Dream Big - Write & Publish Your Children's Book

Who likes to daydream? Who has ever dreamed of flying? And who has ever tried to fly? Well, that is what Arya’s Flying Dreams (now available in eBook format) is all about!

Who likes to read books? Who has ever dreamed of writing a book? And who has ever tried to write a story? Then you have just planted the seeds for your own book that you could be the proud author of! Because in dreams we plant the seeds of our future...

These were some of the discussion points used to engage 200 Grade 2 and 3 students during my Book Talks for Book Week at local primary schools. 


We all have a story inside us that we dream about making into a book and sharing with the world.  The feedback from the teachers, including my sister, was that students felt inspired with practical tips to write and publish their own children's book.

It was a fun family affair to help support and promote Arya's Flying Dreams with my older son participating in his Grade 3 Book Talk. Then, my middle son dressed up as Arya and my niece dressed up as Arya's Mum in their respective Book Parades. 

Did you know that the word ‘inspire’ originates from the Latin word 'inspirare' meaning to ‘breathe into’, as in to breathe life into an idea? Our stories are simply ideas that we bring to life, using our imagination. Here's what I covered in my Book Talk to inspire you to breathe life into your idea - your story:

What I did:
The topics I covered:

• Finding Your Ideas
• Crafting Your Story
• Your Writing Voice
• Editing Your Story & Storyboarding
• Who’s Who in the Publishing Zoo
• Traditional Publishing vs Self-Publishing

Let's Create! 
I expanded on the above topics and included sneak-peaks of my original sketches that my illustrator, Valerie Bouthyette interpreted beautifully. In particular, I covered brainstorming ideas, creating structure for your story, identifying themes, utilising literary devices, practicing and editing your writing voice and the publishing journey.

​Connect and Inspire...
In order to inspire the students to connect with and participate in the discussion, I set a simple challenge to listen for a few tips that would score them a few copies of Arya's Flying Dreams for their school library. I hope these tips encourage you to take small steps towards creating your dream story: 

1. Keep a notebook to jot down your Ideas while you work and play.
2. Begin the plot with a bang! If your reader is not hooked, they'll close the book.
3. Read your story aloud and have your friend read it aloud too to hear how it sounds.
4. Make your words count and cut as many words as possible.

If you know a primary school, library or community that would be inspired by this discussion, I look forward to hearing from you at [email protected]. 

Please share Arya's Flying Dreams with friends. It is available online at Amazon, Book Depository and Booktopia. Thank you!