Philip Ardagh's Blog

Hi, I’m Phil from Phili and I’m living in the UK!

If I had to describe myself I would have to say:

Creative
Linguist
Writer
Runner
Language Lover

I have three major aspects to my life writing, languages and running.

So if you’re still here, take a look at my journey through all three.

My Writing Life

Writing has been my number one passion all of my life.

From when I was a child, I was writing stories for my parents, creating plays or just living in my own fairytale world.

Growing up, I wrote for the school papers and won a few short story competitions.

My love of words led me to choosing between studying linguistics and English Literature.

Linguistics won in the end (although I was able to take some English Literature modules) and this is what led me to begin my language learning journey.

My Language Life

Getting into languages happened relatively late in my life.

From a love of writing, I decided to study linguistics at University and it was there that the language bug began to grow.

Most people on my course were either bilingual, spoke a few languages or were at least dabbling in foreign languages. With my peer group being language obsessed it was impossible to resist.

I started to learn Russian on evenings and went from there.

Now I split my time between writing, learning languages and running.

My Running Life

Running is the third passion in my life and the one I started the latest.

Just like languages, the running world opened up to me during my time at university.

I’d always been in shape as a child but when I went to university I started to pile on the weight. I just couldn’t control it.

My friends and family started to comment on it and I began to feel very self conscious. So I decided to do something about it by starting running.

My first run was horrible but after a month of doing it every day I began to enjoy it.

It’s been five years since I started and I’ve continued to run at least four times a week since then.

Languages I Want To Learn

Now I’ve covered my three greatest passions, let me dive a bit deeper into my language world.

These are the languages that I want to learn:

Mandarin
Arabic
French
Japanese

Language I Already Speak

And these are the ones that I’ve already had the pleasure of learning so far:

Russian
Portuguese
Italian
Hebrew

(Of course I don’t speak them all fluently!)

Big News

I’ve recently been acquired by Lingo Press Books, which means not only will I be migrating my content to them but I’ll also be writing for them.

This is a really exciting prospect for me because languages have always been a passion of mine and now I get the chance to work with like minded writers.

Lingo Press are a company who specialise in writing graded readers to help people learn languages.

Not only that but they produce fun content, tips and tricks, all with the intention to help you learn languages.

As much as I’ll enjoy picking their brains, I also believe that I have a lot to contribute to the team and I look forward to sharing my ideas.

I am excited to combine my love of writing with my love of languages and see where it takes me in these next stages of my life.

 

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

Adding a mural to your child’s room is a great and inexpensive way to add colour and character to the room. You can change it every few months depending on what your child is reading at the moment. You don’t have to worry because you can create a mural from different materials, for example, stick-ons, appliques, and cut outs.

For more fun and excitement, you can also spray paint the mural and ask help from your kids so they can better express their creativity. A storybook mural will not be complete without air spray, and the best stationary air compressor can help you have a steady hand and a more polished design. Of course, if you want to make it more elaborate, feel free to do so.

There are two compelling reasons why a storybook mural is a great addition to a kid’s room. For one, it fosters an appreciation for art and encourages children to be creative. They can add lines to the story or draw additional characters over time. This also allows your child to express his or her emotions through art.

Second is that it boosts a child’s interest in reading. Having a new mural every six months or once a year makes your child want to read more stories and books. The younger the child is exposed to storybooks the earlier he will be interested in reading longer narratives. This is something that will be carried on as your child grows up.

Eventually, your child will outgrow the storybook phase and may want to decorate the room with something more personal. It may not be as creative, colourful, or appealing to the eyes, but the important thing is that they are allowed to express what they think and feel in a healthier way.

While they are young though, it is imperative that parents guide them on how storybook murals are created. It is also necessary to buy non-toxic paint and other child-friendly materials for all projects. Safety is key at all times.

Also read: Reading in the Garden – One of Life’s Special Joys

There are times when you don’t want to leave your house, head towards the garden and read a book. It might be a simple activity, but it is very satisfying. There are a lot of people who feel this way. It is totally understandable. Considering the stress that life has to offer, it would be nice to have a quiet moment where no one speaks with you or tells you to get back to work. You are on your own, quietly reading your favorite novel. It is as if you are being transported to a different dimension.

Ask yourself how often you do this. There are times when you are too caught up with work or problems at home that you no longer have the time to just sit down and read your favorite books. You are always on the go. You keep attending to problems at work and at home.

