The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Which other authors do you enjoy? Discuss them here.
User avatar
Courtenay
Posts: 19274
Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
Favourite character: Lotta
Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Courtenay »

I thought it was brilliantly done, Julie, and yes, "too short" in a way, but on the other hand that was a good thing — it meant there was no extraneous padding and no boring bits!! :wink: Well done you, as I know from experience it's often a lot harder to keep a story short than to make it longer.
Society Member

It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Rob Houghton »

Yes - its definitely more difficult to write a shorter story! I can't manage it, as waffling is a big problem with me! :lol:
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
Courtenay
Posts: 19274
Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
Favourite character: Lotta
Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Courtenay »

It's been attributed to other authors as well, but apparently it was originally the mathematician Blaise Pascal who once wrote in a letter: "I have made this longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter"... :D
Society Member

It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Rob Houghton »

:lol:
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
Julie2owlsdene
Posts: 15244
Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
Favourite character: Dick
Location: Cornwall

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

Courtenay wrote:I thought it was brilliantly done, Julie, and yes, "too short" in a way, but on the other hand that was a good thing — it meant there was no extraneous padding and no boring bits!! :wink: Well done you, as I know from experience it's often a lot harder to keep a story short than to make it longer.
Thank you, Courtenay.

I guess it is a bit harder trying to keep in balance, when you know that if it were an adult book the length would be greater with much more in it. But children, especially these days with computer games etc etc, don't always want to spend a lot of time between the pages of a book, so I did have to discipline myself into remembering that the story will be read by 'todays children' and not the 'children from Enid's days', when our main interest was reading a book.

8)
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"

Society Member
User avatar
Courtenay
Posts: 19274
Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
Favourite character: Lotta
Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Courtenay »

Well, books like yours might just inspire more of them to put the computer games etc. aside for a moment and discover the joy of a really good read! :D (Seriously, even when I was little I was rather addicted to computer games at times, but I never lost my love of reading over all — because books make you use your imagination to see and hear the story unfolding, which is an experience you just don't get from computer games or TV.)
Society Member

It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Rob Houghton »

I think that's true...although I also think there is a core of children who enjoy reading as much as children did in other generations - as can be seen by the many longer books aimed at children these days. As you say, its a difficult balance. I think you got it just right, especially for a first novel. :D
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
Lucky Star
Posts: 11484
Joined: 28 May 2006, 12:59
Favourite book/series: The Valley of Adventure
Favourite character: Mr Goon
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Lucky Star »

I have finally gotten around to ordering this and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival. Amazon had only two copies left in stock and I have bought one so hopefully they will restock as it must be selling quite well. :D
"What a lot of trouble one avoids if one refuses to have anything to do with the common herd. To have no job, to devote ones life to literature, is the most wonderful thing in the world. - Cicero

Society Member
User avatar
Julie2owlsdene
Posts: 15244
Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
Favourite character: Dick
Location: Cornwall

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

Hope you enjoy it, John. Yes, I noticed that only one was left in stock now. Again it's up to Amazon to keep on the ball as it were and order more! :lol: :lol:

Our local independent bookshop in Wadebridge told me they had ordered a stock, and I said I would happily sign the copies before they go on the shelves. :D

I'm also waiting for our Cornish Magazine - Cornwall Today, - to email me, as they have a copy of my book and want to do an interview with me soon. :)

8)
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"

Society Member
User avatar
Eddie Muir
Posts: 14566
Joined: 13 Oct 2007, 22:28
Favourite book/series: Five Find-Outers and Dog
Favourite character: Fatty
Location: Brighton

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Eddie Muir »

Good luck with the interview with Cornwall Today, Julie. I listened to your Radio Cornwall interview earlier today and thought you came over very well. Great stuff! :D
'Go down to the side-shows by the river this afternoon. I'll meet you somewhere in disguise. Bet you won't know me!' wrote Fatty.

Society Member
User avatar
Julie2owlsdene
Posts: 15244
Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
Favourite character: Dick
Location: Cornwall

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

Thanks, Eddie. I'll let you know when they get in touch, I spoke with the Editor yesterday. It will be in our Cornish Magazine, not sure what month, as I guess that they would have already got January almost finished ready to go to print.

8)
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"

Society Member
Tony Summerfield
Posts: 6385
Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Tony Summerfield »

To give you some idea of how far ahead some magazines are worked on, I am currently proofreading one of my regular puzzle magazines which goes on sale in April!
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Rob Houghton »

Yes - The People's Friend is similar - in fact over 12 months went by between accepting my first short story and actually publishing it! :lol:
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
Courtenay
Posts: 19274
Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
Favourite character: Lotta
Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Courtenay »

Oh wow — congratulations on the Cornwall Today interview, Julie, whenever it comes about! :D
Society Member

It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
User avatar
Moonraker
Posts: 22387
Joined: 31 Jan 2005, 19:15
Location: Wiltshire, England
Contact:

Re: The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

Post by Moonraker »

Rob Houghton wrote:Yes - The People's Friend is similar - in fact over 12 months went by between accepting my first short story and actually publishing it! :lol:
They probably couldn't make up their mind if it was good enough! :D

Well done, Julie. Cornwall today and Great Britain tomorrow! :D
Society Member
Post Reply