[Podcast #289] A Round Table with Katie Doughty about Julie’s New Book

Brave Writer Podcast

Do your kids say they hate writing? You’re not alone—and they’re probably not telling the whole story.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we’re excited to share Katie Doughty’s interview with Julie about Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing! from the Raising Kind Humans podcast. That’s right—this week we’re turning the tables!

Katie Doughty
Katie Doughty

Together, Katie and Julie explore why so many children struggle with writing and what we can do to restore their natural love for self-expression. From rethinking how we approach mechanics to embracing the role of a writing coach (not a referee), we share practical strategies to help your child find their voice.

We also explore how playful tools like freewriting, oral storytelling, and pretend play can unlock creativity and confidence. Writing isn’t about getting it “right”—it’s about being real. And when we start there, the rest follows.

Show Notes

Too often, writing is reduced to a checklist: topic sentences, three supporting details, a tidy conclusion. But when we fixate on structure, we risk extinguishing the very spark that makes writing worthwhile: the desire to be heard.

Many of us grew up writing for someone else’s approval. We learned to chase good grades, not to chase our own thoughts. That same system now shapes how we teach our kids. We imagine a staircase of writing progress, each year preparing for the next assignment: a report, an essay, a research paper. But where, in all of that, is the writer?

Writing as Self-Expression

We believe writing should begin as it always has throughout human history—with expression. Long before standardized spelling or formal education, people made marks on cave walls to communicate stories and emotions. That impulse is still alive in our children. Just look at how they engage online: texting, captioning, role-playing in games, writing fanfiction. They’re not afraid of writing—they’re hungry for connection.

The Mechanics Myth

So what gets in the way? School, often. And the misconception that mechanics—grammar, spelling, punctuation—must come first. But those are editing tools, not the heart of writing. When children are judged on mechanics too early, they either shut down or simplify their ideas to avoid mistakes. That’s a tragedy. We’d never correct a toddler’s first sentences with a red pen; we celebrate the effort and model better language over time. Writing deserves that same patience.

From Referee to Coach

One of the most powerful shifts we can make as parents is to partner with our children as writing coaches, not referees. A coach sees potential, scaffolds growth, and celebrates effort. A referee calls fouls. When we shift to coaching, we stop policing mistakes and start supporting ideas. We create a space where writing becomes playful again, not performative.

Making Writing Playful Again

That’s where tools like freewriting come in. Freewriting gives kids permission to write anything—yes, even “I hate writing.” In doing so, they learn to connect their hand to their thoughts without the pressure of getting it “right.” Over time, they find their voice. And when they’re ready, we can model revision not as punishment, but as play. Change a few words. Try saying the opposite. Act out a scene. Make it fun.

Protect the Joy First

The truth is, not every piece of writing needs to be polished. It just needs to be real. Real thoughts, real voice, real expression. From there, we can teach structure. But first, we must protect the joy of self-expression.

We want our children to write because they have something to say, not because they’re afraid of getting it wrong. That begins by honoring their words as worthy, exactly as they are, and helping them discover the power of their own voice.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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Reading Aloud Is Not Just for Books

Brave Writer Reading Aloud

I’m hearing from some of you that your kids don’t like stories read aloud to them.

Try reading aloud:

  • billboards on your drive to Target
  • the recipe instructions while you’re baking muffins
  • a field guide for birds while you look for them at a bird feeder

You might also invite MOVIES to do the reading aloud! Turning on subtitles (even for an English-language film) has a heap of benefits!

And how about this: Read your child’s WRITING aloud back to your child with real pleasure and delight! Catch your child in the act of self expression, jot it down, and later that evening read it aloud to the family. See how that goes!

Reading aloud can grow as a happy habit even if your kids aren’t quite ready for novels.

Two Tips for Sharing Stories

If you want to share novels with kids who say they don’t like them read aloud, here are two suggestions. You might:

  1. read the book during breakfast (captive audience with full, non-complaining mouths)
  2. play audiobooks in the car (captive audience belted in)

Do not require kids to like the book or to tell you how they feel. Be matter of fact and simply offer reading aloud rather than insisting on it.

This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!

Brave Learner Home

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Brave Learning: Fantasy Teatime Syndrome

Brave Learning

Recently on Brave Learning…

Fantasy Teatime Syndrome [Public]

The key to Poetry Teatime is simply having one.

I got into a conversation with a mom who shared that she never has time for Poetry Teatime. There’s the baby who needs nursing, the toddler who is cranky, the older girls who are working on their math (and shouldn’t be stopped because it’s hard enough to get them started!) and so on…

But as I thought about it, I remembered that I have five kids and we’ve been having teatimes longer than I’ve homeschooled.

