Year 7 students studying the novel 'Red Leaves' attended an inspirational workshop with the book's author, Sita Brahmachari, in the Notley library today.

Discussing the story-making process, Sita shared some of her techniques and inspiration for her many successful novels, providing year 7 students with plenty of ideas for their own descriptive writing.

With the advice: "Writing is the most exciting treasure hunt of the imagination", students were encouraged to consider how their own experiences and histories can influence their writing; that they already have stories inside themselves waiting to be told.

Taking influence from Sita's extraordinary quilt of stories, 7Y will be developing their own patchwork of stories in their English lessons using objects and memories personal to them.

'Red Leaves' follows the separate lives of teenagers Aisha, Zak and Iona as they face different obstacles and struggles growing up. In an ancient city wood, the strangers lives become entwined, and the novel explores the similarities and differences between all of us, regardless of background or culture.