UK author gives advice to Writers 2000
“Children love learning new and challenging words, interesting settings and complicated plots.”
While some people read, knit, study or draw when they commute to work, UK-based children’s author Robert Powell writes stories on his cellphone. Writers 2000 invited Robert to speak during their Zoom virtual meeting on March 13.
Robert, who works for a law firm, is married with three young children. He told Writers 2000 that working with children has taught him that they’re capable, from a young age, to read more than simple easy-to-read action storybooks.
“Children love learning new and challenging words, interesting settings and complicated plots,” he said. Robert challenged parents to encourage their children to read well-loved classics like the Just William series by Richard Crampton, Roald Dahl and Nancy Drew.
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Robert has had three children’s books published, Odd Socks, CEO – Child Executive Officer and Odd Socks – Make Socksville Great Again. His stories are written about typical family events. His stories are peppered with characters that children can identify with and new words to add to their vocabulary.
Robert was instrumental in publishing a book of short stories written by children – some as young as four – during lockdown.
“When we went into our first lockdown, schools were pretty much unprepared,” explained Powell. “It was then that I decided to run a six-week online writing course for children. In this course, I helped children to understand what writing a story is all about, the characters, the plot and the outcome.”
After the children had completed the course, Robert challenged them to write a 1 000-word story about a rainbow for a competition. Out of 82 entrants, 58 of the best stories were selected and used to compile a book called Rainbows During Lockdown.
“The book was available on bookshelves by Christmas, and all proceeds went to charity,” said Robert. He emphasised that children are perceptive and aware of what’s going on around them.
Robert highlighted they understand complex issues like pollution, climate change, grief, sadness, the eco-system and other social issues. “We shouldn’t underestimate children’s intellect or patronise them with simple books,” he said.
He encouraged parents to create stories with their children and to write these stories down. “Children are very technologically advanced,” Robert reminded the writers and explained how writing on his cellphone works for him.
Roberts top tips included:
• Write everyday family adventure stories children can relate to.
• Keep a personal-ideas book to jot ideas while they’re fresh in your head.
• Ask your children which characters they would like to have in their story and write from there.
• Be aware of the books your children are reading and make sure they’re age-appropriate.
The next virtual meeting on Facebook for Writers 2000 will be on April 10.
Contact Antoinette Reis (membership co-ordinator) at mantoinette@discoverymail.co.za or Meggan Preuss (chairperson) at megganpreuss@gmail.com for more information about Writers 2000.
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