My 8 year old son wants to write a novel

[artfulhelix]

When I started my novel (Helix) my 8 year old son decided he wanted to write one too and asked for my help. I will be helping him when I finish my novel.
His idea: Twins go on a camping trip with their parents and best friend. (No names yet) The twins are a girl and boy, all the kids around 12. They go off on their own for a hike, told to stay on the trail while the adults set up camp. What pre-teen would listen to that. Exploring the woods on their own it starts to grow dark. They try to make their way back before their parents start to worry, but just go deeper into the forest. The three come upon the largest tree they have ever seen. They decide to clime the tree to look for camp, hoping they can get there barrings. Half way up they can't see a thing past the trees in the dark, they clime almost to the top. At this point as the setting sun shins its last bit of light on the tree a strange door appears to them. The three open the door and enter a world beyond their imagination. Will they save this world they stumble into? Will they ever get back to camp? How much trouble will they be in when they do?
I am so proud of my son. He came up with the idea all on his own. I can't wait to help him with his book. If I need to I will publish it my self and donate copies to his school and public library. He wants to know what other people think so I thought I would post it here and see if any one commented.

[joshuachrisstoff]

The province of very big old trees in Fantasy is the eleves. If he stays in the Fantasy realm or genre, maybe the head Elf, male or female will quest his three with a journey to find the stolemn artifact.
Orcs, Kobolds and Goblins are the traditional enemy of the elves and humankind since they are all basically evil while human and elves and Hobbits tend to be good and often lawful.
Orcs are survival of the fittiest, he who is biggest rules.
Elves are a lot more formarl, more of a royal dynasty but they have heroes as well.

Good reading for this could be JRR Tolkien's Hobbit, about to be released by Peter Jackson if I am not mistaken. Reading the book then seeing the movie may give him some real ideas on what things, elements and basic twists he may want in his book. Lord of the Rings, if he is up for the trilogy is another great Fantasy Resource as is anything by E Gary Gyjax.

Let me know, it maybe worth a read!

[artfulhelix]

Thank you, I know he will be happy to hear that. I had not considered having him watch the trilogy, but that is a great idea. Thank you for the tips! he is very excited.

[artfulhelix]

I wanted to tell you joshuachrisstoff that my son really liked your advice. He was a little confused at first, but I explained it to him. I even explained to him first and third person POV. we are reading a book now that is third and I am writing in first. witch I have come to understand is very difficult for some one's first novel. But thank you from both of us for your advice!

[bubblegum91]

That's fantastic! At 8 all I wrote about was dinosaurs lol.

JRR is obviously the first choice for fantasy. C.K.Lewis is another.

He sounds creative.

Good luck.

[artfulhelix]

Thank you. He dose take after me for sure. He has always been a little advanced, He even reads above his grade level. Thank you, he will be happy to hear that.