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< 500 Words < Everything about 500 Words

What are your stories being marked on? Hear from two of our amazing judges to see what they are looking for.

A sign of a great story writer is the ability to look at the world in a different way. Whether that’s through a traditional story, genre or character, we want the child’s imagination to run free and for them to write a story they can’t wait to read in front of people.

Malorie Blackman says: “Unusual settings and scenarios help spark story ideas but so do unusual characters in everyday settings. Don’t be afraid to take risks with your story. Think about what will make your story stand out from everyone else’s. It doesn’t have to be wild and wacky. Just tell the story your way and that will help it to rise and shine.”

We know as humans how much our personalities mean to us, they can make people smile, laugh, cry and in story writing, they can bring the story to life. Readers love to feel like they know a character and so describing characters is very important. If a person walks with a swagger, are they proud and arrogant, or pretending not to be scared?

Francesca Simon says: “The key to a great character is a unique voice. Let us see the world through their eyes. What makes your character interesting, unique? How are they feeling? What do they love, or hate? Why do they want to tell us this story? Ask yourself lots of questions about your characters, and your answers will help you create them.”

Every story has a beginning, middle and end but the plot of a story needs to be convincing, it needs something driving the plot forward through the story, whether that’s through the actions of the characters or fate throwing event’s into the character’s path.

Malorie Blackman says: “Try to create a story which makes the reader not just want to but need to read to the end. Starting on a moment of change or conflict for your main character is a good way to get us straight into the story. Readers love to be surprised by a twist or even more than one. But remember, the twist doesn’t have to be a massive world-changing event. It can be a little change in circumstances which opens up a whole world of possibilities or new outcomes for a character.”

This competition is unique, the writing is not judged on spelling, grammar or punctuation (pinky promise). We want children to focus on the creative side of the language used in the stories, so grab a thesaurus and make the most of the word count.

Francesca Simon says: “Do have fun with language. Play around with it until you find the right word. Make up a word if you need to! No need to include loads of adjectives - we’re not your teachers! Make sure every one of your 500 words counts.”

That’s what it’s all about, enjoyment writing the story, enjoyment telling the story and as an audience enjoyment hearing the story. It’s not marked on how much we laugh or cry or if we're plain terrified of the story while we read it, we love stories that take us away from reality. Read your story to your friends and family before you send it in. Take on board their comments, if they enjoy it, we are likely to do so too.

Malorie Blackman says: “I don’t know of anyone who can write a perfect story in just one draft. Be prepared to write multiple drafts until it’s as good as you can possibly get it. Perhaps most importantly, enjoy writing your story. If you enjoy writing it, we’re far more likely to enjoy reading it. Have fun and good luck!”

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