Links to Inspire You and Your Kids to Write and Be Published

Learn More About Writing and Publishing

Looking for places where you or your kids can polish your skills and perhaps get published? Here are a few favorite sources and a few new ones I found to check out:

• WordPlay: Helping Authors Become Writers (A favorite!) Homeschool graduate and author, K. M. Weiland, has this outstanding and informative, award winning website.

• Jody Hedlund - Tips for Aspiring Writers Jody Hedlund, author and speaker, has a heart for encouraging and teaching aspiring authors.

• Mary DeMuth - Write Uncaged: Freebies Free electronic writing helps and get published resources from this Christian author and speaker.

• Homeschool Gazette Though no longer accepting submissions, you can find creative writings from homeschoolers and a lot of ideas to use. (This is our family's older website.)

• WriteShop Kid’s Corner - Writing links for Kids: Check out these links for more help and ideas.

• The Writer Magazine  Learn more about the craft of writing; I like the magazine.

• HSLDA Homeschool Contests  Enter Essay, Art, Photo, and Poetry contests. Read and view past winners for inspiration too.

• Young NanoWriMo Young National Novel Writing Month isn't so much a competition—rather a month long challenge to children to write a novel. If approved and they complete their word count in time, they can get a printed copy of their book.

• One Year Adventure Novel  Student writer’s contest open to licensed users of this program. We have a local homeschool family that highly recommends this creative program.

• Homeschool Writers – Writing Contests and Resources Try entering a writing contest!

• Home-School-Friendly Writing Contests for Students 

• Kids Are Authors Contest  Hosted by Scholastic. Grades K–8. Under the guidance of a project coordinator, children work in teams of three or more students to write and illustrate their own book. Deadline: 3-15-12 

Get Writing—Get Published! 

I was hoping to find many more homeschool  publications but here are a few links to check out:

• Apricot Pie A unique website designed by and for homeschoolers, where young people can post their stories, essays, poems, and photography. For homeschool students and graduates.

• Write Me a Story  A place where children can try their writing skills, share their imagination, read fun stories, and maybe even get published on the Internet! For students (11 and under) and teens (12 and older).

• Writing for Kids  A kid-friendly site that welcomes student writing samples. Send yours in and get published!

• The Kid’s Ark  Children’s Christian magazine - Geared to kids ages 4-12, quarterly 36 page, full-color, interactive magazine.

• PBS Kids Go!  Neat format for sharing stories, poems.

You Have Something Worth Saying—15 Ways to Embark on a Wild Writing Adventure

I had the privilege of sharing my experience with, and love for writing with our local homeschool group this week, along with several published authors. Below, I am sharing part of a handout I prepared (along with some commentary) to help young students.

Do you want to write and publish your work? Where do you begin?

15 Ways to Embark on a Wild Writing Adventure 

1. Believe in yourself, and be the peculiar person that God made you to be

 Everyone is unique. We all come from different backgrounds with special gifts, experiences and talents. Don't try to be someone you aren't—tap into your own creativity and style—making it your own.

2. Possess a growth mindset—you can learn and do what you put effort into

 I wish I had understood this much sooner in life, so I really want to emphasize this. Don't hinder yourself by thinking you cannot learn something—you most certainly can! Even the most talented and experienced people began at the bottom, putting forth a lot of patience and practice. If it's worth doing, don't limit yourself.

3. Think creatively—play with words and sentences and make it FUN

 Writing is hard work, but you can make it more fun if you view it creatively and lightheartedly. Enjoy the process of writing.

4. Write ‘til your hand and wrist hurts—NOT, but write every day you can

 Practice, practice, practice. The best writers got that way by doing what they love: writing.

5. If you have a brain freeze, write anyway, and see what surfaces

It happens sometimes. But there is a type of writing known as freewriting where you just write and see what comes. It could get you started to where you want to go.

6. Finish what you start (or play trashcan basketball with your paper wads)

It's a good idea to give each project your all, and then look toward the final edit where you can change it anyway you want. It just might be that it needs a new twist or a major overhaul, but your diligent attitude will pay off.

7. Keep breathing . . . and save editing until you get your thoughts down 

Spelling, grammar, the hard stuff . . . let it wait till you have something nice to work with. No one writes the perfect paper first time around.

8. Read a lot—including classics, and reach beyond your normal interests too

I did not know about the classics until I was a homeschooling teacher, and then I read aloud with my sons and read also on my own. Becoming well read will add a wonderful element to your overall writing experience, growth and knowledge base.

9. Read how-to books or web sites on the craft of writing

I'm going to do a post following this one with some favorite and new links that will greatly help you.

10. Be brave—share your work with others

Don't be shy, but most beginning writers are. Find a friend, family member, or small group of writers who will join forces to help each other improve and bounce ideas around.

11.  Listen to constructive feedback, even if it’s your mother (you don’t have to agree if you don’t want to)

It's your work, only make changes that you decide, but do listen to and respect your reader's comments.

12.   Be an inspiration to yourself and take a writing course (you might find out a lot more about who you really are)

You may not know what you are capable of until you stretch yourself into a new learning zone. Try it!

13. Enter a contest (you could win $$$) or submit your writing to a friendly market

Just start somewhere. Once you get a small (or big) effort published or known, you'll be spurred on to new writing heights.

14. Set goals, and plan out the steps to get to where you want to be, marking off little achievements as you go

Lists can be your best friends. Decide your plan and make it happen. You'll feel great as you get closer to your big goal, and when you do, celebrate!

