Should I try to support my 15 yo fiction writing hobby

[Wupity]

He enjoys writing books. Just in a notepad. They seem good to me. I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help him improve though. English tutors? Writing courses and critiques on his work maybe? I am kind of worried how much encouragement the school give as it is not a highly rated school. And i want to encourage his talents for writing. He lets me read them. Should I just leave him and let him enjoy what he is doing?

I'd leave him to it, but be really encouraging. I think a tutor etc is a risk as you can't tutor enthusiasm and natural love for an activity.

I'd take mine to writer/book fairs/events, plays, book shops, library/shop author reading events and just be really enthusiastic. There will be loads of writing groups he can go to very soon, when just a little older.

There are good short story magazines you could buy - he can read other new writers' work and possibly enter a piece in time.

The beauty of writing is you need very little to practice other than the love of it.

Should have added: I'd steer clear of 'critique' at this age, try to just encourage and enthuse. If you make it serious, it could backfire. Writing is not like sport, it is a creative activity more like painting.

Exciting to watch your child create!!

I agree. If you get a tutor for creative writing you risk taking the joy out of it. Just encourage it, take him to book related events, and let him enjoy the process. Above all, don't tell him 'there's no money in it' or 'it's too competitive an industry'.

Thanks these are great tips. I am not much of a reader myself so a bit lost with where to encourage. Short story magazines, can they be found in a newsagent?

yes it’s so easy to actually put them off by saying the wrong thing. So half tempted to do nothing at all !

He was saying that an older lady on the train said to him how lovely it was to see someone of his age reading. And my first thought was “oh, hope that hasn’t put him off !”

Find your nicest local independent bookshop and just start browsing. They give away free magazines about new books. The staff will usually chat happily about books. The library is also a nice place to go - free so no pressure over choosing the wrong thing - you can join libraries in other areas if there's a good one.

I have bought a 'new writing' magazine in WHSmiths before, but you might have more luck with a subscription.

https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ might help guide you.

Teens are easy to scare off!! Know exactly what you mean about comments.

Critique could backfire so I would just encourage - it's like painting, which my DGD is interested in - and also take to book-related events, readings, book fairs etc. Whatever you do never say:'you must have experience of life before you write' or 'only write from your own experience' - these are damaging ideas which may stop him in his tracks for a long time, if not permanently, for they are saying that what you imagine is not good enough to write about. Encourage what he writes, be enthusiastic and make sure he is able to read and experience books/stories, particularly in the genre he enjoys writing, but also other genres. Time enough to learn about structure etc, which really comes from experiencing others' writing (Dickens, Thackeray, Fielding, Austin, Elliott etc. did not go to writing classes).

The teaching of creative writing has an awful lot to answer for - it encourages the idea that there are fixed rules, and can cramp a writer's style. I'd keep totally away from any tuition at this stage.

He will learn a lot from reading widely. By reading, future writers absorb a great deal about structure, grammar, style etc, and this happens naturally, without their even being aware of it. The best thing you can do at this stage is to be interested in and supportive of his writing, and encourage him to read other writers.

Encourage him to read widely.

Encourage his reading, encourage a broad range of experiences and encourage other interests so he has things he can write about. Don't put pressure on.

Do you know what genre he tends to write in? Perhaps we can make suggestions for resources.

I write as a hobby and listen to a podcast call ' writing excuses' its hosted by 3 highly successful authors (brandon sanderson is probably the biggest writer in his genre currently) but with a focus on fantasy/scifi although lots of the discussion is relevant to all stories. The topics are highly practical, how to develop characters, how to include exposition without boring people its just very interesting and not prescriptive at all.

I'm suggesting it for you as much as your son, it could fuel some amazing conversations about his work which I'm sure he would love you to be interested.

Our charity bookshop has a small young adult section. There is also a section with sort of Manga (no idea of the correct term) magazine/comic/scifi stuff.
Am sure there is loads of stuff online - TikTok seems to influence best seller lists nowadays.

You could get him some books on creative writing.

There are some really good ones with lots of prompts.

Get him lots of books. Not just literary classics but fiction of all kinds. Libraries are wonderful, but having your own books which you can go back to any time you want is the best thing of all. A kindle is ideal if you don't have much space for books.

Thanks. He mainly seems to be inspired by writing similar to Harry Potter / lord of the rings type stories. Podcast is a great shout as he likes podcasts so will check that out

Get him novels to read. Encourage him to ask the school librarian for ideas or his English teacher. Give him a tenner and send him to the nearest Oxfam bookshop.

Being a bit cynical here but I'd say the most useful thing you could do is steer him towards a career in journalism or publishing. It's all too often who you know...