The power goes to my head and I invade Waterstones in Middlesbrough and declare it as an independent state. I am accepted as the foretold leader of legend, until the food runs out and we resort to using books as clothing, weapons and sustenance. The new republic lasts just six hours. Fourteen people remain unaccounted for.
November
One of the most influential comic artists of my youth, Steve Dillon, passed away this month. Steve was a major inspiration in my early years trying to be a comic artist. His work continued to innovate and inspire throughout his career, and his death is a massive loss to the comic industry.
December
In the rush towards Christmas I manage to squeeze in an amazing night watching Rogue One, including a cast and crew Q&A. And I discover an intriguing connection between me and the director Gareth Edwards. I also manage to finished the second draft of Project Nova. The third draft will be done over the Christmas break, ready to be sent out in January.
So that was 2016. Thanks for reading, sharing, buying my books, coming to my events, and all the other things that you do to support me and other writers. I hope 2017 is the year you want it to be. Niel x
Animating Ideas – Patron of Reading Visit
- At June 25, 2016
- By Niel
- In Patron of Reading 2016
- 0
I had a great first day at North Durham Academy yesterday. I’m Patron of Reading there for the next year and was looking forward to meeting the pupils who I’ll be working with. As well as an assembly talk and a library meet & greet I did a creative writing session for the Gifted & Talented English students, followed by an introduction to animation for the G&T Art students. There was a lot of creativity flying about in the sessions and I’m hopeful we can build on it in future visits to the school.
Patron of Reading 2016
- At April 20, 2016
- By Niel
- In Patron of Reading 2016, Schools
- 0
I’m thrilled to let you know I’ve been appointed as the Patron of Reading for North Durham Academy in Stanley, County Durham.
What is a Patron of Reading?
A Patron of Reading (PoR) is a school’s special, designated children’s author with whom the school forms a personal attachment. The patron might be a writer of fiction, a writer of non-fiction, a poet, storyteller or an illustrator. Tenure lasts for a minimum of a year, but the exact length is decided mutually between the school and patron.
I was a Patron of Reading last year for the District CE Primary School in Warrington. The team there came up with some really clever ways of supporting reading, so the bar has been set high for my work with North Durham Academy. This time I’m working with older pupils, from Year 7 to Year 10, and even with some of their Sixth Form English students, so it’s going to be fun to come up with new ways of encouraging their love of books. The good news is that they have an excellent library at NDA, and the staff are eager to support the initiative. The first task is to put a battle plan together before I spend my first day there in the near future. Can’t wait to get started.
My 2014 – a better year
- At December 31, 2014
- By Niel
- In Blog, Events/News, General, Opinion, Writing
- 0
Years have a funny way of creeping up on us, don’t they? We think we know exactly where they are then some time around August they hide behind our backs, jump out and whack us in the face with a fist full of December. BAM! The year’s out. Done and dusted. And all those ambitions will have to wait until next year. So I’m ending 2014 with a few intentions left hanging, the biggy being the completion of my third book. I haven’t finished it, but I’m really, really close.
Even so I’d say 2014 has been a much more settled and satisfying year than any of the last half dozen. If you read my blog post this time last year you might recall I described it as the best and worst of times. At least 2014 has had less bumps in the road, even if the highs haven’t been quite as high. Here’s my year:
January
With a belly full of chocolate and a head full of good intentions I set out to dominate the literary landscape. My first plan, to elaborately murder all other children’s writers is soon dismissed as I’m not big on driving, and they live all over the country! I fall back on plan B: write stuff.
February
Sorrowline is on the longlist for the prestigious Brandford Boase Award. Even though it didn’t make the cut for the shortlist I’m still thrilled. But it’s not the only awards news: Sorrowline is also short-listed for the Spellbinding 2014 award. And Read Regional kicks off!
March
To coincide with World Book Day Timesmith is published in the UK! I do a launch event in my local Waterstones and I feel like a proper author!
April
I’m temporarily teleported to an alternative dimension where I’m the only author. I’m hailed as a gold-like hero and am promoted to the board of Waterstones AND Amazon. For a few short weeks books outsell nappies, chocolate and shampoo. But the stress of writing ALL books is just too much and my pen runs out of ink. I return home in shame after the great Waterstones/Amazon War wipes out the entire population of East Grinstead.
May
Spring spings and I boing all over the place! I make a return trip to Sweden at the invitation of The English Bookshop and meet lots of very friendly readers.
June
Sorrowline is published in Brazil! This is the third foreign language edition of my first book after Germany and Thailand. I also do quite a few events including one for the National Literary Trust at St James’ Park in Newcastle. But it’s not the only unusual event: I talk at the launch of the Cultural Ambassadors scheme in my home town and take part in a live chat show in a comedy club in Newcastle! Normal service resumes next month.
July
I have a blast working with the super talented Mark Jobe helping the pupils of Macmillan Academy in Middlesbrough to write, develop and animate their own film about climate change. The project even won a few awards and was screened at a festival in Hollywood!
August
Time for a break! I have a family holiday in Spain and, while on a day trip to the beautiful city of Barcelona, I have a strange literary encounter. I’m reading George Orwell’s 1984 when I stumble into square named after the great man! I had no idea he had such a big connection to the city until that moment. I’ve now read more about his life and have realised what a fascinating figure he was.
September
I attend FantasyCon in York. It’s my first fantasy convention and I have a great time meeting up with lots of other Team Mushens authors. It’s also my first visit to The District CE Primary in Newton-le-Willows where I’m Patron of Reading. The staff and pupils have such enthusiasm for books!
