by Melissa Kline
My seven-year-old son came home from school the other day with a two-page, typed story, complete with chapters and a title that his friend had written. When I asked him about the story, he didn’t say much about it, so I assumed it was just another novelty paper that would soon get lost in the shuffle.
That same day, I witnessed my son with a notebook and pencil in-hand scrawling away. He was writing a story! A story very similar to his friends, only hand-written and with a new spin. I couldn’t help but find this incredibly inspiring. I found myself reliving old memories and experiences that I had forgotten about as a young writer. It was as if I was living those writer birthing moments all over again through my son. I knew exactly what he was experiencing and feeling through that story, because I had felt it too at one time.
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| My first novel - a notebook filled with my 13 year old writing |
It took me a few days to realize, but I had experienced exactly what he had through my own peer influence in middle school. My spark came from an acquaintance who had brought a manuscript to class. Something transpired within my thirteen-year-old being that day when I saw that raw, printed, one-inch pile of paper. What occurred was the reality and possibility that I could create one, too! Seeing a novel written by my peer gave me permission on some level, and that was where it all began. I realized that the exact same thing had occurred with my son. He just needed to see the possibility from a peer perspective. He was sparked, and thus another writer was born!
I am absolutely tickled to watch my son go through an evolution in his own creative process. He has gone from notebook to computer within only a few days. I have become motivated to write long-hand again and just seeing him hard at work makes me want to work, too! I am amazed by this cycle of inspiration and how very powerful it is. When I explained to a friend about this recent phenomenon, she said, “You have inspired him and now he is inspiring you!” How neat is that? It’s a beautiful cycle of inspiration.
How have you been influenced or inspired by others? Was there a defining moment or spark for you? I’d love to hear about your experience.
