10) Keep on writing, don’t stop too soon—the solution will come!

11) Always carry writing materials with you. Who knows when you will be inspired to write? I have a tiny pocket-size notebook that I carry on nature walks.

12) Pray on paper—write letters to God.

13) Write His answers.

When your children see you writing regularly, they will want to begin their own journal. A sentence or two is sufficient until fluency in handwriting is achieved. However, do not limit them - let them write as much as they want. Suggest prayers, answers, daily activities (a diary), goals, and dreams in their notebook or journal. Provide thought-provoking questions, such as “What is God telling you?” With many different types of writing, I have found it easiest to use one big spiral notebook, dating each entry and also giving each a title, such as Journal, Reviews, Goals, Questions, Answers, Letters to God and so on. Your children could use some of above titles as well as subject titles, such as Current Events, in which section they would write their thoughts on a news event, election or candidate.

Journaling is enjoyable for both parent and child. You will be amazed at its life-changing power while your child will reach writing expertise much earlier.

3) Then, supporting sentences need to be gathered together with each topic sentence. Have your students highlight or circle supporting sentences and then draw arrows or lines to circled topic sentence, which may also be highlighted. Change colors for each paragraph.

4) Rewrite into paragraphs, placing each topic sentence with its supporting sentences. Topic sentences can be anywhere in paragraph, but are usually at beginning.

5) Organize paragraphs by thinking what topic should come first, second and so on. Rewrite.

After doing this exercise a few times, your children’s writing will become far more organized—even their first drafts!