Quick you have 30 minutes to write three paragraphs on anything.

Does that opener make you panic?  While I was always fairly good at BSing on any topic.  I never developed the habit of being able to write 'something good' with no starter.  And in fact even with one I wouldn't call it good, I just managed to pass highschool with it.  (which these days is getting easier and easier!).

So why do we think children should be able to do it?  I see so many different writing books that simply ask children to write a sentence, no direction, not even a picture to be describing.  (or the suggestion to describe the room).  While any kid who does manage to eek out paragraphs on 'nothing in particular', is learning a great deal.  The rest of us boring folk are left wondering why someone thinks we have anything in particular to say!

My three older children on the other hand excell at coming up with stories on nothing.  They can expound on one tiny little picture filling in the past, the present, and the future for mystery mouse.  I love hearing them make up stories.

Dude suffers like his Uncle from the 'no wait it was 10 thousand, no a million, no just one dragon - a million Km tall!'.  But when asked to settle down and pick one he general can.  Though his stories are invariably 'action packed'.  Who care about sleep or talk it is fight, spell cast and leap tall buildings non stop!

Princess is overly focused on the minute 'first she ate breakfast than she cleared the table, then she washed the dishes.'  Maybe a few changes of clothes thrown in for good measure.

I am not sure how to get them to be more interesting.  It isn't like I know how to write well (I barely have the minimum grammar required!)

Little Man is actually fairly good at story telling, for a 5 year old.  He suffers from too many 'and's.  (and he went to _____, and he dug up____ and then he, and THEN)  But it does sound cute from him.

It feels like pulling teeth to convince Baby Girl to tell me about a picture or story.  She is young but still, she ought to be able to tell me if a cat is big or small right?  Her I know how to help, leading questions and lots of practice.  The older ones, not a clue.