BELLA: WRITING IS MY PASSION

It's problem page time again on DREAMCATCHER and reader Bella has a dilemma for CHERRY COSTELLO to solve...

Bella says:
Writing has always been my passion, my talent, my destiny. Teachers at parent's evening say so and tell me I am a born writer. I know that now is the time to start writing real books - but I don't know how. I know how to write the book, but the whole aspect of publishing seems so daunting. I don't know how many times I need to do another draft, or how long it should take me to write it, or who to approach to publish it. Who will illustrate the cover? Will it cost money? These are the things that go round and round in my head. Please help!

Cherry says:
Writing is my dream too, and I have done some research and read up on this, so although I am not published yet either, I hope I can help. First of all, get writing - plan and write your book, and polish and re-draft until you are sure it's a good as it possibly can be. For some, the writing part can be rapid - 'Na No Mi Ro' month has proved it's possible to write a book in a month - but for most authors it takes a lot longer, anything from several months to years! We are all different, so find your own pace and write 'from the heart' as it will show! Next, get a copy of 'The Writers And Artists Yearbook'. This is in all big libraries or available in bookshops to buy, and it lists all UK publishers and agents and tells you which will accept manuscripts and how to present and send your work - it's invaluable. The advice is to find an agent and let them approach the publishers, as many publishers will not deal with unsolicited manuscripts these days. Then it is a waiting game to see if an agent likes your work, and after that to see if a publisher does. If you get as far as a publishing deal, they will pay YOU money and will help with any editing and design, book cover, marketing etc. In short, they do all the tricky stuff for you. Remember that many authors try for years and years before hitting it lucky, so be patient and determined. Self-publishing is a route some take now, and this can be a good step, but it is a different thing and it DOES cost you money, and I am not up to speed on how this works. You could investigate though! Good luck Bella... I hope the dream comes true for both of us!

Cathy says:
Great advice from Cherry. It takes me three to six months to write a book, in general, and I agree that persistence and resilience is essential. Good luck! Have YOU ever dreamed of writing a book, or do YOU have good advice for Bella? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

ELOISE WILLIAMS: GASLIGHT

My lovely friend ELOISE WILLIAMS has a fabulous new book out - GASLIGHT! I asked her to tell you a bit about it...

Eloise says:
Hello Cathy's readers! How are you? Well, I hope!

I don't know about you, but I have always loved the theatre. The lights, the excitement, the stories, the actors and the song and dance of it all. I loved it so much that I went to Drama College and worked as an actor for over a decade. Then, when I got a bit older, I realised I actually liked writing much more and I stopped treading the boards and very happily hid away in a little cottage by the sea where I wrote stories and walked my dog Watson Jones on the beach.

Little did I know that one day I'd be on stage in front of a thousand children talking about myself and my books. Gulp! That's exactly what happened earlier this year at The Biggest Book Show On Earth. You'd think that after years of acting I wouldn't be nervous but I had a serious case of stage fright and guess who was there to talk me through it and give me confidence? The lovely Cathy!

I told Cathy all about Nansi, my main character in GASLIGHT which is a mystery thriller set in Victorian times. Nansi isn't nervous at all when she's on stage and dreams of being a star one day. She works at the Empire Theatre for Pernicious Sid, but he makes her play little girl parts even though she is fourteen and he also makes her go out stealing so that she can earn money to find her mother who has gone missing.

'My mother disappeared on the 6th of September 1894. I was found at the docks in Cardiff lying like a gutted fish at the water's edge...'

It's a dark tale for only the bravest of readers and Nansi has more courage in her little finger than I have in my whole body, so I was extremely happy to have had Cathy there as a friend to see me through a knee-knocking, fingernail-biting, deep-breath-taking scary time. And, in the end, I loved it! So, thanks to Cathy! **Sound of applause.**

Cathy says:
It was fab to meet Eloise at The Biggest Bookshow On Earth this year - and though she was a bit nervous beforehand, she really blew that crowd away! Check out GASLIGHT... it's amazing! Have YOU got a fave book just now? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more!

