Does your child like to write? If so, hurrah! (I will post later for those who answer 'no' :)
If you have a wordsmith in the family, here are some ideas for how to delight your emerging author:
Journals. Journals, and more journals. Even in this age of digital everything, nothing creates more salivating-with-joy behavior in a creative thinker than a journal. Find one with a cover that matches your writer's personality--bright, textured, quirky, serene, modern, leather?--and present it at the right moment. KA-ZAM! Writer's nirvana. Add a non-bleed Sharpie marker or other special pen, encourage your author to jot down ideas, phrases, and characters to use in their first novel, and watch the adventures begin.
News stories. Clip headlines and news stories that catch your attention, and slip your author a note: "This would make a great book! Can't wait to see what you make of this."
Time. Carve out time for your wordsmith to be alone with his or her thoughts. Respect that time. Let her know that you understand her need for time alone to reflect, think, dream, and write. If you give your writer a safe haven, free from interruptions, you've validated her as an author. Step aside, and let her shine. She will love your for it.
There are a multitude of ways to encourage authors, and I hope these few work for you.
The difference between a writer and others is simple. Writers write. Others don't.
Write!
If you have a wordsmith in the family, here are some ideas for how to delight your emerging author:
Journals. Journals, and more journals. Even in this age of digital everything, nothing creates more salivating-with-joy behavior in a creative thinker than a journal. Find one with a cover that matches your writer's personality--bright, textured, quirky, serene, modern, leather?--and present it at the right moment. KA-ZAM! Writer's nirvana. Add a non-bleed Sharpie marker or other special pen, encourage your author to jot down ideas, phrases, and characters to use in their first novel, and watch the adventures begin.
News stories. Clip headlines and news stories that catch your attention, and slip your author a note: "This would make a great book! Can't wait to see what you make of this."
Time. Carve out time for your wordsmith to be alone with his or her thoughts. Respect that time. Let her know that you understand her need for time alone to reflect, think, dream, and write. If you give your writer a safe haven, free from interruptions, you've validated her as an author. Step aside, and let her shine. She will love your for it.
There are a multitude of ways to encourage authors, and I hope these few work for you.
The difference between a writer and others is simple. Writers write. Others don't.
Write!