I rarely miss poetry month, and I usually recognize October 20 as National Day on Writing. National Author’s Day on November 1st, is marked on my calendar. But for some reason I’ve missed April 10th, National Encourage a Writer Day.
To say that April is my birthday month would be a feeble excuse. I’m a writer and a writing mentor. Specifically, my profession centers on encouraging writers, but then I suppose since I encourage writers daily, a special day seems unnecessarily specific. I consider each day a good day to write and thank writers for what they bring into our world and hearts.
Maybe you already know, but since it’s the first I’ve heard of it, and despite announcing this a month late: Happy National Encourage a Writer Day!
April 10 is National Encourage A Writer Day!
How does a writing mentor encourage writers? It’s probably easier to say what I don’t do with writers. We don’t do the dishes — unless the act is related to a story. We don’t visit museums — unless the act is to inspire ideas for writing. We don’t …….
You have the idea? Everything you do can be related to storytelling, writing, and generally, feeding writers!
But here a few specific things I recommend:
Read a writer’s work. It could be a canonized author who has produced classic works of literature, a contemporary author who grabs the reader’s mind to consider the world today, or the writing of a family member who would love to share a story or opinion. Maybe two or more of you can even swap writing.
Buy journals! And write in them. I confess I have a shelf full of journals of all size, including ones I’ve made. When my sister scolded me and swore off buying me journals, I begged her to reconsider. I love journals of all types. My only caveat would be not to focus on the most beautiful leather bound types — sometimes those kind are like that special evening dress and heels, too pretty for ordinary days and presumably mundane thoughts. Instead, find something with no distinctive features, ones that easily slip into bags, purses or pockets. Choose the ones that you can write a grocery list in or a list of objects a character holds dear. Not that everyone doesn’t need a special journal, but do lean into the basic black dress or suit that for those multiple opportunities. And if you have one of the remarkable kind, dive in. It’s too sad to see a journal sitting alone and empty.
Finding a quiet place is a good next step, though maybe quiet isn’t what provokes stories. There are days for the spot by a calming body of water and days for a noisy coffee shop where you can eavesdrop on patrons to practice dialogue. I gave my son a journal to record his travel experiences, and he wrote all over Europe, whenever we stopped moving (though thinking about it, he also wrote on the train and airplane). Comfort is probably helpful, though, So take along a cushion, a blanket, a water bottle (or splurge on the special coffee), and definitely snacks! Writing can induce hunger.
Books are handy for inspiration. I cannot say enough about imagination-igniting reading. Beyond the basics of craft, genre essentials, plot structure, and vocabulary, a writer- reader will find emotional impact, story ideas, riffing on character, imitating an author’s style, sipping on scenery, and setting up conflict. In my writing classes, mentor texts (writing that models good writing) are critical to a writer. Reading and writing, like peanut butter and jam, or like sunshine and water to a flower, they go together.
Write with a writer’s mind not an editor’s pen. The process of writing demands mistakes. They prove that you’re learning. There’s no need for everything to be polished nor everything to be red-penned to death. Holding every piece of writing to scrutiny is a sure way to kill the joy of putting pen to paper. Put a timer on let the words scribble out onto paper.
Forge a place in your schedule. Habit sounds dull and repetitive. Celebration sounds weighty and complicated. Find something in between to give you a reason to enjoy writing. One author suggests a family night –perhaps filled with a storytelling game. My son’s girlfriend is a master of creating games. One Thanksgiving she passed out sheets of paper, instructed us to fold them and off we went on a combination of drawing and writing. The results had us scratching our heads and holding our middles as we joyfully read each other’s work.
Explore the world. Combine an interest with writing, illustrating to enjoy what you learn along the way. When researching this day, I came across a novel idea to write about all things nurse. If not an occupation, how about a place? When they were young, my kids and I would choose a country– say Italy–and we’d make italian dishes, play italian music and games, and generally learn about Italy — tailored to their age and interests. A fond memory of my son’s State Directory just surfaced. Along with capitals and symbols for his social studies learning, he’d write a paragraph about the state. I still have this journal project in my cupboard. Maybe he’ll decide to visit the states one day. What way might you explore the world and your passions in a journal?
Focus a day just on storytelling. My eldest still talks fondly about a game we used to play: the what-if game. Car trips were filled with fantastical stories starting with something as mundane as a piece of litter she spotted on the side of the road. One day, we made a spontaneous trip over the coastal mountains to enjoy the salty breeze. We ended up in a restaurant, sketching out a tragic comedy screenplay about a family coming together, based mostly on what-ifs and members of our own extended family. Before kids write, they tell their stories. Mom, listen to this dream I had! Grandad, you’ll never guess what happened at the store! Maybe this could be the time to share some family stories which might prompt illustrations and captions or a peak at an old family album. Writing and storytelling definitely go together.
Show not tell. This foundational rule in writing (often misunderstood) can remind us to show that writing is worth doing and can be found all around us. How often do you write? How often do you write in front of young writers? Hand signed thank you notes deserve a comeback! Write letters of appreciation to a teacher, a grandparent, a mail carrier, or each other. Write down the memories you hope they’ll treasure.
Other inspirations:
- Write your family history together– interviewing family members helps us treasure them, learn about history and remind us that history is more than what we find in a textbook.
- Write/tell a fan fic –a revised telling or extended telling of a favorite character from books, tv, or movies.
- Write a shopping list for the family you’d like to be or the family that just won the lottery– any daily writing can have wings and fly.
- Write a contest entry to submit. There’s money out there. Or host your own in which every writer who submits earns a fancy pen and simple journal. And maybe a hand published copy of everyone’s work pulled together in a “book”.
What not to do:
- Make every writing and story an assignment.
- Make them write by themselves.
- Critique and edit their work. Instead tell them what you enjoyed or want to remember.
- Forget that writing can cultivate a lifelong desire to turn thoughts and feelings into words.
Finally, attend an event.
On my calendar this year will be more visits to hear author’s read and talk about their work. I’ve noted what bookstores, colleges, and libraries include writers on their event listings.
Share the Ways You Make Writing a Pleasure
How do you make writing more pleasurable?
Do you light a specific scented candle to set the mood?
Do you look for prompts?
Do you have a book you’d recommend?
Do you have a writing buddy?
One Good Mentor is all you need 