Schools should be safe havens for children where adults prepare them for future challenges. Sometimes, however, an adult can inflict painful wounds.
Imagine that you are a bright, enthusiastic child who loves to read. And to write without being bidden to do so. A child whose mind is overflowing with the stories she wants to write.
Enter a well-meaning teacher whose goal is having her students excel with passing grades more than she wants them to be thinkers. The interpretation of language skills did not extend to classroom writing. However, we were encouraged to use the library where all manner of characters flourished, and adventure reigned. When it came to assignments in class, this was absent.
I know this because that was my English teacher. I remember the voice quietly berating my efforts over commas, semicolons, or a misspelled word, in a manner to suggest I had sinned. I was lectured over adjectives and verbs. Compliments for the subject or characterization was lacking. I was drowning in the mechanics at the expense of creativity. So I caved and concentrated on writing for the grade, never for myself. I came to dread writing assignments. In one year, the writer in me almost died.
I understand that today’s young student may be shorted on the study of grammar in favor of something called language arts. In my opinion, a balance can be achieved.
I beg of today’s educators that they be kind and not kill the writer in a child. To my mind, instruction and encouragement go hand in hand.
Some years later, I attended a writing workshop where the leader said to the group, “Don’t limit yourself. You can write anything you want.” Of course, I knew this, but to have a published author say it aloud was affirming. I had to restrain myself from rising to my feet; fist held high. Of course, the caveat is that what you write may get you in trouble or, worse, keep you from getting published.
Still, don’t let anyone discourage you. Write even if the results crowd the wastebasket or puzzle your acquaintances. Just never, never let anyone murder the writer in you.
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