MEGAN: ADAPTING YOUR BLOG TO MAKE YOU HAPPY!

Blogger Megan has some great advice on how to keep the passion and enthusiasm going when running a blog... awesome ideas!

Megan says:

Being a blogger is hard when you have to come up with creative ideas and keep up with a routine, but if you're not happy with your blog it's just not worth the effort. You should enjoy it! Here are five tips for staying happy with your blog by making a few simple changes!

Tip #1: Rethink your content and topics

If you're not feeling positive about your blog, perhaps you're just not passionate about your topics anymore? Create a mind-map of all the topics you write about currently; stemming out from these, state whether or not you're happy with how often you write on this subject. The areas you want to write about less often are topics you should re-think.

Tip #2: Encourage feedback

If you're unsure about changing things, ask for feedback! I like to ask a few questions at the end of each post for my readers to answer. Ask your audience things like: 'Did you enjoy this post?' 'How would you improve this week's post?' or 'Would you like to see new topics next week?' Alternatively, put a poll onto your blog and ask readers to vote!

Tip #3: Change up your design

The design/ layout of your blog can say a lot about your content. I like to change the background every season, but some prefer to keep a background they feel fits well with their content. If you're making content changes, re-design the background too and portray a different mood! Make your design look more sophisticated to appeal to an older audience, or go quirky and colourful for a cool look or a younger audience...

Tip #4: Re-write your description and 'about me' page

Once you've changed your content, it's time to introduce these changes to your readers! Start by making a few notes about what you will be writing about and include a few funny or interesting facts about you. An interesting description and 'about me' page engages your reader and tells them what they should be expecting to read.

Tip #5: Take your time

Changes don't happen overnight - it may take time to adjust and your current readers may take time to adapt too! That's why changing things gradually is a good plan. A few subtle changes here and there can bring a new feel to the blog without the drama of jumping from what you used to do to something totally different. If you want a drastic change, then perhaps starting a whole new blog might be best? If you just want to liven up your existing blog, then slow steps are key.

Good luck - and if you want to see the kind of things I write about in my own blog, take a look - and tell me what you think! 

http://megansmegablog.blogspot.co.uk/

Cathy says:

Great tips... for me too! Do YOU blog... or would you LIKE to? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

SARITA: FIRST CRUSH...

Reader Sarita opens her heart about a childhood friendship that evolved into a crush... or maybe something more?

Sarita says:
We were childhood friends, he and I. Not best friends, but we knew each other well. We had a bittersweet relationship where we cared for each other yet hated each other sometimes too.

Fast forward seven years, and the two of us were put in the same section, the same learning group. We quickly became best friends, always there for one another. Many of my other friends told me he liked me, perhaps as more than a friend, but I dismissed this. After all, I wasn't that special, I thought. Then, thanks to the wingman-ship of another friend, he asked me out. To say I was shocked was an understatement - I was beyond bewildered.

I did not want to hurt him, but nor did I feel able to get into something serious when I knew I wasn't ready for a relationship. I didn't share his feelings. I was still too young, so I told him to wait. Three years went by, and in that time... somewhere in the middle, perhaps - my feelings began to change. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, comfort him in his grief. I don't know if it was love, but it was definitely something. Immature or not, it was definitely something for me. A crush, a love... who knows?

What happened? Well, there came a point where we gave up on 'us' ever being a thing. He just moved on. He fell for someone new, and the first person to know about his crush on that new person was me. What could I do? After all, we had started off as nothing more than friends. I once thought - and I still do - that I may never truly love someone. I always imagined things would turn out like the stories in a CC book, but maybe that's what maturity does for us, it makes us believe that books are not like real life, that perhaps they are just an escape for people like me.

This was the story of a childhood friendship that turned into something more... my first and only crush. A story of confused emotions, a tingle of love maybe... and definitely heartache.

