Inspiring boys to write can be one of the most common concerns raised by parents and teachers alike. Many boys who are curious, articulate and imaginative suddenly seem to shut down when faced with a blank page. Writing can quickly become a source of tension, frustration or avoidance, particularly as expectations increase through the school years.
The good news is that boys are not “naturally bad” at writing. More often, they experience writing differently. By understanding the reasons behind their resistance and adjusting how we support them, we can help boys develop confidence, enjoyment and a strong sense of their own voice.
Why boys often do not like writing
For many boys, writing feels harder than it should. Ideas may come quickly in their heads, but turning those thoughts into written sentences can feel slow and effortful. When writing is tightly linked to spelling, handwriting and punctuation, boys can lose confidence before they even begin.
Some boys also associate writing with correction rather than creativity. If early writing experiences were dominated by red pen marks, time pressure or comparisons with peers, writing can quickly become something to avoid. This is particularly true for boys who develop fine motor skills later or who find sitting still and concentrating for long periods challenging.
There is also a social element. Writing is sometimes perceived as quiet, solitary or overly academic, which may not align with how some boys see themselves or how they are praised in other areas of life.
Boys’ experiences that influence how they feel about writing
A boy’s relationship with writing is shaped by experience rather than ability. Boys who have repeatedly been told to “try harder” or who feel their best ideas are lost because they cannot write them down neatly may start to disengage emotionally from writing tasks.
For some, writing becomes a public activity where mistakes feel visible and embarrassing. For others, especially boys with SEND such as dyslexia, ADHD or dyspraxia, writing can be mentally and physically exhausting. Over time, this can lead to a belief that writing is something they are destined to struggle with.
When boys internalise these experiences, reluctance often masks anxiety rather than laziness.
I’ve taught many boys who have struggled with their writing. In my experience, they can see it as a ‘drag’ or as ‘boring’ when they often want to be out moving around. Transferring the urge to be ‘outside moving’ into a character’s personality on paper is a skill they need to master, but phrasing it as such can often help.
Many boys with additional needs benefit from tailored strategies – see Useful SEND links and information for more on conditions like dyslexia and dysgraphia.
What parents can do to inspire boys to write
Parents have a unique opportunity to reshape how boys experience writing at home. Writing does not need to look like schoolwork to be valuable. In fact, the less it feels like a test, the more likely boys are to engage.
Everyday writing opportunities are often the most powerful. Writing shopping lists, notes, instructions, Christmas cards, messages or even jokes shows boys that writing has purpose. Allowing boys to choose their own topics also builds motivation, even if those topics are noisy, funny or slightly chaotic.
Praise matters too. When parents focus first on ideas, effort and creativity rather than spelling or presentation, boys begin to see writing as a way to communicate rather than something to get wrong.
What teachers can do to inspire boys to write
In the classroom, boys often respond best when writing feels meaningful and manageable. Starting with talk, drawing or role-play before writing allows boys to organise their thoughts without pressure. This can dramatically reduce the fear of the blank page before it can even begin.
High-interest stimuli such as images, short video clips or real-life problems can spark engagement, particularly for boys who struggle with abstract prompts. Writing for a clear audience also helps. When boys know who they are writing for and why, they are far more likely to invest emotionally in the task. Use the prompt Audience Purpose Form in every creative writing session to be clear about WHO they are writing for, WHY, and what form the writing will take (letter, story, newspaper article, etc). Where you can, give children – and especially boys – a choice where they can change one of these three criteria whilst keeping the other two as per your instructions.
Most importantly, separating creativity from technical accuracy at the early stages of writing helps boys build confidence before refinement.
Outside-the-box ideas to inspire boys to write
Some boys only discover enjoyment in writing when it breaks away from traditional formats. Writing does not have to mean lined paper and long paragraphs.
Creative alternatives that often work well include:
- Comic strips, graphic novels or storyboards
- Writing game rules, character profiles or imaginary inventions
- Linking writing to their favourite computer game (for example, a pre-game story intro)
- Dictating ideas using voice-to-text software before editing together
- Using inventive forms of paper (i.e. a teabag-stained sheet to emulate old paper)
These approaches allow boys to see writing as flexible and expressive, rather than restrictive.
What to do and what not to do when a boy does not like writing
When a boy resists writing, how adults respond can either build trust or deepen resistance.
Helpful approaches include:
- Listening to how the child feels about writing
- Breaking tasks into small, achievable steps
- Celebrating progress rather than perfection
Things to avoid include:
- Forcing long writing sessions
- Comparing them to siblings or classmates
- Labelling them as lazy or uninterested
When boys feel understood and supported, their willingness to write often increases naturally.
Brilliant books to inspire boys to love literacy
Reading plays a crucial role in inspiring boys to write. When boys connect with characters and stories they enjoy, they begin to see writing as something exciting rather than intimidating. Guys Read is a great resource for you to have a look at, too.
Books that often spark enthusiasm include:
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
- The 13-Storey Treehouse – Andy Griffiths
- The Danger Gang – Tom Fletcher
- Horrid Henry – Francesca Simon
- Dog Man – Dav Pilkey
- Beast Quest – Adam Blade
- Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief – Rick Riordan
- Alex Rider: Stormbreaker – Anthony Horowitz
…And for a bit more silly humour, the Mr. Gum books will have him rolling around!
These stories combine humour, action and relatable characters, showing boys that literacy can be fun, powerful and emotionally engaging.
A final thought on inspiring boys to write
Inspiring boys to write is not about lowering expectations or pushing harder. It is about understanding their experiences and removing the barriers that stand in the way of confidence.
Many boys actually LOVE to read and write. And then the battle never even begins. Sometimes it’s more about getting those creative juices going early in life, without any pressure to write at length. Developing a love for literacy in all forms helps with imagination development and often, the rest just falls into place. If you would like to investigate focused 1:1 tutoring, this can be a great way to kick-start boys on their literacy journey.
When boys feel safe to experiment, free to make mistakes and valued for their ideas, writing becomes a tool for expression rather than a source of stress. With patience, creativity and the right support, every boy can find his own way into writing. For more information about boys’ reading and writing at primary level, you can read this article from Teaching Times.
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