Kadi and Grace (Year 8) have written, below, about Olivia Tuffin's visit to Leweston as part of the school's Academic Enrichment Week.
On Thursday 19 June, the author Olivia Tuffin came to speak to Year 8 students about being an author, her books, answer questions, and write some characters and story openings with us.
Olivia Tuffin is an author who writes books about horses for children around the age of 11. Olivia has also written two books for older children and adults revealing that there can be a darker side to the equestrian world, such as animal cruelty. Having studied English at GCSE and A level, Olivia never planned on becoming an author. However, after a riding accident left her with a shoulder injury and some unexpected time at home, she decided to try writing — and in June 2014, she began her first book. She now lives on a farm with her two children, ponies, dogs, sheep, and chickens, and is best known as an accomplished author whose books are published by Nosy Crow.
Olivia visited our school to share how she writes her books. She also wanted to help us to start with our own books. To begin, Olivia talked us through some of her books and the stories behind them. It was very interesting! We then walked down to the equestrian centre at school to do some research. Finally, we went to sit outside, since it was hot weather, and wrote some character descriptions of our own. We found it very fun!
I believe that everyone thoroughly enjoyed Olivia Tuffin’s visit. We certainly did! It was a very educational experience, as well as a wonderful afternoon visiting Leweston horses and using them as inspiration for characters!
Olivia taught us the importance of knowing our characters as friends before writing about them, ensuring that they will be convincing to readers. We hope she continues to write intriguing books as they are well loved and that she will visit Leweston again.
