Caroline Lawrence at the Abingdon Joint Author event 2015

Year 7 pupils picked up some powerful writing tips from best-selling author Caroline Lawrence, best known for her Roman Mystery series. An avid film fan, and former classics teacher, Caroline set out her seven screenwriting ‘beats’ for moving along a story, afterwards using the example of her first book The Thieves of Ostia. This was a richly illustrated interactive talk with images from film and books demonstrating archetypal characters, as well as telling us about her research, favourite places of the classic world and her books.
Her current series is set in the Wild West of Virginia City in 1862, with a 12-year-old Private Investigator, P.K. Pinkerton. Her next series, out next year, will be set in Roman Britain in 94 AD. 'Seekers' will be about five children investigating mysteries.
The Joint Author visit is an annual event co-organised by OLA, Abingdon and St Helen & St Katharine school librarians, inviting other local schools. Over 600 school children attended her two talks.

The sponge on a stick caused great hilarity, but was in regular use by Ancient Romans.
More about the author
Inspiring tips here