Jane Mitchell on Writing
8/10/2012 by David Maybury · No Comments
Adults sign up for workshops in writing for children for a host of different reasons: they loved reading as children; they harbour a secret desire to write for children; their own children or grandchildren love hearing their stories.
Jane Mitchell was no different when she signed up for her first workshop in children’s writing, given by the late Eilís Dillon.
An avid reader as a child; as an adult, Mitchell wanted to learn how the great authors who had captivated her imagination managed to mesmerize her so completely. Now Mitchell has been invited to host her own workshop with SCWBI Ireland (taking place this weekend). Here she lists her top five children’s authors who inspired her to write.
Robert Cormier
A wonderful author of complex challenging novels, he opened my eyes to what is possible in writing for teenagers. He consistently extended the boundaries of subjects for young readers.
Susan Cooper 
Her fantasy novels, set in England and Wales, blew my mind. They wove Welsh folk tales and English mythology into the rich fabric of the stories. They were frightening and powerful, and they swept me away.
Noel Streatfeild
In her whimsical romantic books, Ms Streatfeild’s characters were whisked off to ballet school or turned out to be musical prodigies. I wanted to live their lives and dance their dreams.
Diana Wynne Jones 
The Ogre Downstairs must have been one of my most read books as a child. The lives of the ordinary characters in a warring step-family are magically transformed by mystical chemistry sets, and the ensuing fun and games enthralled me.
Kathleen Fidler
Kathleen’s vivid historical stories of young heroes and heroines living in harsh times had me riveted. Their worlds were so real, I felt as though I was walking down the streets they lived in.
On Saturday, October 13, Jane Mitchell, author and SCWBI Regional Advisor , will present a day-long workshop in Dublin on writing for children.
Click here for more information.
