Pupils at Bromsgrove Preparatory School were in for a treat when an award-winning author paid them a visit on Thursday.
Teen fiction writer Sophie McKenzie visited pupils in Years 7 and 8 to talk to them about her career and how she became a writer. Sophie worked as a journalist and a magazine editor, but fell in love with writing after being made redundant and enrolling in a creative writing course. She successfully entered the publishing world with Girl, Missing, her first novel published in 2006. The book won many awards nationwide, including the Richard and Judy Best Kids’ Books 2007 (12+ category), The Red House Book Award and The Manchester Children’s Book Award. She was also longlisted for the Branford Boase award, which commends debut authors, and the coveted Carnegie Medal. She has written at least sixteen books since she left journalism in 2006, many of which the pupils at Bromsgrove are fortunate to have in the library.
Sophie talked to pupils about the importance of structuring ideas for a story and the need to have effective openings and endings which will engage the reader. These were very useful tips for creative writing which the children hope to put into practice soon. Sophie’s latest book, Falling Fast, is the start of another series of books and was clearly the most popular book on sale with the pupils – definitely a potential best seller. Currently, Sophie is Author of the Month in the Preparatory School library and Falling Fast is the Book of the Week.
Teachers and children alike thoroughly enjoyed Sophie’s visit and were left feeling inspired to read and write themselves.