Artwork by Cathy Cassidy.

Cathy says: 
Sarita's story is bittersweet indeed... and it will be familiar to many of us, especially when trying to steer a safe course through the perils of friendship and first love when we are still trying to get to grips with our own feelings. Have YOU ever had a crush? Tell us more in a COMMENT BELOW!

KATIE: GEEK LIKE ME!

Reader Katie talks about friendship and why finding a friendship soul-mate can be so awesome...

Katie says:
I do like people, but it's hard to find people I really connect with. Or it was, until I met my best friend Ashlan, one of my favourite humans.Yes, I did literally pick her and say 'I like you,' or at least it seems that way!

When I met Ashlan, it was in the first few days of Year Nine, which means we have now been friends for three years. Ashlan was reading a book a day, almost exclusively fantasy. The reading fascinated me, we realised we were both geeky fan girls and the rest is history! We are both Ravenclaws, and fan girls, and the fact that we don't fan girl about the same things makes no difference. We still find plenty of memes to tag each other in, and Ashlan got me into anime. It's really good - well, the mushy stuff I watch, anyway! Ashlan just KNOWS. She is a very intuitive person. Often I think she is actually a ninja, because she's so focused on her wonderful (like, seriously amazing) drawing, or her manga, or her computer game, but she can still sense when she needs to prick her ears up. I used to tease Ash, when she was absolutely crazy about dragons, by spontaneously yelling 'DRAGON!' and watching her head swivel, her ears prick up and her nose start twitching.

Ashlan is my Dragon Girl - fierce, fiery, can give you a smouldering death stare. She is also beautiful and sparkly inside and out! My favourite Ashlan memory is taking her to Wellington (the captial of New Zealand, where we live) for her birthday. We went to WOW (World of Wearable Arts) together and were awed by the costumes. We had lunch, shopped for books and took a tour of the workshop responsible for many of the special effects in movies such as The Hobbit. Ashlan and I sit together every day at morning break and lunch even though for two years we haven't been in the same classes - she's so good at the arty subjects, and they are not my forte! Ashlan is intelligent and beautiful - she even gave her Rapunzel locks a pixie cut and her hairstyle is PHENOMENAL - but most of all she is kind. I thank my lucky stars every day that I have my Dragon Girl in my life!

Cathy says:
Awww, this is so cool! Do YOU have an amazing friend who deserves a special shout-out on DREAMCATCHER? COMMENT BELOW or email me through the 'email Cathy' link on the homepage of the CC website, www.cathycassidy.com to tell me more!

YOUR STARS FOR MAY!

Skye Tanberry has been consulting the stars again to see what the month of May has in store for you... read your horoscope and see if the future is looking rosy!

TAURUS (Apr 20 - May 20)
May could be a long and tricky month unless you swallow your pride and make the first move to patch up a minor row... because unless you do, minor could become major! Let go of the moral high ground and remember why friends and family matter... and reach out with that olive branch.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
You're full of good ideas just now, and if you can combine that creativity with good planning you could be in a position to make the most of it all. Apply this creative energy to school/ study too... it could pay off in the long run. A friend's happiness is hanging in the balance this month - can YOU be the one to support and encourage her?

CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
There may be a few bumps in the road this month, but if you stay focused and steer a steady path, you'll avoid the danger spots. Although not everything is going your way, with a positive attitude you will get the very best out of life and friends will be drawn to you. Can't be bad! Stay organised and your studies should keep ticking over nicely too.

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22)
Friendship, study, romance and life plans are all running according to plan at last, which is great - but sometimes just a tiny bit dull. Look out for the good things in every day and you'll find yourself spotting new opportunities and openings - just the thing to liven things up!

VIRGO ( Aug 23 - Sept 22)
There's a danger you may be feeling blue this month, but this will pass, so refuse to let it derail you. Friendships are well starred and there's a chance you'll find yourself so much in demand you can't quite keep up! Enjoy the fun - and keep an eye out for an unexpected love interest, too!

