I have DS7 and DD7, both in second grade, and their desire to outdo each other has encouraged more descriptive writing. For example, they are required to write sentences for their spelling words every week. They invariably dedicate at least half a dozen senteneces to each other, which tend to be very elaborate and highly ridiculous scenarios.
During the summer after Kindergarten, I started a summer journal tradition for them. Again, no pressure, just an outlet for their creative impulses. Of course, it worked better for DD7, who has more creative tendencies and is a more prolific writer.
As DD7 is forever writing and illustrating books, I finally agree to publish her next big creation. There are websites that will allow you to do that. That led DS7 to jump on board and beg to collaborate on the next book.
Anyhow, it helps to have two children as they feed off each other.
