Pupils conjure up a believable fantasy world. In the process students learn the essence of story - how to create deeply motivated characters that drive natrratives forward.Ĥ. We study what it is that makes us love and despise characters. This workshop always focuses the attention of students.ģ. Even the most reluctant students who have problems generating ideas and characters can follow and use it immediately, making it extremely popular with teachers as well as students.Ģ. A simple five-step technique for creating a compelling story. It's proven hugely successful with children aged 6-11.ġ. I've put together a funny and heart-warming talk/show about my time fostering dogs for Battersea Dog’s Home. I'll dig down into deep themes of writing with teenagers, but I'm equally happy to engage with younger pupils on a lighter level.

I can command an audience of any size, and there’s ample time for Q&A plus those burning questions students always have. I love talking to students about my writing life – how I started out, the influence of my daughter on my ideas, as well as the ups and downs of a career in fiction. Let me know what your needs are, and we can go from there. I’ve been teaching (and hopefully inspiring!) young children through to teenagers in school for 16 years, so I’m very experienced in working with able and less able students of all ages. I’m happy to give up to four author talks/workshops in a day, lasting up to an hour or so each, depending on how the school day is organised. Fully up-to-date details of the talks/workshops I offer are always on my website. I pride myself on the feedback and testimonials I get from students and schools. You were wonderful.’Head of English, Guilsborough School, Northampton. Quite frankly, we all enjoyed the day so much. ‘ The whole year have had follow up lessons in story construction, which have been very effective with good outcomes.

The Hunting Ground by Cliff McNish