BUDDING writers at Barrow Hills School were in for a treat when author Kendra Smith visited the Witley school to deliver a number of workshops with children in years six to eight.

Ms Smith, whose novel Jacaranda Wife reached the number one spot on Australia’s best-selling Kindle eBooks chart, has a son in year seven at Barrow Hills.

She has worked for and contributed to a number of women’s interest magazines including OK!, Woman & Home, Delicious and Cosmopolitan.

Kendra talked to the children about her life as a journalist and the inspiration behind her first novel and about getting the book published.

She said: “It was fantastic to have the opportunity to share my passion for writing with the children and it was such fun to spend time helping some potential writers of the future.

“Completing a novel is something that so many people aspire to, but the practicalities of doing that are generally kept under wraps. I hope my experience will encourage more children to pick up their pens – or rather tap on their keyboards – if they want a career working with words.”