When children have a passion we want to do everything we can to support them. Here at Cardinal Rule Press, we have worked with many wonderful writers and illustrators so we thought we would share some tips on how to encourage any young writers or illustrators in your life!

#1. Read! Does anyone know a great writer who doesn’t read? Well, neither do I. All writers and illustrators need to read to jump-start their creativity and fill them with inspiration. Additionally, reading will help young aspiring writers and illustrators see what is being done, what they like, and what they don’t. Teaching them to look critically at all types of books- comic books, graphic novels, picture books, and more- helps them develop a personal style and introduces them to many different artistic influences.

#2. Journaling. Setting aside a set time for practice, or to try out random prompts, helps deal with writer's block or a lack of inspiration. Also, this exercise helps young artists get comfortable starting a project. Staring at a blank piece of paper can be daunting and intimidating, so getting comfortable putting pencil to paper and following through on small projects is incredibly helpful and encouraging. This may be better for slightly older kids as younger children have a sense of what they like to do and don’t often take artistic direction very well. 

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#3. Encourage experimentation. Encourage them to forget about grammar and punctuation rules and just focus on writing. Try out stream-of-consciousness writing, where you write whatever comes to mind for a set period and see what happens. Try writing in different structures and from the wrong side of the page! If your child likes to draw pencil stick figures, give them some more options to choose from- colored pens, markers, or paints. Ask them if they could make you a picture of your favorite animal or an activity you like to do together. But be careful you don’t push too hard as you could cause them to clam up and retreat.

#4. Show enthusiasm for their work. Nothing feels better than your parents' positive reactions to a piece of artwork you made and are proud of. It may seem self-explanatory, but show enthusiasm for the work your children produce and like. Hang pictures up on the fridge or get them framed and hang them on the wall. Give writers special binders or folders to store all their work in, and talk about their work with them. Ask open-ended questions about what’s happening in the picture or with a character and give them space to answer. 

#5. Don’t let them fixate on mistakes. Teach and remind them that developing a craft takes time and practice. Many of their projects along the way won’t turn out exactly as they imagine, but don’t let this discourage them. To get good at something, you need perseverance and dedication, so help them realize mistakes aren’t a big deal, it’s what you do after that matters. The popular American artist, Bob Ross, is a great role model in this regard. He very calmly instructs his viewers to see mistakes as creative opportunities, saying, “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents!”

#6. Help them showcase their work (if they want to). An often nerve-wracking and incredibly rewarding part of making artwork or writing is sharing it with others. If your child wants to experience this and understands that not everyone will like their work, and that is okay, then you can sign them up for showcases or put one on yourself. Starting small and with supportive audiences like friends and family is a great way to build confidence! See if the school has any events they could enter or sign up for classes outside of school. This could also introduce them to a community of kids with similar interests and maybe even some professional authors and illustrators who have their own tips and tricks for staying motivated.

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Ella Shauman has recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature. She loves to travel, try new restaurants, and spend time with family and friends in her free time.