Bath-based writer Alex is in Year 10. He is a Junior Judge for the Bath Children’s Novel Award and a former Junior Journalist for the Bath Children’s Literature Festival. This autumn, I’ve been completing the volunteering section of my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award by helping Paper Nations conduct research into their Dare to Write? Prompts. Each week I was … Read More
Announcing our innovative new CPD programme for writers, researchers, and educators!
We are excited to reveal information about the Dare to Write? Academy – a new series of writing events, flagship courses, and workshops available in 2020. The Dare to Write? Academy is one of our co-produced projects, led by TRACE at Bath Spa University. The Paper Nations’ Writing for All programme will contribute to the The Dare to Write? Academy … Read More
Get the Dare to Write Library on Film!
Paper Nations champions approaches to the art of writing that are inclusive, playful and exploratory. Growing out of extensive research and consultation with practitioners, our creative writing in schools programme aims to enhance existing creative writing provision for young people in England in a sustainable way. Tender Opportunity As part of Paper Nations’ commitment to sustaining writing activity, we are … Read More
Opportunities with Dare to Write? Corsham and StoryTown
Paper Nations is inviting organisations and individuals in Corsham, Wiltshire to apply for two opportunities with Corsham Town Council’s StoryTown Festival, part of Dare to Write? Corsham. The two opportunities available are To develop workshops and activities to encourage children to explore the art of writing in an imaginative and innovative way. The position of Corsham StoryTown Co-ordinator Dare to … Read More
Dare to Write: Christmas Decoration Discovery
Baubles, tinsel, lights and ornaments are our inspiration for this week’s writing challenge! Imagine this… You find something strange in a box of Christmas decorations. What is it and where has it come from? Who did it belong to, and what will you do with it now? Will your discovery change what happens this Christmas? If you’re not sure where … Read More
Dare to Write: Bonfire Night
Remember, remember, the fifth of November; gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot. This weekend is Bonfire Night, the annual commemoration of Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot being foiled. Across Great Britain, bonfires will be blazing and fireworks lit. So, in celebration of all that, our next writing dare is… Describe your most … Read More
Dare to Write: Spooky Cottage
It’s Halloween! The night where the border between our world and the magical world is at its thinnest. Fantastic and spooky things can happen on this night. Our writing dare is inspired by the mysterious… “You are going trick-or-treating. You discover an old cottage hidden in your local park. Creeping up the black stone pathway, you reach the front door. … Read More
Dare to Write: Stopped Clocks
The clocks went back last night, so we thought it only appropriate to have a time-turning challenge for our next Dare to Write! Imagine this: you wake up to find all the clocks have stopped. Everyone and everything is frozen. Time is standing still. Where do you go and what do you do? Or, if you’re not quite ready for … Read More
Dare to Write: What’s Your Wonka?
In honour of Roald Dahl Day, this Dare to Write challenge is inspired by a passage from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: “Mr Willy Wonka can make marshmallows that taste of violets, and rich caramels that change colour every ten seconds as you suck them, and little feathery sweets that melt away deliciously the moment you put them between your … Read More
Dare to Write with David Almond
David Almond is the acclaimed, award-winning author of children’s books including Kit’s Wilderness, The Fire Eaters, Counting Stars, A Song for Ella Grey and Skellig, which won the Carnegie Medal. David is also our Chief Writing Ambassador, working with Paper Nations to share his own writing approaches, techniques and beliefs through special events and other collaborations. We chatted to David … Read More