Adam Wallace is a very funny man who writes very funny books – and draws the pictures for them.
We’re lucky to have him visiting Writing Classes For Kids today to share his writing tips – and I’ll be talking about his hilarious new book – Jamie Brown is NOT Rich.
ABOUT ADAM
I am a writer. I also draw pictures from time to time, and I also take afternoon naps from time to time.
I love movies like Happy Gilmore, and TV Shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and so I really wanted to do a book that was that sort of style, where someone is like a fish out of water … but not a real fish out of water, because then they would die and get eaten with chips.
So a funny, non-dying, fish out of water story! And THAT is why I wrote Jamie Brown is NOT Rich. It was also fun because I named the main character after a very cool kid I know called Jamie Brown.
ADAM’S TIPS
Tip 1. After you write your first draft, don’t worry if you don’t like all of it. A first draft is for getting all your ideas out, and for getting a general idea of the story. Then your second (and maybe third and fourth drafts) are for getting all the bits you love and turning them into the end story.
Tip 2. After I write a story, I like to look at each scene in the story, and write out a little description and also why it is in the story. if I can’t think of a good reason for it being in the story, I change it so it fits, or cut it out.
Tip 3. Pictures are really handy. Having illustrations in a book means you don’t have to write everything down, some of it can be said in the pictures. So write it all down first, but then don’t be afraid to get rid of some of the words and use a picture to get them across.
Tip 4. It’s good to have other people read the story to see what they think. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they think about the story, but it can really help you see if it is at the right level for the audience you’re aiming it at.
Tip 5. YOU have to love it. If you are writing a funny story, you have to think it’s funny. Or if it’s a scary story, you have to think it’s scary. If you’re writing a funny story and you think it’s scary, well, I don’t know what to say about that … the point is, if you don’t think it’s funny or scary or sad or whatever, then that will come across in the writing. If you are really into it and enjoying it, that will come across too, and is a MUCH better thing to have come across to a reader.
ABOUT JAMIE BROWN
Jamie Brown is NOT Rich is an illustrated chapter book with an awesome hologram cover.
It’s a funny story about a really, really poor family who become really, really rich, and have to learn to fit in to the new world they find themselves in.It’s available through bookstores or signed copies can be bought at www.adam-wallace-books.com
Adam also visits markets on the weekend and signs and sells Jamie Brown and his other books … info on where he’ll be each weekend is also at www.adam-wallace-books.com
WHY I ENJOYED JAMIE BROWN
Adam is right. Jamie Brown is NOT Rich does have an awesome cover – and it’s also very funny.
I liked Jamie because he doesn’t take himself too seriously and even though he is very poor, he still manages to have a lot of fun.
Apart from having no money, Jamie is pretty content with things – and then a letter arrives from a long lost rich relative Barnaby Von Barnabus – and he is giving Jamie and his family a whole lot of money – and a posh house in Snootyville.
I love the funny bits Adam writes and draws to show Jamie trying to get used to living in a rich house with a lot of electrical appliances that he’s never even seen before.
Jamie is a character that readers will like because even when his situations changes, he doesn’t become snooty like the bullies at his new school.
There are funny black and white drawings on every page telling readers even more about Jamie and his new life.
There’s also plenty of action and a twist at the end to keep readers interested.
Jamie Brown is NOT Rich is published by Ford Street.
