My son Dark Omen (age 12) is writing a novel. He’s been diligently working on it for some time now (since the summer). We discussed it over dinner.
Me: What genre is your story?
Dark Omen: Well, it’s science fiction and adventure. And mystery, too. But no romance.
Me: No romance?
Dark Omen: No! Why would I write a scene about that, when I can be writing about the Carillions attacking the base?
Me: Are there any girls in your story?
Dark Omen: *makes face* Of course! It wouldn’t be even if there weren’t any girls.
Me: So, there are girl characters and boy characters in your story. They just don’t fall in love.
Dark Omen: Well, somewhere in the universe of my story there are probably girls and boys falling in love. I just don’t waste words writing about it.
Me: *trying not laugh*
In my friend Adam Heine’s post The Maturation of the Male Writer, Dark Omen is somewhere between Stage 1 and Stage 2. Which I think is perfectly awesome for a twelve-year-old boy, and fits well with the young teens books that I have queued up to read and review. 🙂
That's awesome!
"I just don't waste words writing about it." I love that comment! Go, Dark Omen!
Love this!! Although I think there are probably some grown men that think this way too!
I hope you keep us posted on his progress. It's fantastic that he's following through with the novel!
omg! Tell Dark Omen a girl just fell in love w/him… 😀 lol j/k of course.
That's AWESOME~
@Rick The kids seriously make me laugh every day.
@Darby One of the things I love about that kid is his plain-spokenness. 🙂
@Jenna You know it! It will be interesting to see if/when he goes on to the next Stages! 🙂
@Leah He is truly bitten by the writing bug. I know the symptoms well. 🙂
@LTM IKR? This is the age where they start to be just so darn charming! Ok, they were pretty cute even before. 😉
Oh, that is so awesome! I can't wait until my kids get older and I can encourage them to write their own stories. 🙂
Very interesting. I'm currently reading this book in which I love the writing, I love the characters, but so far the plot is like bleh. It's nothing but going on about how the two MCs love and lust for each other. Don't get me wrong, I'm a really sentimental dude, and I cry easily in books and movies, and I love a little romance, but if that's ALL that happens? I get bored.
Sounds like your boy is firmly an MG writer… how freaking cute! 🙂 Don't tell him I said that though. Wouldn't want to discourage him.
I like your son!! He's a true MANLY MAN!! He's right–why waste words writing about romance or kissing when there are aliens to fight or things to blow up? Could I link this post or link and copy the text and put it my blog? Or on both of the boy reading blogs I'm on? Or would he like directly to my blog? We'd love to show the world there are MANLY writers out there!
LOL. This is why I love kids. Thanks for sharing!
BTW, the Anonymous post is from me, Iron Guy Carl. I don't know what happened.
This reminds me of the movie Princess Bride when the boy says, "Is this a kissing book?" and then later decides that a little kissing is ok. I wonder how long it will take Dark Omen to change his mind. Wish him luck!
@Nicole We used to write "sticker stories" when the kids were too young to write. Staple together some pages, give them a bunch of stickers, and say "make a story." You'll be amazed. 🙂
@Matthew What are you doing shopping in the romance aisle? 🙂
@LT Yes, I have to play it cool with Dark Omen. If Mom gets too excited about something, it kills the buzz. 🙂
@Shannon They keep me laughing. 🙂
@Iron Carl You absolutely can link/paste/whatever! Get those Manly Little Men going! 🙂
@MT We just recently watched the Princess Bride! And yes, I can't wait to see how long it takes until the kissing is ok. Hmmm…then again, maybe I CAN wait! LOL
"Why would I write a scene about that, when I can be writing about the Carillions attacking the base?"
Dark Omen is my new hero.
@Adam Betweeen that and the RPGs, I think you may be clones. 🙂
LOVE this conversation! He and my son would get along splendidly in their romance-free universe 🙂
I think your son's point is awesome. Why waste words writing about something that is not a key element of your story? Stay focused and don't get sidetracked. Maybe he should write a book giving advice on how to write!
@Sherrie They do sounds like peas-in-pods from what you've said before.
@Andrea Truly! Although he lavishes words on descriptions of weapons and troop formations. 🙂
Carmillion's attacking the base sounds much more exciting! I agree with Dark Omen! Sounds like my kind of book. Go Dark Omen!