Blog
(Clubhouse Time Machine: 19/8/2021) Story Structure – R.A. Spratt
Sometimes I get asked to judge kids' writing competitions and the thing that most kids seem to struggle with is - structure. They can come up with characters, have cool idea for scenes and dramatic events. But they don't know how to weave it into a complete narrative...
(Clubhouse Time Machine: 4/8/2021) Where do you get your ideas from? – R.A. Spratt
When I teach writing workshops a lot of students get stuck on the first step - coming up with an idea. They just sit and look at the blank page. I think the problem is that they're trying to come up with a really good idea and can't think of one. But you don't need a...
(Clubhouse Time Machine: 13/6/2021) The best writing advice ever (probably) – James Roy
What's your favourite Pixar movie? You know, Pixar -- Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., Up, Inside Out, Soul, Cars... These guys are the masters of storytelling. The old joke is that they started out asking, "What if toys had feelings?" Then: "What if fish had...
(Clubhouse Time Machine: 22/5/2021) Plotting, Planning and World Building – Jacqueline Harvey
Mind maps can be a useful tool when developing a story. I have a pad of huge Post It notes 50x50cm which have proven invaluable over the years. I stick them on the walls so that the story ideas are right in front of me. I also have a whiteboard too – and I photograph...
(Clubhouse Time Machine: 11/5/2021) Making your work authentic – the role of research in writing – Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Westworders, Hope you're having a brilliant week so far. I've been writing - thankfully the words are starting to flow again which is important as my deadline looms large. I've also hit the gym and been for some long walks, soaking up the atmosphere here in New...
(Clubhouse Time Machine: 23/4/2021) Writing Spaces – Tim Harris
Hi WestWorders, Where do you like to write? I like to write in my office. I have author friends who can write in hotels, cafes, beaches, parks, planes – anywhere really! But I find it hard to write when I’m on the run, so I like to set up my own little ‘happy place’...
(Clubhouse Time Machine: 18/4/2021) Writing Awesome Dialogue – Tim Harris
Hi WestWorders, Would you like to knock your teacher’s socks off? (Not literally, as it might become a bit smelly in the classroom.) Fear not! Writing awesome dialogue is a great way to impress your teacher – socks and all. The first trick is to have your characters...
(Clubhouse Time Machine 9/4/2021) Plotting v Pantsing – Tim Harris
Hi WestWorders, Are you a plotter or a pantser? I’m a plotter. By this, I mean that I like to plot my stories before I write them. I love to map things out, chapter by chapter, and give myself clear direction. Pantsers work differently. Pansters take ideas and run...
(Clubhouse Time Machine 16/3/2021) The magic of notebooks! – Oliver Phommavanh
Hey WestWords Kids! If you want to be a writer, you need a notebook! I have always had a notebook around me wherever I go. If I ever get a random thought, joke or funny thought, I quickly write it in my notebook. But if you are looking for a reason why you need a...
(Clubhouse Time Machine 10/3/2021) How do you get to know your characters better? – Oliver Phommavanh
Hey WestWords kids! I hope 2021 has been going alright for you, whether you’re at home or school. So, what have I been up to this year? I’m currently working on my next book, What About Thao. It’s about a kid named Thao, who moves from the city to a small country...
THERE’S NO RIGHT WAY TO WRITE – George Ivanoff
The last month has flown by so quickly and I’ve come to the end of my blogging stint at the Clubhouse. Many thanks to WestWords for asking me to be a guest blogger. And HUGE thanks to everyone who read my rambling posts! I want to finish up by saying that there is no...
BOOK COLLECTING – George Ivanoff
I love books! I love reading them. I love re-reading them. But I also like collecting them. I do three types of book related collecting. Firstly, I collect books with author autographs. Anytime I meet an author, I get them to sign a copy of their book for me to add to...
BOOK TRAILERS – George Ivanoff
A book trailer is a bit like a movie trailer… a teaser of what you might find in the book. Some are professionally made by a book’s publisher. Sometimes the author of a book might make one themselves. If you want to see some book trailers, hop onto YouTube and type in...
MEDIA TIE-IN – George Ivanoff
Media tie-in fiction is any story that is connected to an existing film, television series, game, comic or other type of media. Just like all those Doctor Who books I told you about in my last post. I’ve read lots of media tie-in, from Star Wars to Guardians of the...
DOCTOR WHO OBSESSION – George Ivanoff
I’m a HUGE fan of the television series Doctor Who. I’ve been watching it since I was ten years old. I’ve also been reading Doctor Who books since I discovered that I actually liked reading. My favourite Doctor Who author is Terrance Dicks, and my favourite of his...