Here are some tips to kickstart your ideas:
A person who has presence is noticeable, fascinating or charismatic.
- having superpowers, being kind, being amazing at certain activities – like football, baking cakes, doing cartwheels, or making people laugh!
- Imagine the kinds of that have presence in your life, or in history, or fictional characters from books, films shows on television. You could describe someone like a musician, movie star, or sportsperson. It could be a special teacher, friend or relative who has a way of grabbing – and holding – your attention.
Also think about how your story, poem or lyrics will show how your character has presence – what makes them special and different.
Lastly, you could even use the excerpt as the first line of your story, poem or lyrics.
Character sketches/stories should be no longer than 600 words; poems or song lyrics should not exceed 40 lines. You can write less than 600 words or 40 lines but not more.
The judges are looking for writing that will capture and hold their attention, so ask yourself, ‘Will my story or poem grab a judge’s attention? How will I make them understand what makes my subject special?’
There are interviews with all the authors and editors shortlisted for recent Branford Boase Awards on the website so have a read and pick up their writing tips.
Christine Pillainayagam says, ‘The dedication for my second book, the follow-up to Ellie Pillai Is Brown, is – For anyone who doesn’t believe they’re extraordinary – you are. I truly believe there is something special and extraordinary about each of us. That we all have a presence someone else can connect to and see, often in ways we can’t quite see ourselves.
To someone out there, you are special and different, in just the same way as you will be writing your piece about someone who represents those things to you.
My advice is to remember that great writing is about being true to who you are. What does being special and different mean to you? What does it look like, and why does this character represent those characteristics? How can you communicate to a reader what kind of presence this character has, and why it makes them stand out? Is standing out, good or bad? I look forward to reading your entries, and seeing what ‘presence’ means to you. Good luck!’
Chairing the Award is Prue Goodwin, consultant and lecturer in literacy learning and children’s literature.
Prue says ‘Remember, this writing is not a piece of schoolwork, it won’t be marked by the judges, just read to be enjoyed. Try to make the final version as original as possible. The theme is there to help you get going, so use it to take your ideas wherever you want. Enjoy writing, and good luck!’
The winners will receive signed copies of each of the books shortlisted for the 2024 Branford Boase Award.
Entries close at 9am (GMT), Friday 31st May 2024.
Full entry instructions, terms & conditions available here.
One of the most prestigious of UK children’s book prizes, the Branford Boase Award recognises a debut children’s author and their editor and was set up in memory of children’s writer Henrietta Branford and her editor, Wendy Boase, Editorial Director of Walker Books. They both died of cancer in 1999.