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Alisha’s dress

By Gill Pawley on April 8, 2016 in

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Alisha’s dress

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We made the biscuits! https://twitter.com/MacmillanKidsUK/status/1352895857922859008

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Have your very own Viking feast with some delicious homemade mead and biscuits inspired by How to be a Hero!

For Valhalla! @WeldonCat #HowtobeaHero

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Got a young teenager who loves writing stories and creating their own worlds? Our free download may be just the thing for them! Click here to get a copy straight to your in box https://buff.ly/38daoih

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Our recently updated creative writing tips handout is free and ready to be used by young writers age 10 - 14 years. Click on the link to access immediately: https://buff.ly/38daoih

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Avatar Vashti Hardy @vashti_hardy·

Happy Monday all, especially all the educators working their socks off in such challenging times - sending hugs of support. If it helps, do get in touch if your children are reading any of my books and have any qs or just want to say hi. Tag me anytime 🤗

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Like all skills, creative writing improves with pr

Like all skills, creative writing improves with practice. We encourage all our members to read as widely as possible, and to create on a regular basis.⁠
.⁠
But, as much as creativity is proving to be so useful during this pandemic, it should never become yet another thing for our young people to worry about.⁠
.⁠
Muscles can be stretched by gentle, regular exercise as well as a heavy workout at the gym. So, we're keeping things relaxed here and going with flows, or the lack of them.⁠
.⁠
Creativity can always benefit from some quiet times, when the mind wanders freely, observing and noting. And, sometimes, that's when the magic happens. ⁠
.⁠

This morning I was sent a beautiful poem written b

This morning I was sent a beautiful poem written by one of our members. It is a well crafted, descriptive piece which told a great story in a few lines.
.
So often, young people find it hard to appreciate just how good their work is.
.
I wish I could stand on rooftops sometimes (knees allowing!) and shout all about it for them!
.
📸Florian Klauer

Spotted these snowdrops in my neighbours’ garden

Spotted these snowdrops in my neighbours’ garden this morning. Every year, this little clump is one of the very first signs of Spring. And with it comes some hope.
.
Lighter days are definitely on their way. Early mornings won’t be quite as dark and the evenings will start to stretch out.
.
This past week has been a hard one for many people. Let’s hope the coming one is a bit lighter and brighter.

This quote from @brenebrown really resonates with

This quote from @brenebrown really resonates with us. Especially as we go deeper into Lockdown 3. More than ever, we believe that young people's voices should be heard. But that will only happen when they feel secure in the support around them. ⁠
.⁠
We all need connection. We all need to feel valued and safe.⁠
.⁠
It's what we aim for at Inkpots. And it's why we now have three weekly online groups for different ages from 9 - 15 years.⁠
.⁠
There's more information on our website (and the link is in our bio. And you can also book in a free no obligation call with Gill to find out even more.

Here we go again - another week in a lockdown whic

Here we go again - another week in a lockdown which is affecting our young people so much. It feels so different this time around and we’re all having to dig a bit deeper into our reserves of energy and resilience.
.
Last year, creativity and creative projects helped us through. This time around, we’re encouraging young people to write things down to help process their emotions. This may be in the form of keeping a diary, losing themselves in creating their own story worlds, writing poetry and making comics. This is all vital for good mental health - and it’s really good fun too!
.
We have a free download available which is packed full of tips for young writers from us, and also from authors who have visited our online groups recently. The link is in our bio and here too: https://inkpots.org/creative-writing-tips/

We are starting two new online Inkpots groups for

We are starting two new online Inkpots groups for 2021. These will run weekly during terms time - Wednesdays for children in school year 5 and Thursdays for those in school years 6 and 7.⁠
.⁠
Like all our workshops and programmes, these groups will have kindness at their hearts and will provide a safe, creative space for young writers. We also have lots of fun!⁠
.⁠
More information is on our website - if you are interested in finding out more you can also book a free no obligation chat with Gill too. Both links are in our bio.

Happy new year! . Wishing you small pockets of joy

Happy new year!
.
Wishing you small pockets of joy every day. 🤎

Back on the Gram after our Christmas break. All th

Back on the Gram after our Christmas break. All the chocolate has almost gone (just the bountys left?) and sleep has been caught up on. There’s also a new planner in the house, just waiting to be filled up.
.
Hope you have had a lovely time in these different circumstances and navigating your way through Twixtmas. If you are looking for creative inspiration for young writers just now, do pop over to our bio where we have a free download for this very thing.
.
Link here too: https://inkpots.org/christmas-holiday-activities/

Signing off for a few days - wishing you all a pea

Signing off for a few days - wishing you all a peaceful and happy few days too. Thank you for being here in 2020 and for all the support.
.
Here’s to a much better (and creative) 2021! ❤️

