Over the last 20 years I have visited over 2000 primary schools, talking to children about writing and creativity. I always find that it's best not to try and tell you what to do.

Instead, I'm going to tell you what I do and what works for me. If you would like to copy me you are very welcome. If you don't want to – well, that's fine as well!

1. Read lots!

My head is like a big saucepan of soup: you can't get anything out of it unless you put something into it.

Over the years I have read a lot of books. When I was a child I read under my duvet with a torch. I loved the way that books filled my head and transported me to other places. Today, I go through phases; sometimes I read lots of children's books, but I also spend a lot of time reading non-fiction books, often about things that I'm not really interested in. If I only read about things I like, you see, there's a danger of never finding anything new. By reading about other things, I am more likely to get new ideas into my head.

By my bed at the moment are books about vegetable gardening, mountain climbing, the discovery of the colour mauve and a workshop manual for the BMW E46. The more you read, the better your writing will be.

2. Carry a notebook with you.

I always carry a notebook. 99% of my writing goes down in this way. I use my computer for typing everything up, but pen and paper are the best way for creative writing. There is something important about watching the ink come out of the pen as I am flowing.

Writing things down in a notebook means that you don't need to remember everything all at once. When your head is empty again there is more space for new ideas to come in. Be a channel of creativity: not a pond.

3. Writing a book? Imagine you've already finished it!

When I'm writing a book (which is all the time) but not actually sitting with a pen, I spend some time imagining that I've finished it. I imagine it being brilliant and successful and I imagine children reading and enjoying it. This helps give me the courage to keep going. An unwatched kettle never boils!

4. Writer's block? Be patient.

Sometimes when I am writing, I get stuck. I can't think of what comes next. When this happens it's a bit like watching a video on YouTube: it stops and you have to wait while it buffers. I try and do the same thing when I'm writing. Don't start pressing buttons or hitting the screen and getting angry that it won't work. Don't decide that it's broken and stupid and go away. Just sit still and wait for it to come through again.

5. Share!

Whatever I am writing is always trickling away in the back of my mind. I find that it's important to tell people about what I'm writing. Not to get new ideas or for help, but because it helps me to understand what I'm trying to achieve when I have to explain it to someone else. Anyone will do. I tend to use my wife, my boys, the dog and the children in the schools I visit. You might want to test your ideas on your family, friends and pets.

(Some advice: dogs and cats are really good at listening. Hamsters get bored easily.)

6. The second idea.

Some friends of mine taught me a useful phrase once: "Take the second bus." What it means is: you should listen to the second idea that comes into your head, rather than just going with the first thing all the time.

If you are trying to think of an idea for your writing, it's not always the first thing that comes into your head that's best. Just because it's an answer and it fits, doesn't mean it's the best answer. This isn't maths, it's art!

Keep thinking. Keep listening. Maybe you'll come up with something different. Sometimes, if you're really clever, you might be able to combine the ideas together to give them strength and depth. For example: I need a new villain for my Boyface books. How about a bully? Or a weird boy? A robber? A clown – no, I know – he's a weird clown boy!

7. Dive straight in!

There comes a point in a book when I have the idea, I know what sort of thing it's going to be and I've done a little bit of planning. What do I do next?

The thing is just to get on with it! I don't always start at the beginning either. I usually start something near the beginning of the middle. Usually I just jump in at a bit I like the look of. Wherever you start, the important thing is to take a deep breath and let go.

This is my favourite part of the writing process. It's like falling and laughing and having a wee. All at the same time.

8. Finish what you start.

It took me 35 years to learn how to start something, keep on going and finish it. It's really easy to get bored in the middle and try and finish a story too soon. The beginning is easy because it's new. The end is exciting because I've nearly finished and I can run around showing people. It's in that middle bit that I really have to try hard. That's the bit that feels like work.

9. Edit, edit edit!

Once I have written the whole first draft, it's time to make it better. I usually put the book away to settle for a few weeks and write something else. This way I can look at the story with a fresh head.

Over time, I look at every single sentence and try and make them better. Does the story do what I want it to? Is it the best I can possibly do? How can I change it? How can I improve it?

10. Don't be afraid.

The biggest obstacle I have to my writing is fear: fear that it won't be good enough or that I won't be able to do it.

This sort of thing is no use whatsoever. I have to get rid of it somehow. For me, the antidote to fear is faith. So I always say a little prayer before I start and ask to be guided in my writing. This gives me the freedom to play with my work and enjoy it. I work best when I'm happy.

The newest book in the Boyface series, Boyface and the Tartan Badger is available from the Guardian bookshop.

• Love Boyface? Read the illustrator, Mark Weighton's tips for becoming a book illustrator!