Last school holidays, the Creative Write-it studio transformed into a recording studio, and two songs were written, recorded, and emblazoned with original cover designs in just two days. And let's not forget the time invested in coming up with the best group name ever!

As we put together another exciting holiday program for July, we thought it was about time we shared these songs with you. 

Enjoy!

How long did it take you to write The Significant Warrior?
It took me a year to write this book, between thinking of the idea and publishing it.

Did you have a clear idea in mind when you started, or did it develop as you wrote?
Actually, it was a bit of both. I had the idea of writing about ninjas, as I love writing about the Japanese warriors, but more ideas developed as I wrote, which shaped the story more. 

What inspired this story?
Many people have inspired The Significant Warrior: my school principal, my Year 4 teacher, and even my swimming coach. They have all inspired me in their effort to make me an all-rounder. 
I also thank my Workshop Leader Ben Pearmain, for being patient and listening to me, and reading my drafts. 
I definitely also need to thank Amy Han (Director of Creative Write-it and an excellent author) for making my story into a reality.

What books have inspired you?
Books that have inspired me to write my book were the White Ninja series by Tiffiny Hall. It is a great series to read, and I recommend for all children of all different ages.  

What did you enjoy most about writing The Significant Warrior?
I liked typing up my story, because new ideas came to my head while I did so. I also enjoyed working with Amy Han, as she helped me to publish my book.

Which part of the writing and publishing process did you find the most challenging?
I enjoyed every stage in the process, but my least favourite thing to do was to edit my story several times.

Would you like to write another book?
Yes, I would definitely like to write the sequel. Rorna still has some challenging obstacles to overcome!

The Significant Warrior is available from our bookshop. All royalties go to the author.

By Macey, Year 5

To all the people in the world who don’t have much courage.

I’m standing in the driveway, nothing new. It has just been me for the last twelve years. I’m waiting for an important letter; a letter that will change my life. Until I get it, everything about my life and who I am will remain the same. This letter will allow me to live the life I was meant to live, free of this mundane loneliness.

As I wake up on Monday morning, I hear something … IT’S THE POSTIE! My heart is pumped with excitement and joy. I search through the letters: bills, advertising, nothing interesting. When I finally get to the end, I call out to the Postie:
“Oi! You forgot a letter.”
He replies, “I ain’t missing no letter! Try again tomorrow.”
I can’t believe it! Another day! All that means is another day in the driveway. Sometimes I wonder if you really need a letter to say something or to show you can do something? Do you need a letter at all?

As time goes on, all I can think about is tomorrow so I decide to go to bed. The letter is all I can think about. It’s all I can dream about.

The next morning, I hear something. THE POSTIE! As he comes up to me, he slips me one letter. 
I say, “Thanks!”
He zooms off.
I tear the envelope open. The letter has no name, so that would be me. It reads: 

To:
We need to write a letter, but there is nothing to write about.
Kind regards,
The Government

A tear falls down my face, as anger spreads throughout my body. All I can think about is… WHY, WHY, WHY does everyone have a life but me? It’s just unfair. It’s always me being left behind, no one else, just me! There is nothing to do … or is there?

I don’t know what to do, then BOOM it hits me. Everyone walking down the street, where did they start? They worked for it. So if I put my mind to it, who knows what will happen? I won’t be perfect, but at least I will be recognised (not by everyone, but at least one person, hopefully). I sleep on it and in the morning, something feels different, something is calling me. Faraway. What could it be? 

I jump, I kick, I punch. And then I find myself out of the driveway. 

I scream! I shout! I dance!

I never needed a letter. I could have been who I wanted to be all along.

By Noah, Year 2
[written on ANZAC Day]

Through the poppy fields they fought
Though they didn't get much sleep
They fought the Germans
Through deserts they fought
Through rainforests
Through jungles
And also on mountains
They fought their way through
And also through the beach
They didn't give up
Not even at night.

By Yasmin, Year 2

Ana was flying around but as soon as she was going to look around ... SHE FELL!!!! Luckily she landed in the hands of the very nice fairy prince elf, George. But she did not say sorry, she walked away embarrassed.

