NANOWRIMO!
What, you haven't heard of it? It's a web-based program in which teen and adult writers all over the world write novels in the month of November. "NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth." NANOWRIMO.
NANOWRIMO is housed in two distinct websites. The first is the adult site, where anyone 13 and over can participate. This site offers adult writers the opportunity to connect with other writers in their area and find publishers for their work. If you join this site, your goal is to produce 50,000 words.
The second is connected to the Young Writers Program, and is kid safe. Part of the sign-up process asks the student to identify his grade level as elementary, middle, or high, and a teacher can create an account students can link to. The youth site is for students 17 and under specifically, and students can set word goals. So an elementary student can write a 3,000 word short story, while a high school student can write a 10 - 20 thousand word novella.
This site is great for helping writers write, but don't think it's just for English teachers. A middle school class could write a collection of Math Adventure stories in which the main characters have to use their stellar math skills to solve difficulties, or a history class can write novellas from the perspective of an historical figure.
NANOWRIMO is sponsored by Create Space, an independent publishing firm, and NEO2, a program with Renaissance Learning. Other companies that partner with NANOWRIMO include the National Writing Project, Edutopia, and The Learning Network.
Happy writing!
