Insecure Writers Want to Know
I create middle grade and young adult contemporary short stories. My favorite writing theme is showing the character’s need to learn to believe in him or herself. That she can do what needs to be done to move forward in life to obtain what he wants. That she has the power to do so. To be the hero of the story.
I also create personal essays and poems about life using the same theme of believing in oneself. Usually, I write to help myself see what life means to me. And then, I hope to be able to help others understand to move forward in their lives by sharing my experiences. I have an essay included in the recently released Chicken Soup for the Soul edition That Christmas Feeling. It’s about my young son’s orange toolbox and how he believed in this toolbox. And then how I needed to believe in my son. My essay is entitled: “A Christmas Toolbox.”
Creating challenging family dynamics is necessary in story when writing for children. A recent divorce. A new stepparent. A military parent becomes deployed. I enjoy tackling the ordinary struggles of life in my creative writing. From an unexpected death in the family to discovering an instant younger stepsibling. Teens and tweens need to deal with change in their lives. And many times, they have no say in the decisions being made. My protagonists need to rely on themselves to move forward in life. To find the answer. To get what they need, which is often not what they think they want.
Believing in oneself needs constant nurturing. In story as well as in real life. And it’s very difficult to obtain. At least it is for me. Like many creatives, I have good days and bad. Don’t you? I try to push through. To get something on the page. But many times, family obligations get in the way. And then, I want to be outside crunching in the leaves.
Yet, I need to create stories and essays and poems to be happy in life. I need to create lesson plans to teach others about writing. I enjoy teaching others. I enjoyed teaching my own children. Now, I hope to teach my grandchildren.
***Sigh***
My next FREE in-person writing workshop called “From Memory to Meaning: How to Write About Family Traditions” is on Saturday, November 7th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hughes Library in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Family traditions, cherished recipes, holiday rituals, and stories passed down through generations can all become meaningful material for writing. We will explore ways to draw inspiration from our own family experiences and memories. We will uncover the stories behind familiar traditions, explore why they matter, and learn techniques to bring our memories to life on the page.
If you are in the area, come and be a part of the discussion. You need to register for the event. Here are the details:
The Eisemann Room
Eastern Monroe Public Library
1002 N. 9th Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
To register:
Phone: 570-421-0800 ext. 317 (info desk)
Website: www.monroepl.org
Now, I’m off to visit your blogs to see what themes you like to explore in your writing. I always learn so much from you. Happy IWSG Day, everyone!
Thank you for stopping by my little spot on the web. Please come again! And please sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter to find tips on writing and camping. It’s greatly appreciated.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I’d like to thank our hosts for November: Kalpana, Kim Lajevardi, Rebecca Douglass, Jennifer Lane, and Cathrina Constantine! Please visit them if you can.
Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
When you’re a kid, most things happen without having any control. We just had to deal.
This is true, Alex. Back then, when we were growing up, like you say, we dealt with it. Now, it seems, there are more stories created to help children deal with what’s going on in their lives.
Always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful day!