Storytelling tips from Essex Cultural Ambassadors
Inspired by ‘Gruffalo Granny’ we're inviting children to share tales. Discover our writing tips from Culture Essex Ambassadors.
Tips for a short story writing competition from Essex Book Festival
Celebrate tales handed down the generations, a book at bedtime, and the importance of imagination with the Essex Country Parks and libraries storytelling competition for children.
Choose from the following themes to inspire and help get you started:
- a story I was told
- a story I will tell
- a story we tell together
Enter today by visiting: www.explore-essex.com/gruffalo-comp
Read on for writing tips and inspiration from Culture Essex Ambassadors.
Discover The Story Map, storytelling tips thanks to Essex Book Festival
Where is your story going to be set? Somewhere you know?
Or somewhere you’ve never been?
Or a place you’ve created?
Is it set on earth or another planet? You could make a whole new world.
Is it set in the present or past, or future?
Use the senses
What can you see? Hear? Smell? Taste? Feel?
Developing the story
Who is your main character?
What is the main plot of the story?
What does your character know about their surroundings?
How did your character end up in the setting?
What does the character want?
Who or what is trying to stop them?
How do they get what they want?
Think about structure
The beginning
Introduce the main characters and settings. Grab the reader’s attention – start with a bang.
Build-up
Start small and work your way up to the main event. Build momentum.
The dilemma or problem
The main event. Include conflict and obstacles. How does it change the main character?
The turning point or resolution
Drawing to a conclusion - resolve conflicts and tie up loose ends. Leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Now you have your story planned out it is time to put pen to paper
Here are a few tips to help you along the way...
Find YOUR voice – Don’t worry about what other people think… write the story you would love to read.
Be Adventurous – a great story is packed with adventure. Let your imagination go wild.
Remember... Your story must be no more than 500 words.
Story Writing tips from Essex Cultural Ambassadors
The Essex Cultural Ambassadors aim to celebrate success and inspire future artists and creatives.
Here are some top writing tips from from the Essex Cultural Ambassadors to get you started on your short story.
Anthony Roberts, Director of Colchester Arts Centre
Being a poet isn't something we
Really think about every day but
Everybody can be a poet
As I'll show you in this way
Keep thinking of one thing you love
For fun just write it down
And then starting with each letter
Say some words and suddenly you've found
That a poem has appeared. Isn't that weird!
Bacon butties
Really tasty
Eggs
All the baked beans I want
Ketchup on my plate
Full cups of tea
Avocado on toast
Sizzling sausages
Toast and marmalade
Ros Green, Director of the Essex Book Festival
Here are some top writing tips and tricks from Essex Cultural Ambassador and Director of the Essex Book Festival, Ros Green.
Jemma McDonell, Paper Birds Theatre Company
Pick up some writing recommendations from Essex Cultural Ambassador Jemma McDonell from theatre company, Paper Birds, with this video.
Lily Streams, Director of Essex Film Collective
Here Lily provides advice and ideas on how to produce a great story.
Andy Delaney, Director at New Art Films
Take a listen to Andy Delaney as he provides hints and pointers on how to produce a great story.
A.J. Grand Scrutton, CEO of Dlala Studios
View some top writing tips and tricks from Essex Cultural Ambassador and CEO of Dlala Studios, A.J. Grand Scrutton.
