Brave Writer

General Summary

• Literature-rich, Charlotte Mason-inspired writing and language arts program
• Focuses on nurturing a love of writing through positive parent-child interactions
• Developmental approach with different programs for various ages/stages
• Emphasizes writer's voice, creativity, and natural skill development

Approach: Joyful, Low-Pressure Writing

Parents overwhelmingly appreciate Brave Writer's gentle approach to writing:

"I love the philosophy that if kids don't enjoy writing, they are less likely to care about it in the future. Often times the 'writer's voice' disappears when kids feel overwhelmed with learning grammar, sentence structure, spelling etc." Nature Homeschool

"It has really opened my eyes to a new, relaxed way of learning... She was able to learn and identify grammar concepts as she was reading great books (her favorite thing to do) and apply them in everyday life. The lessons were short, enjoyable, and she really retained a lot." Little School of Smiths

"My daughter really enjoyed this curriculum and was always looking forward to the next book." Little School of Smiths

Comprehensive Learning: Natural Grammar & Writing

Many parents value the integrated language arts approach:

"There is no workbook and it is a very organic way of learning... She learned and identified grammar concepts as she was reading great books." Little School of Smiths

"It's the whole CM language arts process that works together to build a great writer. The child reads great literature and becomes familiar with great writing." Simply Charlotte Mason Forum

Flexibility: Adaptable for Many Families

The ability to customize and adapt is frequently mentioned:

"This program offers the maximum amount of flexibility for families with a variety of ages… One program for the entire family." Brave Writer

Parent Support: Strong Guidance for Teaching

The curriculum provides excellent support for homeschool parents:

"The creator of Brave Writer talked about her program on the Well-Trained Mind Podcast... my synopsis is that she knows what she's doing." Reddit

"The teacher manuals explain everything as you go along." Cathy Duffy Reviews

Common Challenges: Structure & Parent Involvement

Parents have noted several potential drawbacks:

"Over all I feel like it was too much for me – too many elements (the Partnership Writing and the Arrow/Dart things and the other bits and bobs that are suggested)." Reddit

"There's no clear Scope and Sequence listed for the curriculum. How are you supposed to know what gets taught when, in which grades, and if things get taught at all?" Reddit

"I found it quite telling that in any given Dart/Arrow/Boomerang there were more pages devoted to things like 'how to throw a great Jane Austen themed party' than there was on actual writing instruction." Reddit

"The biggest con to doing BW in the early grades, IMO, would be a weakness in direct, progressive phonics and spelling instruction." Well-Trained Mind Forum

Online Classes: Mixed Reviews

Feedback on Brave Writer's optional classes varies:

"We did one Brave Writer class. It was very very good, but not worth the cost for us to continue beyond it." Well-Trained Mind Forum

"I thought we'd have video time with the instructor or something, but [it was] just online assignments and feedback. It was helpful, but it was not worth the price." Reddit

Who Thrives With Brave Writer?

Well-Suited For:

• Families seeking a relationship-centered approach to writing
• Parents who prioritize creativity and authentic expression
• Children who thrive with literature-based, gentle learning
• Homeschoolers who appreciate Charlotte Mason methods
• Parents willing to be actively involved in the teaching process

Consider Alternatives If:

• You prefer highly structured, sequential lessons with clear objectives
• Your child needs explicit, systematic phonics or grammar instruction
• You have limited time for parent involvement in daily lessons
• You want formal assessment tools and traditional grading
• You're seeking a quick-results writing program

Our Bottom Line

Brave Writer offers a refreshing approach that prioritizes joy, connection, and authentic writing experiences over rigid formats. Its strength lies in creating writers who genuinely enjoy expressing themselves while developing skills organically through quality literature. However, it requires significant parent involvement and may need supplementation for structural elements like phonics or formal grammar. Families who embrace its philosophy often find it transforms not just their language arts but their entire homeschool atmosphere, while those seeking more structure or independence might find it overwhelming. Success with Brave Writer comes from embracing the process rather than rushing outcomes.