July 2008 Driving from Williamsburg, VA T: Dad, I want to write a book. Dad: I think it’s a great Idea. T: Can you help me? Dad: What do you mean? Are we writing it together? T: No! You just help me. Dad: Explain to me what that means. If I help you writ a book I’d be the “co author” of the book. T: What is a co author? Dad: It would be the second author. T:I’m the author; and the illustrator too! Dad: What am I, then? T: You just help me. Dad: What kind of help? T: Tell me what I should write about. Dad: You’re kidding me, right? T: I’m serious. Dad: The first thing you need in writing a book is a subject. You, either, know a subject and you can comfortably write about it, or, you are willing to research it and write about it. T: Okay, dad. I want to write about a Pegasus. Dad: That’s interesting. What do you want to write about a Pegasus? T: Well, there are three sisters walking from school and all of a sudden this pink Pegasus appears out of pink smoke. Dad: Exciting! Then what happens? T: she (the Pegasus) takes the girls on her back and flies to Egypt. Dad: To Egypt. Why Egypt? T: Well, the three sisters are members of an ancient history club and want to go for an adventure. Dad: Love it! Continue! T: That’s it. Dad: That’s your story? That’s your book? T: Now you help me. Dad: That’s a great start. What are the names of these young ladies? You have to give a bit more information. Is this short story? T: No a chapter book. Dad: How many chapters? T: 26. Dad: Why 26? T: I don’t know dad; I just want 26 chapters. Dad: I have to ask because I’m writing it, right? T: No, daddy! I’m writing it; you just help me. Dad: Do you remember what I said about writing? T: You have to know your subject. Dad: That too! I, also, said every piece of writing has three parts to it: introduction, body and conclusion. T: Yeah! Dad: Is that a yes? Because” yeah” means you’re not interested in listening. If that’s the case we’ll talk later. T: Okay! Okay! Dad: What do we know about writing? T: I don’t know. Dad: Well, the subject is obvious; you’ve got to know the subject! You’ve got to know what it is you want to write about. Then, write a little about what it is you want to say. And, after that, you move on to supporting your idea. My theory is that… are you listening – honey?T.....? T.…? Sweet dreams! Sleep tight! Don’t let the booster seat bugs bite!
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