Bestselling Author Lisa Williamson Inspires Students During Special Visit

Years 5, 6, and 7 students enjoyed an exciting afternoon on Thursday with bestselling author Lisa Williamson, known for her popular BIGG School series.

The visit was arranged to celebrate the launch of Secret Crush, the third book in the series, which follows the relatable journey of students at Henry Bigg Academy as they navigate the ups and downs of secondary school life. Through friendship dilemmas, building confidence, and dealing with secret crushes, the stories reflect experiences many of our pupils face in their own lives. 

Lisa captivated the students by sharing her personal journey from a shy child to a confident actor and author. She spoke about her early struggles with speaking up in school and how she later found her voice through acting. After working as an actor for 10 years, mostly in pantomimes and television commercials, Lisa transitioned to writing, a passion that has now led to the publication of 10 novels, two non-fiction books, and several titles aimed at both young adult and younger readers. 

The pupils eagerly asked Lisa questions about her writing process, inspirations, and characters. She took the time to answer each one, offering insight into her career and the writing world. Lisa also gave students a hands-on experience, encouraging them to participate in one of her writing challenges from the BIGG School books, where they used their senses to describe emotions and objects such as happiness, chocolate, anger, and clouds. 

The event ended with a special book signing, where students had the chance to meet Lisa in person, get their books signed, and share their excitement about her stories. 

It was an inspiring visit that left both students and teachers motivated by Lisa’s journey and the power of storytelling.