Stories for hope

I am a grown up...honest!

This week I became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. The HEA Fellowship is 'an international recognition of a commitment to professionalism in teaching and learning in higher in education', while the senior bit recognises management and leadership of specific aspects of teaching.  And yes, I was quietly thrilled. Back in 2002 when I started at university doing my degree I had no idea this is where I would end up. This is way beyond my wildest dreams. I write children's books, I lecture and mentor aspiring children's writers.

Everything I do feeds in to each other and informs them. Making me better at each job. I meet the most amazing people. I have the pleasure of hearing incredible stories. I get the chance to watch people, whether students or Eggs, develop and grow as writers. I work with people who are inspiring, caring and driven, all of whom want to help others achieve their dreams and do their best.

The world is a frightening place at the moment. It is so insecure. Politics has gone mad. So much hatred, so much anger.  I spend my life thinking I am going to wake up and it was all a crazy dream. But it is a time to hold on to creativity, to remember the importance of books and stories. They will be where hope remains and the power of good will always be embedded. Where the inklings of change can begin. Where children can understand, it doesn't have to be like this.

And yes, I did become a Senior Fellow, which is wonderful, but actually that is just a small thing in the big picture, it is the stories I write, I see, I hear. Those are the important things. Those are the things that really matter. Those are things that can make a difference to this world.

Rothwell's Nobody's Nothing