A Writer's Responsibilities

Some authors for children and adolescents 'talkfor the tween and teen of this complicated
down' to their readers. For such writer, an aura ofcentury to develop into a completely rounded
condescension tends to permeate their writing.adult who won't be swayed by this and that
And this is like nauseating medicine for kids andexternal message that is postulatssed by either
adolescents. Such negative and 'talked down'the media or other external sources.
writing can form an unappetizing sub-text that theThe overall goals of my writing are as follows:
reader will hate. Over time, the child will avoid1. I want to reach as many teens and tweens as
your writing. Who would want to read a particularpossible through my writing and to show them
writer's books and articles if the kid feels badthat I really care about them unconditionally, and
about himself after reading them?that I really know how difficult time of their lives
The purpose that I write for kids is to makethis is.
them feel good about themselves and to be2. I want to show my readers that this is also
content and more fulfilled. Otherwise, my missionone of the greatest times in their lives. I want to
and purpose for writing is empty and void. Also, Ishow them that they should try to enjoy their
feel that I have missed my mark as a writer. Kidslives by accepting themselves unconditionally. This
need nourishing and nurturing types of writing inis so important and one of my main goals as a
order for them to feel much more self-actualizedwriter.
and self-confident.3. I also want to show my readers how they
My purpose for writing for kids vary quite a bit.could love themselves unconditionally. This is also
But one thing that propels me forward to writeimportant for teens to develop in a world that is
for kids is that I remember all too well howdevelop of self-nourishment and inner nurturance.
uncertain I felt during adolescence. My body was4. I want to help adolescents to develop
changing at an alarming rate, and I sometimes Iself-esteem and self-confidence, two difficult traits
wasn't even able to recognize myself. My mindto develop in the current culture. I hopefully will be
and attitudes were changing and I was trying toable to instill these habits of celebrating their
get on my own two feet, however badly at first.unique selves in my writing.
I wanted to challenge all of my mother's and5. Kids need to be self-reliant. Through my
father's beliefs and values. I just wanted so badwritings, I always try to encourage teens and
to be independent.teens to not look for outside love and
But today, I think the challenges for teens andacceptance. Instead, they should accept
tweens are even greater in many ways. Theythemselves and love themselves unconditionally.
live in a quick paced, technologically-driven worldSo, I have many responsibilities as a writer for
that espouses very few values. Kids are taughtkids and teens. I feel very privileged to be writing
that it is best to excel through externalfor teens and tweens. I take my responsibility
appearances only. But this is far from sufficientvery seriously.