How to Get the Most Out of Your Storywriter’s Books

Writing is one of the most powerful ways children can explore their imagination, express their thoughts, and develop confidence. But for many young writers, the blank page can feel intimidating, whether they are just starting out or already love writing. That’s where our Storywriter’s Books come in.

Designed for children aged 6 and up, these books guide children through planning, character development, and storytelling, while leaving plenty of space for creativity to flourish. They work alongside our Story Creator Cards to inspire ideas, spark imagination, and encourage children to experiment with story structure, character, and plot.

Here’s how you can help your child get the most out of their Storywriter’s Book, whether they are new to writing, eager to refine their skills, or somewhere in-between.

Supporting a New or Reluctant Writer

Some children are hesitant about writing, and that’s perfectly normal. The key is to nurture confidence and make writing feel safe and fun.

• Start with conversation: Encourage children to talk through their ideas first. Ask questions about characters, settings, or plot possibilities.

• Use the planning pages: Let them map out their ideas before writing. This removes pressure and gives them a clear starting point.

• Illustrate first: Drawing scenes, characters, or objects helps children visualise their ideas and makes writing less daunting.

• Keep sessions short and positive: Even a few sentences are progress. Celebrate every small success.

• Encourage sharing: Let children read or show their drawings , this reinforces pride and motivation.

For example: “Tell me one interesting thing about your character ...what do they love? Now let’s draw them.” This simple approach can help even the most reluctant writer take the first step.

Tips for Avid Writers Wanting More Sophistication

Children who love writing often want to experiment with their craft and create richer, more complex stories. Our Storywriter’s Books provide the perfect canvas for this.

• Deepen characters: Explore their motives, fears, strengths, and quirks.

• Structure stories: Use the story mountain approach to plan beginnings, build-ups, problems, and resolutions.

• Add tension and twists: Encourage creative problem-solving and unexpected events.

• Refine vocabulary: Try “show, don’t tell” and use descriptive language to bring scenes alive.

• Self-edit and improve: Reviewing their own work helps children see opportunities to add detail or clarify ideas.

The books give space to experiment and refine, helping children feel proud of stories that are imaginative and structured.

Simple Story Planning That Works

Planning is key to turning ideas into stories. Here’s a step-by-step method you can follow:

1. Mind map ideas freely -  jot down words, feelings, and phrases that come to mind.

2. Define a problem or challenge - this gives your story direction.

3. Map the story mountain -setting the scene, discovering the problem, solving the problem.

4. Add ideas in the form of colourful drawings and sketches - visualising ideas on the illustration pages supports richer descriptions later.

5. Draft your story - with the planning done, the writing flows more easily and there are plantly of spare pages at the back of the book.

A helpful prompt to guide children: “What changes from the start of your story to the end?” This encourages thinking about character growth and story arcs.

The Power of Illustrating Before Writing

Illustrating before writing is more than just a fun activity,  it’s a powerful tool for developing stories.

• Reduces anxiety: Drawing first gives children something concrete to write about.

• Sparks imagination: Visualising characters and settings often leads to new ideas for plot and dialogue.

• Strengthens description: Children naturally describe what they’ve drawn, improving their writing.

• Supports visual learners: Some children think in pictures before words, and illustrations help bridge the gap.

Even a quick sketch can turn a blank page into a story waiting to happen.

Using Story Prompts to Beat Writer’s Block

Every writer gets stuck sometimes. The story prompts on each page are a fantastic way to spark ideas.

• Start small: Use the prompts as tiny sparks, one idea or phrase is enough.

• Mix and match: Combine prompts to create unusual characters, settings, or problems.

• Return to planning pages: Revisiting earlier notes can re-energise a story.

• Allow messy first drafts: Emphasise ideas over perfection, editing comes later.

The key is to keep writing fun and pressure-free. When children feel free to explore ideas, their stories grow naturally.

Celebrating and Sharing Stories

Writing is only part of the journey, sharing is what makes it meaningful.

• Story reading night: Celebrate achievements by reading stories aloud to family.

• Gift stories to friends or family: Children feel valued when their creations are shared.

• Refer to the story out of context by asking them about a character while youre in the car or out on a walk. This shows you really value what they are creating.

Celebration helps children see themselves as writers, motivating them to keep creating.

Helping Children Believe They Are Writers

Writing isn’t about perfection, it’s about giving children a space where their ideas are valued and their creativity can shine.

In my twenty + years of teaching, I’ve seen that children rarely struggle because they lack imagination. They struggle when they lack structure, confidence, or a safe place to start. The Storywriter’s Books bridge that gap by guiding without restricting, encouraging without pressuring.

Whether your child is just starting to write or already filling notebooks with stories, these books help them feel capable, proud, and excited to write again. When children believe they are writers, everything changes.