Out of the mouths of writers
“I just think this whole thing about writing a novel is really cool. It made me think that a lot of things could be possible in the world. I mean I am thirteen years old and I just wrote my own dang novel! How cool is that? I think it is honestly amazing. I loved the writing time and I wish it wasn't over!” -Jessie, 13
"So this is the story all about how my life got flip-turned upside-down. Now I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, to tell you all about how I became the Fresh Prince of Mrs. Bradley's English class. I basically wrote a book, and it was pretty cool." -Simon, 13
"So this is the story all about how my life got flip-turned upside-down. Now I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, to tell you all about how I became the Fresh Prince of Mrs. Bradley's English class. I basically wrote a book, and it was pretty cool." -Simon, 13
“I have never in my life tried to do something so daring and adventurous. I am a pretty daring person, but I do not think I would try to write a novel on my own without any support or encouragement. So thank you.” -Julia, 13
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“I mostly felt like this would be a great way to get all of the stories that were slowly forming in my head out and onto paper. I felt inspired and happy that I would get a chance to express my creativity in writing.” -Megan, 13
“It was really fun -- you got to write about anything you wanted and make up your own little world.” -Sebastian, 13 |
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Where they got their ideas:
“I chose my plot when I finished the 2nd book in the Heroes of Olympia series. It was so good I decided that I couldn’t wait for the 3rd book to come out, so that was how I decided how to write my story.” -Kyle, 13
“I always thought that the idea of reapers and demons were pretty cool. When I had a chance to write about them, I jumped at the opportunity.” -Jason W., 14
“I always thought that the idea of reapers and demons were pretty cool. When I had a chance to write about them, I jumped at the opportunity.” -Jason W., 14
“I based my topic/plot/character off what I want to do in the future. My characters are based on real people and my real friends. The idea of the whole story sort of came from my trip to Tennessee, I think it would be really fun to go on a cross-country road trip with a couple of friends.” -Allie, 13
How they got past the fear:
“After we did the ten-minute write, I started to get the feeling of relief. I got a chance to see how much I could write in a certain amount of time, so it made me feel a lot better.” -Monica, 13
“I didn’t think I could do it, but then she said you can pick your word count goal. I was excited, but at the same time I was a little nervous.” –Tim, 13
“After we did the ten-minute write, I started to get the feeling of relief. I got a chance to see how much I could write in a certain amount of time, so it made me feel a lot better.” -Monica, 13
“I didn’t think I could do it, but then she said you can pick your word count goal. I was excited, but at the same time I was a little nervous.” –Tim, 13
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“I felt a little worried, but when Mrs. Bradley explained it to us I thought this was going to be fun, especially when she told us we could pick the number of words.” –Lince, 13
“When we first started writing I wasn’t really looking forward to writing for an hour, but as I got further in the book I enjoyed writing it much more.” –Jack, 13 |
“After a few weeks into it, I thought, this isn't so bad. It was fun writing a novel after all.” –Justin, 13
How they felt about coming to English class:
“After we started NaNoWriMo, 1st period was my favorite time of day. It was really fun to just sit for an hour and just write your novel with no distractions.” -Katie
“I looked forward to English class and writing time because all we had to do was write. I wrote about 800 words every day in class, so [time to write in class] was really helpful.” -Sarah, 13
“After we started NaNoWriMo, 1st period was my favorite time of day. It was really fun to just sit for an hour and just write your novel with no distractions.” -Katie
“I looked forward to English class and writing time because all we had to do was write. I wrote about 800 words every day in class, so [time to write in class] was really helpful.” -Sarah, 13
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“I looked forward to English class EVERY DAY. I always had new things to add to my novel so I would come in all happy even if my day started terrible. It always made me happy to walk into Mrs. Bradley’s room and see her open up the laptop cart.” -Michaella, 13
“It felt good just to get away from the pressure of school and just write.” –Kaleo, 13 |
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“Writing in class was a relaxing, quiet time. I could relax and write whatever I wanted, and just let my imagination flow through my brain, to my finger tips, to the computer screen.” -Ellie, 13
“I looked forward to writing in class because writing a novel is more fun than most other kinds of work. I also looked forward to writing because we could write about anything we wanted, unlike usually when the teacher tells you what to write about.” -Kier, 13
“I looked forward to writing in class because writing a novel is more fun than most other kinds of work. I also looked forward to writing because we could write about anything we wanted, unlike usually when the teacher tells you what to write about.” -Kier, 13
“YES! I loved coming to class everyday to type my novel. After a while it became fun because of entering my number of words I typed that day, and watching my percent go up and number of words I have left go down.” -Julianna, 13
How technology helped:
“I got writers block so many times it wasn't funny ... usually I would go to NaNoWriMo and load my word count. Then I would go to the Dare Machine and see if I liked what they had to offer. Next I would read or just walk away and find something else to do. And one of those things would help and the next time I sat down to type it just came to me.” –Monica, 13
How technology helped:
