It gives me great pleasure to welcome Sue Wickstead onto the website today. Sue has created eleven picture books for children, most of which revolve around the Bewbush Playbus, which was a community project that gained recognition from Her Majesty the Queen's Silver Jubilee Community Awards.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Sue.
Sue: My father was from Liverpool and my mother from Sussex.
They bought their first house in the New Town of Crawley, West Sussex and we moved there when I was aged four.
I was the second of five children. (Four girls and a boy.)
I would write stories for my toys and loved listening to the adventures of my aunts.
One of my four aunts, Aunt Vera, was a teacher who had taught for six years in Sweden, with four of those in Kiruna in Lapland. She then taught in Africa, ‘Liberia’, before returning to England where she taught ‘English as a Second Language’ in London. She then emigrated to Spain.
Her stories were so exciting and I loved listening to her tales.
I wanted to be a teacher just like her and went to teacher training college in Chichester from 1973 – 76. My specialist subject was in ‘Arts and Crafts’.
While at college, I began to write short stories and poetry as well as a special study on ‘Knots’.
After three years of study, I wasn’t too sure about teaching and ended up retraining as a ‘tracer/draughtswoman’. I started a small business selling macramé knotting and teaching the craft itself.
I married my husband in 1980 and had two children, a boy and a girl.
We moved to the new district of Bewbush in Crawley.
When my children were little, they went to a playgroup which was on a ‘Playbus’, the children loved the cosy atmosphere of the bus but I was more fascinated by the concept of mobile play provision.
I got involved with the project which stole my heart.
I went on to teach in the local primary school (in Bewbush), where I taught for 20 years, but I also continued to work voluntarily with the bus, developing its reputation and presence.
I left teaching to write the history book about the ‘Bewbush Playbus’ and took on the role of cover/supply teacher teaching in primary schools over Sussex and Surrey.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Sue.
Sue: My father was from Liverpool and my mother from Sussex.
They bought their first house in the New Town of Crawley, West Sussex and we moved there when I was aged four.
I was the second of five children. (Four girls and a boy.)
I would write stories for my toys and loved listening to the adventures of my aunts.
One of my four aunts, Aunt Vera, was a teacher who had taught for six years in Sweden, with four of those in Kiruna in Lapland. She then taught in Africa, ‘Liberia’, before returning to England where she taught ‘English as a Second Language’ in London. She then emigrated to Spain.
Her stories were so exciting and I loved listening to her tales.
I wanted to be a teacher just like her and went to teacher training college in Chichester from 1973 – 76. My specialist subject was in ‘Arts and Crafts’.
While at college, I began to write short stories and poetry as well as a special study on ‘Knots’.
After three years of study, I wasn’t too sure about teaching and ended up retraining as a ‘tracer/draughtswoman’. I started a small business selling macramé knotting and teaching the craft itself.
I married my husband in 1980 and had two children, a boy and a girl.
We moved to the new district of Bewbush in Crawley.
When my children were little, they went to a playgroup which was on a ‘Playbus’, the children loved the cosy atmosphere of the bus but I was more fascinated by the concept of mobile play provision.
I got involved with the project which stole my heart.
I went on to teach in the local primary school (in Bewbush), where I taught for 20 years, but I also continued to work voluntarily with the bus, developing its reputation and presence.
I left teaching to write the history book about the ‘Bewbush Playbus’ and took on the role of cover/supply teacher teaching in primary schools over Sussex and Surrey.
Alex: How did the Playbus stories come about?
Sue: My story books began by chance. I had left full-time teaching to write the photographic history book, about the ‘Bewbush Playbus’, project and was also considering writing another book for the National Charity – which never happened, although I do have many of their photographs, so I may still do so at some point.
When I visited schools, I would tell the children about the bus. They were fascinated and I began to tell a story about how the bus became a Playbus. This was then eventually written down and edited until it was ready to publish.
In addition to my history book, I have now written and published eleven books. Including a book of rhymes and jokes (with a bus twist) and a Playbus colouring book with information about the buses included.
The books are mostly about buses and aspects of play. All of my books include a bus somewhere, which was a challenge when writing The Christmas Play Rehearsal, but yes there is a bus!
Jay-Jay and his Island Adventure, also led me to author visits in Spain.