15.   In everything, give thanks! (It could be worse you know—think Cinderella)

Attitude is everything. Did you know that God can take something that seems bad and turn it into something good? There are going to be trying days and hard times, but take heart and know that everything will work out in the end. You can do this!

  Think About It . . .  

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

—Philippians 4:8

"If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way."—Napoleon Hill

“Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.” —Mark Twain

"So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads."  —Dr. Seuss

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself,

instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."
—Judy Garland

Tricks that Encourage Young Writers

I often hear from homeschooling moms who ask me how to motivate their kids to write and to enjoy writing. What is the trick, they want to know. There are a number of things that could contribute to their dilemma and many ways they can begin to implement good habits leading toward inspiring children to enjoy writing.

Writers learn by writing.

Perhaps young students have been pressured into writing before they were ready. Maybe the required writing activities held no real interest or meaning to the child. A lack of a good read-aloud diet and good oral skills could be the cause of immature language development. Kids are not made from a cookie cutter mold but there are some tricks (if you prefer to call them that) that will help your students become more interested and engaged in writing pursuits. Let's look at these closer.

Writers are comfortable writing.

Writing is hard work. Kids need plenty of time to get comfortable with writing—even the use of a crayon or pencil. Aren't most little kids pleased as punch with their new discovery in drawing (writing): You find your child's pictorial portrait on the wall or creative signature on the side of the house, crayon marks on the curtains, and marker stains on clothes and skin, etc. But some kids haven't had enough time to develop before they are suddenly required to make these neat little lines and circles and stay between the lines—and it's simply boring. Boring to those that already have a good grasp on things and boring and frustrating for those just starting to form letters and understand the process. Don't rush the process too soon if met with defiance.

When my guys were small most of them had a great vocabulary but slowly emerging writing skills. We did a lot of oral narration. I would write down what they dictated to me. This could be in the format of a letter to Grandma, a story that we made into a book, or a funny poem to be shared or just a retelling of something they learned or experienced. Oral "writing" is a prelude to the writing process. Once they get good at oral communication, the next step is getting what's in their brain onto their paper. Copywork can be used effectively here, as they copy what you have written down for them.

Writing takes patience and lots of practice. The best writers tell us the more they write the better they write. Give your kids time to practice their wonderful new language skills with plenty of encouragement. Help them brainstorm for ideas when appropriate. Editing is also a major part of writing which they learn as they go, but be careful, too much criticism too soon will only backfire. Let them get those thoughts down without worrying about spelling and correct punctuation just yet. Find positive things to say about a funny word or interesting thought or sentence that they used. Keep the atmosphere a lighthearted one.

Writers are good readers.

I mentioned a read-aloud diet. The avid reader is most always a better writer; they go hand in hand. I found this to be true in my own family. My oldest son learned to read early at age five, was fluent by seven, and adored reading. He was also a natural writer. The two middle boys were late readers who weren't fluent until ages 10 and 11. My last son was sort of average and in between the others but he was slower in language development—it just did not come easily to him. For all the boys, reading aloud offered them the ability to hear the words and gain proper grammar and excellent language syntax in which to base their internal linguistic processes. It all certainly pays off big time in creating a love for the written word and its capabilities. Kids who are not read to often and who may be less than great readers will most certainly be far behind their peers who are.

Writers are curious minded, and good communicators with many interests.

What excites your child and what interests do they have? How can you develop these into a writing passion? You don't want to stifle your child's natural curiosity and many kids get turned off in school subjects by having to digest and spit back endless amounts of information that have no real interest or meaning to them. I don't know who makes up those elementary scope and sequence charts or who writes those snippety texts, but I refused to follow their classroom focus. Instead search out real living exciting books that grab interest. Look for colorful language and stimulating detail about the subject matter. Let them get their hands dirty. It could make a huge difference in how your children view learning and their desire to learn more and to express themselves through words and writing about those interests. Hey, if you haven't given lapbooks a try, I highly encourage you to give it a whirl.

Writers write for a reason.

My boys always wanted to know the relevancy behind what I asked them to do. It wasn't good enough if I said, "because I said so," plus I could see their point. Why not make the things I asked them to do useful? What is relevant? How can I turn this writing assignment into something useful in the real world? After all, isn't that what I was preparing them for—the real world?

Writers need an audience.

Everyone has something to say, in their own unique voice. Keeping a journal is wonderful in and of itself and I certainly encourage kids to do this, however, it makes a big difference when they are able to share their writing and impact an audience other than themselves. Getting feedback on a job well done is important and the encouragement will spur them on to continue writing and consider other projects. There are many ways to do this, from reading a paper to Dad and sending a thank-you note, to getting a poem published in a magazine, or even publishing your own E-Book.

Over the years we made homemade books, wrote book reviews (Amazon.com and the local newspaper), started the Homeschool Gazette and participated in other newsletters for kids, wrote letters to family, sent anonymous Scripture notecards, made scrapbook pages, narrated, participated in homeschool classes, blogged, entered contests, wrote letters to the editor, made up written tests for friends and family, acted out stories, gave oral presentations, participated in a local theater workshop and wrote play scripts, wrote letters to companies about their products, and much more.

Writing is habit forming. 

Make it special, make it fun, and write everyday if possible. Enjoy, and remember that parents should share what they write with their children also. That's one of the best models children can have, to see Mom and Dad enthusiastically engaged in writing.

Writing is not a school activity, it's a lifestyle habit that is necessary, pleasurable, and rewarding.