Barry Cunningham's top tips for writing children's fiction

In August 1996, Barry Cunningham spotted a manuscript about a boy wizard with a jagged scar on his forehead and the rest is history. 

If Barry Cunningham has any advice on writing I'm going to tattoo it on my forehead until it is learned - and invest in laser removal surgery later ;) 

Barry is currently the editor, managing director, of Chicken House Publishing. Sadly they are no longer able to accept unsolicited submissions. However, with The Times newspaper they run the Children's Fiction competition - judging for the 2010 competition is well underway.

Barry Cunningham's top tips for writing children's fiction

FEEL IT 
Think about who your reader is and try imagining yourself at same age as your characters. What did you feel as a child? Can you remember what was important to you? What made you laugh or cry? It’s a great place to start.

ORGANISE IT 
It’s very important to plan, however loosely. Some writers use a storyboard to lay out their plots graphically. They have detailed descriptions of their setting, plots and cliffhangers, as well as character breakdowns – so they can be consistent. The beginning and ending of a novel are by far the most difficult parts to get right. Think carefully about where you want to begin your book – it doesn’t have to be at the start of the story! You might want to cut straight to the action, or even begin from a minor character or animal’s point of view! Don’t be afraid to experiment although the end of a book should always offer some "reward" to the young reader.

EXPRESS IT 
You need the reader to feel something for your characters. Sympathy and admiration for lead characters is sometimes not as important as writing a wonderful villain or anti-hero, but try and make both intriguing, not just plot devices for moving your story on. Good description is important, but almost always it’s better to express yourself in dialogue, or through your characters actions, than in lengthy explanations. Humour is also very important – children often laugh with fear or cry with happiness, and the use of both is effective.

I love the advice to feel it - ties in well with the time I spend visualising whole sections before I write them. 

I read this again today, before I sent off two submissions  - yes: printed chapters and a chat to the post office staff when HE used sellotape to seal the envelope. Two agencies - whose names I'd happily have tattooed under the image of m'mother (;)) - only accept postal submissions. After the widow's mite comes the long wait.

To pass the time, and encourage me to not bite my finger nails down to the elbows, I have my Valentine's-iversary present: my DVD of Garrow's Law Season 1. For some reason, probably writing related, I didn't see this. If anyone is going to give James McAvoy a run for his money it is Andrew Buchan. 

I read a recommendation for a new vampire TV programme but I forgot to write it down. :( Any viewing suggestions?

GO TEAM DAMON: UNLESS STEFAN IS IN A SUIT!