Your Story, Your Style: Creative Writing for Young Writers

Award-winning author Paul Russell leads a fun-filled workshop where kids unlock their writing creativity & explore various writing formats

Join award-winning author Paul Russell for a fun, hands-on writing workshop made just for young creatives!

In this energetic and imaginative session, you’ll discover how stories change depending on the way they’re told. Through exciting activities and guided writing challenges, you’ll explore writing picture books, novels, and plays.

You’ll learn how your audience and purpose shape your storytelling choices—and why some ideas work better in one format than another. Plus, you’ll get to experiment with each style, uncover your strengths, and spark new creative possibilities.

By the end of the workshop, participants can leave with the beginnings of a collection of story-seeds, ready to grow and finish them throughout the new year.

For ages 10–13 years. All participants must be signed in and out by an adult.

Cost: $25 + booking fee

About the venue: Belmont Library, ngarrabanga

Belmont Library, ngarrabangba has a carpark underneath which can be accessed via Dobson Lane. There is accessible parking, that provides direct access via a ramp. General parking is 2 hours. Extended parking is available in an adjoining carpark accessed via Dobson Lane or George Street. The library can also be easily accessed by bus.
Accessible toilets are available in the foyer.

This event may be photographed and filmed, and your image could be used in advertising and promotion by Lake Macquarie City Council. Should you wish to not be photographed or filmed please advise event organisers on entry at the event.

About the presenter: Paul Russell is a national award-winning author, international presenter and teacher with more than twenty years' experience. He is passionate about empowering children through literature, imagination and the written word. Paul's characters promote inclusion and the importance of individuality and finding your own place in the world.

Paul's books include Grandma Forgets, My Storee, The Incurable Imagination, Courageous Lucy, and The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp (winner of the 2022 Australian Speech Pathology Picture Book of the Year Award in the 5-8 category).

Published in 2025, his most recent work, The Last Seed Keeper trilogy is a heart-pounding futuristic adventure about friendship, secrecy, breaking down barriers, questioning everything, and holding onto hope. This is Paul's first novel for middle grade/YA readers.