Turn real stories into fiction with Phil Earle (episode 21)

Bring a contemporary, bestselling author into your classroom and inspire pupils to see how real-life stories can ignite unforgettable fiction.

In this episode of Author In Your Classroom, Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls, explains how a single small anecdote from World War II grew into a gripping novel. He demonstrates how asking simple “What if…?” questions helped him shape characters, build tension and create atmosphere.

This teaching sequence introduces pupils to the origins of story ideas and shows them how to turn real-life experiences into compelling fiction. It guides children in developing ideas, crafting atmosphere and making careful word choices to show emotion and action, rather than merely telling the reader what happens.

Selected podcast extracts are recommended throughout the unit to support each stage of learning. While optional, these clips give pupils insight into a professional author’s creative decisions and help them connect their writing to real-world practice.

Teaching overview

Across five sessions, pupils begin by exploring where stories come from, sharing anecdotes from friends and family and identifying ideas that could grow into stories. They then use “What if…?” questions to expand these ideas and imagine alternative possibilities for events.

Pupils study how Phil Earle creates atmosphere and character, analysing his use of precise vocabulary, sensory details and action to build tension and reveal personality. Using their real-life inspiration and “What if…?” questions, they plan and write an original story, experimenting with openings and structure. Finally, they refine their drafts, adding layers of description, emotion and historical detail.