I have started work as a lecturer with the University of South Wales delivering a module titled ‘Writing for Children’. The post is for 12 weeks to allow my PhD supervisor relief from his teaching schedule to undertake research. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I’m thoroughly enjoying the chance to support students in the second and third year of their undergraduate studies in creative writing.
Since working at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, I have taken an interest in children’s literature and this can now be channeled into my teaching. As part of my PhD, I’ve been asked to develop scenes from the teenage years of my novel’s protagonist, so like some of the students, I’m working towards framing the experience of a young adult. I’ve returned to reading Esther Freud’s Love Falls to assist in this process. The novel focuses on seventeen-year-old Lara who takes a holiday with her father in Tuscany. There she’s introduced to the Willoughby family and their troupe of teenagers. She’s attracted to Kit but there are others who have ambitions for Lara which results in a struggle that changes her life.
The session I am teaching this week relates to dialogue in children’s fiction. I’m looking at examples from children’s literature including picture books and short novels. I’ve developed masses of material which I’m unlikely to get through, but I hope it will support the students’ skills and confidence in using dialogue in their writing. I’ll let you know how I get on.
the writer is a lonely hunter 
Congratulations Gail! What an exciting opportunity!
Kathy
The start of an exciting and rewarding year for you!
Thanks Kathy! I am
really pleased to have the opportunity to work in HE
That should say Kathy and Sue!
Congratulations on the new job
Thank you, Laura
Well done Gail. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it and find it very stimulating.
I’m going to learn a lot from the students!
I’ll add my congrats, Gail. Exciting! You have come on so much since we first met at WWG!
Do you have to attend the college, or is it online teaching?
I spend 3 days a week in Wales – it’s fun getting to know the area.