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For those hoping to enter the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition, who better to get writing tips from than a previous shortlistee? Lisa Drakeford was shortlisted for our comp back in 2014 with her novel The Baby (then called Birthday Surprise). We loved it so much, we couldn't let it go: fast-forward a year and Lisa's book was on bookshop shelves with a Chicken House logo on its spine! 

What would be your five top tips to budding writers?

1. Don’t get distracted by other things in life.

2. Write every day. Even if it’s rubbish. Even if it’s just for twenty minutes.

3. READ.

4. READ.

5. READ.

For those hoping to take part in NaNoWriMo or enter the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition, what would be your best tip for writing something every day?

Switch off the internet and set a timer. Vary the time of day until you find what works for you and promise yourself that you will do this. Have a goal in sight. It’s a bit like being on a diet. You won’t get anywhere unless you’re strict with yourself and just blimmin’ well do it. (It took me 33 years and I shall never, never forgive myself for that!).

Enter the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition to be in with a chance of winning a £10k publishing contract!