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A creator – and keeper – of books




A SHOOL librarian is writing the next chapter in her other career as a children’s author having reached the finals of a national book award competition.

Terri Daneshyar, aged 63, from Salford Priors, is the librarian at Henley School and her latest book, The Boy and the Jaguar, a Mayan folk tale for eight to 12-year-olds, is a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards.

Salford Priors author Terri Daneshyar with her new book The Boy and the Jaguar. Photo: Iain DuckIain Duck
Salford Priors author Terri Daneshyar with her new book The Boy and the Jaguar. Photo: Iain DuckIain Duck

“My inspiration for writing really came from my father,” said Terri. “He would sit us down and make up stories which we could never get him to record. When my own children were little I began writing stories for them and then in 2012 I and some fellow writers founded a group called StoryVine, which was a mix of published and yet to be published writers. Working with these brilliant writers really helped me hone my craft. I learnt so much from them and going on courses. In 2017 I embarked on my first novel, a Young Adult fantasy called Paladin. I write across two genres. Fantasy for the older readers and adventure stories for 8 to 12-year-olds.”

Terri says the students at Henley School “love” the fact that she is an author and that all her books are currently out on loan which is “a good sign”.

“My latest work and the one that has been voted a finalist is The Boy and the Jaguar, which is a Mayan folk tale that I was inspired to write after visiting the ruined city of Ek Balem in Mexico. It is my interpretation of how the Mayan city of Yaxchilan came to be called The Jaguar Kingdom,” said Terri.

Like many writers, Terri has a routine she follows to get into the creative spirit that allows the words and thoughts to flow.

“I have always read and I surround myself with books. When I write I either sit in my office with bestselling authors on display to motivate me and some inspirational music playing; Clannad for fantasy, South American pan pipes for the Mayan tale. My preferred place to write is in a chair in the garden - weather permitting - surrounded by nature. That is when I am at my most inspired. My current project is the third in my fantasy series which I am part way through. I am hoping to get that finished by the end of summer,” said Terri.



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