This is excerpted from my book, The Successful Writer’s Handbook.
Most writers develop a passion for writing early in life. Some of those I’ve interview tell me, “I’ve been writing since I could hold a pencil.†Or “I can’t remember not wanting to write.†And this is probably true of some of the children in your family or neighborhood.
If you know a child with an interest in and/or a talent for writing, you can make a difference in his or her life. How? Get involved.
• Become a formal mentor either in person or online. There are many young people out there just waiting for someone to guide them in their writing efforts.
• Respond to those children and youths you meet who have a talent or an interest in writing. Offer to read their work and give constructive criticism. Help them to get published. (See links below.)
• Invite the child to attend a book signing or hear an author speak.
• Take a child to a book festival where he can meet authors.
• Start a writing group for children in your city—through your library or the school district, for example. I worked with a group of home-schooled students on a writing project, once.
• Offer to teach a creative writing class.
If you are already involved with a youthful writer or a group of budding writers, here are some ideas for helping them along.
• Give the child assignments to complete and then discuss what makes the work good, how to make it better, etc.
• Search out online writers groups and writing opportunities for kids.
• Find books on writing for kids.
• Sponsor the child in writing contests.
• Encourage the child to display his/her work at the county fair.
• Help kids design and compose greeting cards for special occasions.
• Print the child’s story and bind it as a surprise for him. Frame one of her poems.
Children are our future. Give one or several of them a boost by offering the kind of help and support you either had or wish you had as a child. It’s a win-win situation.
Get started as a mentor:
http://www.netmentors.org
Sites for kids who love to write:
http://www.stonesoup.com
http://www.youngwriter.org
http://www.realkids.com/club.shtml
http://www.kidpub.com