LIBRA (Sept 23 - Oct 22)
You've had a few dilemmas recently, and although things are pretty much sorted you are still feeling confused and undecided. Shrug off the tension and the anxiety about getting things wrong - an uncomplicated, positive attitude will attract more fun and success into your life. Study is taking up a LOT of your time just now, but the hard work will be rewarded.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 - Nov 21)
You're in a bit of a rose-tinted haze right now - long may it last! Your ability to see the best in people and find fun in the least obvious places is infectious... soon, you may find yourself the centre of an extra cool, supportive and fun-loving group of friends. Value them and they'll stick with you!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
You have a stubborn streak at times, and this may be one of them! Family or friends are trying to push you in a certain direction, and you're digging your heels in... but something's got to give! Try to step back and see the situation clearly so you can make any decisions carefully, especially where school/ college/ work is concerned - this could affect your future!

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 19)
You're feeling shy, but any attempts to build up your self esteem and confidence will pay off now - a new friend could take you in some very exciting directions if you just come out of your shell enough to give things a chance. Don't let anxieties cloud your judgement... this could be a brand new start!

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
If you've been daydreaming about a long-lost crush - or even a past friendship - beware. Sometimes, things finish for a reason, a raking up the past just means you have to handle all those awkward issues and problems all over again. Let go of the dreams and allow yourself to move forward - that's where the fun lies, promise!

PISCES (Feb 19 - Mar 20)
Drop the drama queen tendencies and resist the temptation to over-react this month. Your emotions are very close to the surface, but blowing things out of proportion will complicate life and cause trouble where there's just no need. Deep breaths and stay calm! Attention to study and a little hard work will pay off big time.

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 19)
Your friends may be driving you a little crazy right now... minor squabbles and indecisions are all around. Take the initiative and keep things rolling - your friends will thank you for it, and it could open up new opportunities and experiences too. School may be stressful - but you can handle it!

Cathy says:
Do YOUR stars ring true for May? Or are they way off this time? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

JADE: APRIL SHOWERS!

We've had a great April, but life isn't always sunshine - reader Jade has some ideas for how to handle those April showers!

Jade says:
Everytime April rolls around it's the same. Flowers come out, the sun peeks from behind a cloud and I fool myself that it's summer. I start planning picnics and trips to the seaside, and then the sun vanishes and the rain sets in, and I realise that I've fallen for it again. This year I am determined not to let a few spring rain showers stop me from feeling upbeat and happy... I have a plan, and I am willing to share it!

* Rain showers are a part of spring, so don't try to fight them... dress the part! Have a light raincoat packed away in a bag that you can slip on when it's wet, and carry on as usual! I've got a yellow one with toggles that looks a bit like something a fisherman might wear - it makes me feel happy every time I put it on! Wellies and umbrellas are great too... get out there an conquer the elements!

* Wellies are essential if there's a real downpour because there is nothing worse than soggy feet. Choose a bright, cheery pair! Rekindle your childhood days and jump in puddles, splash through streams and squelch through the mud... once you're wet, you're wet, so just go for it and enjoy the sensations! You can always warm up later with a hot bath or shower!

* Take your camera or smartphone out and capture some beautiful images for Instagram or Snapchat. Raindrops on glass or on the shiny surface of a leaf, rain splashing into puddles, the bright colours of umbrellas and wellies... make it a project!

* Take a walk in the woods if you really want to be outside and it's too wet - the trees will shelter you from the worst of it, and woodlands are so pretty at this time of year. There's something magical about woods in the rain! Equally, watching the rain fall onto a lake, river or canal is very soothing.

* Ever tried singing in the rain? Or dancing? It has to be done! Once you get going it is exhilarating and funny... and addictive! Turn your face up to the sky and let the rain slide over your skin. It's supposed to be really good for the complexion!

