Writing Tips
Did you know that you can enter a story or poem that you already wrote for a school assignment? You can re-write or even recycle anything that is your own work, as long as it follows all our rules.
Want to enter this contest but need help getting started?
- Make us laugh! Tell us the funniest thing you’ve ever heard, or the funniest thing that has ever happened to you.
- An exciting adventure – a daring rescue or a close escape. Who knows what will happen next!
- Write a story or poem so frightening it will scare even the bravest kid.
Still stuck? Here are ten tips to help you write a winning story or poem.
- The more you read, the easier it will be for you to write a good story or poem yourself. Try to read lots of different kinds of books.
Don’t forget about the e-magazines and databases available through the CNIB Digital Library and Children’s Discovery Portal. You can use these to get ideas for stories or poems. Type in search words like "shark attack" or "volcano." Start reading you’ll soon be writing too!
- Do you have any friends who also like to write? Why not get together with them and exchange stories? When you’re reading a friend’s story, be sure to keep your advice helpful. Remember, don’t be mean! For example, maybe there is a character in their story that you think should be described better or maybe something happens in their story that doesn’t make sense to you. Helping them make their story better helps you become a better writer, too.
- Don’t know where to start? Write the ending first! If you write the end of the story first you’ll find that you ask yourself some very important questions. What is this story about? Who is it about? Why would someone want to read this story?
- Don't expect to write a perfect story or poem the first time. You may get lucky, but remember, most writers work on their story or poem for a long time before they get it just right. When it’s your own writing, you can make any changes you want, whenever you want. Don’t like the main character’s name anymore? Change it! Need to add more description or details for the reader? Go ahead. It isn’t done until you say it is!
- Read what you've written out loud. This is especially important if you are writing a conversation between two characters. When you read dialogue or conversation out loud you might realize that you need to change a few words so that it sounds more natural.
- Keep a journal. If you want to be a writer, try to write something in a journal each and every day. This is different than writing down ideas for stories or poems. Write down descriptions of things that happen to you. Don’t just write down facts; write about how you feel. If you get a better idea of what makes you happy or sad, this will help you make the characters in your stories more realistic.
- Most writers find it easiest to describe people, places and things that they know. There are lots of great stories and poems to be found in your own backyard!
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can only write about yourself, your family or your school. But if you decide to write about a real place where you’ve never been, you’ll need to do some reading and research so that you get the details right.
- You don’t have to write your story or poem with perfect spelling or grammar the first time, but checking spelling and grammar must be done before you’re finished. This is important whether you’re handing your writing in to a teacher, sending it in to a contest or just giving it to a friend to read. Good spelling and grammar are important because they make it easier for people to read your writing and concentrate on your ideas.
- Don’t feel like you have to explain everything. If your story takes place in a kitchen, you don’t have to write ‘Tom was in the kitchen’. You can write ‘Tom opened the refrigerator’ and your reader will probably be able to figure out where Tom is. You don’t have to write ‘the refrigerator was empty’. Instead, have Tom open the refrigerator and say ‘Mom, there’s nothing to eat in here!’ Use dialogue and the actions of your character to add in details that your reader needs to know.
- If you’re stuck in the middle of a story or you don’t know where to start, sometimes it’s good to take a break and try doing something completely different. What is called ‘writer’s block’ happens to everyone, even the very best writers. Sometimes you need to put your story or poem aside, go listen to some music, go for a walk or go bake some cookies. Stop thinking about your writing for a while! Don’t be too hard on yourself.