Writing tricks and tips for kids (of all ages!)
A Guide to Storytelling Magic
Welcome, storytellers! You’re about to embark on one of the greatest adventures of all: writing stories. You don’t need a compass or a magic wand to begin—just a big imagination and a keyboard, or a few scraps of paper and maybe a pen that feels like it’s itching to get going. Writing isn’t about getting every word perfect or knowing exactly how things will end. It’s about exploring, playing with ideas, and discovering worlds hidden in your mind. So grab a notebook and let’s dive in! Who knows where we’ll end up?
World Building: Creating Your Own Universe
When you create a world, you’re designing a place no one else has ever been. Think of it as setting up your own playground. What will people see when they walk into it? Are there strange creatures hiding in the shadows, or are there oceans made of lemonade? Start by building a “sensory map”: close your eyes and imagine the smells, tastes, and sounds of your world. Maybe your world has musical winds, or it’s quiet as a library until a volcano rumbles in the distance.
Fun Tip: Write a list of “rules of magic” or “rules of science” that only apply to your world. Does the sky change colour depending on people’s emotions? Do people ride on clouds instead of cars? Rules are like the secret recipe for making your world unique.
Prompt: What’s the most surprising weather in your world? Purple snow? Rain made of blueberries? Describe how it feels to stand in that weather.
Creating Your Characters: Bringing Them to Life
A great character feels like a friend you’re just getting to know. Think about what makes them tick—what scares them, what they’d do on a rainy day, or what they always carry in their pockets. Try giving your character an “odd inventory”: list ten unusual things they keep with them. Maybe they carry a tiny lantern, a stone that smells like chocolate, or an invisible coin.
Fun Tip: Step into your character’s shoes—literally! Grab a hat, cape, or even an old pair of boots that make you feel like your character. Act out a scene or speak as if you’re them. You’ll find out things you never knew about them.
Prompt: Imagine your character finds a letter addressed to them. What does it say? Who wrote it, and why?
Naming Your Characters: Choosing a Name That Pops
Character names are like tiny flags waving from your story, telling readers who they’ll meet. Try mixing two favourite objects, foods, or animals to create names (like “Bumbletusk” for a brave bear). You can also create a “name jar”—every time you hear an interesting word or make up a funny sound, write it down and keep it in the jar for future characters.
Fun Tip: Look at an old map or a list of ancient cities. Can you borrow part of a name and make it your own? If your character is from a royal family, maybe add a “the Third” to their name to give it a grand sound.
Prompt: Think of two of your favourite foods. Mash them together to create a name. Imagine what kind of character would have this name and what their favourite food would be.
How to Stay Focused: Keeping Your Ideas on Track
Sometimes, ideas like to play hide-and-seek. When you sit down to write, try moving around every hour—switch chairs, sit on the floor, or even lie under a blanket tent. Another trick is to set “writing dares” for yourself: write a scene in ten minutes without using the word “said,” or describe something using only your five senses.
Fun Tip: Try using a “writing buddy”—someone who cheers you on. It could be a friend, a family member, or even a stuffed animal you tell your story to. Their job? To keep you going and encourage you to finish each chapter.
Prompt: Set a timer for five minutes and write as fast as you can without stopping. Don’t worry about mistakes—just keep going and see where the story takes you.
Weaving Your Plot: Building the Frame of Your Story
Think of a plot like a treasure map. You don’t need to know every twist, but it helps to have a few exciting “plot islands” you want to visit. Write down three scenes you’re excited about, even if you don’t know how they connect. Then, ask yourself what needs to happen to move your character from one island to the next.
Fun Tip: Draw a “plot line” that shows the big moments in your story, like a roller coaster with ups and downs. Or, end each chapter with a mystery that drives the next one—what happens next? You can decide as you go along!
Prompt: Imagine your character finds a mysterious object in the middle of the story. What is it, and why will it change everything?
Metaphors and Similes: Painting Pictures with Words
A good metaphor or simile can make your writing come to life. Think of it like art with words. Don’t just say the sky is blue—say it’s as blue as a giant ocean over everyone’s heads! Mix up your senses: what colour is the sound of laughter? What does bravery smell like?
Fun Tip: Try “word painting.” Think of an ordinary thing, like a tree, and come up with five different ways to describe it. Maybe it’s a green umbrella, or the home of a thousand tiny cities (if you count each leaf as a city).
Prompt: Pick an emotion, like joy or anger. Imagine it’s a colour, a sound, and a taste. Now, write a sentence using all three.
Vocabulary: Building Your Writer’s Toolbox
Words are your tools. Keep a “word jar” where you drop in any fun or strange words you come across. Or, use “synonym webs”: pick a word you like, then look up other words that mean the same thing but sound different. Each one adds a new shade of meaning to your writing.
Fun Tip: Invent a word! Think of an emotion or an idea you want to capture that doesn’t quite have a word yet. Make up your own and use it in a sentence to see if it sticks.
Prompt: Describe something without naming it directly. Can you describe the sun without saying “sun”?
Surprise Twists: Adding the Unexpected
Surprises keep readers hooked. Think of yourself as a trickster! You could have a character make a surprising discovery, or switch points of view in the middle of the story. Try writing a “shocking diary entry”—something no one would expect from your character.
Fun Tip: Play “what if?” Take a normal scene and ask, “What if the opposite happened?” What if the hero and the villain swapped places? What if the world suddenly changed colour?
Prompt: Write a scene where your character sees something they can’t explain. How do they react?
Flash Fiction vs Short Story: How Short Can You Go?
Flash fiction is like a tiny gem—it tells a whole story in just a few words. Try “Flash Fiction in 50,” where you write an entire story in 50 words. For longer stories, play “Expand It!” Write a mini-scene and then add details to make it bigger.
Fun Tip: Write a story backwards, starting with the ending and working your way back to the beginning. You’ll discover a new perspective on how stories work.
Prompt: Imagine a character who only has 10 words to tell their story. What do they say?
FAQs
What if I don’t like my story?
Stories sometimes need time to grow. Keep writing—you’ll find the parts you love.
How can I make my story better?
Rewrite it in a different way. Tell it like a ghost story or from the villain’s point of view. A new angle might unlock something exciting.
What if I get stuck?
Try a “story reset”—stop where you are and write a scene that feels fun. You can go back later.
Now go and write like the wind!!
Writing is like a journey you take with a magical map that changes as you go. You’ll discover characters, places, and twists that even you didn’t expect. Don’t worry about getting it right; just enjoy the adventure. Each story is yours to shape, play with, and make uniquely your own. So go out there and start creating!
