How can you inspire your children to write a book?

How can you inspire your children to write a book?
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Have you felt that desire to write a book? Perhaps, have wanted to, but somehow you do not feel confident, inspired or time rich. Your book may be on a dream or vision board, a something, just out of your reach and something to aspire to. It's just that, mmm, now is not the right time. You can see how your story can be told via a book. A book which will demonstrate to the world that you are the subject matter expert or have meaningful experiences to share. You know that you have ‘stuff’ that you could share. You could share if only…

What is it about the 'if only' stand point? It's not that I don't get it, I do. I know only too well, that writing a book is hard work, and you have other priorities. I have other priorities too. However, writing is in my blood and I write every (almost) day. Because of my passion, I want everyone (well almost everyone) to write. I also adore dogs and want everyone to rescue one, however, that won’t happen either.

We place our attention where it's important for us, in this moment.

Recently I was talking to a young woman fresh out of University, who was searching for her ‘thing’. In that moment, I felt an urge and a desire to find a way to inspire our younger generation to start writing books. Is possible, I asked some invisible unseen energy? I hope so. All around us are some very wise and experienced young people who could influence this planet in ways that we can’t. I wish (I don’t have many regrets) that there had been opportunities for me to write and publish when I was a younger. I don’t have children, but if I did, I would (without being a ‘pushy mother’) explore how I could facilitate my children to becoming authors. How cool would that be?

Take a moment, right now to witness and consider your children. Take a good look at them. What do you see? What do you feel? A child, your child, a beautiful soul starting out their journey. They are incredible aren’t they, your children?

They have knowledge, skills, and experiences. Different to us, but they still have them. They have ideas and a lens on this life that is unique to ours. They, in a way that is different to us, hold the future in their hands. Is it the same future as ours? Our view of how to change the world may be distinctive to the picture your children have. That is good. Together we can support each other’s ideas towards a unified conscious Planet.

Even if you can’t find the time to pen your story, courage or confidence, could you find some time to inspire your children? Is that be possible for you? What would it feel like to see your children becoming change maker authors? Imagine how that could inspire you and others.

You may consider that they haven’t lived, experienced, know enough or have the discipline to do this. If they have written a dissertation, they can write a book, can’t they? Ok, it's different, but it involves planning, writing, reflecting, researching, editing and publishing. They may believe that they do not know what they want to be when they grow up, writing will help them to find themselves.

Why wait to grow up? Encourage them to rise up now.

Inspire them to write about what they know about now and use that as a foundation for their future. Can you see the possibilities?

Meet my imaginary child. As I have said, I have no children, I choose to be a mother to furbabies not to humans.

My imaginary child is 24; she has left university with a degree and unsure what she wants to do and as a result is lost and frustrated. She understands the academic theory and some experience. That experience is enough, if she can see beyond her fears.

When I ask her what she wants to do. She tells me of some ‘things’ that she might do with her degree, but her eyes do not light up. She only has notions of what her career might be. This is based an idea of what she was told her degree and career options might be. Let’s flip this.

Becoming a witness to life

Encourage your children to start witnessing life, as an outsider looking in. Suggest that every day they notice and make a note of what their friends ask them and to consider what lights them up. Ask them to explore their emotions around world issues, which ones rock them? What brings passion to their voices and to their hearts? Ask them to listen to music and explore what the songs are saying to their inner being. Invite them to watch films with you and discuss the messages, what words speak to their souls? Why is that? What does that say about their values? What drives their souls to explore and to be curious? After a while, it will become clearer and then you have something to work with.

Journaling and reflecting

Ask them to journal and reflect on what comes from being a witness. There is no right or wrong way, there is their way - in words, pictures or videos. There are so many ways for thoughts and ideas to be recorded (blogs, YouTube, Instagram...). Explain that this will enable them to uncover more about who they are. It will be enormously revealing. Let them write in a safe place. If they want to share, make time to encourage this exploration. Trust them to know what their heart and soul wants you to know.

Take workshops

Encourage them to take workshops, but to not become a workshop junkie. Let’s say one of your children has taken a psychology degree and discovers through the witness and journaling process that she/he has always had eating and self worth issues. That because they have filled their body full of crap, it is now betraying them. Perhaps they discover that their friends are also suffering and are confused about how to make changes. What if they were the first one to start making changes to their diet and lifestyle? How could they support their friends and wider ‘younger’ community? The workshops will help to inform them firstly if this ‘floats their boat,’ if this could be used as a way for them to heal and a way to create a business around their book and message.

What if as your child/children heals they can see ways to help their friends?

Imagine other young people reading this book and understanding how they can solve their body image, nutritional and self worth issues.

Help them to create a business plan

Dig out your business plan and shake off the dust. As you refresh yours, think about how you can support your children to write a short business plan. This will utilise your skills.

Provide guidance for business support set up

You have connections. You know people who could support your children to get this off the ground. You may even be an expert at some of this yourself. You could put a cost on your time and negotiate to get payment when they get paid, or you could be a ‘pro bono’ mentor. You will know what works for you.

Encourage blogging

One way to find our authentic writing voices is to write and to keep on writing. It’s one thing exploring voice in a journal and quite another to write for your ideal reader. We all have to start somewhere, and a blog is the perfect place to start. Short, thoughtful sound bites that entice others to want to know more. In this way, they will find out if their readers like what they have to say. Their confidence will grow. If they have an idea of what their book might be about, these blogs could be part of the eventual book. Call it ‘write a book’ practice.

Support her to find the right book mentor

Writing a book is like writing a dissertation, in that it requires dedication and discipline. Now they will be writing to connect to the reader as opposed to the lecturer and examiner, so a more leeway with style. With a book mentor they will have someone to support this process (plan, pen and publish), to motivate and inspire.

I believe that lurking inside many of us is a powerful and inspiring message to share. I also think that our young people can unlock some of the keys to creating a better world for us all. They have the potential to create incredible change, and they need our support.

When you think about the books that you want to read, would you rather read a book by someone in your peer group or someone older? I know that I wouldn’t (generally be interested in reading a book by someone in their 20’s. However, if I were in my 20’s or 30’s, I would want to read a book by someone that I aspire to be like in my age group.

Make today the day you consider how you could inspire and support your children to become change makers with their book ideas.

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