Are you a writer?

by Leslie

It’s November and also National Novel Writing Month and National Blog Posting Month. I usually do NaBloPoMo (though not this year, obviously), but NaNoWriMo? Nah. That’s for real writers. And I’m going through a I-used-to-a-better-[fill in the blank with writer, mother, human being]-but-now-I-suck thing.

Recently, Julia came home from school with an assignment to read Author: A True Story by Helen Lester. We read it and talked about it and my blog (“Are you a writer, mom?”) and eventually, NaNoWriMo. Julia felt inspired and has begun writing a book. So far, she’s written just under 3,000 words and 6 chapters.

Here are three of my favorite excerpts:

1. Mom said, ”Well, we’ll see what we can do.” She says that all the time! Why doesn’t she at least say no or yes?

2. Mama was going to have a baby…. Really? Having another brother is just what I need. Well, at least it’s in another year. There are things that are worse. Like, a cannonball of death.

3. We would have gone a whole lot faster if Mikey would stop eating, peeing, and pooping all month long. It was a long trip, but I had something to keep me busy – talking. Talking was my power, being quiet was my enemy. But being talkative wasn’t just the thing, it was trying to talk my mom into having my very own room.

(I can’t help but wonder how much she is drawing from her real life experience.)

I am so impressed with Julia and her commitment to writing her book. She adds to it every day. And if you ask her if she’s a writer – a real writer – she’ll tell you without hesitation, “Yes! One day, I hope to be a published author, too.”

I could use a dose of her attitude.

Posted in Julia, Mommys Stuff | 5 Cool Kids Came To Play »

Comments

5 Cool Kids Commented

Veronica on November 9, 2012 3:46 pm
Her excerpts are brilliant. Love them so much.
Allyson on November 11, 2012 11:34 pm
Seriously, Julia sounds brilliant! I would totally buy her book. The excerpts have a Romana Quimby feel to them and those were my all-time favorite books as a kid!
Allyson on November 11, 2012 11:34 pm
Ooops, that’s RamOna
Jesica on November 12, 2012 6:51 pm
I love it I love the freedom and enthusiasm with which kids write. Is she signed up on the Young Writer’s Program site (ywp.nanowrimo.org)? I’m sure she’d love seeing her word count graphed. I’m a Nanowrimo addict (this is my third year) and two of my three kids are writing this year. It’s so much fun to see what they come up with (while I stare at my screen and grumble at my characters). I look forward to seeing Julia’s writing on the bookshelves one day
Leslie on November 15, 2012 12:31 am
Jesica, we hadn’t signed her up for the Young Writer’s Program, but I think it’s something we will do. She’d love it!