Are you the parent of a child or teenager who loves to write? Here are some tips to help them keep the words flowing…
Read, read and then read some more! Read widely. Fiction and nonfiction. Poetry and prose. The more they read, the more fodder they will have to help them develop a voice of their own.
Encourage your writer to write for at least a 15 minute block of time each day. To find a prompt, they can simply open a novel randomly, allow their eyes to skim over the page until they settle on an interesting phrase, and write from there. The aim isn’t to produce good literature; first drafts are never ‘good’. The aim is to get creative, once per day, in the way that they love. Building a writing ‘habit’ is essential, rather than waiting for the muse to descend.
The greatest challenge a young writer faces is finishing a piece of writing they start. As a writing instructor, I hear this again and again. One of the most common reasons we don’t finish what we begin is that as we start to write, the possibilities of an idea feel endless. We can see the finished product in our mind – and it’s outstanding! As we write, however, the actual piece we create has all the flaws of any first draft. We read over what we’ve written, become discouraged, and give up. The solution? Don’t allow yourself to read over what you’ve written until you get to the end! What you’ve created may not be perfect – but it will at least exist! All first drafts are imperfect, but once you have them, you can begin to shape them in any way you choose.
Encourage your writer to get their work out there. This doesn’t have to be through a traditional publisher: there are plenty of online platforms that enable young writers to share their work with an audience. Many libraries and school boards run regular writing competitions, or produce annual anthologies. Check out the Scholastic writing awards.
Most importantly of all – since writing is a solitary activity – writers need to find themselves a community of others who love to do what they do. Chances are, a 14 year old working on a novel, or a 12 year old who prefers writing stories to playing sports may know few others who share their interests. We all need our squad – and finding it, as a writer, isn’t easy. I am co-director of an arts organisation that offers creative writing courses in Toronto (www.centauriarts.com). Other cities may offer similar programs that bring together young people who love to write. Our overnight summer camp – Centauri Summer Arts – connects young writers from all over the world. Finding others who share your interests is an essential way to turn a solo and often lonely activity into something that offers friendship, mutual understanding and community.
Julie
Director
Centauri Arts Camp