Write to a Grandchild! Insights — free online course in creative writing

Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION

It is always easier to get started with a writing job when you know who you are writing for. If one writes for unknown readers, one must still create an image within oneself of the possible reader. If, on the other hand, you write to a specific person, or a specific group of people you know, the task is easier. — What if you think you are writing to a grandchild, or to a larger group of your descendants? Then the writing task immediately becomes more concrete. Not necessarily easier, but certainly more engaging. Think about this:

• What do you want to tell me about?

• What facts, events, environment or people have you met in your life do you want to let your descendants know a little about?

• What is worth telling further?

• What do you think those who come one or two generations after you will appreciate reading about?

• What do you want — if you start to tell me about your upbringing — to pay special attention to when you tell from the “old days”?

• What do you think is important to convey to the young generations?

• How should you convey your facts and insights?

Exercise 1 Write down your thoughts on writing to a grandchild. Feel free to write answers and comments to the point above. (You can, if you want, send that answer to me, and I will answer you back.)

This is Lesson 1 in Insights Free Online Creative Writing Course: Write to a Grandchild! In the next lessons, we will go more into the writing process, brainstorming, delimiting the material, how to get started with the first drafts, editing, use of image, different ways to publish the material, and much more.

Are you curious to know more about writing to those who come after you? Then you can get the next two lessons for free in your inbox. Write to me by e-mail at oeivindsolheim@gmail.com, and you will get more in the next few days.

Greetings Øivind H. Solheim