You deserve this moment

Every once in a while, find a way to just sit on a chair in your garden and read a book. You have been too stressed out with life. You are constantly thinking about things. This is the kind of break you need. It doesn’t cost you money and you don’t have to waste time traveling.

Even if you just spend an hour or two each week to just sit on the garden and read, it would be great. You may also take some time to appreciate the beauty of nature. Feel the ray of sunshine on your face and the breeze kissing your cheeks.

Most of us no longer get this special moment. If you want to avoid stress and just appreciate life, this is exactly the kind of activity that you need.

Make the place perfect

Of course, you want your garden to look amazing for this type of activity. Have the place cleaned up. Buy new patio furniture. You may also ask your gardener to trim the lawn. Get a new lawn mower by checking out information from bestmower.reviews.

Once everything is perfect, you can read for as long as you want. Enjoy!

Also read: The Most Inspiring Places for a Writer

There are a lot of factors that can help make a great children’s book. If you are planning to buy one to read to your child, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration:

Strong characters. It is easier for the child to remember the story if the characters are strong and they have distinct personalities. You might see kids who really adore superheroes. They want someone whom they can easily identify even if they have already read other books.
Moral values. The main reason why you carefully pick the type of book your child reads is because you want only those with positive moral values invoked in the story. You want your child to learn from these values and apply them in real life. Usually, children’s books have strong moral lessons. It’s just that some others are more creative in bringing out that lesson. There are books with several lessons taught.
Great illustrations. You also need something that won’t bore your kids. You want them to learn not just by reading but by also identifying the photos. They will also be more interested to finish reading the book if there are photos in it. They will also ask more questions or be more curious about the story if they see lots of photos.
Vocabulary expansion. You need to give books that will not only help your child improve his affective aspect, but also his cognitive learning. Expanding his vocabulary and accuracy in spelling are among the most basic tasks that he can learn from reading a book. Therefore, the book must have a way of helping kids out in expanding their knowledge on the meaning of various words.

Once you have found the best children’s books, don’t hesitate to buy them. You can start at a young age. For instance, you can buy top baby carriers and read the books to them while you are walking around. This is true even if they don’t necessarily understand what you are reading. Eventually, they will be inspired to read on their own and develop such a habit.

Also Read: The Most Inspiring Places for a Writer

There are instances when even the best writers couldn’t write a word. It happens when the writer isn’t inspired. If you aspire to be a great writer, you need to explore the world and find the best places that could inspire you. Here are some of them.

1. Library

It might sound like a cliché, but the library is in fact the perfect spot for writers. It is quiet and there are rules observed. People work independently. Should you need resources to improve your work, you can easily pick them up on the shelves. Some libraries even allow people to sleep. If you need a break after forcing yourself to think hard, then feel free to do so.

2. Your backyard

You don’t even have to leave your house to get inspired. Who would not feel great being on their backyard while feeling the breeze of the wind blowing on their face on a nice sunny afternoon while seated on a comfortable wicker chair or even on an air mattress? Every writer must have an area at home for them to get inspired. Your backyard could be your sweet spot. Why not put up a tent or build a fort and get the best air mattress for camping so it’s nice in comfy in your zone?

3. Train

You might have heard of the Amtrak residency program where aspiring writers get free tickets just to sit on a train and write. The train has all the elements to make you feel inspired. To begin with, you get that feeling of excitement. Traveling long distances by land and not knowing what to expect along the way is a great feeling. You might meet strangers whom you will learn something from. You can just be on your couch while staring at the beauty of nature. Before you know it, you have already created the best words to produce a masterpiece.

4. Beach

Everyone loves to be on the beach. Not everyone comes to the beach to work though. As a writer, it is a perfect spot to come up with something amazing. You feel relaxed. You can just sit on the shore while feeling the breeze on your face and touching the sand with your feet. You see people doing tons of different activities. You can learn from everything you see, touch and feel.

5. Anywhere outdoors

Do you feel proud every time you accomplish something that is seemingly impossible outdoors? For instance, you might have finished a 5-hour long trek or climb a steep mountain. For sure, you have something to write about these experiences. Dare to try the impossible and go beyond your boundaries. The outdoors has a lot to offer and as a writer, it is for you to explore.

Hopefully, you will get inspired to write better as you head to these places.

If you’re a writer working at home, the benefits are clear – no commute, being able to work at your own pace, pursuing what you love while staying close to family. It is a dream of many to be able to work at home and writing is a career that can offer the ability to follow that dream. It is not without its challenges, however, and does require a certain amount of discipline to make it a success.

