Did you not mention a little while ago something about becoming a classroom assistant?

Yes. I was interested in that but my primary responsibility is to my eldest son (I'm a carer), which means if he needs to be in hospital for any length of time I have to drop everything else - so I'm not sure if I can give the commitment to being a teaching assistant, but I did volunteer to be a volunteer helper - to be there to listen to kids read, help revise spellings etc - just general support. I thought this would let me know if I really could give the commitment to being a teaching assistant without taking the plunge. I'm still waiting to hear about terms from the school, but they've already done a CRB for me.

Yes, very good. Thanks for that Nik. - I've been out of the house for the last hour or so.

Sorry, Colin - I only glanced at that last post and only saw the quoted bit. Bit frazzled down here at the moment.

It sounds like it's all systems if they've CRB'd you. A V-helper could be as a good a way in as a teaching assistant, I'd have thought. It's just a case of showing you're good with the children and that you're prepared to do more with 'em.

Ooh, bloody phone's going now. TBC

Sorry about that - back now. Sorry to snap - as I said I only saw that quoted bit and I thought, cheeky bugger - didn't respond to the BIG post! My mistake and you have my apologies. Been a bit stressed lately, does it show?

The other thing I can suggest is see if any schools run book/writing clubs and see if they want you to attend and maybe even give a little talk. There won't be any money in it but again it's a start and people will start to associate your name and face with writing.

Still frazzled (but with fresh brew, so a little better),

Nik.

Sounds like a good idea. I'm not really interested in the money, I just thought it would be a good thing to do - I guess that's why I volunteered; the schools just don't have the staff to give the time to hear every kid read. It's shite, but I don't think there's any shame in a school getting help from those around - in fact, the idea came from a school I visited in West Yorkshire where the head teacher bragged about this very thing.

Colin

- no probs about the other thing. I'm sure I've done the same.

You're 100% right. I think that any good school would take any help they can get - and there's certainly no shame in that. And like I said, once you're 'in' there with them and they (children, teachers, parents) know you, then it'd be easy to say something like, you know I mentioned I'm writer...that's right, my agent... well if you'd like me to do any creative writing talks...

I think the book club thing's worth looking into too.

Nik.

Just to bump this up a bit.

Thank you Alexander, I seem to have missed it first time round:

Traditional folktales for children, ie. without the happy endings.

www.yewtreebooks.com


- NaomiM

<Added>

I'll try that link again:

http://www.yewtreebooks.com/

Everything me is accessed here:
http://www.joelgoodwin.com

There has been no greater tool for narcissism than the web =)

Welcome to the dark side.

www.freewebs.com/waxlyrikal

or you can always say hi at MySpace

www.myspace.com/neomythologist

JB

<Added>

Oh blast!!!

Here we go again:


http://www.freewebs.com/waxlyrikal/

http://www.myspace.com/neomythologist/

<Added>

hmmm

http://www.myspace.com/neomythologist

Have a wee look.....

www.yerwomansblog.blogspot.com

My apologies in advance to chick-lit writers/lovers and women with children...and the countless other people I have a go at.

Shiny new website (finished yesterday!) can now be found at

http://www.emma-king-farlow.com

Emma

Mine will be up next Tuesday:

www.sarahstovell.com

I just have to get photos.

Here's a few of mine :

http://www.billhouston.com

http://www.billhouston.com/caricatures

http://www.houstoncartoons.com

Mine is up now:

http://www.sarahstovell.com

Ha ha.

The blog will be coming soon. And the best blog in the world it will be, too.