The Witchtree Journals: Emily's Story

By Clare Bourke on January 25th 2012

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When her granddaughter bemoaned a lack of good books to read, Diane Greene decided to take the bull by the horns and write one herself.

Drawing on her granddaughter’s expertise in knowing what that age group would find interesting, Diane has had her first book published, The Witchtree Journals; Emily’s Story about a teenage girl’s magical adventures.

Plunged into a journey through time to find a mysterious key, and to protect her own future existence, 13-year-old Emily meets mythological nymphs; battles the shape-shifting Magipies and has all sorts of adventures with her ancestors and new friends, also experiencing her first romance in the early 20th century.

Emily at last finds the key which unlocks an old trunk and reveals an incredible secret. It is only then that she can return to the 21st century where she realises how everything she has discovered will affect her for the rest of her life.

Diane, a former university lecturer who lives near Potters Bar, spent four years writing the book for 10 to 13-year-olds and based it on the surrounding countryside. The book is the first in a series.

She says, ‘It started as a 5,000 word story about wood nymphs and became a bigger story about a girl of 13. I set out to write a book that’s interesting and could maybe become a classic, one that children will trust.

‘I always wanted to write, since I was ten years old and have been writing for as long as I can remember.’

And the book has received plenty of guidance from Diane’s granddaughter: ‘She has read every draft – she must have read 15 drafts.’

The Witchtree Journals: Emily’s Story, by Diane Green; published by Autumn Leaves; price £7.99;  ISBN 9780957076501

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