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Keeping an Idea Book
 ENCOURAGING
YOUNG WRITERS
By Mary Emma Allen
Youngsters often are
intimidated by the idea of writing, whether it's a story, poem,
book report, non-fiction article. However, there are a number of
ways to take away some of the dread of writing:
Let them know they don't have to be perfect on the first draft.
Let them know that professional writers write and rewrite and
find the most important step is to get their thoughts down
before losing them. Also, get children into the habit of keeping
an idea book where they jot down thoughts for and about writing.
Their writing in this doesn't have to be perfect, just a few
words so they don't "lose" their ideas. This may be a
title or a few words describing an idea for a story, poem,
article. It might be the beginning or the end of a story. Their
idea book doesn't have to be as extensive as a journal and will
take on different formats depending on their age.
Idea Book Formats
* A NOTEBOOK - This can be somewhat like the journal they write
in each day (many teachers have youngsters write in a journal
every morning or sometime throughout the day), but they do not
need to write so much in the idea book. This notebook might take
the form of a steno pad or a notebook with an attractive cover
so it's easily recognizable.
*SMALL SPIRAL notebook - Many writers carry a small spiral
notebook with them to jot down ideas whenever something comes to
mind or they see or hear something. This is handy because it's
small enough to fit into a pocket, a purse, a backpack.
*NOTE CARDS or 3x5 cards - If a writer uses these, there's a
chance they'll get lost unless you set up a filing system.
However, you only need to carry around a few cards and not a
whole pack or notebook. Then if they get lost, you'll only be
out those few ideas, not everything--as
with a notebook. Some writers like to use a note card for each
thought or idea and then
file them according to category.
*COLORED CARDS - You also could use different colored cards for
various topics. Using a different card for each idea makes it
easier to locate an idea when you're ready to write. Or you can
shuffle the cards around and see about combining several ideas
to make a story.
*MAKING YOUR OWN IDEA BOOKLET- You may decide to have young
writers make an idea booklet which they can use in school to jot
down their ideas. They can illustrate it with a decorative
cover. Then each day, they can transfer ideas from their cards
or spiral
notebook which they carry around with them. The larger idea
booklet would remain at school for writing class.
* TAPE RECORDER - Some writers like to keep a tape recorder
handy so they can record their ideas when they don't have a
notebook available. This probably would be used more by older
children/young adults. But it's a method writers may use in
conjunction with a notebook or note cards.
Getting the Idea Process Started
For best results, you...the teacher, homeschooling parent,
parent...need to keep your own idea book, card file, recorder.
Your working at this project along with the young writers
usually encourages them.
Give young writers the idea that this process can be
fun...coming up with ideas and then turning them into stories.
By jotting down a few words, a sentence, then a paragraph,
writing can be less intimidating for the writers-in-training.
Go through the process of idea taking with the youngsters,
perhaps with a brain-storming session in class. Working in pairs
could be the next step toward getting ideas for their notebook
and sharpening their powers of observation. From a few words,
they can progress to complete sentences, then paragraphs.
Before they know it, they're on the way to writing a story or
article!
___________________
Mary Emma Allen writes for children, gives author presentations,
and teaches writing classes in schools. She's had more
than 200 children's stories published in magazines and
anthologies. To accompany her anthology, "Tales of
Adventure & Discovery," Mary Emma illustrated a
coloring book, which also contains excerpts from the stories. In
addition to writing for children, Mary Emma is a newspaper and
online columnist, travel writer, and book author. Her
books include, "Writing in Maine, New Hampshire &
Vermont," "When We Become the Parent to Our
Parents," and "The Magic of Patchwork," as well
as nine manuals for writers. Two of her stories are
included in "Finding the Joy in Alzheimer's." For more
information about Mary Emma and her writing visit her web site:
http://maryemmallen.blogspot.com/
(c)2000 Mary Emma Allen
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