Back to school

I've spent the last couple of weeks teaching creative writing and storytelling at Tiverton High School, and it's been quite an experience!

Firstly, contrary to the impression some newspapers seem to want to create about youngsters today, I wasn't once threatened with a gun or knife, and neither was I mugged or abused.  In fact - and sorry to spoil the myth of many a hack - I met lots of keen, polite and very bright and enthusiastic kids, who it was a pleasure to work with.

I'm very new to this teaching thing, so I suspect I'm learning as much as the youngsters themselves. Like most authors, I write by instinct.  Some ideas just seem to work and so I go with them.  But when you come to analyse why, break down what's going on with the writing process, that's when you start to really learn how it all goes together.

So - a big thanks to all the youngsters at Tiverton for their efforts, for teaching me plenty, and also for putting together some fine stories. I saw some excellent work and was delighted with it.  If you're reading this - keep up the writing!  You've got talent, that I know, so go use it.

Whilst I'm in mid Hall flow, I must also add an even bigger thanks to the teachers. Yet again when visiting a school, I was hugely impressed by their dedication and commitment.  The work they do never seems to get the recognition it deserves, in my humble view. They're not just teachers, but entertainers, social workers, friends and so much more.  I was wonderfully well looked and that's very much appreciated.

As an example of how hard the teaching job can be, when I came home yesterday, having finished my teaching stint, I fully intended to wander into Exeter, do some shopping and have a beer to celebrate. Instead, I was so tired I fell asleep on the sofa!

But maybe that's just a mark of getting old...

Upon which note, it's time to wind up, before I start getting melancholy.  One final thing to mention here, and it's that I'm doing a pre-Xmas book signing in Exeter next Saturday (4th Dec) at noon in Waterstone's.  There are more details on the News and Events page www.thetvdetective.com/news.html

If you'd like a copy of one of the tvdetective books, signed and dedicated to a friend or loved one, do pop in, I'd be delighted to oblige.