The Story Board
Competition Time! Every month, you can write a story based on a prompt I give you. It might be a picture, a place, a character or an object! My favourite story will be published here! Yes, that's right! YOUR story!
Sometimes it's hard to think of a story idea. So every month I'll give you a new prompt. Write your very best story and email it to me. I'll pick my favourites, and tell you what I loved!
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After ten winning stories, I'll pick my winning young story writer and will get to help me create and name a character for one of my books! And then we'll start again!
I opened my lunchbox but instead of a sandwich inside, there was a ...
Let's have a change from a picture prompt this month! Instead, here is a the start of a sentence to use in your story,
I OPENED MY LUNCHBOX BUT INSTEAD OF A SANDWICH INSIDE, THERE WAS A...
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This sentence can come any where in your story (it can be your first line, but it doesn't have to be.)
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What's in your lunchbox? I can't wait to find out! Email your story to emgrevillebooks@gmail.com
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Thank you, Grace age 11, for writing "The Day My Life Changed." I really enjoyed it Your story is inspiring and well-written. Great job!
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The day my life changed
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March
February
February's prompt is out of this world!
Do you believe in life on other planets, or UFOs or little green men? Will the aliens in your story be friends or foes? There are no limits, let your imagination soar into space!
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Email your story to emgrevillebooks@gmail.com
Happy writing!
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Thank you to Molly for my
favourite story this month. I knew when I saw the title I would love this one! Planet Giggle, I just knew this story was going to be so much fun (and it was!).
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Happy 2025!
A new year means new story ideas!
I'm writing a new story all about a world hidden right under our noses. Doesn't that sound exciting? Or possible a little scary?
How do you think it would feel to stumble across a doorway to a whole new world? Who lives there? Are they friendly or fearsome?
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Email your story to emg.rev@gmail.com with the subject line 'Story Board'. I can't wait to see what happens when you open the secret door!
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This month's winner is 11 year old Alex. I love that they are the protagonist in their story, and that this is such a strong opening to a longer story. it could be a book! Plus, who wouldn't love to find a door to a Sugar Kingdom? Yum yum!
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As a world class adventurer, I plunged into the rainforest in search of its famous treasure.
This month's story is inspired by our family movie at the weekend. Dora the Explorer! Use this as your exciting first line, or don't!
Who is your main character? Is it you? Grown-up you? Or someone entirely different?
Think about your point of view for this month's story. Who is telling the story? Can you show me how your hero feels? Excited? Scared? Think about what your body does when you feel these emotions, and how you could show that in your writing. Your heart might beat faster, or sweat might trickle down your back.
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Have fun! I can't wait to read your wonderful stories!
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email your story to emg.rev@gmail.com with the subject "Story Board". Don't forget your name and age!
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And December's winner is 7 year old Xav.
I love the use of different fonts to break up the text
and make the story so interesting
to look at as well as read!
Write a story set in a desert.
How did you get there?
Is it a desert on Earth, or a desert planet?
How will you survive?
What animals will you meet?
Have fun with this one! I can't wait to read your adventures!
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And this month's winner is Bobby, who is only 7
years old. I love how much detail he's put into
'Desert Danger'.
Very impressive, Bobby!
What happens when a prank goes horribly wrong?
Who doesn't love a good practical joke or prank?
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But what happens when a prank goes wrong, or a practical joke goes too far? Is it funny, or does it become something more serious?
How do the pranksters feel? How can things get better, or go back to normal?
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Your main characters might get into a whole heap of trouble trying to wriggle out of this one!
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Email your story with your name and age and the subject line ' Story Board' to emg.rev@gmail.com
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Happy writing!
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And here's the winner, 'Sir Monkey Face'. It's so silly,
I think the author had a lot of fun! Well done, Thomas!
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Write a story with an animal as a main character.
You guys know I love animals, and there are always animals in my stories. But it can be tricky to write an animal as a main character. You have to think like the animal you choose to make it believable!
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Some things you might like to think about are: How does the animal communicate? How does the animal move? What problem does the animal have, and how will they fix it?
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Have fun! I can't wait to read your stories!
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Email your story with the subject line 'Story Board' to emg.rev@gmail.com. Don't forget to tell me your name and your age!!
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And here's the winning story
'Spirit Dog' by Stella, aged 8!
I couldn’t help myself. I pressed the button and time travelled!
I couldn't help myself. I pressed the button and time-travelled!
It’s an exciting concept, isn’t it? Imagine jumping through time and experiencing all sorts of adventures. But when writing about time travel, there’s more to think about than just the journey.
What challenges does your character face in the past or future? How do they adapt to new surroundings or technology? What’s the one thing they must do to fix things and get back to their original time?
Have fun with it! I can’t wait to read your stories!
Make sure to email your story with the subject line ‘Story Board’ to emg.rev@gmail.com. Don’t forget to include your name and age!