On Thursday 28th November, Jenny Valentine, author of Us in the Before and After, visited Ridgewood to work with years 9, 10 & 11. Each year group took part in a creative writing workshop, where they created a character, the character's world, a setting and the afterlife, using lists - a simple, but fantastic way to start the creative process.
Jenny talked to students about the inspiration for her novels, and the process she has for planning and writing, revealing that she never knows the ending until she has ten pages to go. That's why there is always a twist that the reader never sees coming!
Each session finished with Jenny reading a passage from her latest book, which has been shortlisted for the Dudley Children's Book Awards 2024.
Jenny Valentine is an English children's novelist. For her first novel and best-known work, Finding Violet Park, she won the annual Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, a once-in-a-lifetime book award judged by a panel of British children's writers.
Us in the Before and After by Jenny Valentine -
A tear-jerking, heart-breakingly beautiful novel from the award-winning Jenny Valentine, perfect for fans of Adam Silvera, Kathleen Glasgow and Laura Nowlin.
There is one side of that moment, and the other
Before
After
I have dreamed about it ever since
An intensely emotional story that raises questions about love, ghosts, and the unshakeable bonds of friendship…
The final session was held in the school library with a small group of students from The Earls High School and Redhill High School. We had a wonderful day getting to know Jenny and thank her for all her efforts in inspiring our young people. We wish her every success with her new book.
