Calling young writers

Short story winner reveals secrets to creating a ripping yarn

AT just 10 years old, Rose Pullinger is already an award-winning author.

The Hobart youngster’s short story about a wedding day that gets off to an unusual and stinky start took out the Kids News Short Story competition in the 10 years and under category last year.

Her story, Emily to the Rescue, was published on the Kids News website and made into a book to give to her family and friends.

Rose, who is now in Grade 4, said she was looking forward to entering the competition again this year.

And she had this advice for other budding young writers hoping to do the same: “I think it’s really important to have good characters in a story,” she said.

“I try to make my characters interesting (so the reader wants to find out more about them) and original (so the reader isn’t bored by them).

“Instead of giving ordinary facts about the character, like the colour of their hair and eyes, you could tell the reader whether they like their name, or if they’re scared of kookaburras.”

She also said it was important not to give away every detail, instead leaving something for the reader to wonder about and make up for themselves.

Between writing sessions, reading other people’s work was also a good way to learn about how to make a great story, Rose said.

She said she didn’t believe it when she found out she’d won the short story competition last year.

“For a while, I was sure the judges had made a mistake,” she said.

She realised through the process of writing last year’s story that writing made her feel good.

“It makes me feel very happy and excited when I start a story,” she said. “I sort of feel in control, too — of people, of a world.”

Although she can’t reveal just yet what her short story will be about this year, she said her writing method for last year’s story worked well for her.

“When I was writing first, I just wrote,” she said. “I didn’t worry about the word limit or anything like that. I changed some things while I was writing, but not many.

“Then, once I’d finished it, I had to edit my story. I took out heaps of words. I even had to take some whole scenes!”

The 2020 Kids News Short Story competition, proudly supported by Harper Collins, is open for entries now. Entries close 5pm on Friday, July 3.

This year’s competition has been expanded into four categories: Kindergarten to Year 2, Years 3-4, Years 5-6 and Years 7-9. Entrants can choose any theme or topic they want. See kidsnews.com.au to enter.