As with any creative endeavor, there are moments when inspiration seems to be at a standstill. Whether you call it writer’s block or something else, it is very frustrating and, if it continues, can be detrimental to your productivity. If you notice yourself falling into a slump where the words are not flowing, consider exercise to rev up your brain cells and get things moving again.

Exercise may not be the first thing you think of in terms of writing productivity, but there are many mental health benefits that go along with regular exercise which can be especially beneficial to writers, including:

Increased Creativity

A good workout that increases your heart rate can boost creativity for up to two hours. If you are able to work out outside, even better. The vitamin D obtained from the sun helps in boosting mood and is a health benefit in itself. But if you prefer to stay indoors, look up the best ellipticals for home use and invest in one. This type of exercise machine is an excellent choice if you want to get a full body workout indoors.

Higher Productivity

Research shows that those who make time for regular exercise have more energy and are more productive than whose who do not. While it may be difficult to take the time to squeeze in a workout, you may find that your productivity is increased, making the workout time a wise investment to your career.

More Brainpower

Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to improve brain performance and even create new brain cells, a benefit nearly all of us can use. Regular exercise is believed to help with higher thinking, learning and decision making. These are benefits not only to your writing, but to life in general.

Other Benefits

Regular physical exercise has numerous other benefits including reduced stress and anxiety, increased mood and self-confidence and reduction of cognitive decline. All these benefits, in addition to the well-known physical benefits of exercise, make it a win-win for everyone.

If you find yourself struggling for that next idea, phrase or even word, stop pounding your head and head outside for a walk or run. You will be increasing your brainpower, productivity and creativity all at once while doing something good for your body. Find time to exercise and see the difference it can make!

There was a time not long ago when trying to get children away from the television set was near the top of the list of children’s behavioral problems. With the latest technologies, children, regardless of age, find ways to carry their personal TV sets with them. There are Kindle Fore for Kids, smartphones, and tablet computers to contend with that sometimes, even the best electric longboard can’t get them out of the house.

One reigning concern of parents isn’t the amount of time kids use their technology, but whether or not their reading skills are deteriorating – or even existent at all. Technology can partly be blamed as the mobility and portability of computing devices makes visual learning much easier. YouTube is said to have 100,000 uploads to its site per day. There is a lot to watch out there.

Learning by video clips is not always a bad thing, but to survive in the modern world you will need a good grasp of the English language in writing. There are always forms to fill out, instructions to be read, and being able to read what is communicated to you in an e-mail or written memo.

Some reading is being done by kids. Twitter messages are a maximum of 140 characters, though most tweets don’t hit that number because it takes too long to read. There is also a fair amount of reading done when shopping online, most likely customer reviews and similar information. But those blurbs are rarely more than 200 word articles.

If we are talking about reading books that have actual chapters and literary value, then the answer to the question may dishearten many parents and teachers. Several years ago a study was done to determine the attention span of the average YouTube viewer. The median number of minutes was about 7.5. Recent studies now put that number at under 5 minutes.

The major issue does seem to be attention span, as indicated by the recent sales of the Harry Potter series, which sold more than 1.3 million books in 2015. Children may be reading them on their tablets or e-readers, but the interest in Harry Potter books at least is still there. The challenge before parents and teachers is to find books that will pique the interest of children and get them to get engrossed in books that require an attention span of longer than 5 minutes.

What the difference is between a video and a book is the use of the imagination. Readers have to create in their own minds the places and people they are encountering. Visual media prepares it for them and music videos are another way to take the imaginative process away from kids.

Comparing the days when kids had to be forcibly removed from the front of the TV set, the reason was that the child’s imagination was constantly activated, either through cartoon animation or wondering, “How do they do that?” Looking around you will see that the movies that are at the top of the list in popularity today are animations. Kids and reading have always been two peas in a pod. Video can get boring, while the right book can keep your mind engaged for hours.

Also read: Philip Ardagh Books and Extracts

Had great fun at the Wychwood Festival at the end of May/beginning of June, during which I did a short event for Booktrust - which some people think should be called THE Booktrust - and at which I saw John Dougherty, Korky Paul, Cerrie Burnell, Pip Jones, Jo Cotterill and a fleeting glimpse of Jo Nadin. I somehow managed to miss Wendy O’Shea-Meddour altogether Heard some good music and got to hang with Barbara Pendrigh and her truly fantastic Waterstone’s staff, though. My GRUNTS event was, of course, SENSATIONAL!