Dame Jacqueline Wilson's Writing Tips
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Dame Jacqueline's Top 3 Tips:
- Read lots for inspiration. But don't copy anyone else's work.
- Make your story interesting from the very beginning.
- Be original. Make your story stand out.
About Jacqueline
Dame Jacqueline Wilson is one of Britain's bestselling authors - one of her books is sold every 30 seconds in the UK! As a teenager, Dame Jacqueline started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she had been told was named after her!) before turning to writing novels full-time.
Her most successful creation to date is undoubtedly Tracy Beaker, a tomboy living in a children's residential care home nicknamed "The Dumping Ground". The Story of Tracy Beaker and its BAFTA-winning spin-off, Tracy Beaker Returns, have both been made into successful BBC children's TV programmes.
Jacqueline's latest book, The Worst Thing About My Sister, is published in February and is about two very different sisters who just about manage to co-exist until their mum tells them they have to share a bedroom. Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame for services to children's literacy.
More Advice From Our Judges
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Jacqueline Wilson
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Charlie Higson
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Lauren Child
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Andy Stanton
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David Walliams
Our head judge gives his top tips.
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Last year's judges
See more tips from 2011's panel of writers, including Howard Jacobsen, Oliver Jeffers and Anthony Horowitz.
