Monday, 27 January 2025

Folly Farm - sort of by Claire Fayers

This would normally be my Folly Farm post. Friday got off to a great start with a quiz from Jo Franklin, lots of relaxed chat and so many boxes of chocolates we could barely see one another over them. Saturday started in traditional fashion with early morning stretches led by Camilla Chester, followed by the world's biggest cooked breakfast, and the ever-popular Tracy Darnton writing bootcamp. 

 Then my husband phoned with the news that our beloved big cat had suddenly collapsed and died. I have to thank the Folly Farmers who hugged me, cried with me and immediately got me sorted out with train and taxi home. 

So I missed the firepit and marshmallows, the readings, the workshops on thriller writing, TV scripts, the creative meditation. I'm a bit behind on my writing targets this week, as you can imagine. 

 But seriously, if you're a member of the Scattered Authors and haven't been to Folly Farm, it is a wonderful weekend, full of good food and convivial company. And if you're not a member, the Scattered Authors is open to all traditionally published children's authors in the UK and it's a great source of advice, support and friendship. You can find all the details here: https://scatteredauthors.org/

I'll leave you with a picture of Tallis in his favourite spot in the garden.







2 comments:

Sue Purkiss said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your cat, Clare, and that you had to miss a lot of the weekend. A great shame, particularly as you organised it. I was there for just a day - well, half a day - and had a lovely time: I had met hardly anybody before, but felt very welcome. Tracy Darnton's workshop - lots of writing prompts, inspiring and very well organised - was excellent, as was the food! And it's such a lovely spot.

Penny Dolan said...

So sorry to hear this, Clare, and what an awful shock! (Tallis looks such a handsome cat in his photograph.) Thank you, though, for giving us a glimpse of this friendly and inspirational Scattered Authors weekend.