D A Nelson

What a month November was!

D A Nelson — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:16:38 +0000

I cannot begin to tell you how mad November was for me. There were a lot of family birthdays, including my son’s first birthday, and quite a few other events to keep me busy. But, by far the best day (except for the wee one’s birthday) was November 18 when me and hubby travelled to Aberdeen for the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books…

We took the train up, enjoying the countryside all the way up. I was really nervous, my stomach was in knots and my mouth was dry and horrid. When we arrived, the butterflies got worse and I couldn’t eat the lovely buffet lunch laid on for the authors and their families. Anyone who knows me will tell you that it takes a lot to put me off food (I love eating), so I must have been REALLY nervous.

The event took place at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom, an Art Deco style building overlooking the beach. I liked the venue, but then again, I love old buildings anyway.

So, this is what happened. Us authors (there were nine of us in total) waited at the back of the main hall. It was packed with around 600 children and adults and the air was buzzing with excited chatter. The auditorium was dark, but the stage was all lit up. The event was hosted by Kirsty Wark and she called us all down one by one. We had seats reserved for as right at the front.

The event started with some Scottish school children acting out scenes from the three books in the youngest age group and the category DarkIsle was in (younger readers, 8-11). Then the teen book authors were interviewed on stage by a 15-year-old schoolboy whose name I now forget (sorry!), but who did really well.

After that, it was awards time and my nerves grew worse. It got to a point that I just wanted to get it over with. Kirsty announced the youngest category prize.

Then it was our turn…

She said: “…and the award goes to…”

There was a hush in the auditorium and then she said: “DarkIsle by D A Nelson!”

There was a huge cheer from the children and I got up and walked on stage. I hadn’t realised that I didn’t think I would win until I won…if you know what I mean. I was so shocked that I went up on stage with my mouth hanging open…I couldn’t believe it. It was a great feeling. I was presented my award by the local MSP and then I had to say a few words.

Oh oh! Nerve attack. I think I managed to get out everything I wanted to say, but here’s a quick resume…
thanks to:
- all the children who voted for DarkIsle…I really, really, really, really appreciate it
- the organisers of the event, which was fantasic
- everyone at Strident Publishing, particularly Keith who took a chance on me as a first time
author (can I also just mention Alison and Graham who have been fanastic too!)
- my family for all their support
- and finally my husband who has been a real support and has encouraged me every step of
the way

After the event, the winning authors where whisked on to the stage to have photos taken and then out on to the beach. Our picture appeared in the Press & Journal’s front page the next day. It was great.

I then signed loads of copies of the book back in the Beach Ballroom and met a lot of young fans. Hello to everyone I met! Special mention to the kids of Robert Gordon’s School who confessed to giving me the biggest cheer. I was lucky enough to go and visit them at their school the following day. Thanks for the flowers guys!

Then it was back to our hotel for a quick drink with Keith and Alison from my publishers, Strident Publishing.

We stayed over in Aberdeen, dining with other authors and the staff from the Scottish Book Trust.

The following day it was a visit to Robert Gordon’s School and then back home by train. Our little boy turned one that day and we were anxious to see him and his sister. We picked them up from their grandparents’ (thanks for looking after them Mum and Dad) and went home, exhausted.

It was a great couple of days, made even better when we celebrated the wee one’s birthday properly the following Saturday with a little party for family and friends.

What a month November was!

Anyway, knowing me, I’ll probably not get round to writing anything new for the next few weeks as I’m busy editing DarkIsle 2 and getting everything ready for Christmas (including writing tonnes of cards…my hands are sore already!). So, I’d like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas (hope Santa is good to you all) and a great New Year.

Dawn xxx

A day in Edinburgh and the rest…

D A Nelson — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:00:05 +0000

Okay so it was a couple of weeks ago and I should have had it put on this blog by now, but I have been truly busy with stuff…honest. This is a pic of me signing copies of DarkIsle at the Edinburgh Book Festival. I love that festival. The place is just buzzing. Hopefully, I’ll get to do a reading session at a future festival…you never know. Am signed up to do Glasgow’s book festival next year - Aye Write! - which is great and I’m really looking forward to that.

Ref the ’stuff’ I’ve been up to. Well I truly have been busy working away on my writing career including (and I really should get Brownie points here) starting the first edit of DarkIsle 2 (as the sequel is currently being called - it’s the working title, not the actual title). Started four days ago and am on chapter four. Hope I can keep the momentum going and continue to do a chapter a day, that way I’ll be finished the first edit (hopefully) in another 24 days time. Life has a funny habit of putting things in the way however, so it’ll probably take longer than that.

