Fiona Harding

Children's writer. @theGEAcademy 2021 PB programme. 3rd place 2022 @writingmagazine #cb prize and S/listed 2019 PB prize. Sparks Writer @writingwestmids

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

I am beyond excited @AmySparkes ! Overwhelmed to have been placed 3rd. Congratulations Victoria and Sim! Thank you @WritingMagazine and @JuliaChurchill #WritingMagChildrensBookPrize
Only 3 people more excited than me-my husband and 2 children!🥳❤️😀

[Amy Sparkles @AmySparkes]

***WRITING MAGAZINE CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE***
Congratulations to everyone who entered the Chapter Book category in the #WritingMagChildrensBookPrize and special congratulations to all our brilliant shortlisted writers.
Tough decisions, but here are our winners!
Congratulations!

[Giles Paley-Phillips @eliistender10]

For anyone in the UK, If you text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 when you are in a dark place or suicidal, a trained crisis volunteer will text you back. This is great If you find talking on the phone challenging. It’s completely free 24/7. Please RT you never know who might need this support

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

Does anyone have any suggestions for good non-fiction books for 8-11 year olds?

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

So grateful for my fabulous Bold & Gold group of writer friends that I met on the @TheGEAcademy . That support, encouragement and enthusiasm is everything to this writing journey. I've said it before but finding people to share this ride will make all the difference.

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

So it's Monday and I'm preparing for my next @TheSparkWriters workshop. This is one of my favourite bits, planning fun, exciting, stimulating and creative writing activities for our amazing young people. They always rise to the challenge and blow me away with their talent.

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

I finished it @ArdenElizaJones and it was just fab! Waiting for the next one now...

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

A change is as good as a rest they say?!

[Catherine Emmett @Emmett_Cath]

So the book that I've wanted to write for 6 years has been started and the most surprising part is how much I'm enjoying writing it.

It's SO different to writing picture books but I'm loving being in these characters' world.

12k in so let's see where it goes.

[Catherine Emmett @Emmett_Cath]

So the book that I've wanted to write for 6 years has been started and the most surprising part is how much I'm enjoying writing it.

It's SO different to writing picture books but I'm loving being in these characters' world.

12k in so let's see where it goes.

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

Giving up on the stuff that wasn't working and giving myself permission to try something new.

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

So exciting @ArdenElizaJones fingers, toes, legs and eyes crossed for you!😍

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

This is so positive @OctoberJonesCo , thank you so much for sharing. Totally agree, let's focus on the positive. Have followed lots of the great suggestions on here, brilliant work being done.

[October Jones @OctoberJonesCo]

It’s easy to slip into ‘crisis mode’ when you’re looking at the recent report findings, but it’s crucial to remember that there’s good people doing great things for our readers.

Here’s a thread of lovely stuff that can really benefit you, your work & help our lil readers 👀🧵👇🏻

[NHS Million @NHSMillion]

The NHS might be struggling right now, but thank goodness no one in the UK will be asked to pay $807.96 for insulin.

We must never stop fighting to keep it that way.

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

It's great, have already recommended it to friends and family!

[Janice Hallett @JaniceHallett]

@FionaHarding8 Aw, thanks so much, Fiona! Thrilled you’re enjoying the ride! 🎓🦂

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

Can anyone recommend any really good recent non-fiction for children aged 8-11?

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

Absolutely in awe of @JaniceHallett and her amazing writing. Currently half way through The Examiner and it's just amazing. But as a writer myself I don't know how she adds layer upon layer of plot, characterisation, the twists and turns. Just brilliant, another triumph!

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

I'm cracking open the new and shiny ideas for stories and very excited to be doing it. Anyone else have so many ideas in their heads and not know what to pick first?!

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

I've not thought of non-fiction for children before now as I didn't think I had strong enough ideas. How wrong I was! The strongest idea, that I had lots to say on, and experience and skill to back up, was literally staring me in the face. Write about what you know, so I am...

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

After a fab coaching session with the wonderful @AmySparkes I've decided to try some children's non fiction and come up with some new ideas for stories. That positivity, encouragement and gentle nudge in a new direction were exactly what I needed. So excited to get started.

[NHS Million @NHSMillion]

Please repost for all the cleaning staff who are working across the NHS this weekend.

They are a huge part of the team and it would be impossible to keep patients safe without them.

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

I've just returned to a chapter book/lower middle grade after about 8 months and can really see where I need to improve it as it is once again "new" to me and I can bring in all the things I've learnt since I wrote it. Sometimes you just have to leave it.

[Fiona Harding @FionaHarding8]

So sat doing some Fadmin (family admin) whilst the first Christmas cake is cooking. The smell is amazing and is making me feel very Christmassy.