To encourage teens to write, give them freedom: let them choose their own topic, style, and tone, stop correcting every small mistake, encourage them to read, and listen to what they have to say. Above all, keep your expectations reasonable.
When school is out, during the holidays or on a long weekend, many teens spend their free time lazing around, watching videos, or playing video games. You would think that with all that spare time, they could find an hour or two a day for something useful, like writing.
4 secrets to motivating teens to write
Many parents know how hard it is to motivate teens to do anything productive with their time. If you are one of them and need help getting your teens to start writing, follow these tips.
1. Let them pick the topic, writing style, and tone
Teens do better in a positive environment. Now it is time to put that knowledge into practice. It is easier to get your teens writing creatively when you give them the freedom to pick the topic. Remember that they are not writing for you.
Give them the freedom to pick their own writing style and tone, too. Most teens write to get things off their chest. More often than not, they will not write in the style you are used to, and their tone will be different, too. And that is great.
Encourage your teens to find their own voice. It will do wonders for their self-confidence. Freewriting, writing without stopping and without rules for a set time, is a good way to start.
2. Stop correcting every little mistake
If you are obsessed with spelling and grammar, your teens will hate writing. Don't lose sight of your goal. Why did you want your teens to write in the first place? To practice grammar? Probably not.
It is time to accept imperfection. Let them write their hearts out, and save the spelling corrections for much later. You can also let them fix their own mistakes. Point them to the Spell Checker: it marks spelling and grammar mistakes and explains each one, so they can check their writing if and when they want to.
3. Encourage them to read
Perhaps your teens have writer's block. There is nothing wrong with that. Even established writers often agonize over a single word. One easy fix is to get them reading. Other people's work is a great source of new ideas. For more ways around it, see how to get rid of writer's block.
4. Start listening
When did you last have a good conversation with your teens? Now is a good time.
Ask your teens why they are so reluctant to write, but spend more time listening than asking questions. Let them explain their ideas and opinions. Go off topic, and ask how they feel about what is going on in the world. While you are at it, gently remind them that they can put what is on their mind into writing.
Keep your expectations reasonable
Last but not least, keep your expectations reasonable. Expecting your teens to produce an award-winning novel on their first try makes no sense. Let them take small steps, and motivate them to write more. They will get there in time. And even if they don't, you have helped them write better. That is what good parents do.