500 Words, aims to spark children’s imaginations - encouraging them to write the stories they’d love to read, discover new books, and explore the power of creativity through storytelling.
In 2024/25, 84% of teachers who submitted stories on behalf of their students said the competition helped boost engagement with literacy and writing in their classrooms.
We recently caught up with Phoebe, an A-level student from Greater Manchester, who shared how taking part in 500 Words as a child inspired her lifelong love of reading and writing - and even influenced her journey into further education.
In what ways did taking part in 500 Words shape your interest in reading and writing?
Every exercise, every worksheet we did got me thinking about new ideas and different concepts, so, when I got home, I would write down all sorts of random stories in a little notepad. Granted, I only managed to write a page before I got distracted – but I had found a creative outlet and enjoyed putting pen to paper.
The 500 Words challenge also grew my love for reading, and from those books like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or A Murder Most Unladylike, I would be inspired to create my own worlds and characters. In the holidays, me and my friends would make videos inspired by these concepts.
Did your experience in 500 Words influence how you approach writing now, or how you think about your future studies or career?
English is my favourite subject, and this has always been the case starting from when I did the 500 Word challenge. From that point, it has inspired me to go above and beyond what we are required to do at school.
During my GCSE’s, I really engaged with the texts we studied, making my own guides and booklets, and I’m even looking into getting some of my revision work published. I have no idea about what I want to be when I’m older, but what I do know is that I would like to work in a job where I can write, where I can be creative, and where I can share and receive new ideas.
What challenges did you face when writing your 500 Words story, and how did you overcome them?
In Year 4 my main enemy was spelling, punctuation and grammar, and at first, I struggled to decide a final idea on what to write about. But my teachers helped a great amount in developing my English skills, allowing me to create a piece of writing I was proud of without having to worry about it being perfect.
As for choosing a concept, I spent time looking at my surroundings, taking inspiration from the view of my garden and the winter season. Sometimes it’s easiest to write about what’s on your front doorstep!
What advice would you give to children who are writing their stories?
The 500 Words challenge is a really enjoyable process that is designed to allow children to express their ideas and explore writing and reading.
If it feels overwhelming or stressful, don’t worry – it is a ‘challenge’ and as a perfectionist myself, I had to realise that it wasn’t about being the best. Write about something you enjoy, something you’ve seen, something you’ve accomplished; use real-life moments to influence your descriptions. And most of all, share your work with your family. They will be equally as proud of your successes as you.
What is next for yourself in the future?
I will continue writing and reading and my dream is to study English Literature at Oxford University. I would love to keep looking for opportunities to go above and beyond with my involvement and participation in the subject. Right now, I work as a tutor for primary school students, and know I will continue to do this too. And of course I am sure that, as the oldest of three children, I will have a lot of English homework to help my siblings with!
Need more inspiration?
Back to 500 Words
Click here for more information on 500 Words.
What are the 500 Words prizes?
There are many prizes to be handed out to the gold, silver and bronze recipients.
FAQs
If you have any queries then we have the answers for you. Check out our list of frequently asked questions for 500 Words
