Children at Sarisbury have been inspired to take up writing as a career after an author gave them some tips.
Matthew Sullivan, 11, gets his booked signed by author Steve Voake
Sarisbury Junior School pupils learned some tricks of the fictional writing trade when award-winning author Steve Voake visited.
The writer, who was once hailed as the next J K Rowling, has had 21 popular children’s books published.
The former head teacher, whose books include The Dreamwalker’s Child, Insect Detective and Blood Hunters, taught the children about developing character descriptions based on real life people and objects to create fictional stories at the school in Allotment Road.
Children also explored compound words as a way of describing a person, animal or object. For instance, to describe a dog, they suggested bone-chewer and face-licker.
It has spurred eight-year-old Harry Ditchburn into a future career in writing. He said: He made me think that I would like to be an author. The best part I learned was about making something more specific and describing it so people understand what it look likes.”
Steve takes writing sessions with Sarisbury Junior School pupils
Alex Colville, nine, added: “I used to feel not very good at literacy. But now, I feel like I could throw lots of ideas into my writing and know how to use my imagination.”
Librarian Claire Edwards said the aim was to inspire reluctant writers, especially boys who can find literacy more difficult. The youngsters were able to have their books signed by the author.
Mr Voake said: “It’s lovely they have been so creative. What I found talking to the children was how quickly they were able to take to it and their different approaches to writing. As usual I’m constantly amazed at the creativity that the children have.”
The author has won the Southampton Book award for Blood Hunters and the Bolton Book award for Insect Detective.
He is currently finishing the last two books of Hooey Higgins, an eight-book series.