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This week, Storm Horse author Nick Garlick talks us through his top tips for those wanting to write their own children's story! And don't forget the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition is still open – visit our submissions page for more details. 

What would be your five top tips to budding writers?

1. Use vivid words.

2. Give even minor characters at least one unique trait.

3. Listen, really listen, to the way different people talk.

4. If what you've written doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. So …

5. … Re-write until it is.

What would your five top tips to NOT DO when writing a book?

1. Don't waste time describing faces.

2. Don't use long words when short ones will do.

3. Don't use commas when you should use full stops.

4. Don't talk about someone's character; show them doing something.

5. Don't keep a scene you love if it doesn't help the story.

What would your best tip be to encourage budding writers to write something every day?

Write 1,500 words a day. It doesn't take long, and even if what you write is no good, seeing the words on the page will more than likely help you realise what you need to do to get it right.

Read the first chapter of Storm Horse here!