Two weeks ago on Saturday, 23rd July, I ran my one-day writing workshop: Writing Children's Books and Getting Published. I thought people might be interested in hearing more about how I run a workshop like this one, so I asked an attendee if she could give a description of her experience. But first, here's the programme I set for the day:

9:30-10:00 Introductions, Writing Tools – Practice!

10:00-11:00 What Is Children’s Literature: Definitions, Boundaries, Audience

11:00-12:00 Narrative Voice, Detail 

12:00-1:00 Lunch at Monk’s House, once home to Virginia Woolf

1:00-2:00 Character

2:00-3:00 Plotting and Pacing 

3:00-4:30 Picture Books

4:30-5:30 Getting Published

There were ten people attending, and here's Ann Perrin's report of the day:

I am one of ten potential children’s writers who arrive at the village hall in Rodmell with notebooks, pens, rugs and a picnic lunch ready for the workshop.

Laura has already sent us all an email and we have provided what we would like to be included in the day. I know I put something about the current market and how to find which age group suits one’s abilities, then added I was open minded and looking for motivation to get going again.  Very soon we are happily sitting around the table taking turns in saying something about ourselves.

I tell them about my writing and Spiral teen book publisher who liked my style but not the subject I was passionate about at the time.  Oxford University Press nearly published  my picture book but turned it down twelve months later when I was stupid enough to insist they use my illustrations. Whoops, writing is one thing and illustrating another, according to Laura. But I was commissioned to write a play about gypsies that had a run at the Young Vic. I think I was about 50 at the time.

Some of us are complete beginners, others more experienced, one person had won a competition and we have a professional illustrator. We cover a wide age range and there are two men. We are a lively lot and there is fun and lots of laughter.

Laura has taken note of our emails because the day includes a wide range of topics. She recommends The Artists Way by Julia Cameron and Writing down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, two books which help to keep writers motivated. Then come more inspiring exercises and soon we are busily scribbling followed by encouragement to share our work with the group. Laura’s feedback is both friendly and constructive and we have time for brief group discussions. I liked the writing exercise about how the wolf might eat grandma the very best. I think it bought out the child in us all.

Lunch time comes too soon and we find ourselves in the grounds of The Monks House, the home of Virginia Woolf. During our picnic we have time to get to know each other a bit better. After lunch we have some time to ourselves as well as a chance to visit the house. I greedily examine every nook and cranny and take some photographs. Although Virgina Woolf did not write for children what better source of inspiration can aspiring authors hope for?

The afternoon includes sharing picture books that we have brought with us and saying why we like them. There are more exercises and a detailed session on publication with time for questions and answers.  How I wish I had had all this information when I started trying to write for children years ago.

Finally Laura outlines the books that are really worth buying, we discuss competitions and associations we might like to join. We all leave on a positive note and some of us decide to start a childrens writing support group. I came home and set about filing my drafts and new ideas. I set myself the personal task of writing for half an hour the minute I wake up.  I am very glad I went and would definitely recommend this workshop and will attend a follow up is there is one.   Ann Perrin. My website is ann@puppethouse.co.uk and my blog is annperrin.wordpress.com