Happy World Book Day Everyone!
Since The Ghost Light came out in January, I’ve been having a lot of fun visiting schools and talking all about my love of mysteries and maths and the amazing Alice Jones. It’s been a new experience for me, since when my first two books came out I’d just had a baby, and so far it’s been fantastic!
Feeling like a super-star!
I’ve been so impressed by all of the students I’ve gotten to meet: Their questions and curiosity is so inspiring. And I have a feeling I’ve met more than a few future authors.
A skill anyone hoping to become a writer needs, is the ability to create compelling characters. One of my favorite bits during a school visit is when a few brave volunteers dress up and I and the audience use their costumes (and our imagination) to turn them into a unique detective.
We give them strengths (are they brave? smart? well-prepared?) and weaknesses (a good character needs some flaws) and a special crime solving skill, Then we imagine what kind of crime they might come across? What clues would they notice that others might overlook? And how will they be challenged by their weaknesses?
So far I’ve seen:
- A detective with amazing eyesight, who is so sleepy she can barely stay awake.
- A detective who is an expert horse rider, but who can’t swim (the students decided dropping a vital clue at the bottom of the swimming pool would be the perfect challenge)
- A master of disguise with horrible fashion sense (we thought a mystery in a fancy-dress shop would be perfect!)
I’m off on another visit today, and I can’t wait to see what detectives we come up with!
Pick a prop. What does it say about your detective?
If any of you are interested in developing your own detective, here’s the worksheet that goes with the exercise. I’d love to see who you come up with. Happy Sleuthing!
Sarah Rubin Books 