“If you’re a young creative and someone told you writing isn’t a ‘real’ skill, know this: every movie, every song, every game, every website, every app, and every book you love was WRITTEN by someone. Writing is the most ‘real’ skill there is.”
— L.A. Walton, The Book Maven
This one’s for the young creatives—the teens, the tweens, the kids who fill notebooks with stories during math class and write fan fiction at midnight and have more imagination in their pinky finger than most adults have in their entire LinkedIn profiles.
And for the parents: your kid’s creative obsession is not a phase. It’s a calling. Nurture it.
What Young Writers Need to Hear
| The Lie Adults Tell You | The Truth |
| “Writing isn’t a real career.” | Writing is one of the most versatile, in-demand skills in the world. |
| “Focus on something practical.” | Creativity IS practical. It’s used in every industry on Earth. |
| “You’re too young to be a real writer.” | If you write, you’re a writer. Age is irrelevant. |
| “Wait until you have more life experience.” | Your current experience is valid. Write what you know NOW. |
| “That’s just a hobby.” | Every professional started with what someone else called ‘just a hobby.’ |
Tips for Young Creatives
- Write every day, even if it’s just a journal entry. Consistency builds skill faster than inspiration does.
- Read everything. Every genre, every format. Reading is how you absorb craft without even trying.
- Don’t compare yourself to adults. You’re building skills that will compound over time. You have a massive head start.
- Find your creative community. Writing clubs, online groups, workshops for young writers. Find your people.
- Keep everything you write. Your future self will be amazed at how much you’ve grown—and grateful you didn’t delete anything.
Your Move, Young Creative
Write one page today about something that matters to you. Not for a grade. Not for anyone else. Just for YOU. Date it. Save it. You’re building the foundation of a creative life that will serve you for decades.
Stop letting your stories stay stuck.