Sue: My story books began by chance. I had left full-time teaching to write the photographic history book, about the ‘Bewbush Playbus’, project and was also considering writing another book for the National Charity – which never happened, although I do have many of their photographs, so I may still do so at some point.
When I visited schools, I would tell the children about the bus. They were fascinated and I began to tell a story about how the bus became a Playbus. This was then eventually written down and edited until it was ready to publish.
In addition to my history book, I have now written and published eleven books. Including a book of rhymes and jokes (with a bus twist) and a Playbus colouring book with information about the buses included.
The books are mostly about buses and aspects of play. All of my books include a bus somewhere, which was a challenge when writing The Christmas Play Rehearsal, but yes there is a bus!
Jay-Jay and his Island Adventure, also led me to author visits in Spain.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Sue: I have a brief idea of what I want to say but really let the story unfold as I write.
I have quite a few ideas during the writing process but sometimes the stories just come along by chance. (Barty Barton was just such a story.)
Alex: Tell us about your latest story.
Sue: My next story book is based on my brother playing at being a bin-man. It was a story I told on an Early Years online learning day. I had already part written it but now decided it needed to be done. This book is currently being illustrated.
I have also part written a story called The Weather Witch; this is another story I have told when visiting schools. The children seem to love it and the events around it seems to be growing too. If this book does happen it will contain instructions to make musical instruments; links to myths and legends; musical ideas as well as history.
I had written a Pirate Story (never published), which sort of just happened and paralleled events in my teaching career. This might be a chapter book if I ever decide to re-visit, it one day.
Sue: I have a brief idea of what I want to say but really let the story unfold as I write.
I have quite a few ideas during the writing process but sometimes the stories just come along by chance. (Barty Barton was just such a story.)
Alex: Tell us about your latest story.
Sue: My next story book is based on my brother playing at being a bin-man. It was a story I told on an Early Years online learning day. I had already part written it but now decided it needed to be done. This book is currently being illustrated.
I have also part written a story called The Weather Witch; this is another story I have told when visiting schools. The children seem to love it and the events around it seems to be growing too. If this book does happen it will contain instructions to make musical instruments; links to myths and legends; musical ideas as well as history.
I had written a Pirate Story (never published), which sort of just happened and paralleled events in my teaching career. This might be a chapter book if I ever decide to re-visit, it one day.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Sue: I loved reading fairy stories; myths and legends as a child.
I was fascinated at how the same story could be told, and shown, in so many ways.
Winnie the Pooh was certainly one of my favourites as well as many more children’s books.
I enjoyed looking at the illustrations in books and seeing how the message was conveyed.
I loved reading and sharing stories with my children, as well as those on the Playbus and at school.
I like to engage with children with story-telling and getting them to listen and use their imagination.
I’m still drawn to children’s books in the bookshops even though my children are grown up.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Sue: The research for my bus stories comes from personal experiences or known facts relating to our adventures.
I found that people still want to know a bit of the history behind the bus so I now add a real-life reference page at the back of every story book. (A Spooky Tale and The Christmas Play Rehearsal are stories from my teaching.)
Sue: I loved reading fairy stories; myths and legends as a child.
I was fascinated at how the same story could be told, and shown, in so many ways.
Winnie the Pooh was certainly one of my favourites as well as many more children’s books.
I enjoyed looking at the illustrations in books and seeing how the message was conveyed.
I loved reading and sharing stories with my children, as well as those on the Playbus and at school.
I like to engage with children with story-telling and getting them to listen and use their imagination.
I’m still drawn to children’s books in the bookshops even though my children are grown up.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Sue: The research for my bus stories comes from personal experiences or known facts relating to our adventures.
I found that people still want to know a bit of the history behind the bus so I now add a real-life reference page at the back of every story book. (A Spooky Tale and The Christmas Play Rehearsal are stories from my teaching.)
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Sue: The bus stories are based on the real bus adventures. The character names sometimes come from names along the way. Barty Barton: The Bear that was Loved too Much was written and named for my son and grandson. It was a story that just appeared by chance.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Sue: I love reading a range of books.
The last adult book that I read and enjoyed was The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman and I’m now reading his second book.
Over lockdown I also read quite a few children’s chapter books that I’d seen read in schools. I really love the books by Michael Morpurgo as well as many other authors.
But these days I also read and follow instruction books for Lego and crochet patterns. LOL!
