Over the past several months, my five-year-old son has become enamored with the myriad squiggles and lines that comprise the English alphabet. For the past couple weeks in particular, he’s been following me around the house with a crumpled piece of paper, on which he’s written random words, or had his siblings write them so he can see or be reminded of what certain letters look like.
“How do you spell pirate ship?” he’ll ask me, then set about recording the letters as I call them out, one by one. “Is that the one that looks like this?” he’ll ask, waving his fingers intently through the air, trying to form an air letter for me to “read.” “No, it’s the one that has two sticks on either side, and then another stick lying down in the middle, like this,” I’ll answer, forming the letter H with my arms. “Oh yeah, that one! I remember now,” he’ll say with satisfaction, returning his attention to the paper before him.
He’s the youngest of five, and I can’t say I remember any of the others this intent on creating words through stringing certain combinations of them together. Perhaps I’m witnessing the beginnings of a future writer who has just begun to fall in love with what eventually will become his livelihood. Or maybe he’s just a typical almost-kindergartner who has discovered the power of words and is eager to learn how to best harness that to his advantage.
Regardless, his enthusiasm for the written word has been an important reminder to me of where all writers begin, and helped me be newly appreciative of just what it takes to fashion a writer. My youngest has helped me remember not to take words and their amazing power to transform thought, for better or worse, for granted.
I think that’s why I’m drawn to writing for children. Though I write for both adults and children and enjoy both, the chance to inspire the younger generations through my own writing and nurture the writer within them is a privilege beyond compare. To be even a small part of helping ignite dreams connected to the written word is, perhaps, one of the ways I can best do my part to make the world a better place.
Watching my son’s emerging love for words has brought additional benefits as well. As I observe his intense looks of concentration, reminding myself that this is a child who is rarely content to just “sit and do,” I’ve also become mindful again of the arduous work involved in the writing process. Writing is not a pursuit for the faint of heart. It takes a great amount of intention and focus. The writing process can take over one’s mind for intense spurts, bringing us into a heightened place of awareness. It can leave us exasperated and thrilled all within a very short amount of time.
My son’s excitement over words has brought a few important things into perspective. Even on days when I feel I’ve accomplished very little, or that my writing career has not progressed as fast and far as I’d hoped, all I have to do is think back on where I began to see just how far I’ve come.
Do you remember when the love of writing first caught fire in your life?
Your son is adorable! It’s wonderful seeing a young child enamored with the written word. I hope your son’s interest in writing and reading remains with him for a long, long time!
I’ve loved writing for as long as I can remember! My family tells me as soon as I could talk I was telling stories. I was obsessed with books; I loved being read to and learning to read on my own was so exciting! I was about 8 when I made the conscious decision to be an author when I grew up. And I’ve wanted it ever since! 🙂
Thanks for the reminder to consider how far I’ve come!
Love your photo on this page! What a beautiful woman you are.
As an artist, I started my love of painting and creating as soon as I could! I loved playdough and tempera paints as a kid. I guess I still do! It is fun to share our passions with our kids. Great photos of your son!
How fun that the son is the inspiration for the mother. I like the air letters. I’ve made them and tried to interpret them, too.
I have memories that go way back where I am the storyteller and performer. I wrote squiggles and letters the way Nick is doing. I’ve written dramas since…FOREVER.
Very nice post, Roxane. Are you planning to put a “share’ buttonon this blog? Then I would be able to easily share on Face Book, etc.
That was lovely Roxane. My girls are at the exact same stage. They both love making words and it’s so fun to watch them get excited about writing and reading.
All too often I feel frustrated that I’m not further along, given how much of my life I’ve devoted to writing, but this is a welcome reminder that we all have come a long, long way.
Not to mention Nick is just such a cutie pie. Those big brown eyes and tiny little fingers. I would love to pinch his cheeks as we write about pirate ships!
I have to agree with your last statement, Roxane: instilling a love of the written word in kids is a sure way to make the world a better place.
Oh, and to answer your fun prompt question: I dictated a novel called Mary The Monkey to my mom when I was four. The protagonist doubles as a mother and a rock star — the monkey who has it all.
I loved reading about all your early experiences in the writing and creating journey. Thanks so much for sharing them here! Natalie, two girls going through this at once — how fun is that? Double the enjoyment! I’ll bet they learn from one another, too. And Christina, you know, that is not a bad idea for a children’s story. A mom rock star who is also a monkey? I love it! Kids have the best ideas. You might want to go with that as your first children’s book. 🙂
My mom is a children’s author and poet and I remember her toiling with words and phrases throughout my life. Shortly after I began reading myself she began to ask my opinion as well for titles and phrases and differing lines. I remember being so proud to share what I thought and often my mom took my advice. Maybe your 5 yr old will follow this path too?
Somewhere along the way the jump was made that words are not just for reading and absorbing but that they are for creating too. Next I just need to make the jump from editor and dabbler to writer!
Liz, that is a really cool perspective. I have asked my kids’ advice on various writing pieces, but never would I have guessed how much of an impact that might be making on them. Thanks for that insight!
As for your own writing future, obviously it’s in the blood. Now, it’s just a matter of circumstances in your life coming together. You’ve got a good start with your blog. 🙂
Oh, he sounds like my daughter. She loves to spell things too, and I’m forever yelling letters out to her. It is a magical time in a child’s life.
For me, I never really got bit by the writing bug. I wrote my personal history and realized I had an outlet for my pent-up emotions. And that’s why I started writing.
Elana, you’re so right. I would love to capture this wondrous time in a bottle, so I could review it years from now. That’s pretty cool that writing really served a utilitarian purpose for you in the beginning. I’d say mine started that way too, in many ways.
Lovely post and great photos!
I think he’s going to be a writer. It’s unusual for little boys to be so text and language focused, even with the great example of a writer mom. Some kids are hard-wired for writing just like others are hard-wired for math. It’s a wonderful thing to witness. 🙂