Supporting Aspiring Teen Writers

There is much to look forward to when one becomes a writer. From the opportunity to express a unique outlook to immersing yourself in an imaginary world to making money doing something you love, becoming a professional writer isn’t a bad way to go.

However, getting published as a teen writer is no easy feat. But as the parent or other adult figure in their life, you have a chance to give young, aspiring writers the support they need to flourish.

Help Develop Writing Discipline

One of the most critical factors in becoming a successful writer is discipline. Not only must you write as much as possible, but you must also be willing to write even when you don’t feel like it. If teens only write when they want to, they’ll face a much longer, more difficult path as a writing professional.

Help them develop this discipline. Start with writing goals. Ask your teen to list what they’re striving for regarding writing. Then, they can choose a time to write every day. Be sure it’s something manageable, something that doesn’t interfere with school or extracurriculars, and something they can truly commit to, even if it is just five minutes a day.

You can also encourage your teen authors to gain experience by starting a blog and guest posting for digital and print publications they already enjoy reading. They’ll be required to write a lot and will gain snippets to add to their portfolio along the way.

Encourage Writing for Personal Reasons

It’s easy for aspiring teen authors to get caught up in chasing money, credits, or attention when pursuing writing as a profession. However, it’s essential to encourage them to write for personal reasons, too. 

Being a teenager is already tough enough. Hormones, emotions, relationships, and peer pressure can lead to acting out. Factor in the ups and downs of trying to become an author, and it can be incredibly draining emotionally, mentally, and physically. The best thing you can do as a parent or guardian is to support your teen during this rebellious phase.

Encourage your teenager to write simply to express themselves. Journaling is a fantastic way to help them gain clarity and reestablish stability when they’re feeling misunderstood or lost. Then you can sit down and openly communicate the feelings, concerns, and thoughts they’ve written down when they’re willing to share them.

Writing for personal reasons can also help aspiring teen authors maintain balance throughout their journey to becoming published or securing a professional writing job.

Feed Them Positivity

Feeding aspiring teen authors positivity every chance you get is one of the best things you can do to support them. As much as people think being a writer is entirely enchanting, it can actually be a lonely, challenging job sometimes. Make sure your teen is aware of the challenges that may come with being an author and that they know it’s okay to not want to be a professional writer, after all.

There are typically a lot of “no” responses they will have to endure before getting a shiny “yes.” There will also be people that swear print media is dying and that book writing or journalism isn’t lucrative anymore. These things can weigh heavy on a teen’s spirit and dissuade them from pursuing writing.

Constant positive reinforcement can keep them on track to achieve their writing dreams. For instance, let them know print media is alive and well. Of course, the publishing industry has evolved to include digital alternatives like e-books and online news sources. However, hard- and paperback books, print magazines, and traditional marketing vehicles are still highly favored among avid readers and professionals.

Additionally, try to find established authors that started as teens to serve as inspiration.

You can also encourage your teen to explore self-publishing a book or on blogs over traditional publishing avenues to start building their portfolio a bit faster.

Most importantly, be willing to read every piece of their writing. Share everything you love about the work while offering some constructive feedback on the things you think they could improve. Always uplift aspiring teen writers, especially in challenging conversations and down times in writing.

Take Advantage of School Resources

Your teen’s school can be a great source of support for helping them progress in their writing journey. You can connect with teachers, librarians, and writers at the school and ask for their advice on how to move the ball forward.

Inquire about any writing classes, websites for teen writers, book clubs, workshops, retreats, conferences, and events. These can be school-related or recommended by staff as resources in the community. You could also see if fellow students are willing to start a writing group with your teen to share work and resources and get quality feedback.

Aspiring teen authors need your support to thrive.

By implementing some of the advice above, your teen will be able to develop the discipline, confidence, and resourcefulness it takes to be the best writer they can be.

Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.