Doha: The Jamiliya Youth Center, in cooperation with the Qatari Forum for Authors, organized a workshop on the Art of Writing a Childrens Story presented by author and director Ahmed Al Muftah, with the participation of journalist and author Saleh Gharib.
Twenty-five members of the Jamiliya Youth Center participated in the workshop, learning the requirements, steps, and elements of writing a children’s story. For starters, the writer must have a vast imagination, in addition to the ability to impersonate children and guess what might be on their minds. Moreover, correct planning is crucial to a good story. Followed by extensive brainstorming for attractive ideas that would appeal to children. Then comes the writing process with a special focus on choosing a strong and interesting beginning, as well as maintaining the sequence of events according to the structure of story building.
Author Saleh Gharib said that the Qatari Forum for Authors provides the necessary support and guidance for new writers, with the aim of developing their writing skills and ensuring that they are on the right track, to being creative story writers.
Furthermore, Gharib added that the workshop gave a set of tips for participants wishing to write fiction, such as the importance of determining the age group to which the story is directed, in addition to the tip that it would be of great help for the writer to try to go back to their childhood and their recall memories, thoughts, and feelings for the purpose of finding inspiration in writing the events of the story.
In addition, he pointed out that in order for an author to write a story, they must create a main and unique character to be the center of the story, for children to relate and interact with them. In conclusion, reading is a most essential tool for writers to enrich their writing skills, styles, and vocabulary.