So I asked her why she didn’t have her family teatime when the toddler had already eaten lunch, the baby was napping, and the girls had finished math. She paused. “Well, then I wouldn’t have made the blueberry muffins.” [More]

Subscribe to Brave Learning on Substack where we chat, discuss, problem-solve, and create together. Here’s what you can expect: weekly themed content, freewriting prompts, and a podcast for kiddos called Monday Morning Meeting (first 6 are free)! 

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

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[Podcast #288] Opening Pandora’s Box: Social Media, Publishing, and Facebook

Brave Writer Podcast

Do you ever wonder why publishing feels harder than ever—even for talented writers? In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we unpack:

  • the shifting realities of the publishing world,
  • the gatekeeping role of social media,
  • and how authors are increasingly responsible for their own marketing, platforms, and sales.

We also share a personal story about losing tens of thousands of Facebook followers overnight and how that loss spotlighted the fragile ecosystem of modern author visibility. As always, we advocate for connection over clout and remind you that real growth often happens offline—in living rooms, book clubs, and homeschooling co-ops.

If this conversation resonates with you, share the episode with a friend or leave us a review. Word-of-mouth is still the best algorithm. Listen now for an honest look at the highs and heartbreaks of writing in the digital age.

Show Notes

In the ever-evolving world of publishing, one truth has emerged with startling clarity: writing a good book is no longer enough. Today, publishers are placing their bets on celebrity authors, viral sensations, and social media darlings—often before they even consider the merit of a manuscript.

Traditional publishing once operated on the belief that great writing would be recognized and supported by a team. Editors championed books to the marketing department, and publishers helped authors reach readers. Now, those roles have shifted. Authors are expected to arrive with their own audience—complete with analytics, engagement rates, and short-form video skills.

The platform paradox

This isn’t just frustrating—it’s discouraging. Especially for writers in niche fields like homeschooling or middle-grade fiction, building a sizable platform often means stepping away from the very work that fuels their passion. The time spent crafting thoughtful prose or researching meaningful educational resources is now diverted into reels, hashtags, and follower counts.

We’ve felt this pressure firsthand. After years of cultivating an authentic connection with our community, a recent hacking incident resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of Facebook followers. The response from the platform? Robotic and dismissive. The expectation was clear: rebuild or vanish. But rebuilding isn’t a simple request—it’s a full-time job.

When authors foot the bill

The cost isn’t just emotional. Many authors now fund their own book marketing—sometimes spending the entirety of their advance (or more) just to make a book visible. If that book doesn’t “earn out,” royalties may never arrive.

We hear from parents and aspiring authors who still believe that being picked up by a major publisher guarantees visibility, support, and book sales. But the truth is, publishers often look to the author to provide the customer base, not the other way around.

Why connection still matters

Meanwhile, those who came up in an earlier publishing era remember a time when publicists booked interviews and arranged tours. Today, most authors manage their own events, marketing materials, and outreach. It’s a heavy lift—especially when what we want most is simply to write.

And yet, we’re reminded again and again that genuine connection still matters. In-person book clubs, homeschooling meetups, and podcast conversations remain some of the most meaningful tools for sharing ideas. These are the spaces where content isn’t just consumed—it’s discussed, questioned, and cherished.

The invitation to keep going

If you’re a writer—or nurturing one in your homeschool—we urge you to keep going. The landscape may feel inhospitable, but great writing still matters. You may not know what platform will rise next, or whether your book will ever go viral. But the work is still worth doing. Your voice is worth hearing. Keep writing.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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Ending the School Year

Brave Writer

Are you the kind of parent who has an end date for homeschool?

Do you ask questions like:

  • Can we quit before June?
  • Do we have to finish the book?
  • When can we go to the pool?

Dribbling to the Finish Line

When we homeschooled, there were no math pages left undone that I wish we had finished. There were no books that I felt we should have read more of. The fact that we sort of dribbled to the end felt appropriate. It wasn’t like one day we’re doing science and the next day we’re at the pool. We simply started going to the pool more and started doing schoolwork less.

There is plenty of time over the summer and into the next year to pick up where you left off. If everybody’s bored and sick of doing homeschool, go to the pool! Maybe go to the pool a little more each day and do a little less of school until the whole script has flipped.

The next thing you know, read aloud time is just a pleasurable activity after lunch or at bedtime, and the pool becomes your primary focus.

It’s okay! You’ve all worked hard. Enjoy summer break!

This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!

Growing Brave Writers

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