|
13/9/2024 0 Comments Coleshill library talk - topics Last night, Coleshill library hosted an author talk for an attentive audience of avid readers. As always, we had a giggle and much discussion regarding my publication journey and the people/experiences that I’ve encountered along the way. I even confessed that my parents nearly bought a particular house near the busy cross roads, which would have meant I’d have been their ‘local girl’, if plans had progressed.
The topics covered were: Secret scribbler Houses and lampposts Being a good girl Mortgages & dowry RNA New Writers’ Scheme Katie Fforde - fairy godmother Qualifications and nappies Coleshill church bells Readers’ emails Noddy Holder Signing books Euston station and party nights in London Polesworth library and Saturday mornings Jane Austen and Pride & Prejudice Golden nuggets Paris and YouTube clips Character names Sainbury’s checkout Spare bedroom, a 1990s computer and floppy discs My current writing project (hints) Writing retreats and magic moments Proofreading to a deaf dog John Lennon (& New York) Reading a book series in order Narnia and Aslan Library book borrows Amazon deliveries School life, teaching and detentions Reunite at the Lakeside Cottage Writing groups
0 Comments
 Come and join me for an evening of book chatter, creative writing tips and discover my pathway towards publication! It took me a fair few years but I'm honest and open about my journey. I'm happy to sign your paperback books after the event and Waterstones will have a stall offering a small selection of my titles to purchase on the evening. Looking forward to meeting you!
It is a free event but you will need to reserve your seat by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-conversation-with-erin-green-tickets-915143949187?aff=ebdssbdestsearch P.S. You don't have to have read my books to attend, I won't be offended - several library users have attended previous talks and simply learnt so much more about books!  Months ago, the Waterstones' team invited me to visit and give a talk on 22nd August – which I can’t believe was two weeks ago – where is the time flying to? Their upstairs room was prep and primed before my arrival and their hosting skills were superb, as hot beverages and biscuits/cakes were provided for my eager audience.
During the evening, the Waterstones' team told me they'd had many customers walk in to store and said 'the author in the window used to be my English teacher!' Bless you, that detail made me smile. I always say of my teaching days, 'some pupils left their fingerprints on my heart!' The author talk went so well that we’re planning to organise another evening during the festive period when my next book is published in December 2024! The topics covered were: Secret scribbler Being a good girl Beatrix Potter RNA New Writers’ Scheme Katie Fforde Libraries and reading habit Jane Austen Plotter or pantser Blank pages Peacocks Spare bedroom and a 1990s computer Social media posts Strange author requests Spelling of names Advent calendars My current writing project (hints) University degrees Village life and rumours George Eliot walking tours Writing retreats Book signing comments/dedications Narnia and Aslan Character names School life and teaching My current reading book Manuscript book/maps/layout/post-it notes 2/9/2024 0 Comments My return visit …As promised, I returned to Strawberry Fields to view the one item I hadn’t chance to view last Thursday: John Lennon’s piano. The humble piano on which he composed 'Imagine' and played during the recording. Not the white grand piano that everyone remembers from the iconic video but an everyday piano which provided the perfect sound I’ve come to love. I’ll admit, standing before this silent piano, beneath its Perspex casing, that I have listened to thousands of times during my life - I was simply in awe of it! Secondly, I was touched to know that George Michael had bought the piano at auction for £1.45 million pounds back in 2000. Him winning the bidding battle against Robbie Williams and the Gallagher brothers filled me with joy - those that know me in the flesh, know why! Strawberry Field remains in the care of The Salvation Army who provides a safe and secure place for young people with learning disabilities to experience and succeed in the world, honouring the nurturing vision of John Lennon. Visiting Strawberry Fields, seeing their exhibition and walking the gardens provided an insight into the young John Lennon and his creative world - I experienced another wonderful day chasing the legacy of John Lennon. Note: the third photograph below is how the original building used to look during John Lennon's childhood. A year ago today, I officially came out of a self-proclaimed isolation needed to prepare and aid my recovery from an operation. I had withdrawn from everyday life since December 2023 to avoid the Covid lurgy delaying my surgery date. What I hadn’t known, no one had, was that my isolation would last until September 2023. During that time, I made a list of things I wanted to do once ‘free’. Last Thursday, with just a few days to spare, I managed to complete my final wish … I visited John Lennon’s childhood home. If you’ve read previous blogs posts you’ll know the day of his birth, Wednesday, 9th October 1940 is important within my family tree. All my life, John Lennon’s name and details of his life and death have cropped up and featured. Hence, my desire to visit his aunt Mimi’s house in Liverpool. Having booked the necessary ticket with the National Trust, I packed up my car and ventured out on an ‘author jolly’, as I call it, for a day trip. I was not disappointed. In fact, I’d highly recommend anyone interested in music to go and visit – I think there’s something for everyone in his life story. The house certainly won’t disappoint – the experience and attention to detail is on par with any stately home under the National Trust's care. Many organised city tours view the house on Menlove Avenue from the outside, standing and staring from beyond the privet hedge and garden gate but due to Yoko Ono’s generous gift to the National Trust, booked visitors/members walk up the driveway, around to the back door and enter Mimi’s kitchen. I won’t ruin it for anyone by giving away any other details - just to say, it was simply wonderful! The tour guide shares details and stories of John Lennon’s life – showing personal objects, his drawing, family photographs while walking you step by step talking you through each room. You are there for an hour. And boy, what an hour! I just wanted to stay, move in and have aunt Mimi call me for my tea! Afterwards, the National Trust minibus us the short distance to Paul McCartney’s house in Forthlin Road, to repeat a similar tour of his childhood home. Once again, the guided tour, the attention to detail and the non-stop stories makes for a truly unique experience. Whilst we stood in the garden being introduced to the property a crowd of 40 tourists were gathered outside the garden gate peering at us. Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted to be so close and yet so far away. My magic moment in Paul McCartney’s house was to play the piano in the lounge, which Paul actually played when he visited alongside James Corden in 2018. (see YouTube Carpool Karaoke Paul McCartney). Seriously, I could have cried when the guide say I could. Seriously, having passed my grade one exam in March, playing other people’s pianos seems to have become my new hobby. Other people happily collect autographs or selfie/photographs, I leave my fingerprints on their piano keys! I could have driven home at that point, I was on cloud nine. But I didn’t, I headed into the city to do the usual tours though I soon discovered that my dearest friend of 53 years was unknowingly in the city. You couldn’t make it up! Anyway, she meet me down by the docks and we headed to The Cavern for a quick drink with her family. I’d wanted to stay much longer and enjoy the music, like I had on previous occasions, but couldn’t as I needed to drive home. I came home a happy gal having accomplished my main mission, alongside experiencing many magic moments throughout the day. There was one of John Lennon’s possessions that I didn’t manage to see on Thursday … so tomorrow, I go back.  For the chance to ‘WIN’ a signed copy of my latest book ‘Retreat to the Lakeside Cottage’ visit the page tab labelled ‘Newsletter, Giveaway, Enquiries’ – complete the form to sign up for my forthcoming newsletter. Simple.
