tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post2309374791450250622..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: Teen Writers and Expectations From ParentsStephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-12908121100141112942014-01-14T07:28:19.205-06:002014-01-14T07:28:19.205-06:00Thanks. A lot.Thanks. A lot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-45671854930540365462014-01-14T06:55:03.534-06:002014-01-14T06:55:03.534-06:00Great way to say it!Great way to say it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-50054347780276265542013-10-26T14:23:34.245-05:002013-10-26T14:23:34.245-05:00I have my thirteen-year-old brother read my work f...I have my thirteen-year-old brother read my work first, then Mama. I always run and hide near the piano while Mama reads a chapter of my book. I always get butterflies in my stomach. I think spiritual scenes create more discomfort than violence and sexuality.Michaella Valkenaarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05941534174780538506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-4789071608864834042013-05-17T13:45:10.887-05:002013-05-17T13:45:10.887-05:00As a parent and writer myself, it can be difficult...As a parent and writer myself, it can be difficult to decide which hat I'm going to wear regarding my daughter's writing. I just recently came across a bit of her writing that was crammed in a homework notebook I was checking and it contained material I would never let her read or watch on TV. It was jarring, but I have rule which states I must wait until the kneejerk reaction passes before any decisions or confrontations take place. So I waited while this conversation between the parent and writer in me took place over several days. <br /><br /><br />Parent: My baby! She's writing about...I can't even think it let alone say it....<br />Writer: Hey, genius. You've written the exact same thing, maybe even worse.<br />Parent: But that's different, I'm an adult...<br />Writer: Really? Then what about that one story from 20 some odd years ago?<br />Parent: Oh.<br />Writer: What would have happened if your mom read it and went ballistic?<br />Parent: It would've killed you or scared you off for a while.<br />Writer: Bingo. <br />Parent: But, it's scary. <br />Writer: Get over it. You've done a good job raising her, now go confess your crime and apologize to the girl. I'll give you one concession, ask her not to take stories with anything her school would deem inappropriate in them. It might cause some trouble. You remember what happened with that one poem? <br />Parent: Yes, school counselor, tons of questions, was afraid to write for weeks. <br />Writer: Now, go get some tea. I've got some writing to do.<br /><br />I will say the confession went well, she wasn't mad at me, thankfully. I explained the reasons why some stories shouldn't go to school; the school doesn't follow Mom's knee-jerk reaction rule. I encouraged her to keep writing and am now looking for some tips to help her out. Of course, they can't come from Mom, what do I know? <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-4722501362254503722013-04-21T16:40:39.718-05:002013-04-21T16:40:39.718-05:00Thanks Stephanie! You're right; I don't n...Thanks Stephanie! You're right; I don't need to share everything I write. That's great advice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-63920948400893101302013-04-20T21:35:04.846-05:002013-04-20T21:35:04.846-05:00I'm so glad, MJ. And best of luck with your WI...I'm so glad, MJ. And best of luck with your WIPs :) (It's so fun when it stops being a code and becomes lingo!)Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-64563035887259400202013-04-20T21:33:46.893-05:002013-04-20T21:33:46.893-05:00You're certainly not alone in that, Emii! As I...You're certainly not alone in that, Emii! As I've been working with my daughter on being content, I've been awakened to how much time I spend complaining versus expressing gratitude. Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-65348525102730031682013-04-20T21:32:22.665-05:002013-04-20T21:32:22.665-05:00You're wise to take your time with it :) And, ...You're wise to take your time with it :) And, yes, a lot of times genre preferences come into play. My mother doesn't like anything even remotely sci-fi, and when I've had ideas in that vein, I can tell she isn't very enthusiastic :)Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-29996646809348593972013-04-20T21:29:45.305-05:002013-04-20T21:29:45.305-05:00I'm so glad you found this helpful, Jordan! Ye...I'm so glad you found this helpful, Jordan! Yes, I definitely understand your feelings.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-84680045059368923232013-04-20T21:28:15.632-05:002013-04-20T21:28:15.632-05:00I get where you're coming from. I used to feel...I get where you're coming from. I used to feel that way too, and even now I sometimes feel strange discussing the romantic story threads in my books. Only you can make the decision, really. My stories have always had romance in them, but I wasn't always so comfortable with my parents reading them. There's no reason why you have to share all your stories, regardless of the reason. Some things we write are just for us.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-19498744833859678982013-04-20T20:17:23.471-05:002013-04-20T20:17:23.471-05:00I never write romance because I'm scared that ...I never write romance because I'm scared that my mother will disapprove, and when people read it they will think that I don't know what I'm talking about. I'd really like to, though. What do you think I should do?