She says a short story is a good vehicle to use to encourage young writers.
''A short story is good because it's short enough so they don't get disheartened. A novel is a lot of words to bite off, but a short story, they can accomplish it, they can read it and tighten it up and get it really interesting and they've accomplished a complete piece of writing.
''Even a novella of 20,000 words is a hurdle when you are first trying to write.''
She says short stories can and often do turn into ideas for longer pieces of writing.
''They can be a nucleus for a longer story or novel you can write in the future,'' she says.
Deryn also intends to pass on information about website that host competitions and others they can sign up to that will give them prompts for their writing and where they can send their work.
To cover everything, she says she will also talk about rejection - which is a reality when sending stories away for competitions or to be considered for publication.
Deryn has had nine books published - seven novels and two collections of short stories and also writes poetry.
She recently won fourth equal place in an international short story competition run by Hammond House publishers in the UK with a short story called Covid Bubble about a man who had 24 hours to find someone to go into his bubble with him.
Te Puke children and teen librarian Deborah Hart says she knows Deryn from a writing group they both belong to.
''One of the things she does is enter a lot of short story competitions and she was saying to me how much it develops your writing,'' says Deborah.
''I just felt it would be really amazing to bring her to talk to our tweens and teens. It's all very well doing writing at school, but to have real author saying these are the things you do and these are the things you need, I thought would be really valuable for them.''
Deryn's books are in the library.
''She was telling me the inspiration behind them. Her creative mind is incredible and I said 'I want you to share how you got started with these stories and what inspired them with the kids because those are going to really inspire them with their own writing.''
The workshop will be capped at 10 people.
The workshop is part of the holiday programme that also includes Lego, movies and crafts and a colouring competition.
Te Puke Library School Holiday Programme
September 30 10am-11.30am - Hama Beads
October 1 9am-11.30am - Lego kits
October 2 2pm-5pm - Teen movie and pizza.
October 7 10.30am-noon - Short Story Writing Workshops with Deryn Pittar
A second workshop will be held at 1pm if the first if over-subscribed
October 8 2pm-5pm - Family movie and snacks
October 9 9am-11.30am Lego kits.
Booking is essential for all activities
