AIBU to think my DD 10 can pursue writing now ?

[Butterflies14]

Hi all,

Please help me understand, I’m new and may be I’m wrong. DD is 10, loves reading and is great at art, she creates amazing comics or little stories, how can I encourage her? Is there any magazines I could contact to see if any of her comics can be published ? How does it all starts ? I live in UK. Please help me so she can continue to grow her talent. she will be so happy to see if anything she writes / creates gets published.
Many thanks in advice

Look out for this next year: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1X807bd666plfvBBbR6hDmd/500-words-2018-final-as-it-happened

You could see if your local library runs any writing groups for kids. If not, they may well have some useful suggestions.

Also, Google flash fiction prompts to give her some jumping off points for short stories.

Does she like competitions?

www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/short-story-competitions.php

Thank you all, I will have a look. She creates more like comics where she draws and then writes , I’m just wondering how could you do that on computer

PP have given excellent tips, I would also generally suggest you should be encouraging her to read and write as much as she can. So much of writing is practice and the more she writes the better she’ll get. Encourage her to write stories, poems, plays, newspaper articles. You can probably find some good templates/exercises/jumping off points online – could be a fun summer exercise here and there.

Maybe try to find a local writer/graphic artist who would be willing to mentor her. Look for websites of people who produce graphic novels or short stories and ask them for advice on publishers.

Self publishing is also an option - but you might have to scan the work rather than type directly into the computer.

You could also go down the self publish route, and publish her books/comics as ebooks

She can draw with pen and paper and then scan it in for publication. Would she be interested in setting up a website with your help? If she establishes herself and creates a following there are various ways to create an income down the line. I expect you will need to support her heavily with the social media side of things to protect her from trolls but i think the actual web art community is very supportive and helpful.
Have a watch of this old YouTube reality show based on web artists - its really fun and could give you both some ideas as to what's involved

I'm an illustrator.

There's no 'one way' into doing this kind of thing. Everyone finds their own path.

I suggest Radio 2 500 words story competition. I know it's more writing than comic strips but it would really challenge her. The competition has got bigger and bigger and is now HUGE. Real kudos to the winners.

Also, have a look at at Anorak magazine. It's heavily skewed towards writing, illustration and comics/doodling and is a bit different. They may have comps?

www.anorakmagazine.com/about/

She's a bit young at the moment but this is a brilliant charity she can use when she becomes 13. They have the best industry experts working with them

Gah sorry link: saturday-club.org/join-a-club/

Why not set her up with a webcomic. You might want to invest in a digital drawing tablet. Share it a bit on social media and if she keeps at it but isn't getting much traffic then maybe pay for an ad on one of the more popular ones for a few weeks.

Could she start a blog?

@KateClanchy1 on Twitter runs a children's poetry group and has entered their work into competitions and had it published (she also posts some of it on Twitter).

Good luck to your DD, what a noble ambition she has!

Nice thread

Years ago you could send stuff like that in to shows like blue Peter and they shared some pieces of work on air and even invited the kids to appear. I don’t know if that show still exists but you could try the cbbc website for something similar? Also our library runs all sorts of creative clubs for kids, as does a local gallery. Either of those might be an option for you.

Does she still like Jacqueline Wilson books? Her magazine is FAB and has lots of great tips about writing and illustrating (Nick Sharratt is a regular contributor)

My dd has a sort of drawing pad with a pen tool, that she uses with the computer which is good for artwork. I can't remember what they're called though.

Thank you, she doesn’t read Jacquline Wilson. She did enter 500 words competition but did not win last year. She will try again, please keep suggestions coming as I’m so technologically challenged and old factioned I’m not sure how to help her and this is so helpful

I’m just wondering how could you do that on computer

Graphics tablet :)

Just to say that there are many hidden local gems, especially if prominent writers are associated with a local area.

Best places to ask are local museums, art galleries or libraries (if you have them!), one local to me has a fantastic poetry scene and runs classes for writing in nature, my daughter really took off with it.

Ok noted first point of contact will be my local library

I’m just wondering how could you do that on computer

Graphics tablet

That's the thing! Yes, that's what DD has.