All previous email entrants are automatically included in every prize draw. One email winner will be selected at random at 6pm on Saturday, 31st August 2024. No equivalent prize will be awarded. The winner will be notified by email within the hour. UK only – a postal address will be requested via the winning email straight after the draw. Book signing, parcel and posting will occur once a UK address has been received. I promise your email address will not be used for any other purpose than prize draw ‘giveaways’ and delivery of my newsletter. Good luck! WINNER SELECTED: at 6pm on Saturday, 31st August 2024. Email address m*****.s**@btinternet has been notified of the signed book awarded. Congratulations, I hope you are thrilled and will reply a.s.a.p. The winning email was selected from all followers who have signed up to receive my forth coming newsletter. All email address will be included in each signed book giveaway selected in this manner. Please see the page tabs at the top to be added to the newsletter listing.  In recent times, I’ve returned to attending local writing groups as a means of mixing and mingling with local writers, in order to connect and boost my creativity. My various writing groups meet once or twice a month, others on a weekly basis, in-person or on-line, enabling me to get a boost or a top-up regarding inspiration. Most groups organise a calendar of in-house events and competitions encouraging members to participate in order to improve or experiment with their skill set: poetry, memoir, short stories, non-fiction and novel writing.
Last night, I won the ‘Annual short story’ competition at my local group in Warwickshire. This is the writing group that I returned to after a lengthy absence – if you’ve attended my ‘author talk’ and know my publication story. I’m chuffed to bits as previously I’d a good track record for being placed 2nd or 3rd in the various in-house competitions. I received the giant shield, which dates back to 1971, which displays many names that I recognise from my original membership days. I promise to look after the winner’s shield over the coming year and yes, it did witness my celebration with a few bubbles - as is my tradition! I’d recommend that every writer joins or has an association with their local group or groups as you’ll find a wealth of experience, knowledge and support amidst like-minded people. Yesterday, was publication day for my 13th book – I can quite believe I’ve written that much! I always plan ahead as I like to make memories on such event days so set off on an author jolly to Hill Top, Near Sawrey - the writerly home of Beatrix Potter. It was a revisit for me, but it was the only place I wanted to spend my special day. Beatrix Potter married William Heelis, the local solicitor based in Hawkshead, so how could I not include her residence at Hill Top when my plotline is about a writers’ retreat? I even took my own little book with me so I could introduce her to the Peter Rabbit books. As always, I wasn't disappointed - the Hill Top room guides always provide so much information and everyone is super friendly. I've included Beatrix's doll house which gets a mention in my latest book. One beautiful moment happened while I was photographing my book against the main National Trust sign by the entrance. A lady and her family passed me and she remarked ‘I’ve read all her Lakeside books – which one is that?’ I replied ‘This one came out today.’ She then stopped to note the title and told me ‘the series are set around here’. I smiled, before stammering ‘That’s m-me. I’m Erin Green. I’m here at Hill Top because today’s my publication day.’ I can honestly say her reaction made my day! Wow, now that has never happened before! My other jaunt was to the village of Hawkshead, where my Lakeside books are set. I enjoyed a stroll along the main street and stopped off at my favourite little café, Ginny’s Teapot. If you’re reading my series you’ll notice that Beatrix’s Teapot shares many similarities with the real café. I highly recommend dropping by as the décor is quaint and beautiful, the cream scones gorgeous and the service is top-notch! As I drove towards home down the M6, a herd of Friesian cows plodded crossed the motorway bridge overhead - I was literally in Cumbria until the cows came home! And that, made me a very happy gal!  My next author talk and Q&A is booked for Waterstones Nuneaton on Thursday, 22nd August from 6:30pm. I'll be talking about my publication journey, inspirations and all things creative!
I'll happily sign you paperback book - so bring them along too! Whether you are an avid reader of mine, an aspiring author or have never read a single one of my 13 books - come and join me, as we always have a giggle at these events! To reserve your place, please call the store on 0247 638 8633 |
Archives
September 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed