On the Value of Play

Fred Rogers said it best:

When we treat children's play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them feel the joy that's to be found in the creative spirit. It's the things we play with and the people who helps us play that make a great difference in our lives.

I rediscovered Mister Rogers' Neighborhood when my son was in preschool, and it immediately hooked our whole family with its clarity and serenity. It's no surprise that Rogers deeply valued empathy and love. But he also valued play, at all ages.

I've been thinking lots about the importance of play lately, especially pretend play. As a child, it was my default entertainment, and the same holds true for my children now. When we pretend, we explore what it means to be human. We practice communication and problem-solving, and, more than anything, we sort through our feelings.

Writing is an art, so it's bursting with creativity. At the same time, it demands discipline, like so many other forms of expression. Plots are stronger when they come from outlines. Characters' arcs are more compelling when they face clear stakes. Conflict matters. So does chapter length. The bones of the book are important and non-negotiable. I know that.

I worry, however, that it's too easy to prioritize the nuts and bolts of writing over the joy of playing with words. When children tell stories, they don't let themselves get bogged down with rules and structure. They just imagine. They let the joy, the creative spirit, carry them forward. It's enchanting. And we've all had that joy inside us, in whatever form it takes. It changes as we grow, but the foundation is still there.

At its core, writing is pretending. The concept is the same: try things out, create dialogue, and imagine what could happen next. Just like it's okay to "discovery write" (see my earlier post!), it's okay to enjoy playing with words. It's okay to explore characters through scenes that might never make the final draft. It's okay---in fact, it's essential---to remember why we started writing in the first place. Hold onto that drive to create and don't let the "rules" of writing take over.

Let yourself feel wonder as you write (or create any kind of art). Practice playfulness. Remember what it felt like to pretend. Harness the freedom of imagination. It's not all about outlines and word counts. It's also about the human need to play.

(Taken at my happy place, The Magic Kingdom, before a full day of imagination!)