Workshop: An
Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults
“The
recognition of one’s genuine material seems to involve a fall from the phony
grace of good intentions and elevated expectations.” Patricia
Hampl
Two: Grow
Notebook Material
Develop
a notebook, or notebooks, system that works for you to keep track of subjects
and ideas throughout your writing, reading, and daily life. This is more than a
journal. However you design your note taking I suggest two versions—a
handwritten notebook and a computerized app. Each will feed a different part of
your imagination and creative thinking.
Sources
include: reading in multiple genres and ages, life experience, social values,
family, friends, questions, quotes, Scripture, art, observations, creative
exercises, overheard conversations, music and nature, for example. All become material
to draw from. Write down anything that stabs your heart and don’t worry if it
seems random. Some ideas take years to grow.
The
key here is to notice the ideas and material from your heart and soul that
otherwise might get swept away in busyness. Over time you may discover that you
are aiming in a general genre direction or a specific voice age or a recurring
theme.
(Leonardo's Notebook)
Action Steps:
1. Decide if
you want one notebook with several divisions, or a few smaller notebooks that
keep reading and writing separate? Consider which system you are most likely to
give up trying to keep and list the reason why.
2. Choose the
simplest version of the one you least like and write in it everyday for a week
a source that inspired you positively and a thought or observation that
bothered you that day.
3. Do you think
your reason is still a factor or have you changed your mind? When might you
want to use this system, if ever?
Share:
1)
From the source list
above which creative fuel sparks ideas for you? Which is a source you hadn’t
considered?
2)
Which is your
favorite method of tracking ideas? Why?
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