Midwest Mary

When a door closes, make another entrance.

My nine-year-old granddaughter, Isabella (Izzy) was disappointed that she wasn’t accepted into an after-school writing club. Forty students applied, and there was only space for twenty, so her teacher held a lottery. Isabella’s ticket didn’t get chosen.

I asked Isabella if she’d like to form a club with me, and she said yes. Children who enjoy writing typically choose to write fiction. I encouraged her to notice the writing around us. We talked about the words on signs, products, mail, magazines, and wall art. I then asked if she’d like to work on a magazine.

A magazine requires a variety of writing styles. It contains feature articles such as on current events, interesting people, and neighborhood news. Some also have short fiction stories, puzzles, and advertising. The variations of writing styles offer Isabella an opportunity to try all of them out.

I expected our first issue to be a slow process with a learning curve. I should have known better. Isabella is a quick learner, has an excellent vocabulary, and understands deadlines.

She’s also creative and thoughtful. For example, I asked her what our first ad should be, and she said dog food since her first feature article was on dogs. I also suggested we include a game or puzzle. She said we should do a crossword puzzle with six words and gave me words relating to spring.

Our magazine is seasonal, which allows us a doable schedule considering both of us are busy. We meet twice a week for about 15/20 minutes on Zoom and discuss one article or piece at a time. Due to Izzy’s quick response, our spring issue is completed, and we have several new ideas to add to the summer issue.

Our spring edition of “Seasons with Izzy” includes features on dogs and weather, an interview, a short fiction story, list of holidays and events in the spring, crossword puzzle, dot-to-dot puzzle, movie review, and fun facts about dogs.

And our magazine continues to grow. As we have more ideas and feedback, we plan on going bigger and bolder. Our next issue will also include a recipe and feature on community helpers.

My son paid for a full-page ad (titled Best Uncle Ever) and my financially minded sister and boyfriend insisted on the importance of selling the magazine to cover costs and teach about the business of publication. Our little writing club has indeed bloomed into something quite special.

I am working with Isabella as I would in a professional writer/editor relationship. We have two short Zoom meetings a week where she is attentive and interactive. We use magazine and editing terminology. She rewrites edited copy, which will help her grow. Isabella is also learning how to interview a subject and print and bind copies. Considering how well she is doing already, I expect great progress from my star writer.

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©2024, Mary K. Doyle