My seventh graders and I are going to novel together through National Novel Writing Month. I teach English at a small international school, so when I say 'my seventh graders,' I mean both of them. :)
I've registered all three of us on the NaNoWriMo site under Team Dracula. We've been reading Dracula this month, and they're learning how to craft a really killer horror story. They're both prepping characters: good ones, bad ones, expendable ones. They're describing monsters, devising brutal murders and impossible supernatural powers. They're facing the reality that I'm actually going to ask them to write every day next month.
They both looked at me today. One said, "This will be hard." The other immediately said, "This will be fun." I smiled and said, "It will be both."
Their stories will be between 2000-5000 words. With just the two of them for company, I don't know that we'll be able to sludge our way through the murky sloughs of writer's block. It will absolutely be hard, and I'm worried I won't have the skill to quietly encourage them through.
But, oh, if they make it---and if they learn how to work through a tough scene, and if they feel a character pull them in a whole new direction, and if they hear dialogue faster than they can record it---what fun it will be! And what an honor it will be to join them on their journey.
And I? Am I ready to write 50,000 words? Oh, man. I don't know that I am. Life and sickness and then more sickness knocked me out of the writing scene this summer, and I got all cramped and un-muscle-y and resigned. Can I really jump into this ridiculously challenging marathon? This is going to be hard. ;)
What's your plan? How many words a day? How many weekend retreats from family and laundry? And what is the treat you will give yourself at the end?
I'll keep you posted on our class progress. I believe I will find tremendous inspiration in the efforts of my two sweet girls. Learning from them, expanding my own heart and mind as they open themselves to a new challenge--that is going to be the most fun.
Let's Have an ALA After-Party!
9 years ago
I'm out this year - I'll be posting my reasons later on my blog - but I'm so excited for you and your girls! I can't wait to hear all about your month and I'll be in your corner with the water bottle (or would you prefer chocolate?) whenever you drop by.
ReplyDelete- Sophia.
What a GREAT idea! It sounds like you are going into with realistic expectations as well, which means you are destined to succeed. I can hardly wait to follow your progress! My plan is 2,000 words a day. That will give me one day a week to...watch football (sad, I know). I think that's an achievable goal (hahahaha). I've got my 30 minutes or less healthy meal recipes lined up for dinner (and they feed 6 so that gives me three nights of leftovers from each). I hadn't even thought of treating myself at the end, but since you've given me permission...hmmm, I will have to come up with something great! What about you - how are you going to treat yourself in the end?
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower and adore your concept! So happy to have found you! As for NaNo I wish you the best of luck! Go TEAM DRACULA! You can friend me at Jen_Unedited if you like :)
ReplyDeleteI won't tell you what I plan to do since it's unfair. I've never had trouble in the writing aspect it's only ever been in the revising... watching all those fly by me after a few revisions, that's not me. I'm a panster and with that comes months and several drafts of rewrites.
Jess...I can't find Team Dracula! Help! I'm on under JennieBailey. I wanted to follow your progress. Hope you're well!
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