the storyteller

When Alexander was a little boy, he liked to write books. 

I would buy him hard-covered writing journals, and he would fill them with all kinds of stories.  He would begin by numbering the pages, and writing a table of contents.

He was an imaginative child, and one who could even punctuate dialogue correctly, something that escapes most adults I know.

All of Alexander’s books involve fantastical creatures fighting world-changing battles.  His first invented character is Georgie (a dog who eats a magical bean that allows him to talk).

Even at age 9, Alexander can draw better than I.

On the day before his tenth birthday, Alexander introduces Baba Dog, another dog who would feature prominently in Alexander’s books.

Alexander describes the book this way:

So it isn’t surprising that after a ten-year hiatus, Alexander is writing stories again.  He is taking a screenwriting class this semester and loves it.  Over break, Alexander outlines a smart but complicated story about two boys in the Middle East.  Alexander has not lost his interest in battles, but talking dogs no longer interest him.

I have suggested to my son that he write about what he knows.  I am his mother so he ignores this advice. But when his screenwriting professor offers the same advice he follows it.

Alexander is now thinking of writing a story involving a single mother and her relationship with her son.

I’m sworn to secrecy about the details, but it is very clever. We are talking about it when he says, “And I’ve thought about who can play you.”  Alexander always rates his stories (this one is PG-13) and casts them before he is finished.

“Who,” I excitedly ask, optimistically picturing someone like Sandra Bullock or Natalie Portman.  “Judi Dench,” my son responds.