ASPIRING writers in the region’s schools are putting pen to paper after gleaning words of wisdom from a visiting author.

Writer Sophie Masson has imparted her wisdom and tips upon students in Inverell and Tamworth in the last week and said she discovered plenty of talent.

Her visit to Tamworth was part of Carinya Christian School’s first writers festival, where she helped run a day of writing activities.

“I concentrated on creative writing and I had little workshops on creating characters and plots, about how you start a story, how you sustain interest and things to watch out for,” Ms Masson said.

“I want them to know that writing is fun and that creating stories is great and is not all that hard.”

Ms Masson said the most important aspect for writers to consider was your character.

“Once you have a character, you have a story,” she said.

“We did various exercises and all of them created good little stories. Some are more imaginative than others, but it was really about demystifying the writing process.

“There are definitely some kids who were really getting into it and some kids will say can I draw that instead. Most of them were writing and some of them were writing and writing.”

Prior to the Carinya visit, Ms Masson ran an all-day workshop for a group of Aboriginal female students at Inverell High School where they created characters who were female superheroes.

“I want to pass on my passion for writing and my enjoyment of it to young writers,” she said.

“I’ve done it in many, many, many schools. Kids have grown up and say to me they still remember the workshops I gave them when they were in school.”

Ms Masson said the key was persistence, to not give up.