March Madness Check In Day 23--Your Inner Child
First let's start off with today's winner!
Pat Edsen
Go to this post to pick your prize (You have the choice of any of the remaining ones) http://denisejaden.blogspot.ca/2013/03/march-madness-is-here-wipmadness.html
And then email Denise your choice at d(at)denisejaden(dot)com and she'll get it to you.
Today I'll be taking a prompt from the book A YEAR OF WRITING DANGEROUSLY by Barbara Abercrombie
59. What Writers Can Learn from Six-Year-Olds
There's something about the above picture that reminds me of the joy of being a child. Remember getting on a swing and being able to lift up high? Remember how freeing that sensation was?
I'm a former first grade teacher and I used to marvel at my students. They had tons of energy, weren't afraid to use emotions, and when they loved something? They'd be very focused on it. I can say the same of my 11 year old.
So here's some things we can learn from six-year-olds with our own writing:
Creativity. Most of my students weren't afraid to try something. They loved to get down and dirty especially with painting or other forms of media. Don't be afraid to try something new.
Energy. Omigosh, I used to tell people if I could bottle the energy of a six year old, I'd be a billionaire! With our writing we need to use our energy and not be afraid to be silly sometimes. Or break into a dance.
Emotion and Passion. You can't write about emotions unless you're in touch with your feeling...Barbara Abercrombie.
Very true. Also one reference book I use to help dig deeper in my writing is EMOTION THESAURUS. I highly recommend this ebook!
Focus. Watch a child doing something they love be it painting, writing, or in my son's case Legos, and see how focused they can be.
Concentrate on what you love and ignore those naysayers that tell you otherwise!
Curiosity. Most children are very curious and not afraid to ask questions. My one motto is "Question Everything." Don't be afraid to question.
My question for today is what can you learn from a six-year-old or any child? And how can you apply that to your own writing!
Don't forget to check in tomorrow with Kelsey Macke at http://www.kelseyiswriting.blogspot.com
Comments
It's hard to remember to let go. Thanks for the reminder!
And congrats Patty!
On the #wipmadness front, I received an email from my agent last night with some big revision notes for my ms. Huge. She's calling for major changes. So for the rest of the month (and then some), I'll be tackling them. After several editors passing, it's necessary. I have to keep telling myself, "You can do this. You got it. You've got what it takes."
So, I'm passing on my words of encouragement to all of you wipsters out there struggling to make it happen.
You can do this.
You got it.
You've got what it takes.
Congrats, Pat!
What I need to remember is to sometimes let myself do the fun things first instead of forcing my way through the tough projects. Yeah, this might be the wrong approach for some, but I think I need a joy break. Write what I want.
OMG. The bakery across the street just phoned. They have the maple sticky buns I LOVE. They only make them a couple times a year! I am going to celebrate like a six-year-old.
And I'm all for opening your mind and your heart and taking some risks. I've watched my kids lose some of that abandon as they've grown older, but we keep working on bringing it back...in the right circumstances! (I'd rather not be rushing to the hospital!)
Write on, Wipsters!
As for progress...I'm having some trouble getting going this morning, but I plan to focus right no...
I need to remember the joy my first graders had with their art projects especially the ones we put together for Open House night. Such creativity and no feel of failing. Yes, it's hard to remember it's okay to color outside of the lines sometimes.
Thanks for posting!
I know! Toddlers show such enthusiasm with reading. I took my son to those when he was younger. It amazed me how much energy and excitement filled that small library room!
Ooh, very cool! I write mostly YA so I sometimes hang on the edges around where ever they are. When I was a first grade teacher we'd write Big Books together. I'd ask students to use all their senses. Those were the best books!
You can do it with your Wip! My own story NO GODDESSES ALLOWED had huge revision notes too. It was hard but I was able to do it!
Doing a little cheer for you over here!
Thanks for posting!
Congrats!
OMG, I'm so jealous! Those maple sticky buns sound heavenly! Enjoy!
