It has been almost a year since I posted on this blog and I apologise for this. Much has happened since my last post. 

Further research into building a business entertaining kindergarten children with my puppets and creating books as keepsakes for the children has shown that it isn't viable unless I'm willing to be free entertainment all of the time. Instead, I will use my photography and writing to create adventure books with my puppets. The worst case scenario is that my children are the only ones entertained by them and I can certainly live with that.

I've also been doing some freelance editing work, which has kept me much busier than first anticipated. This has resulted in my own website being developed. As soon as it's up and running I'll post the link here. 

None of this sounds like anything to get excited about, especially when my dream is to become an author, but all of it is valuable learning experience that keeps me writing and working within the industry. 

One stepping stone at a time!

I've been busy ordering a couple of large monkey puppets and putting together a proposal for my local kindergarten. The aim is to introduce one of the puppets to the children via a short ventriloquist act (yes, by me!) and then leave him with the class so they can each take him home and teach him something new based on the teacher's chosen theme. This might be healthy eating and exercise, helping others, or multi-cultural experiences, etc. At the end of it I will take the book that they've been filling with words and pictures from their experiences and will create a story book in the puppet's voice. Each child will receive a copy of the book. 

I'll be doing the first one for free so I can iron out any wrinkles in the process and receive some valuable feedback from the teacher. This will never be a big money spinner as kindergartens can't afford to pay a suitable fee to cover freelance writing rates, design fees for the book and the printing costs. It is to allow me to continue working with the children, learning what they get excited about and what makes them laugh, so I can produce outstanding picture book stories.

Children are the hardest critics, but their delight when you get it right is the most rewarding. 

Here is a picture of Benson, the first to arrive, ready for ventriloquist practice. Please excuse his nakedness, he's still deciding what his preferred wardbrobe will be.

Work In Progress

I've been working on a few picture book stories, all of which contain a native Australian bird as the protagonist. I recently submitted my favourite of the three completed ones to a publisher and wait to see if I will be pinning another rejection slip to my noticeboard or chilling a bottle of champagne. 

I'm also in the planning stages of a series of children's chapter books. As there is a lot to nut out in this series all I can tell you at the moment is that it involves a chest full of dress-up clothes, magical stones, an evil magician, and a temperamental fairy. 

Volunteer Writers

As I near the end of my diploma studies (Sorry, I forgot to mention I completed the Certificate IV at the end of 2008) I'm finding myself feeling less satisfied with my studies. It's not that I'm not still learning; it's because I'm feeling myself needing to take flight into the world of writing and learn the things I can't learn in a classroom. 

To help build my writing resume I joined CSL (Centre for Sustainability Leadership) as a volunteer writer. I transcribe interviews from the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit and create short (5-7 mins) inspirational scripts for their online teaching course.  I'm enjoying the challenge and the producer is not only happy with my work, she's agreed to be a referee on my writing CV. 

CSL - Centre for Sustainability Leadership

I've since suggested to the course co-ordinator at GippsTAFE that a non-fiction script writing course might be beneficial and was pleased that her response was that it was definitely a consideration.  I only hope it's available before I finish the diploma.

Online Study

I have found studying online convenient but challenging. Applying myself and completing what is required of me isn’t a problem; it’s leaving the study to do the housework that requires self-discipline.

Online study gives new meaning to effective communication for both teacher and student. The teacher has to ensure that their words are clear and not open to misinterpretation and the student must take the time to read things thoroughly, often more than once to ensure they fully understand what is required. If the student doesn’t understand they can always ask questions and are encouraged to do so. The problem is when the student believes they have understood the instructions only to learn they have misinterpreted on a grand scale.

Online study is a learning curve for both teacher and student. As long as both accept and embrace this, online study can only be improved.

Pondering the choices we make at our crossroads is like revision in the school of life.
Regretting the mistakes or taking for granted the successes, means we have learnt nought.
An attentive student will gain wisdom from the mistakes and joy from the successes.