Encourage a Young Writer Day
Why is today so important?
There is a small percentage of young Latino writers and not enough books about Latino people. April 10 of every year is Encourage a Young Writer Day. On this day, young writers across the United States are encouraged by a parent, teachers, friends, and/or family members to write. This day allows young writers to showcase their imagination and share their ideas.
Here are some tips on how to encourage a young writer
Read their work
This gives them more confidence
Buy them a journal
They can write anything that comes to mind.
Create a young writer’s group to share stories!
Encourage them to read more books
This will allow them to venture into different writing styles, but also learn new words!
Use your local library for resources… Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries are always happy to help and have many activities!
Creative writing prompts can also help them explore writing
Here are some examples you could use:
Write a superhero story where the villain wants to become good.
If you could have a superpower for one day what would it be and what would you do?
If you could meet anyone throughout history who would it be and why?
Rewrite the ending of your favorite book.
We know that it can be difficult to find resources so make sure to check out these websites if you are looking to publish a book or just want book recommendations!
Examples of Famous Writers
Elizabeth Acevedo (1988 - present)
Author of New York Times bestseller, The Poet X, a young adult novel that has won over multiple literary awards. Acevedo, at the age of fourteen, competed in her first poetry slam at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
Gary Soto (1952 - present)
Soto had an interest in poetry in high school when he read works by authors, Ernest Hemingway, Robert Frost, Thornton Wilder, and others. Once in college and upon discovering novelist Gabriel García Marquez and poets Edward Field, James Wright, and Pablo Neruda, he decided he wanted to become a writer.
His writing reflects his life as a Mexican American. Some of his works for young adult/children’s books include:
Baseball in April (1990)
Crazy Weekend (1994)
Canto Familiar (1995)
Adam Silvera ( 1990 - present)
Author of New York Times bestseller, More Happy Than Not, and was shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Silvera began writing when he was just 10 or 11 years!