Ooh, sounds fun! I used to have a writer's workshop going with my then 3rd grader. He wrote TONS of zombie stories and loved illustrating them. I seriously know that later when his ES stressed more formal writing? His love for writing these books disappeared. I know you need to know the formal part of writing but still teachers should encourage the fun of just writing to write.
How fun to have a 4 1/2 year old help with illustrations!
Thanks for posting!
Exactly! I often wondered what happens to that inner joy we had as children. Then I started homeschooling through a charter school. We still have to take STAR testing so I've seen how more emphasis is on the 'basics' and not the so-called frill like the arts. I do have son in an art class and he's also taking theater and Lego league. I remember what one mother told me when I said he was taking a Lego league class. "That's not school. That's just fun." Uh, no. Son programs, helps put together a robot, using Legos, learns team work, and competes at LegoWorld.
Thanks for posting!
I need to do more with the fun things too with my son. Right now our charter school has been stressing the basics. I do think if we just pound academics into a child, then, yes, the excitement and thrill of learning leaves.
You can do it today! Yes, you can!
Shaking my pom-poms your way!
Kim, I love your post. "Concentrate on what you love and ignore those naysayers" is definitely something I need to continue to learn (and sadly, the naysayer is often myself/my doubts). Thanks for this encouragement!
Getting lots done so far today, thanks to a day off work, a pot of tea, and a hard copy of my ms.
Anyway, checking in, I wrote a bit, but my mind seems to have jumped over into revision mode whether I wanted it to or not. Ended up only doing about 360 words. Read 12 chapters too, but because of my migraines this week, I'm ridiculously far behind.
I'm with you! Studies do show that the arts do help children with their academics. I've been on both sides as an educator and now as a parent. I know my son is happier when he's in theater, art, and music. It's just so sad that due to budget cuts those are the first programs to be cut.
I told myself that I'll not let naysayers get me down. And I'm getting better the older I become.
Yay, for getting lots done. I had tea today too. Love it. This next week is Spring Break and I plan to stop at Teavana and pick up some more.
Omg, so true! Children don't think the worse and also are more forgiving too.
I feel for you on those migraines. This year's been the worse for those and sinus issues. Ugh. Hope you feel better!
I sailed past the 50k mark on the WIP today while obsessively rereading the MS that made it to the agent round of Pitch Madness. All in all, a productive day. Hope you're all doing well going into the last week of March Madness!
Yay, for making it to the agent round of Pitch Madness. Did you get a request? Very cool!
I giggled at the title. I hardly have a problem tapping into my inner child. I think my inner child is more or less my outer child, especially with the tots.
Three-year old inquisitiveness and awe. That was my weekend with my nephew. I constantly look to him and his sister for inspiration. And the sheer joy when they discover something for the first time or realize they did something correctly, it melts my heart.
Awesome progress today catching up on all my work for workshops and for submission call outs. I rewrote a scene from a new perspective, inspired by my nephew. It was heart-wrenching because the scene involved a little brother captured by bandits and his sister chasing after them on foot. I had the boy yelling her name as his arms flailed. My nephew walked in and started dancing a scene from Madagascar ('I Like to Move It' number) and I almost cried. Being around them, constantly inspired by them brings out the emotions I need in a scene, especially when children are involved in the story.
My time spent with the kids as an aunt is precious. My time spent with the kids as a writer is priceless.
Hugs from my inner child to yours,
Tonette
Helped friends move today so nothing to report, but it was useful because I got to hear stories from my one friend's brother. He's descended from storytellers and he has a way of spinning real tales that engages all the listeners around him.
Now I'm watching my husband play an adventure game, and I'm totally engrossed in the detailed story being told there.
Very true. Children do view the world in an unique way. I love to listen to children and they're not afraid to tell the truth.
Ooh, on being around a storyteller! Very fun!
Isn't it amazing to see things through the eyes of younger children? The excitement of holidays, seasons, and just life? I kind of miss that part of being a first grade teacher.
Thanks for dropping by!
Very cool! Crossing fingers for ya!