Hello,
I must apologize for the limited time I have to devote to blogging. I have so much to think about and I love to think through writing, but somehow most of what I write doesn't end up here. Maybe I'm too picky? In any event, I thought I'd share something joyful from this week.
I was in the tub...one of my favorite places, and naturally, a notebook was by my side. I wasn't writing in it; it was just sitting there on the floor as I was leaned back, eyes closed, soaking in steam...relaxing. In barges my son, Max. Upon seeing the notebook (it was an old one, from several years ago), he blurts out, "Oh, I want a notebook like that one."
"You have a gillion notebooks. Didn't you just get three new ones in your Christmas stocking?"
"Yes, but none like that, with a bird on the cover. I want to write about birds!"
How interesting that this eight year old is motivated to write by the cover of a journal. I guess the clever one I picked up at the dollar store for Christmas ("Brilliant Ideas") had lost its luster or Max had run smack out of brilliant ideas at the moment. When I emerged from the bath, we looked around for several of his notebooks and perused some of his writing. The time it takes to give a look, share a bit of response, laugh or question is minimal, yet, those moments of bonding over a child's writing, really listening, are so key to the making of a passionate writer. Of course, the modeling he sees from me and the myriad of notebooks at the ready, spread throughout the house, do their part, as well.
Moral: Materials matter! If you're trying to encourage writers, make a wide range of materials available in as many places as possible. You never know what will strike a writer's fancy and motivate him/her to pick up a pencil.
And, of course, response, genuine response, matters more than just about anything!
Best to you and your readers & writers!
-Janiel (and Max)
I must apologize for the limited time I have to devote to blogging. I have so much to think about and I love to think through writing, but somehow most of what I write doesn't end up here. Maybe I'm too picky? In any event, I thought I'd share something joyful from this week.
I was in the tub...one of my favorite places, and naturally, a notebook was by my side. I wasn't writing in it; it was just sitting there on the floor as I was leaned back, eyes closed, soaking in steam...relaxing. In barges my son, Max. Upon seeing the notebook (it was an old one, from several years ago), he blurts out, "Oh, I want a notebook like that one."
"You have a gillion notebooks. Didn't you just get three new ones in your Christmas stocking?"
"Yes, but none like that, with a bird on the cover. I want to write about birds!"
How interesting that this eight year old is motivated to write by the cover of a journal. I guess the clever one I picked up at the dollar store for Christmas ("Brilliant Ideas") had lost its luster or Max had run smack out of brilliant ideas at the moment. When I emerged from the bath, we looked around for several of his notebooks and perused some of his writing. The time it takes to give a look, share a bit of response, laugh or question is minimal, yet, those moments of bonding over a child's writing, really listening, are so key to the making of a passionate writer. Of course, the modeling he sees from me and the myriad of notebooks at the ready, spread throughout the house, do their part, as well.
 |
| Max read his poem "Holidays" at our family's Thanksgiving table. |
Moral: Materials matter! If you're trying to encourage writers, make a wide range of materials available in as many places as possible. You never know what will strike a writer's fancy and motivate him/her to pick up a pencil.
And, of course, response, genuine response, matters more than just about anything!
Best to you and your readers & writers!
-Janiel (and Max)
