Sharing my Passions

"Go to the edge of the cliff and jump off. Build your wings on the way down." --Ray Bradbury

One of the joys I’ve experienced as an author is seeing my children develop an interest in writing. So far, three of them are dreaming up stories and putting them on paper. My oldest boy, Chad, went to a writing seminar with me last fall and loved it. When he heard I was going to another without him, he only had one thing to say.

“Jerk.”

We both laughed. Maybe we could host our own seminar, just with our family, or even a few friends.

My six-year-old, Drake, writes stories featuring kings, axes, swords, and flaming arrows. Lots of  blood. I’d be worried, except that my middle son, Josh, went through a gory phase, too, and he seems to be turning out all right.

Today, Drake invited me to his store. He’d set it up in his bedroom, complete with price tags and decorations (Star Wars figurines and a duct-tape maraca). Admittedly, a few items were overpriced. I couldn’t bring myself to cough up a hundred bucks for two pieces of blank paper. Although, I might’ve been tempted during church when I needed something to occupy him.

When I informed Drake that I only had pennies, he said I could read one of his stories for two cents. Six years old and he’s already marketing his fiction. And getting in his two cents’ worth at the same time. While retaining ownership rights. Wow.

I read Rocket Crown twice. Drake helped me decipher his first-grade spelling. I offered to pay three cents if he’d add periods. Even now, he’s upstairs dotting his manuscript, hopefully in the right places.

What a joy it is to share my passions—from writing to swimming to chocolate—with those I love. What passions do you share with family or close friends? And how do you nurture those common interests? I’d love to hear your story.