Inspire children to write their best story
Tips and tricks from familiar faces
Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Olly Murs and more share their top writing tips
Check out these top tips on starting writing and finding inspiration from your favourite celebrities.

Read Sir Lenny Henry's story from the 500 Words Live Lesson
In the 500 Words Live Lesson, Sir Lenny Henry was challenged to write his own story, read it here for dose of inspiration.

500 Words Judges share the childhood book that inspired them to write
Malorie Blackman, Francesca Simon and Frank Cottrell-Boyce share the childhood books that inspired them to write.

What makes a brilliant 500 Words story?
We caught up with 500 Words' judges Sir Lenny Henry, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Charlie Higson for their thoughts on what makes a brilliant story.

What would you write for a 500 Words story? Video
We reached out to some familiar faces to ask: what would your 500 Words story be about?

Julia Donaldson shares her secrets for writing a 500 Words story. Video
The Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson, shares her top tips for writing a 500 Words story.

Nathan Bryon's top tips for 5-7 year-olds writing stories. Video
'Speak Up!' author, Nathan Byron, shares his top tips for 5-7 year-olds who want to write a story.

A Kind of Spark author, Elle McNicoll, shares her advice for writing stories. Video
Watch 'A Kind of Spark' author Elle McNicoll as she shares her top tips to inspire writers aged 7–11.

Joseph Coelho: "Observe the world around you" Video
Former Children's Laureate, Joseph Coelho, offers his top tips to inspire children to start writing their 500 Words story.

TV Chef and now children's author Jamie Oliver shares his advice for writing a 500 Words story with dyslexia. Video
TV chef and children's author, Jamie Oliver, share's his experience with dyslexia and advice for writing.

George Webster's writing advice. Video
CBeebies House presenter, George Webster, shares his top tips for the 500 words writing competition.

Chitra Soundar, author of CBeebies' Nikhil and Jay, answers questions on writing stories
We caught up with Nikhil and Jay author, Chitra Soundar, to ask her for her best advice for writing stories.

Jamie Johnson author Dan Freedman spills his secrets for writing stories
The brains behind the hit TV show Jamie Johnson, shares his secret top tips when writing stories.

500 Words finalists share tips, inspiration and success
Top tips from 500 Words' finalists. Video
Last year’s finalists share their best writing tips - from sparking ideas to adding creative details - to help inspire the next wave of young storytellers.

Spencer: “It’s about the story and nothing else” Video
After being initially hesitant to enter the competition, Spencer, who is dyslexic, went on to win the silver award in the 8-11 category.

Silver winner Clara: “It was like a dream come true” Video
500 Words 2023/24 winner Clara shares her top tips to a writing a brilliant story.

"500 Words showed me resilience" Video
Sisters Kirsten and Aiyven first entered 500 Words in 2019 but didn't get past the first round - where did their story take them next??

Previous winners and stories
The winning stories of the BBC 500 Words 2024/25 competition
Watch the winning stories from the 2024/25 competition be read aloud for the first time, by special guests Olivia Colman, Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Matt Lucas, Rose Ayling-Ellis, JB Gill and Rob Brydon.

The top 50 finalists for 500 Words 2024/25 competition
Read through the top 50 stories from the 2023/24 competition.

The winning stories of the 500 Words 2023/24 competition
Watch the winning stories of 500 Words 2023 be read aloud by stars Tom Hiddleston, Oti Mabuse, Olivia Dean, Luke Evans, Alisha Weir and Hugh Bonneville.

The top 50 finalists for 500 Words 2023/24
Read or listen to the top 50 finalists' stories from the 2023/24 competition.
