Storylines is delighted to present an afternoon of creativity, imagination and inspiration at our Story Sparks Writing and Illustration Workshops as part of the Storylines Waikato Story Tour.
This special event offers young writers and young illustrators (Yr3 – Yr13) the chance to learn directly from some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most talented authors and illustrators.
📅 Date: Saturday 19 September 2026
🕐 Duration: 1.5 hours
📍 Venue: Multiple venues – check below for details
💲 Cost: $10
Join us for an afternoon filled with hands-on workshops, new skills and plenty of inspiration to spark your next great story or artist.
Making Good Endings: How to tell a good story from start to finish
How often do you start a story excited by a thrilling new idea, only to get lost along the way and fizzle out before you reach the end. Organising your idea and asking a couple of important questions before you begin can make all the difference and help you reach the perfect ending. Let author Melinda Szymanik show you how.
Students to bring: paper and pen
Create a Character: Learn how to create your own storybook character.
A step-by-step tutorial on structure, facial expressions and styling.
Students to bring: A4 paper, pencil and eraser
Perfect Worlds:sparking character and story ideas through world building
Hear how the characters, story and world built off each other to create Sanna’s award-winning YA novel The Paradise Generation. In small groups, try your hand at writing or drawing a utopia, and see where the characters and story lead you.
Students to bring: writing/ drawing pad/ notebook and pen
Weave Your Words in Poems
In this session we will talk about word pictures, rhythm, amazing words and write poems to share.
Students to bring: Paper and pen
Writing funny and telling stories: Where do funny story ideas come from?
Everywhere… your little brother, your last family holiday, that thing your teacher did. In this fast, noisy, laugh-out-loud workshop, children’s author Tom E. Moffatt shows young writers how to hunt down their own story sparks and turn them into a plan for a hilarious story. Along the way they’ll learn how to develop ideas into a full story, complete with laughs and some healthy exaggeration. Bring your funniest ideas and your favourite jokes.
Children’s author Tom E. Moffatt shows young writers where funny ideas hide – in families, holidays, and everyday disasters – and how to turn one into a plan for a hilarious story. Packed with exaggeration, joke-telling tips and plenty of laughter.
Students to bring: funniest ideas, paper and pen.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!
Whether you love writing or drawing, these workshops will help you grow your skills, meet other creative tamariki and rangatahi and learn from inspiring mentors.
👉 Complete the form below to register your place.
Lift Another Voice – Sponsor a Seat
Help open the door for a young storyteller. By sponsoring a seat, you can purchase a ticket that enables a child from a local school – where the workshop is being held – to attend and take part. Your support gives them the chance to explore their creativity, build confidence and experience the joy of storytelling alongside others. It’s a simple act that can spark a lifelong love of reading, writing or illustrating.
Pay it forward and help lift another voice!
Sponsor a Workshop. Inspire Young Creators.
Are you a children’s publisher, community organisation, business or writing group looking to make a real impact?
For just $300, you can sponsor an entire Storylines Story Sparks Workshop – giving tamariki and rangatahi the opportunity to learn from leading Aotearoa New Zealand authors and illustrators. ✍️🎨📚
Your support helps remove barriers, sparks creativity, and encourages the next generation of storytellers.
💛 Help fill every seat with imagination and opportunity.
Interested in becoming a workshop sponsor? Get in touch today!