* Too wet to go out? Don't be sad, think of the summer flowers being watered! This is a perfect day for snuggling inside with a good book, your favourite hot drink and a head full of dreams... and remember, those sunny days will be back soon!

* If all else fails, watch a movie... Singing In the Rain if you love musicals and retro stuff with a rainy theme, or just pick Finding Nemo or The Little Mermaid for watery fun and loads of nostalgia!

Cathy says:
This is a great list from Jade... I will definitely take some advice from this on a rainy day! Do YOU like the rain or do you let it get to you? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

TAYLOR: THE BOOK THAT HELPED ME...

Reader Taylor explains how CC books have helped him to battle an eating disorder...
Trigger warning: mentions of anorexia/ bulimia in this post.

Taylor says:
This sketch is something I drew recently to illustrate how I think Summer from SUMMER'S DREAM might have been feeling when her illness began to worsen - under pressure, afraid, lost, and with a very distorted view of her own body. I myself am (I think) now recovered from bulimia and borderline anorexia, and at my worst this image was how I felt - and what I saw when I looked in a mirror. I imagine Summer would be just the same.

I identify with Summer more than I would like to admit. It's almost as though we are the same person, except that I was - or am - an actor/ singer rather than a dancer. I actually had CC books recommended to me by my therapist, because they were what her daughter was reading. The books have really helped me to get through those horrible first few months of recovery.

SUMMER'S DREAM will always be a very special book for me. It - and the later books in the CHOCOLATE BOX GIRLS series which follow Summer's story as she slowly recovers - is just an incredible and honest representation of an eating disorder and I am very grateful for that, because it made me feel less alone and that there was hope for me. Thank you, CC!

Cathy says:
Thank YOU Taylor for such an honest and open account of your struggle and what the book SUMMER'S DREAM has meant to you. I LOVE the drawing, which is very powerful, and I am so glad you're on the path to recovery now! Is there a CC book that has meant a great deal to YOU? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

SARA: SHARE THE CHOCOLATE LOVE

Reader Sara looks at the history of chocolate and why we love it so much!

Sara says:
Cacao, the raw form of chocolate, has been cultivated for more than three millennia... the earliest evidence of its use os Mexico and Guatemala, where chocolate drinks were being used as long ago as 1900 BC. The Maya and Aztec peoples made xocolati (bitter water) into a drink from cacao beans that were fermented, dried and roasted.The resulting cocoa mass is the basis of the chocolate we know today.

The Maya and Aztec people used chocolate in ceremonies, and the cacao bean was used as a kind of currency. The first Europeans to come across chocolate were Christopher Columbus and the Spanish conquistador Cortes, and by the late 16th century chocolate was becoming popular in the Spanish court. It then spread slowly throughout Europe. In the 18th century, chocolate was very popular, but as a drink, not as a food. By the early 19th century, chocolate had been made less bitter and milk chocolate was invented, creating a much sweeter tasting product. Chocolate companies like Frys, Rowntrees, Cadbury's, Nestle and Lindt began to build the production of the chocolate that we know today.

Today, much chocolate production takes place in Africa and it has been shown that child labour is often used to pick the cocoa beans, and that human trafficking and slavery of the child workers is a big problem. It is worth paying extra for FAIR TRADE chocolate to know that it has been produced fairly. We still need to make sure that children are not being exploited so we in the west can have our sweet treats, but I think there is still quite a long way to go - this is the bitter side of chocolate, but it is important to know how our chocolate is made and to let the companies know that we care.

Chocolate is a source of flavonoids and alkaloids which have some health benefits, but too much chocolate is not good as most types are high in fat and sugar. Chocolate is a big part of many celebrations (such as Easter!) and is one of the most popular treat foods we have. Could you live without it? I'm not sure I could!

Cathy says:
Sara raises some very good points about how our chocolate is made... perhaps we need a blog post all about the child workers? Which chocolate is YOUR favourite? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

EDIE: EASTER AROUND THE WORLD!

