write with your heart
pick a topic below and get writing!
hang-outs
a.k.a. the setting:
Everything about the setting is important, from the time period, to the environment, to any animals, buildings, machines, or magic that exists in your setting. If you’re writing about a distant planet where unicorns poop rainbows, your reader needs to know that! Try one of these exercises to get you thinking about all that your setting can be!
the weirdos in your story
a.k.a. characters:
We all know a great character when we read it! They make us laugh, cry, and stomp our feet in irrational anger, and we wish we knew them in real life. Try one of these exercises and create an amazing character of your own!
toil & trouble
a.k.a. plot:
Plot is… well, it’s the story. To have a story, you MUST put your characters in trouble! Without trouble, there’s no story, just a bunch of descriptions. Okay for your diary, not great for a book. Try one of these exercises to add some trouble to your story and get those plot-building muscles pumping!
click the links below for some of my favorite writing activities for kids
Jenny Banker has no affiliation with any external sites linked here. Please enjoy them at your own discretion.
FAQs
what if i can’t think of anything to write?
Everyone struggles with this. Even authors who’ve been writing books for years. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to write something… anything. You can sit on your porch and just describe everything you see. You can look at a leaf under a magnifying glass and tell about every little bit of it. Or, you can start with writing, “Why can’t I think of anything to write?”
what if i’m scared to share my writing?
Oh boy, I know how you feel! Sharing something so personal, that you’ve worked hard on, can be really scary. But, you will learn a lot from sharing your writing, and I promise, it gets easier. Just keep doing the best you can, and trust yourself to know when you’re ready to share.
what if my writing isn’t good enough?
Everyone thinks this sometimes, even the most famous writers you can imagine. But I can tell you it’s not true. It can be hard to see our own talents, but if you love something (like writing or anything) always believe in yourself. You’ll probably always have something to learn, no matter how old you are, but you’ll also often be surprised when others ask for your help.
how can i become an author?
First of all, anyone who writes is an author, so you, my friend, already are. Being published doesn’t make you an author, writing does! But, there are actually some places kids can submit writing for publication. Check out the links below:
Jenny Banker has no affiliation with any external sites linked here. Please enjoy them at your own discretion.
