Writing Tips for Young People

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One of my few favourite memories from high school was watching three guys create the best water pistol. Up the back in science class, the trio grabbed a Bunsen burner, hooked up its rubber tube to the umbrella-shaped taps and waited for the teacher to turn around. When she did – ratta-tat-tat! They sprayed an endless, 15-metre jet of water from the back row into the heads of the whole class, which howled in anger!

Young people keen to be writers should practise the art of storytelling. They need to start telling their friends and family anecdotes – those small, self-contained stories that make our daily lives interesting.

For instance, my mate at work tells the story about how his English teacher was fired. The man wasn’t popular with other staff but the final straw was one day when he was reading a book to a class. Sounds normal, right? Until the bloke stuck his finger up his nose, picked a big green winner then flicked it at the students sitting in front of him.

That’s an anecdote. It paints a quick scene, and our lives are full of them – the hot girl who broke your heart, your most embarrassing moment, the weirdo on your train or even school pranks. I’ve been surprised about the number of girls who’ve told me that their older brother used to pin them to the ground and dangle spit balls over their faces, only to suck them up before they plopped. I did it too! It’s a silly thing but it creates a connection between the storyteller and the listener.

It’s the same with novelists and readers. Anecdotes are short and sharp. They make us laugh, blush or squirm.

In BEYOND THE KNOCK-KNOCK DOOR I have Luke the star ranger being accused of putting jelly crystals into the teachers’ toilets. It easily introduces him as a prankster, without having to spell it out.

A few other different tips for young writers include:

1. Don’t have characters that start with the same letter (ie. Michael, Mitch and Matt). It’s confusing.

2. Show your character’s personality through action. For instance, if they really like doughnuts, have them hiding a box under their bed when there’s a knock on the door. Don’t tell us they eat a lot of doughnuts.

3. Throw people into the action or a suspenseful situation straight away. As Swedish pop duo Roxette named one of their albums – Don’t Bore Us, Get to the Chorus.

4. Every character should have flaws. Even heroes have limits.

5. Cut flowery language. Don’t write: “And the long needles of rain fell in silvery sheets across the yellow land…” Just write: “It rained.”

6. Be a spy. Sit in McDonald’s, KFC or Hungry Jacks and listen to the conversations around you. You’ll not only have a keener ear for dialogue but also you’ll hear some great anecdotes.

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