“I got writers block so many times it wasn't funny ... usually I would go to NaNoWriMo and load my word count. Then I would go to the Dare Machine and see if I liked what they had to offer. Next I would read or just walk away and find something else to do. And one of those things would help and the next time I sat down to type it just came to me.” –Monica, 13
“I could get my thoughts down quickly and write better quality work [using a laptop] since I could quickly delete and then rewrite it,” Julia, 13
“The laptops were a lot faster and easier than writing by hand would be.” -Allie, 13
"The laptops were great because I could use the internet to help look for some ideas or inspiration. The NaNo stats let me know how much I wrote so I would know if I need to write more or not." -Lince, 13
“The laptops were a lot faster and easier than writing by hand would be.” -Allie, 13
"The laptops were great because I could use the internet to help look for some ideas or inspiration. The NaNo stats let me know how much I wrote so I would know if I need to write more or not." -Lince, 13
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“Everything I could have possibly needed help on, the NaNoWriMo website had an answer.” -Julia, 13
"The NaNo stats helped a lot because it got me excited that I was close to finishing my novel. Every day I went on NaNo-WriMo, I would check my stats and feel proud of myself because I couldn't believe that I had written that much!" -Jacqueline, 13 “The NaNo Stats kept me motivated.” Allie, 13 “If I had to write that whole novel by hand I would have arthritis! :D” Jason, 13 |
“My favorite part was when I look on my nanowrimo page and it said I was halfway there.” -Jordan, 13
“The NaNo Stats helped me a lot because when I saw the blue bar get higher, I became more proud of myself.” -Charmaine, 13
“The NaNo Stats helped me a lot because when I saw the blue bar get higher, I became more proud of myself.” -Charmaine, 13
How the NaNoWriMo project affected their reading:
“When I was writing my novel it inspired me to keep on reading more and more to get other ideas on how to write. I was reading Hunger, and I now I pay attention to the dialogue and how Michael Grant writes.” -Ashley, 13
“Now when I read novels I notice how authors make transitions and cool scenes and stuff. I actually re-read some parts of books to look at the writing.” -Jason V., 13
“When I was writing my novel it inspired me to keep on reading more and more to get other ideas on how to write. I was reading Hunger, and I now I pay attention to the dialogue and how Michael Grant writes.” -Ashley, 13
“Now when I read novels I notice how authors make transitions and cool scenes and stuff. I actually re-read some parts of books to look at the writing.” -Jason V., 13
“This experience changed me in reading novels because it showed me to appreciate novels and not just judge it down by the cover, because every book deserves a chance to be read and not let all that hard work go down the trash.” - Andrea, 13
“Now when I read the book I notice more about the book. Like the settings and specific details about the characters and stuff like that. In a way it makes the story better.” -Kyle, 13
"I have found that I have a new respect for authors and their books. Because in some ways I know what it's like to write a book, how frustrating it can be and how time consuming it is." -Shelby, 13
“Now when I read the book I notice more about the book. Like the settings and specific details about the characters and stuff like that. In a way it makes the story better.” -Kyle, 13
"I have found that I have a new respect for authors and their books. Because in some ways I know what it's like to write a book, how frustrating it can be and how time consuming it is." -Shelby, 13
From the parents:
"I cannot begin to thank you enough for the way you have broken through to J. with the importance of reading and the joy of writing. I am so proud of her for her accomplishment in writing a novel in a month. In the begining she was very worried about it. I simply explained that if Mrs. Bradley had confidence in her to get it done, then she should have enough confidence in herself to get it done.... J. has struggled with language arts for a long time, and with the time you have taken to show her that reading and writing can be fun and rewarding, her attitude has completely changed. I appreciate the challenge you have presented to my daughter and giving her the support she needs to accomplish it. You are a wonderful teacher and you have really made a difference for J. Thank You."
"B. is very excited about NaNoWriMo and I am so pleased and excited too that you are giving your students this wonderful opportunity -- thank you!! This will be a great experience for him!"
And finally, if you're still not sure...
“My honest feedback for this project is do it again every year. And keep making the kids write. The project helped me with reading and it expanded my vocabulary. I learned about writing descriptively and to type faster. Thank you so much for helping me with this project. “ -Kiley, 13
"I cannot begin to thank you enough for the way you have broken through to J. with the importance of reading and the joy of writing. I am so proud of her for her accomplishment in writing a novel in a month. In the begining she was very worried about it. I simply explained that if Mrs. Bradley had confidence in her to get it done, then she should have enough confidence in herself to get it done.... J. has struggled with language arts for a long time, and with the time you have taken to show her that reading and writing can be fun and rewarding, her attitude has completely changed. I appreciate the challenge you have presented to my daughter and giving her the support she needs to accomplish it. You are a wonderful teacher and you have really made a difference for J. Thank You."
"B. is very excited about NaNoWriMo and I am so pleased and excited too that you are giving your students this wonderful opportunity -- thank you!! This will be a great experience for him!"
And finally, if you're still not sure...
“My honest feedback for this project is do it again every year. And keep making the kids write. The project helped me with reading and it expanded my vocabulary. I learned about writing descriptively and to type faster. Thank you so much for helping me with this project. “ -Kiley, 13