It is always wonderful to receive feedback like th

It is always wonderful to receive feedback like this from extremely supportive families. But I am very lucky to work with the most wonderful young people.
.
They have been amazing this year. Full of resilience and determination but also bringing lots of fun and joy to Inkpots.
.
Wishing all our members - past and present - the happiest possible Christmas. And a much better 2021! ❤️

As the school Christmas holidays start properly, w

As the school Christmas holidays start properly, we are delighted to be sharing a free booklet of creative writing tips for young writers.
.
We’ve been honoured by some wonderful visits from authors and artists in the past few months, who have shared some fabulous creative advice with us.
.
So we’ve taken our notes from those sessions, sprinkled a few ideas of our own in there and created a handy booklet.
.
Grab your copy now by visiting the link in our bio or going to our website: https://inkpots.org/christmas-holiday-activities/

This is the first Christmas for many years that I’ll be at home as I’m usually away visiting family. I love seeing how other countries celebrate the season but this year, I’ll be appreciating the local area. In particular, the chance to catch up safely with lovely friends.
.
Hope that you find silver linings this weekend too.

Me age about 8. I loved that dress. The haircut wh

Me age about 8. I loved that dress. The haircut which was to stay with for years, less so. But I also loved books and reading and had recently been introduced to the joys of the local library by a friend’s mum. For Christmas, I would be hoping for book tokens to be spent in the strange bit between Christmas and New Year. I was an introvert within a big extended family of extroverts and books were my refuge.
.
Little did I know that all that reading would lead me into a future career and a love of books which has seldom failed me.
.
Reading far and wide is one of the foundations of good writing. As part of our Creative Christmas tips, we’re sharing some of our favourite books of 2020. Check our stories today for the details.

I’m currently working away on some creative good

I’m currently working away on some creative goodies for everyone for over the Christmas holidays. While I’ve been writing, I’ve been coming up with all kinds of ideas to share this week too. These will all be for teen and tween writers and creatives and will be good for activities during the holidays.
.
First up tomorrow I’ll be sharing the tricks of the editorial trade - quick ideas to help stories (and school work for that matter) flow that bit better.

Someone recently referred to me as a creative chee

Someone recently referred to me as a creative cheerleader and it’s title I rather like! Are you one too?
.
Not everyone finds it easy to share their writing or other creative projects. It makes us feel very vulnerable and therefore it’s easier (and safer) to stay quiet.
.
But this year especially it’s so important that we hear from young people. Their voices and stories need to shared so that we can move into 2021 with clarity and positivity.
.
At Inkpots, we have a safe space for young people and their work. I also know that many of my colleagues in this area of work are doing amazing projects for young people too.
.
So let’s do some cheerleading for the wonderful young people in our lives whose creativity should be celebrated and nurtured!

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Like all skills, creative writing improves with pr

Like all skills, creative writing improves with practice. We encourage all our members to read as widely as possible, and to create on a regular basis.⁠
.⁠
But, as much as creativity is proving to be so useful during this pandemic, it should never become yet another thing for our young people to worry about.⁠
.⁠
Muscles can be stretched by gentle, regular exercise as well as a heavy workout at the gym. So, we're keeping things relaxed here and going with flows, or the lack of them.⁠
.⁠
Creativity can always benefit from some quiet times, when the mind wanders freely, observing and noting. And, sometimes, that's when the magic happens. ⁠
.⁠

This morning I was sent a beautiful poem written b

This morning I was sent a beautiful poem written by one of our members. It is a well crafted, descriptive piece which told a great story in a few lines.
.
So often, young people find it hard to appreciate just how good their work is.
.
I wish I could stand on rooftops sometimes (knees allowing!) and shout all about it for them!
.
📸Florian Klauer

Spotted these snowdrops in my neighbours’ garden

Spotted these snowdrops in my neighbours’ garden this morning. Every year, this little clump is one of the very first signs of Spring. And with it comes some hope.
.
Lighter days are definitely on their way. Early mornings won’t be quite as dark and the evenings will start to stretch out.
.
This past week has been a hard one for many people. Let’s hope the coming one is a bit lighter and brighter.

This quote from @brenebrown really resonates with

This quote from @brenebrown really resonates with us. Especially as we go deeper into Lockdown 3. More than ever, we believe that young people's voices should be heard. But that will only happen when they feel secure in the support around them. ⁠
.⁠
We all need connection. We all need to feel valued and safe.⁠
.⁠
It's what we aim for at Inkpots. And it's why we now have three weekly online groups for different ages from 9 - 15 years.⁠
.⁠
There's more information on our website (and the link is in our bio. And you can also book in a free no obligation call with Gill to find out even more.

