Dealing with the feeling of 'I don't want to write'

Children who don't want to write also attend my writing class.How do you get them to write?Some adults seem to wonder about this. I always tell the children that it's okay if they don't write. Today, I'd like to talk about that.

The writing class I teach offers online lessons and correspondence courses, but face-to-face lessons are the main focus. The basic schedule is 'once a month.' It's set for a specific Saturday at a specific location.

This is a bit of a digression, but even for me, working as a writer, there are days when I feel like I can write a ton, days when my pen feels heavy, and days when I'm distracted. Since it's my job, I manage myself to ensure I deliver high-quality manuscripts by the deadline, but...

But you know, a writing class is a lesson.

It's not always the case thatyou can just say 'Let's write!' right there on the spot.Your physical condition varies from day to day, and there are all sorts of difficult things happening at school or at home, right? That's even more true if you're attending to overcome a weakness.

Sometimes there are kids who sigh and say, 'I'm tired' or 'I don't want to write.' It happens more often when they arrive at the classroom before the lesson starts rather than after it has begun.

First of all,it's amazing that you're here♡

That's what I think, so when I take attendance (calling their names), I always make sure to say, 'Thank you for coming today♡.' Because it's the truth. In my writing class, my policy is thatbeing in this space equals writing,andthe time spent thinking in order to write equals writing.

Doesn't that feel like, 'Yes, exactly!' to a writer? The work of writing begins even before you start typing the manuscript, right?

I think it's the same when children write compositions.Thinking, struggling, and grappling with their feelings—that stage is also included in 'writing'.

It's okay not to write!

That's the number one phrase that makes parents worry. Butif you force them to write, they will come to hate writing. It's hard to fix things once they start hating it.

You might think, 'But I'm sending them here because I want them to be able to write.' That is exactly why.Because I want them to acquire this as a lifelong skill, I also want them to learn how to deal with themselves when they can't write.

Just because you can't write doesn't mean you're a failure. Let's just give ourselves a big checkmark and accept that those days happen too♪

■ Don't tell your parents 'I didn't write'

This is something kids who didn't write ask me to do. Everyone says it. I really understand how they feel. However, since I am in a position of responsibility, I talk to them a bit more deeply.

'That's fine, but if you don't bring home a written composition, won't your family say something?'
'!!!... They will... Can you say something to them, teacher?'
'Sure, I can. I'll say, "They were thinking really hard about what to write and how to write it. It's a shame they ran out of time, but they told me some very wonderful ideas."'
'Please do that!'
'I will. It's the truth, after all♪'

Even if they don't get as far as writing, my job is to listen carefully to them thinking about the month's theme or talking about what they thought, andconvey that this equals writing.To the child themselves, and to the parents, too.

■The 'Then why don't you write it, teacher?' pattern

Words occasionally uttered by one of my favorite students who has one foot in their rebellious phase♡ It's kind of annoying, I know, I know, I was the same way! It makes me happy. Because, honestly, I used to be like that too, thinking, 'Huh? What is this topic... I feel like I have something to say, but I can't put it into words right away, and you've already decided what the correct answer is, haven't you?' and I was totally grumpy. Bitter laugh.

So, you see,if you say, 'Machika-sensei, please write this for me,' I will. I'll do it for you.I'll ghostwrite it.

“Sure, I’ll write it!”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, totally. Is the content you told me about earlier okay?”
“Ah, wait, what about that part? Actually, I think the conclusion should be XXX.”
“Okay. What about the reasoning? I heard the gist of it, but what about that final push?”
“Then how about, ‘Because of OOO’?”
“Sounds good! Oh, by the way, what are you going to do while I’m writing?”
“I’m bored, so I’ll just watch.”
“Geez. Well then, I’ll write while talking about how I’m writing it.”
“That’s annoying lol”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Listen to me lol”

Once it’s written, I’ll hand it over.“I think it’s bound to be different from how you’d write it yourself, so try making some corrections with a red pen.”I say that. People might laugh and say, “Wait, you want me to edit a composition written by a teacher!? No way!” but it’s true. Because I believe that only that child can express their own thoughts.The teacher isn’t always the one with the right answer.

That’s the kind of composition class it is.

When it comes to writing compositions, if you 'don't want to write,' it's best not to.After all, it’s not a job.I really don’t want you (or your child) to blame yourself by thinking that 'not wanting to write' means 'cannot write'.That is what I believe.

Every child can write.

There are days when they don't write, and that is just a necessary step for that child (^^)

※ This note is an edited version of content I posted on X.