arm and have an operation, hmmm, what story can I write this into....' It made me realize that so often before in my life when things have gone wrong I have been able to find some strange comfort in thinking well, at least I KNOW how this feels if I ever have to write about it and often stories have actually come out of the bad times. Not every bad time but some of them at least. Many of the children's writers I know will say they didn't have a great time at school or growing up and those unhappy times have inspired their writing, they vividly remember what it can feel like to be a certain age and feel no one understands. So remember, bad times can end up leading to good things if you like writing -- I find that a very positive thought to hold on to when life doesn't feel so great! Jem is now loads better, her wound has healed up brilliantly and all the handling she has had to have because of the injury has really helped her start to trust people. My friend and I are going to work on her together though it will be a couple of months before I'm allowed to get on her again! In the meantime I have to get this arm better so I can start writing again -- hmm, watch out for a new story about a pony who needs to get injured before they learn