Reader Edie has written an eye-opening blog on how Easter is celebrated around the world... trust me, it's not all fluffy bunnies and chocolate eggs!

Edie says:
We celebrate Easter in the UK in a variety ways. We might go to church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, or paint hard-boiled eggs, or hunt around the garden for chocolate eggs left by the 'Easter Bunny.' We might have a special family meal, bring spring greenery into the house and if we have spent Lent abstaining from a food like chocolate, cake or sugar, it will be back on the menu now. But what about Easter in other countries?

In SWEDEN, Easter is celebrated on Easter Saturday and the celebration is VERY different. It is believed that witches plan trouble in the run up to Easter and so children dress up as witches with painted red cheeks and painted on freckles and go from door to door handing out drawings and getting sweets in return, a bit like our Halloween!

In EASTERN EUROPE Easter eggs are ultra important and hard boiled eggs are dyed with onion skins and natural dyes and decorated with a variety of methods, including batik. Intricately painted eggs are an important decoration, and bonfires are lit for family and friends to celebrate together in an echo of old pagan rituals thought to bring light and protection to crops and people alike after a long, hard winter.

In ISRAEL, Easter is a very special occasion and pilgrims holding crosses follow the path taken by Jesus on his journey to his death on Calvary. The procession is known as the Way of The Cross. In the PHILIPPINES public whippings and mock crucifixions take place, while children dress as angels to walk through the town at dawn to celebrate the resurrection. COSTA RICA, MEXICO and SRI LANKA all stage dramatic recreations of the crucifixion and resurrection.

Lastly, in POLAND and SLOVAKIA, Easter Monday is a traditional day for water fights! Nobody is safe on 'wet Monday' and the tradition is thought to be linked to old pagan fertility rites. And of course, many countries around the world are not Christian and so do not celebrate Easter at all, but they often have spring festivals of their own!

Cathy says:
This is great... something to think about while munching your way through all that chocolate, anyway! Do YOU have a favourite Easter tradition? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more!

THE TEENAGE GUIDE TO FRIENDS!

My fab author friend NICOLA MORGAN has a brand new book out... I asked her to tell you all about it!

Nicola says:
Hello to Cathy's lovely readers! This might be the first time a non-fiction book has been on DREAMCATCHER? I love fiction and non-fiction equally, though it has to have a topic I want to read about, otherwise I'm not going to be engaged by it. So let me tell you why you might be interested in THE TEENAGE GUIDE TO FRIENDS!

It's about the science of friendship. (Science? Me? My school science teachers would be amazed!) Anyway, TTGF explains why people behave the way they do. You know when someone is mean or annoying you? Maybe a friend says something undermining? How you don't feel so comfortable with some people as others? Or a friendship seems to be falling apart? Or perhaps there's group behaviour going on. It feels horrible - until you realise it's most likely not about you: everyone has stuff going on in their heads that makes them behave the way they do. There are a million reasons why people act the way they do. And only one of those possible reasons is you, so probably isn't you!

When we understand this, we can stop beating ourselves up and become empowered to control what we can, feel better about ourselves, walk away from situations or stand up to them: whichever we want. You can't change people and you shouldn't have to. Just focus on your real friends. And one good friend is all you need - it's not about how many friends, but how good your friend is.

Sometimes you might find yourself surrounded by all the wrong people and it's really hard to find friends. If that's how it is for you now,, look ahead to brighter times. Everything changes. THE TEENAGE GUIDE TO FRIENDS has loads of explanations, some science and psychology and lots of tips and strategies.I hope it will make you feel better about yourself and your friends!

TOP TIP: Do something nice for a friend today! It can be something really small and it doesn't have to cost money. They'll feel good and so will you!

Cathy says:
I know from my letters, emails and messages that lots of you struggle with friendships, so I think this book is something we could all do with! I believe in the message so much that I wrote the foreword for it... give it a try, I don't think you'll regret it! Do YOU have good friends or have you struggled to form close connections with others? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!