Q: I’ve never been creative and I don’t think I would know how to write a story. How can I be sure I can do this?
A: We have developed techniques to get even the driest imaginations flowing like a raging river. By the time you finish this story you will already be thinking about the next one you’re going to write! Maybe even more!
Q: I’m not very good at spelling and grammar. How do I know my story will be error free?
A: Don’t worry. The final part of the process we adhere to diligently is to proof-read the final draft and correct any errors before printing.
Q: Do I need anything with me for the workshop?
A: Ideally you will have three things ready before the day:
- A story idea
- Some photos of your superhero in action
- Your imagination
You will also need a notepad and pen for the early stages of the workshop and a computer with Adobe Flash installed for the final part of the process.
So, if you have a story idea and some photos ready, that’s great, but no panic if you don’t! You can just as easily do everything from scratch on the day. Oh, and don’t worry too much either about ’bringing’ your imagination – it is our job to coach it out of you!
Q: Will I have a printed book ready to take away on the day?
A: No, I’m afraid not. The book needs to be sent to print which will take at least a week.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: It’s £60 per person for the workshop or course, which includes a beautiful glossy hardback 8”x 8” copy of the book.
Q: What do I get for my money?
A: You will enjoy the unique and rewarding experience of being guided through the process of writing and crafting a book. Also, a beautiful glossy hardback 8”x 8” copy of the book is included in the price, but you can upgrade to alternative versions.
Q: How do I ensure I get the most out of my session?
A: A very good question! The best way to make sure you maximise your SuperKid Stories experience is to be prepared. We can’t stress this enough. By doing this you will already have the idea for your story and may even have subconsciously started to write it! Or at the very least, put the building blocks in place for the story!
Q: How long does the workshop take?
A: Overall the workshop lasts for three and a half hours. However, it is broken into two sessions as follows:
Session 1 – Write the first draft of your story in two and a half hours
Session 2 – A week later put the finished story together with your photos to create your book in an hour
The reason we split the sessions over the course of a week is so that any amendments can be made in the intervening period. Experience has taught us that the first draft is never the finished product and everyone edits their story for a few days after the session.
Q: What if I’m not entirely happy with my story or I run out of time in the writing session?
A: This is not a problem at all as it will be a draft. Most people will tinker with their story for a few days after the session. As a writer, I know from many years’ experience that it is better to allow a story to sit for a few days before finalising it. It is completely understandable that most people will want to pull the book together with the story and photos and send it to print at the end of the session. You will be excited, buzzing on adrenaline and feel bullet-proof from your achievement. But I would hate to think any of you would come to regret sending it to print too early and realising after the fact that you would have preferred to do something a little different and tweak it in some fashion.
Also, if you are struggling with any aspect of the story after the first session we are just an email or Zoom call away and will help you get over any stumbling blocks.
Q: If I don’t finish the book after the second session, I may lose momentum and not complete it at all.
A: This is where we become a pain for you! We will become your pep talk coach and ensure you finish your project. Remember, you signed up to write the story only you can write for your superhero and only we can help you write it! This is part of the process. You don’t run 25.5 miles of a marathon and give up! You get over that line whatever it takes. And it is our job to get you over that line! Trust us, you will thank us in the end!
