Websites For Young Writers
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My daughter wants to be a writer when she grows up. “Oh, how sweet, just like her mom,” you may think. Not quite. She will quickly correct anyone who jumps to that conclusion. “Like J.K. Rowling! Do you know how much money she makes?”
Fortunately, money is not the only thing that motivates this young writer. It is only an issue because she has been told daily for the past 5 years that money is the one thing standing between her and her very own horse. She is fascinated by the Harry Potter series and would like to create a series of her own someday.
She has been writing stories for years now. First, she would dictate her ideas to me and I had to write them word for word. Her first book was The Dinosaur Bone which was followed by her first play, The Princess and The Prince, which tells the story of a princess knight rescuing a rather weak prince, who is unable to save himself from a mean dragon.
She is getting older and writing all on her own now. Out of a desire to encourage her creativity, I began searching for an online writing community just for kids. I know how much I appreciate peer support, and I think she would too.
Interactive Writing Websites For Kids
Here are the best of the sites I explored:
- KidPub.com: They claim to have the largest collection of kid-authored stories on the web. Kids can post stories, plays and reviews. They can receive and add comments, and enter seasonal contests sponsored by KidPub, for a chance to win prizes such as a $50 Amazon gift certificate. All members are invited to add a paragraph to the collaborative Never-Ending Stories section. KidPub has been online for over ten years and a one-year membership is $12.95.
- Kids-space.org: This free site is designed for kids 13 and under. In the creative activities section kids can submit artwork or photos to the gallery, read or send in their own stories, or create a cooperative picture book with another child.
- Kids.faithwriters.com: A writing community for Christian kids ages 7-14. Kids can submit their writing by age, or category. Some categories include stories, poems, riddles and jokes. There is a weekly topic to write about, and the winner is posted on the front page of the site. Members are also able to browse other submissions, comment and make friends.
Choose a site that seems like a good fit for your child. Participation should be a fun and encouraging experience for them. Children should always be monitored when spending time online.
Links to Websites for Young Writers
- FaithWriters For Kids
A writing community for young children writers and the jr writer! An online community for young Christian writers. - KidPub
- Kids Space
Of Kids, by Kids and for Kids! An educational learning site devoted to bringing out the creativity in Kids of all ages around the world. Share your stories, pictures, and musical compositions!
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The Magic Pencil: Teaching Children Creative Writing : Exercises and Activities for Children, Their Parents, and Their Teachers
Price: $4.81
List Price: $8.95 |
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If You're Trying to Teach Kids How to Write, You'Ve Gotta Have This Book (Ip, 62-5)
Price: $9.98
List Price: $20.99 |
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Ready Set Write: Creative Ideas to Get Kids Practicing Writing
Price: $15.99
List Price: $9.00 |
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Pop-Up Activities to Teach Genre: 18 Unique Pop-Up Projects With Templates, Story Starters, and Graphic Organizers That Motivate Kids to Write in Different Genres
Price: $5.00
List Price: $14.99 |
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Comments
Thank you for this hub. My daughter has shown much interest in writing, and I have been looking for a place to get her started.
Very cool - I had no idea sites like this existed. My kids are fascintated by watching me write, too. But not quite as far along as your daughter.
Thanks for reading, Uninvited Writer and rmr. :)
Hi Steph, if they want to try some thing most like hubpages, KidPub is the way to go. They are inspired by their Mom, I am sure. :) They are probably wondering how they can get in on all the fun you are having!
Great info! I'm going to have my daughter explore these links (after me). She loves reading and has shown an interest and promise as a writer. :)
Let me know which site you both like best! :)
great resources amy, too bad im not married yet :D
Thanks for this great Hub. I'm going to be checking them out soon!
Thanks for reading, Rudevils...someday you may need these :)
Hi Violette, thanks for reading. Let me know which one you like best!
This is a cute idea. I never knew there were writing websites specifically for kids. Cool idea.
Kudos to your daughter,Amy. What an achievement at such a young age!
I have to check this site out for my kids.Thanks for the useful hub!
I too want to be a writer when I grow up. On a more serious note, since according to my wife I will never grow up-Lucky her, I think that writing is the imaginative form of reading and we know how valuable that is for our young people. I can imagine she will do very well. She has a great mom. My 39 year old baby boy still gets my encouragement and support. Why else would a 63 year old grandpa be blogging, of all things.
Thanks for sharing who you are with so many of us.
NEIL
Awesome advice, I have a movie idea and will start working on the script shortly. I may hit you up for some advice if that's cool!
This is great stuff. My nephew and niece have been asking me for resources to help them get started, but I didn't know there were places this good to send them. You hub will be their next stop after they get done texting and playing video games at the same time! :-)
Thanks for reading, Whitney and Abhinaya. I'm glad you liked it!
Thanks, Neil! You always make my smile! Growing up is really not much fun anyway, so there is no need for you to rush things.:) I am glad that I am not the only 30-something that still gets a healthy amount of encouragement from her parents!
Hi Firetown, thanks for reading - I am always willing to help out if I can!
Hi Roland, I hope your niece and nephew check out these sites, because they do look like fun. I am sure they would love the social aspect and support of other writers their age. Thanks for reading and commenting :)
I don't have kids myself, but I do have lots of wonderfully creative nieces!
Will be sure to pass on the info! Thanks!
You are very welcome, Woody! Thanks for reading :)
That's great! My little sister wants to be a writer, so I'll have to send her some of these links. She's getting pretty savvy with a computer too! Haha.
Hi Earl, thanks for reading! I hope your sister enjoys the sites - it's amazing how much young kids know about computers and the internet. :)
Great info. I hope these sites are still around in 10 or so years.
Thanks Peter! By then I am sure there will be bigger and better sites for your little writer to explore! :)
Amy, You have already got so many appreciations that this one may not count at all! You are fortunate enough to be the mother of such a child who has high levwel dreams.The way you are guiding is qwuite right.You have not mentioned the age of your child. Perhaps she is making you work more to just guide her. Good unformation
Thanks Prasadjain, I always like to hear that people are enjoying my hubs! My daughter is 8, but she has always been mature for her age. :) She is very intense about everything that she does, which makes life interesting. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Great article!
I have a 10-year-old who "will become a writer" too, so you article is super useful to us
Thanks a million!
You're welcome! Glad I could help. Thanks for reading!
Great advice, Amy Jane.
One of the things I've found is that there are limited GOOD resources as it is for adult writers, so to find excellent ones for kids is a major bonus.
Good luck to your daughter's writing ambitions - she has great genes to help her! :)
Thanks so much Smallbizpro! These sites were more difficult to find than I expected. There really is a good deal of junk aimed at kids, so you are right - it is a bonus to find safe communities for them to participate in. Thanks for reading :)
Wow! These are great. I didn't know there were sites like this, and I can't wait to check them out.
I hope you like them! There are many opportunites to nurture young writers. :)
I'll pass this on to my Harry Potter Fan as well. Thank you.
Hi Cailin! Thanks for passing it on. :)
Just what I was looking for, thanks!
Great! Glad to hear it. :)
Hi, I'm the publisher over at KidPub. Thanks for the great writeup! KidPub's strength is the incredible talent of its young writers...they support each other with praise, comments, and encouragement.
i dont have words to say something you are just perfect always.really a great hub.thanks for it.
Thanks so much pertibha! I'm so glad you enjoyed this hub.
Thank you so much. My 13 year old is really looking for something like this. I'll have her check it out.
I hope she finds one of these sites to be a good match for her!
Uninvited Writer says:
2 years ago
Very informative hub.