E A Quinn attended drama school and now works as a supporting artist in film and television. She has always been an avid reader, aspiring to write from a young age, and completed a residential writing course, Writing for Children, with Arvon Foundation.
The Scavyngers
LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW
Just start writing and let your ideas flow. Don't be restricted by chapters, word counts or even punctuation. That will come later. Give your mind the freedom to explore all possibilities. Experiment with words, phrases and ideas.
KEEP IT REAL
Although your subject is fantasy, it has to be believable. Don't be lured into the 'it's magic so anything can happen' trap. Make the reader believe that this could actually happen within the realms of the world that you have created.
DON'T LOSE THE PLOT
Be the detective and don't leave any stone unturned. The plot should be watertight and flawless and keep the story moving forwards. Make sure that you end each chapter with a mystery so that the reader is desperate to know what happens next. Young readers tend to lose interest if the story doesn't grab them.
MAKE YOUR CHARACTERS PAY THEIR RENT
Make sure that every character has a designated and important role in the story. They must have a function and not just be there by coincidence or as a filler. If they're not paying their rent then evict them.
MAKE EVERY SENTENCE A 'EUREKA!' MOMENT
The secret to writing any book is in the editing. Edit! Edit! Edit! And continue to edit until you are punching the air with excitement with every sentence, character and plot line. Play with your manuscript until you are satisfied that you have done the best that you can do and more. If something makes you unhappy or doesn't excite you then keep working on it until it does.