For Kids Who Want to Write

I had the opportunity to speak at my son's school today. My topic? Being a writer. These were the three key points I made in my presentation. Perhaps they'll be of use to some of the young writers in your life.

1. You don’t have to wait until you’re an adult to become a writer. You can become a writer anytime you want. Gordon Korman wrote his first book when he was still in junior high school. Other kids write for publications like Stone Soup, Young Writer, or New Moon.
2. You can write, edit, design, and publish your own work. You can give your publications away as gifts or sell them. Be sure to charge enough for your self-published book to factor in your materials, your time, your mailing costs, and a profit (the money you pay yourself).
3. You can write for love, money, or both. Here are some fun ways you can play with words, using your family computer or, if you’re more of a low-tech person, paper, a notebook, a pen or pencil, scissors, glue, and/or whatever craft supplies you happen to have at home. It’s all about using your imagination and unleashing the power of words.

Have fun with words

• Create word art. Go to www.wordle.net or www.wordle.net/advanced and experiment with the interactive tools.
• Write a poem. If you’d like to read some poetry first to get inspired, visit the kids’ poetry section of the Poetry Foundation.
• Write a play, a short story, or an article. Or just start writing and see what your words become.
• Design a poster or a postcard. Make copies of your poster or postcard and share it with other people.
• Create a zine, a paper bag book, or a miniature notebook.
• Write your own cookbook. Ask friends and family members to share some of their favorite recipes.
• Make a crossword puzzle.
• Design a board game. Don’t forget to include game cards and a set of instructions so people playing your game will understand the rules.
• Start keeping a journal or write letters to a friend and keep copies of your letters. (If you paste them into a scrapbook, that’s almost like keeping a journal.)
• Write a Letter to the Editor. Share your opinion about something in our community or in our country that should be changed or something the newspaper published recently.

Comments

[andrea from the fishbowl]

Great tips for a household of aspiring authors!

I have recently been looking into publishing one of our daughter's stories via lulu.com. Upload your manuscript and get a published book made according to your specs! (I think they have something in there about comic-book publishing too.)

[Ann D]

There are all kinds of options for kids (and adults) who wish to self-publish. And self-publishing is starting to acquire the same kind of legitimacy that indie music has always had. (It's about time.) During the weeks ahead, I'm going to be reviewing small press/indie press books about motherhood and fatherhood. Stay tuned!

[Nadine]

I have a 13-year old aspiring writer, and I can't wait to share this list with her!