Sue: The bus stories are based on the real bus adventures. The character names sometimes come from names along the way. Barty Barton: The Bear that was Loved too Much was written and named for my son and grandson. It was a story that just appeared by chance.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Sue: I love reading a range of books.
The last adult book that I read and enjoyed was The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman and I’m now reading his second book.
Over lockdown I also read quite a few children’s chapter books that I’d seen read in schools. I really love the books by Michael Morpurgo as well as many other authors.
But these days I also read and follow instruction books for Lego and crochet patterns. LOL!
Alex: How do you market your books?
Sue: Marketing is definitely the tricky part as an indie author and (in my case now) a semi-retired teacher.
I have attended events and bus rallies (pre-pandemic) and I have also undertaken author bookings and writing workshops on request. I cater for all ages, the older children (and adults) are more interested in the factual side of my writing and being able to ask questions.
As a cover/supply teacher I have been able to share stories with many schools and I leave a copy of my first story book in the schools as I go.
I know the books work; I know the children love the story and love knowing the story is about a real bus as well as what inspired the story writing.
I have also produced a teaching resource pack, which I have been able to trial and use on occasion when needed. (Available from TES.)
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Sue: When I am not writing I enjoy playing with my Lego – well, not playing exactly. I buy and restore Lego sets to sell. I’m known as the ‘Lego Lady’ in the schools I visit on supply cover because I wear Lego Ear-rings named after my children.
I tell the children about the Lego when I visit as it helps to put the children at ease and I know if I return and hear them say ‘it’s the Lego Lady’ that we have met before.
I also do a lot of crochet.
I play with my grandson (two-years-old), once a week, he does wear me out.
And I enjoy gardening – a bit.
Sue: Marketing is definitely the tricky part as an indie author and (in my case now) a semi-retired teacher.
I have attended events and bus rallies (pre-pandemic) and I have also undertaken author bookings and writing workshops on request. I cater for all ages, the older children (and adults) are more interested in the factual side of my writing and being able to ask questions.
As a cover/supply teacher I have been able to share stories with many schools and I leave a copy of my first story book in the schools as I go.
I know the books work; I know the children love the story and love knowing the story is about a real bus as well as what inspired the story writing.
I have also produced a teaching resource pack, which I have been able to trial and use on occasion when needed. (Available from TES.)
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Sue: When I am not writing I enjoy playing with my Lego – well, not playing exactly. I buy and restore Lego sets to sell. I’m known as the ‘Lego Lady’ in the schools I visit on supply cover because I wear Lego Ear-rings named after my children.
I tell the children about the Lego when I visit as it helps to put the children at ease and I know if I return and hear them say ‘it’s the Lego Lady’ that we have met before.
I also do a lot of crochet.
I play with my grandson (two-years-old), once a week, he does wear me out.
And I enjoy gardening – a bit.
Alex: Which children's authors do you particularly admire and why?
There are so many children's authors I really admire and it is tricky to pick any one out.
My favourite has to be AA Milne – I just love the tongue in cheek wisdom.
I also enjoyed Dr Seuss books with my children; and of course JRR Tolkien – and discovering that Fantasy was still okay when you were grown up.
But really it's whatever takes my interest at any given time.
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Sue. I'm with you on AA Milne and Dr Seuss. I used to love Winnie the Pooh as a child. And at a very young age our son could recite the entire Cat in the Hat off by heart. The Seuss books were my favourite books to read to our children. The mischievous rhyming verses never failed to elicit copious and infectious laughter. Utterly brilliant and, of course, timeless. Anyway thank you again and good luck with your next creation.
Sue: Thank you Alex. It's been lovely talking to you.
There are so many children's authors I really admire and it is tricky to pick any one out.
My favourite has to be AA Milne – I just love the tongue in cheek wisdom.
I also enjoyed Dr Seuss books with my children; and of course JRR Tolkien – and discovering that Fantasy was still okay when you were grown up.
But really it's whatever takes my interest at any given time.
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Sue. I'm with you on AA Milne and Dr Seuss. I used to love Winnie the Pooh as a child. And at a very young age our son could recite the entire Cat in the Hat off by heart. The Seuss books were my favourite books to read to our children. The mischievous rhyming verses never failed to elicit copious and infectious laughter. Utterly brilliant and, of course, timeless. Anyway thank you again and good luck with your next creation.
Sue: Thank you Alex. It's been lovely talking to you.
