WildSpark by Vashti Hardy

This was the first video review that we had done for our book club and Merima, who is in Year 6 did a fantastic job.

Unfortunately, I didn't save the video (lesson learnt for next time!) but I have the link to the video on Twitter here.

To start, here is a transcript of her video:

Hi, I'm Merima and I'm in year 6 and I'm here to review WildSpark by Vashti Hardy. 

First a note about the cover. There isn't any illustrations inside, but it's really this that just captures the eye and it perfectly matches the description of how the Personifate Guild is and this is the main character Prue (pointing to the book cover).

I found some really nice names in there like Agapantha which is quite cool.

It's basically about these ghost machines where people have way advanced technology; 18 years ago, they managed to find a way to bring souls back. Now. they're really developed and there's really cool animals and I gained a lot of really fantastic words from this book. It gave me my new favourite word, vermilion. It's some sort of orangey,red colour and I'd use it in a sky setting. 

Since it's so amazing, I don't have anything more to say, but thank you for listening to my book review. Bye.

To date this video has had 1.7 thousand views and I'm going to share the Twitter conversation between Vashti and Merima after Vashti saw the review.

Vashti: Oh wonderful! What a lovely review - I love vermilion too! Thank you Merima (sorry couldn't quite catch the name - do correct me!) You would make a brilliant Guild apprentice and Prue, Edwin and Agapantha would love you as a friend x

Willmartbookclub: Merima has asked me to tweet her reply to you as she can't do it herself. "Thank you so much!! I really wasn't expecting this. When I'm grown up I'd like the idea of being an author. Do you have any advice and what university degree should I get?"

Vashti: Tell Merima that's great to hear! My first advice is to get a writing journal where you have complete free space to jot ideas, write, draw maps, explore characters, stick in inspiring pics, etc - it's good to experiment and learn i a space where you know it's not being judged:)

Also, write about things that spark your interest and imagination - eg I love ghost stories and I love invention and technology so WildSpark grew from that and asking what if I put the two together some how in a ? + ? = way. I also love real life explorer stories = Brightstorm.

If you have a story idea, try drawing a map of your world before you start - it's the first thing I do after I've had the idea and is fun to do and a good way of plotting all the things that are going to go wrong :) Also I'm very visual in my imagination so Pinterest helps m.

Sometimes a whole story can grow from an interesting picture. You could ask your teacher to show you Pinterest - my Brightstorm board is open for all to see. if you'd like to look at an example :)

Another thing that helps me is listening to film soundtracks. They're great as they help you connect with the right emotions - eg if you're writing a sad scene - find a sad piece of music from a film and I guarantee it'll help you write the scene much better!

And for Uni courses, there are lots that focus on creative writing and literature that are great - and lots of other courses too - My first course was a diploma and I built from there and did an MA in writing :)

But I find the very best way to learn is ...reading lots - but it looks like you have that covered. When you read, sometimes pause, maybe at a bit you love and think about what the writer is doing and why you like it. Then you can squirrel all the fab techniques into your own writer's toolkit!

I think it's amazing that an author has taken the time to do this, when I'm sure they must get many, many requests. 

Such valuable advice too for all budding readers! I don't know about you, but I now want to read WildSpark AND Brightstorm!

Happy reading, 

Ms Hazel x

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