Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Farris:
John Erickson, who is the author of the very popular Hank the Cowdog books, is with me to talk about the craft of storytelling. John, when you talk to students, what advice do you give them on learning to write well?

John Erickson:
One of the first things we have to do is master the mechanics of our language: the grammar. I offer “Jesus wept” as an example of a great sentence, because there’s no ambiguity about it. There’s no dishonesty. We also have to encourage kids to revise. I revise my Hank books probably twenty times before they’re ever published.

I’d also say that it’s important to live before you write. It’s not reasonable to expect our kids to be writing good or great novels when they’re 12 years old. They need to experience a lot about life. And that includes cooking meals, raising children, attending funerals and weddings.

I prepare myself by spending a lot of time by myself contemplating, thinking about my role in the universe, and what I can do to enhance God’s plan. Those are all things that a writer has to do that we don’t think about.

Mike:
John, that is great advice! We're going to wrap up next time with more advice for young writers. I’m Mike Farris.