November marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. It is dedicated to encouraging writers of all ages and experience levels discipline about writing, with a goal of having each participant write fifty-thousand words by the end of the month.
Karen Carr, a math teacher who has won NaNo twice, has established a chapter in school for students who want to write. She started it in honor of her good friend Mary, who used to lead the NaNoWriMo chapter in the Eastern panhandle.
“I want kids to learn to love to write,” Carr said. “Just because writing is so freeing.” In NaNoWriMo, students can write anything they want in any genre. All students are welcome to participate, even if they aren’t writers.
Carr is using the opportunity to write her own cozy mystery series. “This will be the third book in the series,” she said. Once she gets the first three written, she will begin editing them with plans to publish.
Those who are participating in writing, and those who are interested, can meet every Monday morning in room 255 at eight-forty five, with the inclusion of doughnuts and coffee.
Those who actively participate agree to meet, support each other, and have the ability to log their word counts for the day in a NaNoWriMo website. Not only students are writing, but this year, teachers have chosen to jump in on the action too.
Currently, those writing are participating in Camp NaNoWriMo, where they prep and plot out their story. Students also have the option to get on the national NaNo website to log, and gain more support.
“Writing has always been very freeing for me,” Carr said, when discussing why students should join. “It’s a way where I can deal with emotions in a very healthy way, and I think that students would benefit from that.”
“I think with our day and age everyone thinks everything has to be so serious,” Carr said. “It’s okay just to write for fun, and to distract people from all the chaos around them for a little bit.”
For any aspiring writers out there or those who just want to try their hand at writing a novel, NaNoWriMo is a great opportunity to get your feet wet and test the waters.
“I really want students to fall in love with writing. I think it’s important for students to find a creative outlet for their emotions,” Carr said.
