Tonight I’m talking to my daughter’s Brownie troop about writing.
I usually talk to children and teens/preteens a quarter as much as I talk to adults.
This does make sense—I don’t write books for children, after all. But I do really like to encourage them to write. I remember how an advertising agent came by my 3rd grade class to talk about creative jobs. She brought in her own chalk and it was wildly colored stuff—nothing like what my teacher had. She was so excited about writing copy and inventing ad campaigns that her enthusiasm was contagious. I ended up taking an advertising course in college which helped me from time to time with the magazines I worked for.
I always remember her excitement when she spoke to my class and I try to reproduce it when I talk with children.
Things that are different about talking to children:
They pay closer attention than most adults.
They ask questions in the middle of your talk. You need to tell them at the very start that each person will have a chance to ask questions at the end.
You may need to remind them more than once that you’ll take questions at the end.
They are genuinely more creative than we are. This comes out in everything they do and say—whether they’re talking about their dreams, the monsters under their beds, or the fanciful but not-quite-true event they’re telling you about. I wasn’t prepared for it the first time I went in and the creativity was overwhelming—and exciting.
They need more graphics and physical examples than adults. Bring your book to hold up. Bring your WIPs—the messier the better. Bring any outlines you might have. Show the before and after.
A Few Tips:
Ask the teacher what they’re working on, writing-wise, when you’re preparing to talk. Most kids in elementary school will be working on non-fiction pieces until at least 4th grade.
Make sure that if you incorporate some teaching into your talk that it corresponds exactly with what the teacher is teaching. Don’t want to un-teach anything and get on the teacher’s bad side.
I write murder mysteries, but when I’m talking to small children, I write “detective stories.” When they ask what my book is about, I tell them it’s about a detective who figures out puzzles.
Middle schoolers, on the other hand, are more interested in any blood and gore—not that my books have any. But they’re definitely a different audience. I focus more on my research and the information I get from police, etc.
Handouts are helpful tools for the kids. I’ll put clip art on mine, and put three major points of my talk on the handout. Then I’ll have my book info for any curious parents who end up with the handout later at home.
And….it’s Thursday morning! If you like some zest in your bread, head over to Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen for a spicy corn muffin.
As a teacher myself, I think you’re dead on :) Nothing more fun than a room full of creative kids who are inspired to try something new!
As a teacher educator, I was really impressed with your ideas for working with children. There is so much research out there that shows that we learn by interacting with others and with what we’re learning. Having children interact with you and then giving them a chance to create for themselves is a really effective way to help them discover themselves as writers.
Howard Gardner developed a widely-held theory of multiple intelligences. According to this theory, we know and learn in different ways. One of them is through the visual. One is through our kinesthetic sense. Your ideas are really perfect for a group of people who know and learn in different ways.
I think you are dead on, Elizabeth. I am not likely ever to give a talk to kids, but if I do, it is your tips that will be my Bible.
You are correct about the enthusiasm! I’ve done my characterization sessions numerous times and the kids are usually so involved.
Visuals are so important with the younger audience. I used to run an Outreach program for the Zoological Society, and animals are the best visuals! But we also had skins, bones, eggs, and teeth. Nothing like a giraffe neck vertebra (or a live boa constrictor) to keep their attention.
Tie-ins are critical as well. Show them that what they’re learning from their teacher applies in real life.
I think the love of both reading and writing starts young so good for you! You made have given some child the motivation to become a writer!! :)
You know, come to think of it, maybe the adult talks need handouts with pretty graphics too! With all the ADD adults around these days, might be something to think about!
I used to love to work with the kids in the library. Miss those days!
Jemi–And they’re all generally so excited. Unlike some of the adults I talk to that look like they’re falling asleep. :) Maybe that’s a sign I need to make my talks for grown-ups more appealing.
Rayna–You never know! I found my children’s teachers are eager to get me in their classrooms.
Diane–Focusing on characters would be interesting for a talk with kids…I’ll look into that.
Margot–Thanks! I do really enjoy it. The funny thing is that I’m frequently more nervous before talking to children–I feel like there’s more at stake than when I talk to adults. I want to get it right.
Carol–I agree! Get them started young.
What was that noise? It was Elizabeth hitting the nail on the head once again. I cannot imagine that your presentation will be anything but a huge success. You’ve certainly got all the bases covered.
Elspeth
There definitely is something refreshing about speaking with and to children. Their minds are so full of curiosity and they’re captivated by what is being said. Their minds are so open…
I’ve done some work with children through the literacy council, tutoring and speaking to classrooms…I’ve found it so rewarding as they just seem to absorb the information and are so enthusiastic!
Those are very helpful tips for speaking to children. Kids do have a lot of questions, which is wonderful. And I will remember to be more visual when speaking to kids. Great post.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Loved this. And it’s so cool you give talks at schools to young kids about writing. I was not a writer when I was parenting but I used to do musical performances – my daughter was always embarrassed when I’d point her out and make her come up in front of the room to give me a hug in front of everybody – lol. You know kids at that age (8-10) – so NOT cool to get called out like that – but I did it anyway cuz my Mom & Dad did it to me. (sly grin)
The Old Silly
Crystal–That’s wonderful that you’ve worked with kids in literacy. What a gift to give them…a lifetime of reading.
Helen–Kids really seem to ‘get it’ when adults don’t. They know it’s all about the story.
Marvin–I bet your kids secretly loved it!
Terry–That would be an awesome talk to give! I bet the kids loved it.
Good point about the real life tie-in to what they’re learning in school.
Sharon–You’re so right. Sometimes when I’m talking to adults, I can see their minds are a million miles away. I was thinking about playing around with Power Point a little…
Elspeth–Thanks! Let’s hope so. And the girls will get a writing badge! :)
I love kids. You could very well influence some little someone to grow up to be a storyteller. Have fun.
I echo what was said in previous comments.
Have fun at the talk
Carolyn–Thanks for coming by!
I chuckled as I read the part about middle schoolers. I was critiquing with 7th and 8th grade writers this morning, and in my group of five, three of them were writing relatively graphic battles and murder, almost horror. We got into a discussion about how much they like to read the genre but they have to read adult books. They felt no one is writing horror for teens. Is that true?