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-90498993997691990712013-04-19T15:59:34.571-05:002013-04-19T15:59:34.571-05:00This post made my day because no one seems to get ...This post made my day because no one seems to get why I don't want anyone I know to read my work. I'd love total strangers to read i, just not family. I occasionally let my friends read it but I don't have any friends who are really writers and they just don't get it. Especially my parents. They are both supportive but things with my dad are complicated and my mom does a lot of editing professionally so she is very critical and not so big on praise. She always just says its "good" but never elaborates. My WIP has romance in it, lots of romance, and I never want them to read it! It's just so awkward! Anyway I just really enjoyed this post and it's great to know other people feel this way.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10682329799597098681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-88503304180617337882013-04-19T13:09:54.599-05:002013-04-19T13:09:54.599-05:00Lol -- I always flick over to the window with my e...Lol -- I always flick over to the window with my emails. They shall not sneak glances that easily, mwa ha haAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11828772181763803223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-25848525099382628352013-04-19T13:06:52.788-05:002013-04-19T13:06:52.788-05:00I hate to show my writing to people, because my fa...<br />I hate to show my writing to people, because my family doesn't like the genres I like, and I don't want my parents to see me writing even light romance. Only kisses, flirting, no hard subjects. I just don't know how my parents would react. I might talk to my Mom about it after I finish editing my first novel, which I haven't finished yet at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-46126575543262451132013-04-19T13:05:46.287-05:002013-04-19T13:05:46.287-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03635459930833971479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-26009493150022129492013-04-19T03:18:54.158-05:002013-04-19T03:18:54.158-05:00I get annoyed at my parents for caring about my sc...I get annoyed at my parents for caring about my school work and telling me to do homework and to come to them for help. But this post just opened my eyes to the fact that they're absolutely wonderful and I'm blessed to have a family that truly cares about one another and always encourages one another. They read my writing and they encourage me and they help me. That's a real blessing. And I didn't even realize. Sometimes I get so caught up in problems and stuff that I miss all the goodness around. emiihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042164350910286833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-66462884154157182012013-04-18T23:49:57.395-05:002013-04-18T23:49:57.395-05:00My mom is very encouraging when it comes to my wri...My mom is very encouraging when it comes to my writing. My dad knows I wright but he hasn't read any of my WIP (Yes, I am catching up on the writing lingo) I know he supports it though. <br /><br />Mom knew I could write because when I was younger I would write letters to relatives and I would ask her to read them to make sure they were okay. She said that my letters were always good and thoughtful. <br />So, I proceeded into writing stories. My first real draft I showed to mom made her cry, but maybe because it was kind of sad. <br /><br />Still I am skeptical of showing my books to others, afraid that it's not good enough, even though I talk about them all the time to mom and dad. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing this post, Stephanie, this blog has been a real blessing for aspiring writers. :D<br /><br />(MJ)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-70400611384842645862013-04-18T23:18:28.969-05:002013-04-18T23:18:28.969-05:00I learned to write doing plays, which meant that I...I learned to write doing plays, which meant that I would be sharing scripts with my fellow actors sometimes while I was writing them, so I've never developed an aversion to sharing my writing. (Though it helps that I'm a naturally outgoing person and if I confuse people, I can just hand them my writing and then they'll really be confused.)<br /><br />I don't think my dad has ever read any of my work, and not from any lack of trying on my end. I had my published book on his shelf, right by his desk for several weeks, and he never even picked it up, so I rescued it and let it go to a reader who would love and care for it. My mom, on the other hand ... she writes, too - and on similar subjects. I have ammo against her in the form of a red binder sitting on my desk - the book she wrote at fourteen. Not that it keeps her from tearing half of what I write to shreds ... Kendra E. Ardnekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-76078446703134234872013-04-18T23:04:10.488-05:002013-04-18T23:04:10.488-05:00My parents still don't quite understand the co...My parents still don't quite understand the concept of not reading first drafts. I don't show anyone my writing, though I might let my sister critique my work, since she's a writer too.Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-45640911207643408782013-04-18T22:46:10.443-05:002013-04-18T22:46:10.443-05:00My problem, is that my Dad makes me show him a lot...My problem, is that my Dad makes me show him a lot of my writing, when I don't want him to see it. I tell him that it's not ready for people to see, but he won't listen to me. :( It doesn't help that he's a good writer, and he always sees fault in my work... :(Selahhttp://www.selah.homedisciples.