I've just uploaded a new creative writing worksheet to help children plan and write a humorous, adventure story. The worksheet takes the child through creating two characters, designing the setting, creating conflict, concluding a story, and bringing it all together.

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Whether we admit it or not, we all fantasise about success. Yes, we do it for the joy of writing, yadder yadder, but any writer who claims to have never had these fantasies is lying through his or her tea-stained teeth.

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I have twelve paperback copies of The Troll Trap to donate to schools in the UK. It's the first book in my Smelly Trolls adventure series. The copies are for schools where teachers or librarians plan to encourage readers to engage in activities linked to the book.

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I've uploaded a new resource for schools - a three-fold leaflet called 'The Making of The Troll Trap'. It takes children through the planning and drafting process one step at a time, with real examples that relate to the book.

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Can't wait for Mr Splendiferous and the Troublesome Trolls? Here's a sneak peak at some of the most popular words used in the book.

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The sequel to The Troll Trap is on its way. I enjoyed every part of creating my first children's book - the writing, working with an illustrator, talking with younger readers ... So, I had to continue the series.

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Many thanks to class 5A for sending me photographs of salt clay trolls that they made in class. Have are just some examples of their brilliant creations.

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As part of my new direction in children's writing, I'm looking to visit junior school classes to talk about creative writing. The cost of visits is just a request to cover any travel expenses.

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Six Years Left is a book by an eleven-year-old girl that is inspiring, both in the way it's written and the support she's had to self-publish it. Here's my review...

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Working in a cafe with a sign inviting readers to come and say hello might not be everybody's cup of tea but I find it's a meaningful way of getting in touch with what being an author is all about.

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Those of you looking to buy The Troll Trap, look no further than Amazon. I had the option of making is available through bookshops but the wholesalers fees were so great, that extended distribution would have considerably increased the price to customers.

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Many thanks to Esme Ashcroft at The West Briton for this newspaper article about The Troll Trap. You can also read the article online.

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I'm becoming increasing disenchanted with Facebook, which has started charging me to post news to my fans. Therefore, I urge readers to find new ways to follow my news and interact with me.

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I've put together a worksheet that teachers can use when discussing The Troll Trap with children. It includes comprehension questions and a creativity exercise.

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I thought it would be interesting to find out which words I use the most. Although the top words varied enormously from book to book, one word kept cropping up - eyes.

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Authors, whether we use a pen name, airbrush our pictures or try to go 'eau naturalle', we are all guilty of editing the version of ourselves that we show the public. I say 'guilty' but there's really no shame in it. Everybody has many editions of themselves, from the mild mannered parent we show our children to the foul mouthed hooligan we become at a football match. Being an author is no different.

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You can now send my blog articles to your Kindle by clicking 'Send this post to Kindle'. You then select your preferred Kindle device and voila - the content is sent.

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How can readers find out if their favourite authors have released new books without having to check them all individually? We couldn't think of a way to do it offhand, so we've added that feature to Indie Book Bargains.

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The Troll Trap is free from now until Thursday, for Kindle.

It's also available in paperback, at the reduced price of £5.39.

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Michael Brookes has just released a new novel, Conversations in the Abyss. It's a sequel to his earlier supernatural thriller, The Cult of Me. I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview Michael about his work.

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