SEN Students Write Mystery Novel

 A press release:

SEN students smash novel writing! 

A group of 8 students from Blackfriars SEN school in Newcastle have written and published a 120 page mystery story in just five days as part of a unique partnership with the White Water Writers voluntary project.

The group of students, which includes diagnoses of epilepsy, dyslexia, Tourette’s, diabetes and six separate diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, were asked only to write a book set in World War 1, with an element of time travel and an element of mystery. 

The writers brainstormed on storyboarded their narrative on the first day, drafted it for two more days and polished and proofread for the last two.  Dr joseph Reddington, who developed the process described it as “After the first day, each writer takes responsibility for a character’s path though the novel. So if I’m responsible for ‘Dorothy’ I look at these scenes, I make sure that Dorothy’s story has life and vigor, that it flows narratively and that she is a rich three-dimensional character, I trust my fellow writers to be doing the same with their responsibilities and when Dorathony is influenced by their actions so am I.  Dorothy spends much of the book with “Steve” so I spend much of my time writing with “Steve’s writer”.

Dr Yvonne Skipper, Psychology Lecturer from Keele University, who worked with the students throughout the week, said: “It’s been really enjoyable to work with this group of students, fantastic to watch them all gel with one another. It was interesting to see how they pieced together the narrative and they’ve been so creative. The story we have isn’t from one mind; it’s instead a combination of sub-plots, which have come together. The students have really weaved them together in a beautiful way; it’s been wonderful to watch.”

Rebecca Snape, one of the people leading the project at Blackfriers, said: “It was a fantastic project to get involved with and it’s good to see a concrete end result to the pupils’ hard work. The concept behind the writing process works brilliantly because it entails more than just the production of the book (even though this is a significant achievement in itself, of course!). It also enables young people to develop key skills, which they can carry forward both in the short term at school, but also in the long term, such as when they apply for jobs. I’ve done Creative Writing as part of my degree, so the project seemed like something which would supplement it nicely, but I was taken aback as to just how rewarding it has been. It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I think next time I feel I can’t do something I’ll think of this project!”

Quotes from the writers:

“I feel amazed we’ve actually done a book in a week. “

“I can’t believe I’m 12 years old and I’ve got my own book”

White Water Writers are working with a range of groups all over the country, including gifted and talented students, primary schools, SEN schools, and people from a care background.