I’ve launched Storm Singing! The only book I’ve written (so far) which contains any boats is now well and truly launched into the big wide world.
My publishers held a launch party last night, and we invited some book groups and school pupils, who got to nibble some crisps, and listen to me read a little bit of the book, and then stand in a VERY LONG LINE to get books signed. They also heard me announce a very exciting competition which my publishers are running to celebrate the launch of Storm Singing – a competition called Set the Scene, which is basically me asking for a bit of help with the next book.
I get so much inspiration from the feedback readers give me, that we thought it was worth tapping into that for the fourth and final book in the First Aid series.
And to be honest, I’ve started to run out of the bits of Scotland which I know, to use as locations for the next book. Helen’s been to Orkney and Skye on dragon back, she’s been in the tunnels under Edinburgh with a phoenix, and now she’s rowed all round the cliffs and caves of Sutherland with a centaur (which isn’t easy!) so now I’m wondering what magical and marvellous bits of Scotland I can set the next adventure in. So that’s what the competition is about – to suggest a location for the next book.
I announced this competition to the 50 or so kids at the launch last night, and they immediately started thinking of ideas (some of them even put their hands up right away!) and by the time they’d all queued up to get their books signed, they all wanted to tell me their ideas, so not only did I get to sign lots of the books (how do you spell your name?, what would you like me to write in it?) but I also got to hear lots of ideas for the next book and where it should be set! But the kids who came to the launch won’t have any more chance than you to win – we’ll wait till all the entries are in, then we’ll pick the best place for a chase, the best site for a fight. To enter, check out Floris’s website.
So, now that I’ve launched Storm Singing, I’d better start writing the next one. I still don’t have a title for it (the folder on my computer is called Fourth Aid!) nor of course, do I yet know exactly where it will be set. But I do have a baddie, and I do have a problem, and that is enough to be going on with for now…
Hello Lari Don i am from whitehirst park primary school my class came to see you at kilwinning libary.I have one quick question what enspired you on writing first aid for fairys and other fabled beasts.I am also
reading it aswell im on chapter 7 i love it so far
Thanks for getting in touch! I’m so glad you’re enjoying First Aid. If you’re up to Chapter 7 then you’re about to leave the Borders and head off to other parts of Scotland to solve the riddles!
First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts was my first book, and I was inspired to write about a vet’s daughter having adventures with fabled beasts in the Scottish landscape because of an idea which leapt into my head unexpectedly one day when I was playing with my daughter in a very untidy living room (untidiness and chaos lead to inspiration and creativity – or that’s my excuse for never tidying up!) But I think that the joining of modern adventures with old myths and legends is probably what I’d have written about eventually anyway, as I love the old stories, and I love asking “what if?” about them. Also, the books I loved reading as a child, by Diana Wynne Jones and CS Lewis, also create new fiction around ancient creatures and characters.
I hope that answers your question, and I hope you keep enjoying the book! And have a fun summer!
Just wanted to say your books are really cool! I’m in Mirren’s class at school by the way (sorry if i spelt it wrong) 🙂
Hello! Thanks so much for letting me know you like the books, and I hope you’re enjoying your first week at high school. And you didn’t spell anything wrong! Lari