Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 3 September 2015 | Page 11

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE
woman who was my best friend. My brother, an artist and the illustrator of this book,
and I, got together and wrote a children’s story about Theodore, a teddy bear who
went through losing his best friend. The story, based on our own feelings and
experiences, takes the reader through being chosen, accepted and loved as a best
friend, the anxiety and confusion of seeing that special person suffer a terrible illness
and then finally the sadness and loneliness of losing that best friend. The story ends
positively because Theodore finds a new friend who does not replace his dear Wendy,
but loves him just as much. We are still putting on the finishing touches and getting
advice from anyone who is willing to give us advice. Given the sensitive topic and age
of our audience (up to 10 years), we need to be very sure that everything is perfect.
Children are a very difficult audience—you either win them over or you don’t!
In conclusion I would like to say that the Writers Abroad website has inspired me to
write again. Publishing a book puts a “full stop” at the end of a thought process and
you have to begin with something new… right from the start… again. That is where I
am at the moment. Thank you for the colourful tapestry of rich ideas and beautiful
writing I have had the luxury of browsing through. Keep writing. WA

Felicity Timcke signing the very first
copy of her book Silk, Spices and
Vodka… to her mum.

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