One of the most popular things we do at Young Writers is the five-minute story writing challenge. When I first introduced this idea, it was met with horror. How could you possibly be expected to produce a piece of story writing of any worth in just five minutes? But...

When I first came across a poetry form called The Magic Nine, I was immediately intrigued. Though I love having a go at writing poetry and simply going with the flow, I also like a challenge. This one appealed because it is a structured form that follows the rhyming...

Want to know how to cook up a story idea? Make a recipe! Follow this simple recipe. All you need are a few good ingredients. Mix them up with a bit of imagination and you’re good to go. What you will need:- Two characters- A place- Two objects- An adjective- An...

Although not easy to come up with, I love a metaphor. I guess that’s partly what makes them so appealing. That, and the fact you don’t need to use many in your writing for them to have an impact. Unlike similes that make a direct comparison with something else using...

I love personification. It is one of my favourite writing techniques. Perhaps this is because of the vividness it brings to your writing, as well as the idea that you can give life to your settings in a way that is only possible using this technique. Plus, it's fun!...

I mean, why bother? Just say what you mean, right? Well, I have to say I love similes. They add so much to your writing in what we call imagery. In other words, it helps the reader see, in his or her mind’s eye, what the writer is trying to describe. So, what is a...

Planning your writing is important, but delving into your consciousness can also be a rewarding and fun way to practise. In my last blog, I talked about planning and I'm a huge advocate of doing this. From starting with a blank page, planning helps you formalise your...

It can be tricky, sometimes, when you’re asked to write a story but don’t know where to start. That's where planning comes in. Today, I’m going to share some ideas with you that may help. It’s all about the planning. Honest. Whilst there are those who can put pen to...

When it comes to writing, and reluctance to write, I always encourage starting small. You’d be surprised by where that can lead. One of the writing exercises I’ve been doing with the children at the Storymakers’ Summer School these last few weeks is an extremely...