Author's visit offers insights

Year 7 students from Felpham Community College were joined by their former schoolmates from four local primary schools for a visit by author Elen Caldecott.

Student Francesca Booker said: “This was an amazing opportunity, which really inspired me to be more creative in my own writing.”

Elen entertained students with a brief introduction to the way she invents her popular stories of modern-day life before providing them with an opportunity to create a story of 
their own.

She offered insights into the ways writers use their own experience to devise their fictional tales, and answered questions on getting your work into print. She also stayed behind to sign copies of her works.

Her third book, Operation Eiffel Tower, has been shortlisted for the West Sussex Children’s Book Awards.

It is among the nine books currently being read by the hundreds of schoolchildren who will vote for their favourite in January.