The prince was very, very SAD!!!! He said, "Why shouldn't she be happy because I saved her? Maybe I should do something else for her."

So one day, Prince George decided to give her a bunch of flowers. But Ana did not accept them, instead she pushed him out. So Prince George ticked that off the list.

The next day, he thought, "I should give her a ring with 99 diamonds to show I love her so so so so extremely totally enormously humongously MUCH!!!!"

So he went again to see Ana, this time with the ring. But she said, "I DID NOT LET YOU IN!!!!"

The prince sighed and said, "What will I do!!!"

Suddenly, there was a ding, ding, ding. The prince opened the door and it was Ana's fairy god mother. She said to the prince, "Let's get married!!!" So they went off and lived happily every after.

By Eric Tran

[This story was the result of a workshop run by Amy Han at the Co-Ed Tutoring Centre, Springvale.]

Over the old misty bridge of Willington, there was a mansion. Henry Willington was the owner of the bridge and the mansion, and his wife's name was Lady Samantha.

The couple lived together calmly and peacefully, but as the years went by Henry lost his job which made him furiously mad but he truly loved Samantha and would die for her.

Then, one night, Lady Samantha suddenly disappeared.

As the rumours spread through the town, a detective went to the mansion to investigate. 
A butler greeted him with his posh accent. "Good evening sir, my name is George Humblewick. And yours is, sir?"
"Sebastian Victor," replied the detective. He walked through the  entrance of the mansion and saw the huge lounge room in which Henry Willington was reading. 
"Sir, you have a guest," said George.
Henry turned around.  "Good evening, detective. Can you crack the murder case?"
"Yes indeed, " said Sebastian. 
"Would you like some refreshments and a light meal?"
"No thank you, I will take some water on my own, thanks."

As Sebastian went to the kitchen for a glass of water, he looked outside the window at the beautiful garden. He saw someone and ran to chase him, but that someone noticed him and started to run away.
Suddenly, Henry shouted, "Stop this instant, detective!"

Sebastian stopped. 
Henry said, "How dare you! I hired you to investigate and now you're chasing my gardener like a thief or a murderer sneaking through the afternoon!"
As Sebastian apologised to Henry's gardener, Henry said, "Now if you had been so kind as to ask his name before..."
The gardener replied, "My name is Hillingster Von Helsing. Good evening, detective".

After an hour, Sebastian had met all of the servants. Two were hired the day after Lady Samantha's disappearance. Sebastian's only lead was that she had been in the bedroom when she disappeared. 

It was pouring with rain that dark night. Sebastian invited everyone, including Henry and his servants, to his office. He also called a policeman for extra security.

Sebastian began, "As I, Sebastian Victor, went snooping around the huge Willington mansion, I have learnt more about the mystery of Lady Samantha Willington's disappearance. But who is responsible, you ask? No one has ever questioned Henry Wilington's loyal love for his wife..."

"We should ignore George the butler because he was hired the day after the disappearance. Also, Hillingster the gardener wasn't the culprit because he wasn't with Samantha at the time." 

"It was Henry, he is guilty!" Sebastian finally said. 

"But isn't that too obvious? And where is the clue?" exclaimed George.

"You're absolutely correct," replied Sebastian. "That's why I know who it was. Lady Samantha was in her bedroom sleeping and the door is always locked, so who was it? Henry, of course."
"Stop being ridiculous, detective," Henry defended. "I wasn't in there. I always sleep in the living room."
"Yes, but I discovered a trap door connecting the bedroom to the living room."
"Okay detective. Where is Lady Samantha?"
"Oh, she is right here."

The door opened and Lady Samantha appeared.
"Hello Henry," she said. "Guards, arrest my attempted killer."
As the policeman arrested him, Lady Samantha took her wedding ring off.
"Henry, I'm divorcing you," she said as she threw her wedding ring out the window.
Henry yelled, "How are you alive?"
"I saved her, " said Hillingster, as the policeman took Henry away.

Now, Willington bridge had a new owner: Lady Samantha, and she was safe.