The number one question that kids ask me when I do school talks, more popular even than how much I earn or what colour my toothbrush is (true story, I get asked this!), is this one: Where do you get your ideas? When I tell them that ideas are all around us and that...
I'm over visiting Scarlet Paolicchi at Family Focus blog this week, talking about writing for kids, and the 10 keys to writing a great story. This post is based on a new workshop I've created for school visits called 'Unlocking The Story Code', based on, you guessed...
I'm over at The Creative Penn today, with a guest post about what writing for kids has taught me about writing. Joanna Penn is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the most influential voices in indie publishing today – and one of the most generous writers...
One of the things I love most about all of the various things I do is meeting other writers. Through the podcast, the blog, social media and the Your Kid's Next Read Facebook group, I get to come into contact with the amazing people out there who are writing all of...
With National Science Week starting on the 10th of August, it seemed a pertinent moment to consider the art of science and nature writing – and it is an art. Taking the study of, and research for, any aspect of science and drilling down into its essence to present it...
Narrative non-fiction for young readers is having a moment in the spotlight, combining facts, illustrations and storytelling in an irresistible short-form package. But, as anyone who's ever tried writing narrative non-fiction will tell you, getting the balance right...
As an author and a teacher of creative writing for kids, teens and adults, I get to talk to a lot of young people about writing. In this special video, I share my TOP 5 WRITING TIPS FOR KIDS – some of the advice and insights I give over and over, but which many...
"My child hates writing – what can I do?" "How do I get my kid to love writing?" Getting kids to write – and to love writing – can be a battle for parents. We know this because these questions (and many more just like them) are posed to authors over and over again. So...
Is it your dream to write for kids? Are you imagining a picture book, novel or chapter book with your name on it? Are you finding it difficult to 'break in'? Then let me ask you one more question: have you considered writing nonfiction for kids? One of the things that...