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-38201801141302539632013-04-18T21:15:52.540-05:002013-04-18T21:15:52.540-05:00This is really helpful. My immediate and extended ...This is really helpful. My immediate and extended family's been really supportive. They're awesome. However, none of them write. I take all of their advice with a grain of salt, of course. I let them read what I have on an online profile, short stories and poetry (they don't comment on my dark fiction. Who would've guessed?). However, I'm reluctant to share my novels with my family because in my first, the MC's a girl with serious trust issues, and in the second (my current), my MC paralyzes people for a job. And there's a lot of violence in that one. <br />I don't even tell them really what my novels are about, because dark (compared to what they read) dystopias are so not their thing. They don't really know what dystopias are, so ... My grandpa asked me, after I'd finished my first draft, if he could get it on his Kindle anytime soon. I laughed. <br />I totally agree with the not letting anyone else read your first drafts, because for me, I generally think they're going really well, although I do notice some problems. When I reread it again, I notice everything I need to do to make it better.<br />Funnily enough, my friends don't really know I write. I have a lot of super-artistic friends but not really "writery" friends. A few weeks ago, I shared the first draft of my first novel with my twin sister (thinking it was the second), and ... I won't do that again. She wasn't mean or critiquing it, but at certain parts she would comment, and I would sit there saying, "Please stop reading. It's not my best work." She didn't. She told me it was "slightly better than Twilight." I'll be editing this summer, I suppose. ...Katiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08117667458636102470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-59877657995135639732013-04-18T21:00:12.869-05:002013-04-18T21:00:12.869-05:00My parents think that my writing is just a 'fu...My parents think that my writing is just a 'fun' past time as you put it, they don't realize that it is important to me and I take it very seriously. I hardly ever let my parents read my stuff (they pretty much given up after they read an especially emo pice of writing, back in my emo days :). Unless it's something I wrote for them. But they are surprised when I write something for them, they always ask me if I really wrote it, so that's kind of encouraging? :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03418155465830471451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-673243921276861912013-04-18T20:09:02.669-05:002013-04-18T20:09:02.669-05:00My mom reads my work chapter by chapter as I finis...My mom reads my work chapter by chapter as I finish. I have to room to be nervous with her because she is just crazy and knows the things I read will affect what I write (I read about anything from serial killers to gushy romances). In fact, if I am nervous about putting somethings in my manuscript, she makes me do it. I remember writing my fantasy, being in chapter 3, and my mom asking me when the main characters were going to FINALLY kiss. I could not stop laughing because romance was not the center of my story but she wanted to see it so much. I can show her anything so long as I am not condoning wrong actions and I love that about her.<br /><br />As for everyone else, most are allowed to read a book once I have done at least on rewrite on it. My first book was correct twice by only me and was then read by my Grandma and my neighbor. Then I got four more drafts done and my Pastor and another church elder asked to read it, along with one of their daughters. It will be interesting to see what they say, but two of them have only read the first chapter and like it.<br /><br />Sadly, my sisters will not be allowed to read my books until they are published. They like to criticize when it is not like their preferred genre (Romance and Adventure).Bookishqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04815467506294547118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-91331050549962791112013-04-18T17:27:29.680-05:002013-04-18T17:27:29.680-05:00I barely ever TELL my family what I'm writing ...I barely ever TELL my family what I'm writing about (my parents still know next to nothing about the one book I've finished (although, actually, only one sibling knows much about that one) and the ninja novel...), so letting them read it is so. not. happening. right now.Jessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17301671729096628703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-12910705362986972512013-04-18T17:18:09.241-05:002013-04-18T17:18:09.241-05:00I totally know what that feels like!
Just the othe...I totally know what that feels like!<br />Just the other day, I was talking with my aunt and she told me she is going to read all the books I publish. I felt as though I was going to throw up the rest of the time I was there. My story is about an assassin and how she learns to change her ways and comes to know God. It's super fun to write but then you also have those gory scenes that make you wonder is anyone is going to read about it. And then it's got romance. What will my parents and family think of that?<br /><br />However, what I do is when I'm done writing a new chapter, I go over it and edit it and then email it to my friends. They give me their feedback and then I don't feel as bad about showing my parents. As long as someone likes it, I'm good!<br />Emmi Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16103869981438471742noreply@blogger.com