I’ve also been up to my eyes in it completing the coursework planning for an evening class I’m teaching at Glasgow University on writing novels for children. That course starts in October. It was a lot of work (planning the classes, reading a lot of children’s books…fantastic…etc), but I’m really looking forward to taking a class.

What else have I been up to? Well, the usual work and home stuff. Haven’t been getting out and about lately as much as I’d like although we have actually managed to visit our local library lately. The problem with our library is that it only opens at certain times on certain days and not at the weekend. This means I have to work it that we go there on a Thursday afternoon in a short space of time I have between the library opening and me and the kids meeting up with friends for tea and cake. It’s a dinky wee library and the librarian, Lesley, is lovely. She always allows my daughter to scan and stamp the books, which she (my daughter) thinks is just great.

Am due to start a new job tomorrow. Yes, like most authors, I also have a day job that helps to pay the bills. Unfortunately, we’re not all rich. Such is life. However, I’m looking forward to taking up my new post…it’s still with the Health Service and it’s still PR and communications, it’ll just be more varied, so that should be good.

Before I sign off, I want to say a quick hello to the members of Erskine Writers Group who invited me to give a talk to them recently. I had a great time and would like to thank you all for inviting me.

Right, that’s me for now. See you soon

Dawn x

Feeling hot, hot, hot…what a fantastic day it’s been!

D A Nelson — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:35:39 +0000

The weather has just been amazing and it’s days like this that I wish my summer wardrobe was better…

Today was spent looking after mad mental weans, tidying up after said mad mental weans and making salt dough for two of the mad mental weans to play with. Basically, started the day with a trip to Lomond Shores where me and my two kids went for a walk, admired the beautiful Loch Lomond scenery, ate cake in the Thornton’s cafe, did jigsaws in the visitor’s centre and generally had a lovely time in the hot, hot sunshine. We came home to find my daughter’s friend who lives next door waiting for us and the two of them played happily til lunchtime.

The friend stayed for lunch and I made them salt dough to play with after we’d eaten. It was actually a ruse to get them both to stay indoors for a couple of hours because it was so hot outside. Then they flitted back and forth from both houses, jumping in the paddling pool, getting soaked, begging sweeties and biscuits off both mums and generally being demanding as all three and five-year-olds are. The wee fella - now eight-months-old - spent the day playing with his toys; rolling around the living room floor and then playing with his sister’s toys (she was out at this time otherwise she would have had a fit and a battle would have ensued); eating; drinking; sleeping and generally having a lovely old time to himself. I, however, spent the entire day cleaning up after everyone and catering to their every whim. Such is life as a parent!

Anyway, what have I been up to lately? Well…

Did a couple of readings at two Waterstone’s stores near Glasgow recently for their Storytelling Saturday on July 19. Was in the Newton Mearns branch in the morning where I read to four lovely kids and their equally lovely mums. Hope I didn’t witter on too much! Then it was a leisurely drive down to Braehead shopping centre (a large mall in Renfrew on the outskirts of the city…Renfrew Town Hall is mentioned in DarkIsle because I love the architecture of the town hall, it’s so pretty).

I did a little bit of shopping first having been given a Marks and Spencer token by my lovely friend Sandie as a gift for having given birth to my wee boy. Unfortunately it was addressed to him, so I felt obliged to spend it all on him! Only joking…I loved it AND there was a sale on so I got lots of lovely clobber for the wee man.

Then I visited the baked potato takeaway place in the centre and, with hope in heart, bought a bake potato with cheese. I say ‘hope in heart’ because I always order this and always, always it comes back with an overcooked potato and cheese that is hard and not melted into unctuous loveliness…as was the case then. I love baked potatoes and cheese, but it’s got to be cheese that’s melted and stretchy and just lovely…you know what I mean!

Then I was off to W’s for a spot of reading. Unfortunately, the children (except one) were a little too young for the book, but they were beautifully behaved and didn’t fidget too much…which was a blessing. It definitely helps having a mad mental couple of weans myself because you can easily recognise the signs of boredom and twitchyness in others.

Am still working on my new book Elvz…well, until my editor Graham gets in touch to polish DarkIsle 2. Don’t know if the former will ever get published, but it’s good fun writing it. DI2 (as it’s known in my publisher’s circle) I believe is coming out early next year. It’s really long compared to the first one and I’m hoping it stays that way…I’d hate to see it chopped to bits, but we’ll see.

Anyway, that’s if for now. Got some readings organised for after the summer, but will tell you all about them nearer the time.

See ya

Dawn xx

Ooh…nearly forgot. DarkIsle is now out in Spain. It’s called El Ojo de Lornish…I think.

