In high school I started writing a story. It was a TERRIBLE story, absolutely awful. But I loved it, and so I’d sit in the back of math class and scribble away in my composition notebook. I never did finish it. And then in college I found what was left of that notebook (It had fallen apart, I still have a few pages.) and decided to start writing it again. I changed a TON and the story got a bit less cheesy. I still didn’t even come close to finishing it though.

So here I am, ten years later and I still have this silly story in the back of my mind. Last month while I was driving across the country, I occupied my brain by mentally rewriting the whole thing, and I’ve changed it so much that the original is just a shadow of what it is now. I like to think that NOW it is a decently good story. I’m really excited to start writing it again!! I drew a big map and I’ve been doodling on it with colored pens for a couple of weeks. Having maybe just a little bit too much fun with that. (I LOVE maps!)

I just signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo. The challenge is to write an entire 50,000 word novel in one month. Shaun is going to do it with me! As excited as I am about writing my silly book, the best part of it is that Shaun is also feeling inspired to write. He has so many great book ideas. The one he has decided to work on for Camp NaNoWriMo is one of my favorites and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

I also opened a fundraiser page to help raise money for National Novel Writing Month. (If you were wondering what NaNoWriMo stood for, haha!) I think this is a great program, and I’m down with anything that helps young people be creative. The money helps fund the Young Writers Program for teachers and students, and the Come Write In program for libraries, bookstores, and other community spaces. My goal is to raise $100. I’m not expecting to reach that goal, but I had to set a goal so $100 it is. So if feel so inclined, donate a few dollars to a good cause. And if you like to write, sign up for camp! Maybe we can be cabin buddies *wink*