Writing

As writing composition becomes a requirement for my son as he enters primary 3 this year, I suddenly find myself regaining my interest in writing again while I try to convince him that writing is really not that diificult as he claims. When was the last time I really write about something random, just rattling my thoughts away in pen or on the keyboard - a really long time ago I must say! I write everyday fo course, emails and emails, presentations and proposals. But that's not really writing. Thats really a consolidation of facts and numbers, business case and information. No feelings, no humor expected. Just pure simple professionalism and rationale.

He could rattle on and on, conversations is not an issue for him at all. but he is stuck when it comes to writing. His flow of thoughts get all jumbled up. He doesnt make any sense and suddenly all his words are mis-spelt. What could be crippling his ability to write? Is it a fear, or maybe a lack of confidence? Is it his lack of imagination or words?

I remember I had the same problem when I was young. I couldnt write. I have no topic to write. And when I was given a topic, I have no contents. When I do have contents, the words do not come. Writer's block they call it. It was a major piece of block for me indeed.

I used to dream of being a writer. When I was in primary school I used to have a good friend who shared the same dream. We will play a game while the teacher is giving her lessons, passing each other this notebook where we will write a sentence each as we try to form a story. It was fun though I cant quite remember if we ever end up with a piece of story good enough to publish or share!

And journal writing was a very big part of my growing up years. You know those troubled adolesent growing up days where you have so much inner thoughts that you need to find an avenue to vent out. I called my diary "evergreen" and would start each day of my diary with Dear Evergreen...and I would use only a green pen in that diary. How silly! I still have that diary with me, somewhere in the storeroom. Goodness me, i discovered it recently while unpacking the storeroom, that Evergreen must be at least 25 years ago!

Now back to the question - how do you teach a nine year old how to write? Other than telling him each composition must have an Intro, a Body and an End? Or that you can use the H and W to help you along - how, why, when, what, where, who. Or sending to British Council to learn about Creative Writing. Which by the way I have done so, having invested several thousands for his class and am patiently waiting for miracles to happen...which thus far I have not seen in his weekly submission of his journal yet. I know I will, afterall writing is not something which you can master overnight and have to be developed over a period of time. At least I hope I am starting him right by making him interested in reading books and awarding him with stars for every book he finished reading. That seems to be paying off as he now really enjoys reading.