Writing on Wattpad.

These are my children, post breakfast, both writing fiction on Wattpad, an online publishing platform used by millions of writers all over the world.

Clara is also listening to Taylor Swift, of course.

They are supposed to be getting ready for a day at camp.

It’s hard to complain.

Clara has almost completed her first novel. She hasn’t yet posted it on Wattpad and won’t let me read it.

She’s also begun a second novel. She’s deigned to share a little of it with me. Her father. The internationally bestselling author of six novels and two books of nonfiction. Why share it with me?

Now she’s writing a third novel on Wattpad. She’s slowly accumulating followers and views, including me. Her handle is “DaughterOfAthena698” if you’re interested in checking it out.

Seeing the success and excitement of his sister, Charlie has begun his own novel. The two spent a solid two hours on Sunday hashing out characters and plots before Charlie dove in.

Charlie won’t tell me his WattPad handle because he doesn’t want me reading his book until it’s finished.

None of this makes any sense to me. I’d allow readers to watch me write my books word by word if they wanted. My need for immediate feedback is immense and overwhelming. Perhaps it’s the result of growing up playing video games in arcades. Always knowing my score.

I might also be overconfident and unconcerned with the opinions of others, which is both a good and bad thing depending upon the circumstance.

Despite their unwillingness to share their work with me, I’m quite proud of my kids. Thrilled, even. Following in the step of their father. Joining the family business. Spending summer days writing and discussing their writing with each other.

It’s kind of amazing.

Still, they are also quite annoying.