Youth Connection | Get Ready for National Novel Writing Month

By Rachel Lau

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an exciting, fun and educational experience for all ages! Whether you want to take it easy with a 15,000 word goal or go for a more challenging goal of 50,000 words, you will feel like a winner at the end. The goal of NaNoWriMo is to get you to write. It starts on Nov. 1 and you can write and update your creation onto the website, all the way until Nov. 30. If you want to sign up for NaNoWriMo this year, simply go to www.nanowrimo.org (for adults), or ywp.nanowrimo.org (for those 17 or younger).

I am currently a sixth grader and I have already done NaNoWriMo twice - I did 10,000 words in fourth grade and the 20,000 words in fifth grade. I wrote about two characters, Jake and Grace who go on an adventure in which they stay at Grace’s mysterious uncle’s mansion. My story was based on a few books I had read before, a good basis for starting writers. There are also whole columns of advice on writing from many professional writers on the site. It was a whirlwind of writing and was more exciting than anything I have done before. Anyone who likes writing will love this journey.

Also, if you meet your word goal, NaNoWriMo can give you a copy of your novel, free of charge! And until May 31, you will be able to make revisions to your writing.

Will you rise to the challenge?

Rachel Lau writes for, a publication of.