I started writing short stories when I was around 10 years old. My two oldest grands are currently writing their own books and the other three have expressed interest in writing also, which makes this author’s heart very happy!

Today and every April 10, we celebrate Encourage a Young Writer Day which is a great opportunity to lift up the voices of the next generation of storytellers. As an author, I know firsthand how powerful it can be to have someone believe in your creativity. For young writers, that encouragement can mean everything.

Why This Day Matters

Most children are natural-born storytellers. Give them a crayon and a piece of paper, and suddenly you are introduced to a world of magical forests, talking animals, or daring space missions. Their vivid imaginations and boundless curiosity make them ideal candidates for a lifelong love of writing.

And here is something important to remember: young readers often grow into great writers. Reading expands vocabulary, sparks creativity, and builds the discipline it takes to sit down and craft a story from beginning to end. So, if you know a young person who always has their nose in a book or loves to spin tales at bedtime, you might just be looking at a future novelist, journalist, or screenwriter.

How You Can Encourage a Young Writer

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, aunt, uncle, neighbor, or fellow writer, here are some simple and impactful ways to inspire young creatives today:

• Ask them about their stories. Young writers light up when someone genuinely wants to hear what they are working on.
• Give them a journal or notebook. A dedicated place to write can spark ownership and pride in their creativity.
• Share your writing journey. Let them know that even professional writers started somewhere—and that writer’s block, edits, and revisions are all part of the process.
• Praise their imagination, not just grammar. Creativity comes first. There’s time to polish skills later—what matters most is encouraging their voice.
• Encourage reading widely. Expose them to different genres, cultures, and storytelling styles.

 A Personal Note

As someone who started writing at a young age, I’ll never forget the adults who took my words seriously. Whether it was a teacher (there were several at Colonel Crawford!) who read my short story out loud to the class, or a librarian who always had the perfect book suggestion, those small moments had a big impact. They reminded me that my ideas mattered—and that storytelling is a gift meant to be shared.

Writing gives young people a voice. It helps them process the world around them, dream big, and communicate powerfully. Encourage a Young Writer Day is your chance to be the spark that lights their creative fire.

So today, take a moment to reach out to a young reader or budding writer. Ask what they’re working on. Gift them a new book. Help them start a blog. Who knows—you might just be the person who helps them believe they’re a real writer… because they are.