Stories for hope

A few years ago now but you can't escape the wonder

2016 has been a difficult year for many reasons when you look at the world and what has happened. Things we believed never possible happened and we roll into 2017 wondering 'what next?' This has meant that there are definitely feelings of fear and uncertainty being felt by many, including children. How do you explain to children world events?

It is at times like these when the importance of children's stories come to the fore. They give them somewhere to escape into. They give them a sense of hope. A sense of understanding. So many stories deal with the 'big issues', the universal truths in ways that they can understand. We talk about windows and mirrors when referring to diversity but it so  much more. I feel it is prism. The single white light of the reader opening the book as they first read it, only to be turned into a rainbow of knowledge as that white light is broadened/refracted as they read their way through. They may meet characters just like them or look into new worlds, seeing how characters live there. They get to experience all that knowledge that the author is bringing to their writing. They learn about that world and start to empathise with it. Adding depth to themselves without realising. Each story helps them face the world with a little less fear and a little more hope. Hope that it will be all right. We can make it better in the end. Good will win. Stories bring laughter, bring joy, bring tears, bring love, bring memories, bring the future.

This is why stories are so important and why we must keep writing stories, the best stories we can. Publishers need to keep publishing, to keep looking for new writers as well as their established ones. The world will keep turning, art and stories will keep showing the light and the way forward. We must never give up. However hard it gets. As Philip Pullman once said 'Thou shall not' is easily forgotten but 'Once upon a time' is remembered forever.  The 'Once upon a times' will be the answer. It will help the children and give them hope again. Keep writing and may 2017 be full of joy and laughter.

It is Winter's Solstice so this seems appropriate

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