“Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.”-― Kurt Vonnegut, Bagombo Snuff
Are you are a parent who believes their child is the next J.K. Rowling or James Patterson? Are you are an adult who wonders if you missed your true calling? Here are a few neglected observations to identify a prospective writer.
- Being sent to their room is or never was a form of "punishment". They think soccer, baseball, ballet, swimming, cheer leading practice blows.
- They have been exaggeratedly accused of being "anti-social" on more than one occasion. A friend cancels a play date or dinner plans and they seem really OKAY with that because they really are OKAY with that. Solitude is more delicious than cake.
- They are constantly sleep deprived either from staying up all night reading with a flashlight under the covers or up all night trying to finish their first novel, blog, freelance assignment, living will.
- They like to listen more than they speak.
- They privately keep a journal or online blog and immediately say, " Hey, I can use that." after every word that comes out of your mouth.
- Family members are afraid they will write a story or book exposing all of grandma's sordidly tempting cabbage recipes (or worse).
- They desperately want you to understand that writing is a solitary art which for most human beings requires copious amounts of time alone spent locked away behind closed doors.
- There are books all over the house. There are twenty next to the bed, thirty under the bed, three on the nightstand, two in the bathroom.
- They ask for a Kindle, Nook or Barns and Noble gift card for every birthday and holiday.
- They daydream and stare into space because they are formulating sentences or creating stories in their minds. P.S to parents... LET THEM BE