October
I’m deep into writing my next book, a dystopian sci-fi adventure about two siblings facing the end of the world! I’m hoping to finish by Christmas, but it might take a bit longer than that. It’s good to be writing something new again.
November
I’m involved with a writing workshop for the pupils of The Avenue Primary School in Middlesbrough, helping them create their own story for a play about electricity consumption. Over a series of workshops they brainstorm ideas, develop characters and story then rehearse and perform the play.
December
The brilliant staff at the District CE reveal their Story Steps, and I’m thrilled to be one of the steps! I can’t wait to visit them again in the New Year and see it for myself.
It’s the end of the year already! It’s been a bit of a blur, hasn’t it? As Christmas fades away I’m still working on the new project. There’s a lot of story to tell so I’m not worried that it’s taken me longer than I’d hoped. Roll on 2015 and a fresh year to squander! I hope the New Year is good to you, thanks for your support during 2014.
The Amazing Story Steps!
- At December 12, 2014
- By Niel
- In Schools
- 0
Isn’t this the best thing ever? This is one of the many ideas of the genius staff at The District of CE Primary school in Newton-le-Willows where I’m Patron of Reading. They’ve jazzed up a small flight of steps with the spines of some of their favourite books, and I’m delighted to be included in amongst so many amazing writers. I think it’s such a clever idea, a simple reminder to the pupils as they move around the school about the importance of reading. I can’t wait to see it for myself when I visit there again in the new year!
A year of author events
- At November 07, 2014
- By Niel
- In Events/News, Talks/Events
- 0
As the year draws to a close I’m about to complete my last school event of 2014. I’ve done lots of talks, workshops and signings this year so I thought I’d share some highlights with you.
- MacMillan Academy, Middlesbrough. I spent a week at the MacMillan Academy helping the pupils develop and write a script for an animated film about climate change. Under the guidance of animator Mark Jobe the pupils designed and animated their script. The completed film has gone on to be short-listed for awards and screened at the Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival, Kids for Kids UK at the BFI Southbank and will be screened at Hollywood Shorts in Los Angeles this November.
The District CE Primary, Newton-le-Willows. I was thrilled to be asked to be Patron of Reading by the staff at the District CE Primary school. I enjoyed visiting their pupils in September where I was spoilt with cakes in the staff room and a 3D cut-out display of my books in reception!- Read Regional 2014. Read Regional is a promotional campaign that connects writers living in the North East and Yorkshire with their local readers. Organised through New Writing North the campaign partners with library authorities throughout the region to hold author events and to ensure brilliant books by northern authors are stocked in libraries. I was very pleased to be included in the 2014 campaign, I visited libraries all over the north of England and met hundreds of enthusiastic readers.
- The Avenue Primary School, Middlesbrough.This Tees Valley Arts funded project helped the pupils to create their own story for a play about electricity consumption. Over a series of workshops they brainstormed ideas, developed characters and the story then rehearsed and performed the play.
The Uppsala International Authors Stage, Uppsala City Library, Sweden. This was my second trip to Sweden as an author, having been to the Gothenburg Book Fair in 2013. This time I went to Uppsala at the invitation of Jan from The English Bookshop. He organised three events including a talk and signing at the city library and his bookshop.
And there were so many more I could mention! I did a day of back-to-back talks at St James’ Park football ground in Newcastle for the National Literacy Trust Premier League Reading Stars initiative (and I reversed my car into a bollard outside the stadium!) and a book signing in Waterstones for the launch of Timesmith. But every event has memorable moments, little gems that linger in the mind. Sometimes it’s the amazing unexpected ideas that a pupil will come up with, sometimes it’s the moments of comedy that I shouldn’t be laughing at – a carpet fart by a very young pupil springs to mind, but most of all it’s the genuine excitement and enthusiasm I see for reading when a school brings an author in to visit. Of course I’m bound to tell you how important author visits can be for pupils! But don’t take my word for it. There’s been lots of research done that shows the great benefits of getting authors into schools. You can find some of it here.
Here’s a few recent testimonials:
”Just to say on behalf of Unity City Academy how much we enjoyed this afternoon with Niel Bushnell, the students have come away with some brilliant ideas.”
Janet Dowey, Learning Resource Centre Manager, Unity City Academy, Middlesbrough.
“Niel has definitely inspired some successors to his literary throne and we have even had the questions ‘when is the next book out?’ and ‘is Niel coming back?’ It was a special afternoon and allowed our students access to an opportunity, which they normally would not have access to. Definitely another building block in Manor College’s literacy and reading community – thanks Niel!”
Miss Clark (AST in Literacy), Manor College of Technology, Hartlepool.
“Warwickshire Schools Library Service shortlisted Niel Bushnell’s first novel – Sorrowline – for our 2014 secondary book award. We were thrilled when Niel agreed to attend the celebration ceremony, and he willingly took to the stage, telling three hundred 11 and 12 year olds about his upbringing and writing life. He was a natural at this and thoroughly engaged the audience. He read from his second book and the pupils all eagerly bought copies afterwards. He also worked well with another author at the ceremony whom he had never met before and fielded questions of all kinds from the audience. We’d really recommend him for author visits to schools and libraries!”
Stella Thebridge, Manager, Warwickshire SLS
If your school, library, bookshop or festival is looking for a children’s author then please do get in touch. I’m booking up now for 2015 and keen to meet new readers. For event inquiries please email .