We couldn’t see anything, but the teeny tiny sandwiches were good

D A Nelson — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:13:09 +0000

Went to the Garden Party at Holyrood Palace recently with hubby. Let’s just say it was an experience that I probably wouldn’t do again. Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely to be invited, but the day was spoiled by the hour long traffic jam from the Edinburgh bypass up to the Palace. We arrived half an hour late and, well, it was a bit boring…the Royal Family came out to meet some people, but there were so many people there, we couldn’t see anything. So we wandered over to the refreshment tent and supped on lots of cups of tea, teeny tiny sandwiches and lovely little nibbly cakes. It was a nice afternoon, but I doubt I’d do it again.

The best bit of the day was when we returned to Glasgow and me and the other half popped into Yen (the restaurant in the North Rotunda) for a meal before going to pick the kids up from their grandparents’ hosue. It was Ian’s idea and was great. Food was lovely. Defo go there again.

So what else has been happening? Not a lot, to be truthful. Still working on my Elvz book, but haven’t done an awful lot on that recently…will get back into it tonight. It’s difficult finding the time. Had a go at making soap…it’s a bit tricky because you have to use caustic soda, so wouldn’t recommend youngsters trying it. The soap also has to mature for four weeks. Mine is in the airing cupboard above the central heating boiler as we speak. Am a bit nervous about it. Don’t think I did it right because it’s looking more like big slabs of crumbly tablet rather than soap. Fingers crossed it works out okay.

On a happier note, the potatoes and carrots I planted in some big pots in the back garden are doing okay so far. Can’t wait to try them. Am giving veg growing a go as am fed up with buying veg and fruit out of supermarkets only for them to go off really quickly. Also, I don’t use any chemicals or rubbish on them, so they should be better for us.

Right, gotta go. I hear the boy calling for another bottle of milk. Can’t believe he’s nearly eight months old already! Time flies.

Dawn xx

I’m off to the Palace

D A Nelson — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:22:05 +0000

Hubby and I are off to Holyrood Palace in a couple of weeks to attend this year’s Royal Garden Party. The last time I was there, I went via my job as a reporter for the Hamilton Advertiser and me, my mother and sisters were presented to Prince Philip. This time, I’m going as hubby’s guest…he applied to go through his work. Wonder who we’ll be presented to this time (if anyone!)? Am quite looking forward to it although am a bit worried as have to wear a hat…not easy when you have a bigger than normal heid like mine! (true) Maybe a fascinator will do!

Was deep underground on Friday - well it felt like that - when I went to see Karen Mathieson play at Oran Mor in Glasgow (Oran Mor is a former church and gigs are played in a large area underneath. The whole time I was there I speculated as to who was buried there….if anyone!). Anyway, Karen’s got a fantastic voice and was supported by her hubby Donald, Euan (their bass player) and James Grant (also a great singer song writer who’s my pal AJ’s hubby). The gig was great. Really enjoyed it. Was great because was there with AJ and my other pal Kat (and others), so was good to get a great big girlie catch up. Paid for it the next day though when I had to get up at 5am for the boy, but not to worry…was a good night anyway.

Anyway, talking of the boy…I can hear him calling (ie crying), so I’ll need to go.

Dawn x

I have been a little lax when it comes to blogging…

D A Nelson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:51:48 +0000

I know, I know…it’s been over a month since my last blog. There are two reasons for that:
1) I’ve been extremely busy which means I’m tired at the end of the day - the only real time (apart from now) I get to work in peace due to two mad mental weans needing constant attention. I went back to work for the Health Service three weeks ago and have been going to my bed extremely early nearly every night since. Basically, what I’m saying is that I’ve been a bit too tired to blog…and, if I’m honest, a tad lazy.
2) I have actually been meaning to blog and did go a couple of times to do it only to find something was wrong with my website/the server/something else equally IT-ish that I have no clue about. Thank goodness for the lovely (and pink haired…true) web developer Susan who always quickly fixes the glitches. Hello Susan if you’re reading this! Thanks for fixing stuff.

Anyway, a fair wee bit has been happening since I last blogged. Like I said, I returned to work after six fantastic months off on maternity leave. I work three days a week, which is great because it allows me to have some energy left over to write.

Basically what’s been happening over the past month or so is that the paperback of DarkIsle was launched and I’ve been touring various bookshops up and down the country signing copies of it. It’s been great because I’ve met quite a few young fans of the book - hello to you all, it was lovely to meet you. It wasn’t just Waterstone’s or Border’s bookstores either, I also did a signing at Milngavie Bookshop as part of the Milngavie Book Festival. Hello to organised Susan and all her helpers too. It was great because my daughter was delighted…after being good and helping me in the shop, I took her to get her face painted (pink butterfly), which she just loved.

