Tuesday, November 30, 2010

We Did It!




Last night I accomplished the goal of writing a 50,000 word novel in one month.   Yipee!   Hooray!  It was so fun!  Actually I am really sad to see it end.  It was such a great learning experience!  I'm a bit surprised that I actually finished!  There were many days that I did not type the daily 1,667 words required to finish in a smooth and well paced manner.  At one point I was 13,000 words behind and I despaired of ever catching up.  But I did!  It feels very strange -- almost uncomfortable --  to say that I actually finished a project, and I even did it one day ahead of schedule. Both things  are very uncharacteristic for me.  I can't wait till next year!  Who wants to do it too?  Try it, you'll like it!  

The kids participated in the Young Writer's Program, and they all accomplished their word count goals as well.  It was so fun seeing their ideas and their progress!



Here is a little about their stories

Kadin: 1,220 words.  He told it to me while I typed.  Two boys who are magic have scary encounters with a villain named Mr. Bad Guy.  Of course the boys win.  Kaylee is drawing illustrations so he can have it published.

Madeline: 3,046 words. She started writing a cute story about an inch worm named Mimi and her friend Anna.  After about 5 chapters she got bored, and switched to writing a collection of short stories. One is about a worm who learns to drive a train. Another is about a mouse who outsmarts a cat.  She hand wrote it all, and then I typed it up.  She will also have it made into a book with pictures.

Jillian:  5,000 word goal reached but the story is still going.  It is about a girl from Alaska who moves to a new place, and has to make a new friend.  Jillian got part way into her story, and got a serious case of writer's block. She decided that if she switched to the fantasy genre, she could do a lot more.  So the story becomes an adventure with magical elements.

Dallin: 5,000 word goal reached but the story is far from finished.  It is a major science fiction work, and is full of Dallin's amazing inventions and his wildest dreams. He is hoping that it will be spectacular enough to be published for real and widely read.  His main goal (besides the sheer joy of creating) is to make millions of dollars off it.  Sign up now if you'd like an autographed copy.
                                                        

Our Family

Our Family