Here we go again - another week in a lockdown whic

Here we go again - another week in a lockdown which is affecting our young people so much. It feels so different this time around and we’re all having to dig a bit deeper into our reserves of energy and resilience.
.
Last year, creativity and creative projects helped us through. This time around, we’re encouraging young people to write things down to help process their emotions. This may be in the form of keeping a diary, losing themselves in creating their own story worlds, writing poetry and making comics. This is all vital for good mental health - and it’s really good fun too!
.
We have a free download available which is packed full of tips for young writers from us, and also from authors who have visited our online groups recently. The link is in our bio and here too: https://inkpots.org/creative-writing-tips/

We are starting two new online Inkpots groups for

We are starting two new online Inkpots groups for 2021. These will run weekly during terms time - Wednesdays for children in school year 5 and Thursdays for those in school years 6 and 7.⁠
.⁠
Like all our workshops and programmes, these groups will have kindness at their hearts and will provide a safe, creative space for young writers. We also have lots of fun!⁠
.⁠
More information is on our website - if you are interested in finding out more you can also book a free no obligation chat with Gill too. Both links are in our bio.

Happy new year! . Wishing you small pockets of joy

Happy new year!
.
Wishing you small pockets of joy every day. 🤎

Back on the Gram after our Christmas break. All th

Back on the Gram after our Christmas break. All the chocolate has almost gone (just the bountys left?) and sleep has been caught up on. There’s also a new planner in the house, just waiting to be filled up.
.
Hope you have had a lovely time in these different circumstances and navigating your way through Twixtmas. If you are looking for creative inspiration for young writers just now, do pop over to our bio where we have a free download for this very thing.
.
Link here too: https://inkpots.org/christmas-holiday-activities/

Signing off for a few days - wishing you all a pea

Signing off for a few days - wishing you all a peaceful and happy few days too. Thank you for being here in 2020 and for all the support.
.
Here’s to a much better (and creative) 2021! ❤️

It is always wonderful to receive feedback like th

It is always wonderful to receive feedback like this from extremely supportive families. But I am very lucky to work with the most wonderful young people.
.
They have been amazing this year. Full of resilience and determination but also bringing lots of fun and joy to Inkpots.
.
Wishing all our members - past and present - the happiest possible Christmas. And a much better 2021! ❤️

As the school Christmas holidays start properly, w

As the school Christmas holidays start properly, we are delighted to be sharing a free booklet of creative writing tips for young writers.
.
We’ve been honoured by some wonderful visits from authors and artists in the past few months, who have shared some fabulous creative advice with us.
.
So we’ve taken our notes from those sessions, sprinkled a few ideas of our own in there and created a handy booklet.
.
Grab your copy now by visiting the link in our bio or going to our website: https://inkpots.org/christmas-holiday-activities/

This is the first Christmas for many years that I’ll be at home as I’m usually away visiting family. I love seeing how other countries celebrate the season but this year, I’ll be appreciating the local area. In particular, the chance to catch up safely with lovely friends.
.
Hope that you find silver linings this weekend too.

Me age about 8. I loved that dress. The haircut wh

Me age about 8. I loved that dress. The haircut which was to stay with for years, less so. But I also loved books and reading and had recently been introduced to the joys of the local library by a friend’s mum. For Christmas, I would be hoping for book tokens to be spent in the strange bit between Christmas and New Year. I was an introvert within a big extended family of extroverts and books were my refuge.
.
Little did I know that all that reading would lead me into a future career and a love of books which has seldom failed me.
.
Reading far and wide is one of the foundations of good writing. As part of our Creative Christmas tips, we’re sharing some of our favourite books of 2020. Check our stories today for the details.

I’m currently working away on some creative good

I’m currently working away on some creative goodies for everyone for over the Christmas holidays. While I’ve been writing, I’ve been coming up with all kinds of ideas to share this week too. These will all be for teen and tween writers and creatives and will be good for activities during the holidays.
.
First up tomorrow I’ll be sharing the tricks of the editorial trade - quick ideas to help stories (and school work for that matter) flow that bit better.

Someone recently referred to me as a creative chee

Someone recently referred to me as a creative cheerleader and it’s title I rather like! Are you one too?
.
Not everyone finds it easy to share their writing or other creative projects. It makes us feel very vulnerable and therefore it’s easier (and safer) to stay quiet.
.
But this year especially it’s so important that we hear from young people. Their voices and stories need to shared so that we can move into 2021 with clarity and positivity.
.
At Inkpots, we have a safe space for young people and their work. I also know that many of my colleagues in this area of work are doing amazing projects for young people too.
.
So let’s do some cheerleading for the wonderful young people in our lives whose creativity should be celebrated and nurtured!

Load More... Follow on Instagram

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