Other news…If you don’t already know, DarkIsle’s up for a Royal Mail award (we’ll find out in November if I’ve won or not). If you’d like to vote for it (and you’re aged eight years and up and are still classed as a young person or child), you can go to: www.scottishbooktrust.com

If anyone was in the Mitchell Library yesterday lunchtime and saw a blonde woman and a man sitting in the cafe with a huge pile of books in front of them…that was me and my publisher Keith. He’d brought the books to me for signing and because I work near the Mitchell, we met there.

What else have I been up to? Was scaring the weans at Barrhead pool recently. Took the wee fella in whilst daughter was at nursery and couldn’t help but notice a man and his son looking strangely at me. I wondered if it was because I’d been in the Barrhead News that very same week and maybe he recognised me. Well, I soon found out the real reason for the strange looks when I got out of the pool, baby in arms, to get dressed. I looked in the mirror and saw a Panda-eyed gothic looking vampire type looking back…the boy had been so enthusiastic splashing around in the pool that the water had hit my face and made my makeup run. Well, serves me right for being so vain as to think someone recognised me!!

Anyway, I must be off. Got the housework to finish this morning. Got some friends coming round for tea and cake later, so want the house looking at least a little bit tidy. Will write again soon…promise!

Dawn x

Woohoo!

D A Nelson — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:55:34 +0000

DarkIsle’s been nominated in the 8-11 category of the Royal Mail’s Scottish Children’s Book awards. Was at the launch at the Scottish Book Trust’s HQ in Edinburgh today and it was great. I’m absolutely delighted. Anyone of the non-adult variety aged eight and above can vote (it would be lovely if you chose to vote for my book)…for how to do it, go to:

www.scottishbooktrust.com/royalmailawards

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in November in Aberdeen. Look out for news about the awards in the Scotsman newspaper some time this week.

In other news, the paperback of DarkIsle is due out in the next couple of weeks. Look out in your local bookshop for it…like the hardback, it’s just lovely.

Dawn x

Reviews

D A Nelson — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:24:19 +0000

Review The Scotsman 8.12.07

“D A Nelson’s debut novel, DarkIsle with its striking cover by Aberdeenshire illustrator Shona Grant, was inspired by a stone dragon sculpture at Irvine Beach. Along with her unusual travelling companions - a dodo, a rat and, later, a dragon - Morag escapes her cruel foster parents to embark on a dangerous and exciting quest to find the Eye of Lornish and save the world from the wicked Devlish and his minions. The dialogue is refreshingly humorous and matter-of-fact and this Scottish-set fantasy wil appeal to boys and girls alike.”

Oh so tired!

D A Nelson — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:20:01 +0000

It’s not a great idea going out twice in three days when you’re hurtling towards 40 and have two weans under four to look after! On top of that, I’m still working on book 2 of the DarkIsle series and there’s an ironing pile the height of Ben Nevis threatening to topple over on top of me. Sigh…the glamorous life of a writer!

Anyway, it was great getting out. Freedom! Went to see Joanne Harris at Glasgow’s Aye Write book festival on Wednesday. I really enjoy her books and it was great to see her ‘in conversation’ and reading from The Lollipop Shoes. Last night, I went to my friend Lesley’s leaving do…we worked together many years ago and it was great to see her and former colleagues. Spent a good bit of last night blethering and handing out postcards which were printed to promote DarkIsle (can’t help myself…work in PR so PR everything!). Came away with the promise of a night out with my aforementioned ex colleagues next month…only hope I can stay awake long enough! Good luck Lesley on your future career and congrats to your daughter Jackeline for also getting a story published.

Dawn x

Going back to your old school is a little weird

D A Nelson — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:47:31 +0000

I did something last week that I’ve been meaning to do for some time: I carried out a reading at my old school, Neilston Primary. In fact, I did the reading for two classes, one of which contained my very embarrassed looking nephew whose exaggerated groans of ‘Oh no!’ when I entered his classroom caused me to smile with amusement. We have a jokey relationship, so I knew he wasn’t that unhappy to see me! I hope!!

It was weird going back to my old school, not because the place looks smaller than I remember, I expected that being a lot taller than I was when I left, but not that much has changed. I left…ahem…a few years ago, but when I returned last week, it was as if I’d never left. Don’t get me wrong, there were a few changes: trees were missing from the playground (much to my distress because I used to love playing round those trees); some of the grounds have been landscaped; there is a modern extension; and the teacher’s car park had been cordoned off with a metal rail. However, a lot hadn’t changed and it was great to go back as an adult.

The kids at Neilston Primary were fantastic and I’d like to thank them and their teachers for allowing me to come and read DarkIsle to them. I particularly loved the Q&As, especially when one child asked if, when I had attended the school, there were any ghosts. Those old rumours were flying about when I was a sprog and I was happy to see that at least that hadn’t changed.

Yes, it was good going back.

Dawn x