Go out alone... to buy own salad!
Read other stories written for target age-group in diary format as research!
...ergo, plan to illustrate own stories!
Why don't pirates like taking their shoes off?
We looked it up on the map software and found it in Mali, Africa.
I replied “we’ll do some research”.
“Yes, we’d go in a plane, definitely not a boat.” Sometimes I really set myself up, especially before 7am and on stomach that hasn’t seen its first COFFEE!
“Mainly because Mali is surrounded by land and not by sea, but also between here and there the seas are renown for pirates”.
I explained about guns and robbery at sea.
He raised his voice excitedly, “I have a sword!” <that sword I made out of cardboard, icy-pole sticks and gaffa tape for a fancy dress party he attended.
There’s no going back now, I set myself up good and proper.