Today's children's story is not only for the A to Z challenge but it's also for the
Insecure Writer's support group. I'm a lot like Sam. I am constantly afraid to share my work with others. I'm trying to get over it though! Now on with today's story!
“Sam, Sam come play with me!
My doll climbed up a tree and she is too scared to come down. She needs Super Sam to come save her.”
“Not right now Ellie.
I’m busy.”
“You’re staring at a notebook.”
Sam let out a breath and watched the paper flutter.
“I’m writing a story.”
“Let me see.”
“No!”
Sam slammed the notebook closed.
“Ok, I guess I can go outside for a little bit.”
Being Super Sam was hard work. He saved the doll, rescued Ellie from a tiger
and kept baby Jack from eating rocks. After
awhile he pulled out his notebook and began to write.
“Sam, Ellie, Jack, its snack time.”
Momma was standing in the doorway.
Something smelled wonderful.
Sam tucked his notebook under his arm and ran inside.
“Momma made chocolate chip cookies! Yippee!” sang Ellie.
“Num, num.” said Jack.
Sam sank his teeth in one of the cookies. It gave him an idea. He grabbed his notebook and wrote as fast as
he could so he wouldn’t forget it.
“What are you writing, Sam?”
Asked Momma.
“Nothing much. Just a
story.”
“May I see?”
Sam shook his head.
Sam finished his snack and wrote until dinner time. Daddy came home from work.
“Hey buddy! What are
you working on?”
“I’m writing a story.”
“Cool! Can I read it?”
“No, it’s not ready yet.”
That night Sam sat in his bed. His story was done but he couldn’t sleep.
Daddy sat down next to him.
“Is everything ok, Sam?”
“I want you to read my story but I’m scared.”
“Why are you scared?”
“It might be terrible.
You might not like it.”
“Oh. I see.”
Daddy pulled Sam into a hug.
“Do you know what courage is?” Daddy asked.
“It’s being brave, right Daddy?”
“Yes.” Daddy nodded.”
It’s being brave enough to do something even when you’re scared and you don’t
know if things will work out or not. It
takes courage to share something as important as a story you wrote.”
“Is it still courage if I read it really quietly?”
“Yes, it is.” Daddy
smiled.
“Ok.” Said Sam. “I will read it. Maybe tomorrow I will have enough courage to
read it to Ellie.”
“I’m sure she would like that, Sam.”
Sam opened his book, took a deep breath, and began to read.
Sometimes I wonder if there is anything writing related that I am not insecure about. I'm always afraid that my ideas are to tame, or to quirky or any number of other things. My main insecurities at the moment come from my completed first draft. I have hours and hours of my life staring at me when I open that document. I love my story. I love my characters but now I fear I won't be able to figure out what to do next. Revision is all new to me. Publishing scares me too. I guess I will do what I always do. I will learn as I go. (and perhaps beg any unsuspecting authors for advice!)
