Become Something Else

So...if your kid says they want to be a writer, tell them to become something else. Trust me, I'm a U.S. Marine, and it's the same experience.

You come up with an idea, you put it into action, you get shit from the people you think you're supposed to impress. The idea works out, and someone...sometime later...tells you how impressed they are with your work.

In the meantime, its a dark and lonely place. Even if you're writing fantasy. It's a place only the writer gets to go when they explore.

What you see is when they finally gave up. They have officially surrendered. When they decided another re-write wasn't going to add anything, their editor is a piece of shit, and the publisher just wants to know when it's gonna be done.

So...if your kid says they want to be a writer, let them do it (or tell them to join the Marine Corps).

And let them write, whatever they want. Tell them it's good, but could use some work. (That shows you're paying attention.)

When they say they're done, it comes out, a short story, a poem, a book...tell them it was the most wonderful thing you've ever read. When they respond, "That was the best piece of crap I've ever written," agree with them. Writers don't like patronage. They want to be challenged. Because every piece is a challenge, and they are their worst critic. Every word they put with pen to paper is a challenge, judged by a thousand thoughts that could have replaced what they actually wrote down. And only they could make that choice. Not you. So take it, or leave it.

If you love a piece, you didn't read it. Even if it was the best piece of garbage they ever wrote.

Simply say, "Keep writing. I can't wait to see what you will come up with next. And if writing doesn't work out, you'll make a fine Marine."

But until then, keep writing.

ADB