CLAIRE YAXLEY: THE CURSE OF HAYNFORD MANOR

Chapter One

There was magic in the little English village of Haynford.

It was usually completely invisible, but it was still there all the same. You might see it in the rainbows that skip over the shallow water of the village stream like they’re alive, or you might hear it in the eerie music on the old train tracks. If you’re really lucky, you might even meet a pixie, a dryad or a spirit.

The grown-ups who lived in Haynford couldn’t see it because, well, grown-ups didn’t see things like that. It was beyond the limits of their imagination.

One person who certainly could see it was Polly Templeton, who was eight years old.

She had first begun to believe in the magic of Haynford two years ago, when a little puppy followed her home from school one day… and it didn’t take her long to realise that her new friend (who she named Margot) was no ordinary puppy.

You see, Margot could talk – and Polly was the only one who could understand her.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: ‘ ATMOSPHERIC, INTRIGUING AND WELL-PLOTTED’ How long have you been writing for?

‘I’ve been writing stories for as long as I’ve been old enough to hold a pen! When I was seven, I used to fold A4 sheets in half and staple them along the spine and fill the pages with narrative and illustrations. I believe the first of these was called The Very Good Girl. I still have it in my attic somewhere. I did take a stab at self-publishing in the young adult audience a few years ago, but it didn’t kick off.’

What made you decide to give the competition a go?

‘Covid! Unfortunately, the pandemic stripped me of all my income. For a while I was unable to do my usual work, so whilst I waited for it to pick up again, I decided to put my free time to good use and do what I’ve always wanted to do – write! I’d never thought of writing a chapter book before, but with an eight-year-old daughter who can’t get her nose out of books (I was the same!), I thought I might have an idea what the audience might want. I’ve always been interested in magic and fantasy and stories about saving the world, so the competition was a great challenge to see if I could put my ideas into a chapter book.’

What was your inspiration?

‘My two daughters’ friendship with our dogs, Imogen and Margot (yes, Margot is real!). When I was considering how to combine my love of magical fantasy with a younger audience, I wanted to find something that children could relate to, and most children love dogs. The friendship we have with our canine companions is unique. My eldest daughter, Pearl, creeps out of bed at night to collect Imogen and Margot from wherever they happen to be sleeping and sneaks them into her bedroom. Dogs really are our best friends, and that was what I wanted at the core of the book. The detective story just evolved around that.’

How did you write it?

‘I started with character, as that’s how I understand it is best to start – character first, plot later. Once I did that, I began to design the magical history of Haynford, the legends and myths and where its powers come from, so that I had plenty of choice for a magical plotline. Haynford is really Hainford, my home village, and there really is an old, abandoned manor there, so I began to think up ideas for how to include that, too. I’ve never written a detective story, so had to draw on my knowledge of Midsomer Murders for those elements. The plot changed a little bit as time went on, and some parts had to be rewritten completely to make everything work. I also had the advantage of feedback from family and friends, particularly my well-read mum, my partner and, of course, my daughter Pearl.’

Top tips for writers entering the Chapter Book Prize 2021?

‘First, write what you know – as I said, Margot is a real dog, Haynford is a real village and the Manor is real, too. I really believe that the end result turned out so well because I wrote about something I know and love and care deeply about.

‘Second, listen to your inner eight-year-old. Remember what you loved when you were a young reader, and why you loved it, and try to include it in your story.’

Follow Claire on Twitter: @clairejyaxley