April 10 is Encourage a Young Writer Day. #EncourageAYoungWriterDay
What a great idea! I know that I was interested in writing from a very early age. I have little construction paper books that I stapled together and scribbled in before I could even read or write. I have a number of stories and little books that I wrote while I was still in elementary school, and I wrote my first novel-length book when I was twelve.
I remember being selected to attend a young writer’s workshop at another school when I was in grade six or seven. I don’t remember who the speaker was, but he was a real writer and I was very excited to be there and to tell him about the book I was working on at that time (kids marooned on an island, a classic plot.) In High School, I participated in Writers Weeks at school, both submitting poetry for judging and listening to published authors talk about their books and their processes. when I was eighteen and joined some of the local writers guilds, I was always the youngest one attending meetings and workshops.
And now I’m not a young writer anymore! I am a mature author, passing my encouragement and expertise on to the younger folk. I always disliked the somewhat pat answers that adults gave young writers when I was one. Read lots. Write something every day, no matter how little. I was already reading 5-10 books a day and writing several pages a day. But I never really thought that I might some day be able to be a full-time writer, so to the up and coming generations of writers, I would say Dream Big, Be passionate about your writing, and Love what you Do. You never know where it might lead you.
I’m thankful for creative writing teachers who had me make my own spelling dictionaries, gave writing prompts and pictures, and helped me get published in school anthologies. They helped to fan the flames of creativity and keep it burning strong.
I don’t have any instructional books for young writers, so I’ll give you a link instead to my YA fiction!
What are some ways that you can encourage the young writers in your life?
- Give a journal. A journal provides a place for daily writing. From short poems to inspired essays, this is a place young writers can feel free to stretch their wings unjudged.
- Offer writing prompts. These random bits of inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources but often generate unexpected results. Prompts are available all over the web, as well as in books and apps.
- Encourage them to read. The more they read, their experience with writing and writers will expand.
- Have young writers try multiple writing styles and different voices. Changing perspective will keep their writing fresh, allowing them an opportunity to find their personal style.
- Create a young writers group. It’s a good way to see their story from the reader’s point of view and to receive feedback from peers.
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-encourage-a-young-writer-day-april-10/
Resources
Here are some resources that might be helpful:
- Writing prompts / games / activities
- Nanowrimo resources, including downloadable guides for high schoolers, middle schoolers, and elementary schoolers
- Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook
- The Writer’s Toolbox: Creative Games and Exercises for Inspiring the ‘Write’ Side of Your Brain (this kit looks like it could be fun for adult writer’s groups/workshops too)
Advice and Encouragement
I asked a few of my fellow authors to offer their advice and encouragement for young writers as well.
What can authors do to encourage young writers?
Not sure if this is of use, but outside of the pandemic, I do paid talks in schools (bio here) including sharing my life as an author and how to write and publish a novel. I’ve done this as a cruise ship speaker too and sometimes they have children’s/teen clubs. I’ve also donated books to local libraries and school libraries and been a book giver for World Book Night. Microsoft Education uses Flipgrid (was Skype in the Classroom) to connect experts with students worldwide and I’ve done this as a way of encouraging young writers previously. I like to share the young NaNoWriMo website with teachers and students I meet as that has some really great resources, including some books aimed at young people on novel writing. I know a couple of 12-year-olds who have since published and are now making passive income off their writing. Through my UK registered charity Oceans Project, I support literacy for disadvantaged young people aged 5-25.
Not sure if any of that helps at all, but there are basically a lot of ways to encourage a young writer, either through volunteering your time on a one on one basis, like mentoring or visiting a classroom, or going through some of the more formal established programs.
— Sarah Weldon
To young writers:
Nurture your talent. Resist pressure to write like someone else, or to race to publish. Explore your voice and your stories. Then learn your craft: point of view, dialogue, narrative, back story, creating believable characters. Give yourself a chance to grow and mature as a writer before you go in front of the public.
— Jacqueline Diamond
More to young writers:
Read other writers, read about writing, and know you’ll always be growing into a better, wiser writer!
— Jane Elzey
