Still time to enter children's story writing competition

There is still time to get your entry in for the SILENTNIGHT Book at Bedtime competition.

The competition encourages children aged 7 – 12 to write their own bedtime story. The winning book will then be illustrated and published and the top ten will be recorded by children’s author Kaye Umansky.

Last year’s winner Chole, aged 11 from Haringey won the competition with her story The Sunless Forest. To help children entering this year, Chole came up with some tips for writing the perfect bedtime story.

1. Think about your favourite bed time books. And ask why do you like them so much? What is that  special magic spell that they cast over you? Finding answers will help you to write a story of your own.

2. Decide early on what you want to write about? Toys? Animals? Aliens? Your Uncle Fred’s false teeth? Pirates? Your teacher? Fairies? Mermaids? Your naughty little brother? Children on adventures? Choose something that appeals to you.

3. Describe the perfect hero/heroine/villain/sidekick. The characters are just as important as the story line so ensure the reader knows everything about their protagonist.

4. Don’t rush. Think before you write. That’s the most important bit. Most stories are written in the head before a word gets written down.

5. Bedtime stories are meant to be read out loud. Try your story out on your dog/mum/gran/friend/teacher/little sister.
Deadline for entries is 31st  May 2009
http://www.silentnight.co.uk/bookatbedtime