An Interview with Vera about Writing

Q: Do you think that the ability to write well is declining in the general population?  

A: Well, we have more magazines and books than ever before so professional writing seems to be doing well. However, many business people tell me that the quality of writing of many of their employees is deplorable.

Writing well means that you have to spend time doing a lot of writing, just as learning to be a mechanic means spending a lot of time with motors. But, everyone is so busy it's hard to find time for writing.

Adolescents are adopting the abbreviated language of MSN and handwriting, for them, is almost a lost art. Many adults I meet tell me that they are going to write a book but they don't do any writing. It seems like the art of writing is declining.

Q: Why did you write a book on writing since there are already so many books on the subject?

A: One night when I came home from speaking to an audience of parents about reading, the thought came into my mind that while we stress the importance of reading to children if they are to become good readers, it is just as crucial to model and celebrate WRITING in the family if we want our children to write well.

Because children tend to enjoy the activities their parents value, I realized that if we are to improve the quality of writing, the most effective way is to make it an important family activity and so I have written a book with a different focus that presents a new concept, FAMILY WRITING.

I show parents how to become models by doing personal writing themselves and I present simple ways to involve the whole family in writing activities. I explore ways to help students with their writing by asking them questions that improve the content of their writing rather than focusing on spelling mistakes. This results in interesting stories that others enjoy, so children develop positive feelings around writing and begin to put in the effort it takes to write well.

Writing is a great way to strengthen family ties as well.

Q: Who would be interested in reading this book?

A: Both my books, Simply Read! and Simply Write! are invaluable guides for parents of pre-school children. If they use the simple, common-sense approaches I suggest, their children are guaranteed to become successful readers and writers.

But the Reading Wings approach is equally valuable to those of any age who are not reading or writing well – I say from 2 to 102! 

Q: Vera, you have also written a book, Simply Read! that shows parents and others how to help those who are struggling to read well. What connection do you make between reading and writing?

A: Actually, writing comes first. Small children want to write before they are interested in reading. Stephen King says that being an avid reader is the main ingredient for good writing. Since both reading and writing are based in the personal experience we bring to them, building a strong background of knowledge is important to both and they reinforce each other.

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