FUN STUFF

50,000 Words, 30 Days

By Lauren, age 16, California

Every November, I get excited. In the past, it was simply because my birthday falls in that month. Now, I get out my journals and pens in preparation for the biggest writing marathon of the year - NaNoWriMo.

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. Participants are challenged to write 50,000 words in 30 days, and millions of writers nationwide attempt this feat, churning out billions of words each year.

My first year participating in NaNoWriMo was back in 2009. During the month, I exchanged encouragement with a girl from a private school in Hawaii, a college sophomore in Canada, and a gymnast in New Jersey. I set my goal at 80,000 words that year, but I knew I'd be more than happy just to break 50,000. And I did.

From pep talks to their diverse forums, the NaNoWriMo site is the driving force that pushes writers to their literary limit. If you're looking for something new to do, whether you're a poet, screenwriter, songwriter, or soon-to-be novelist, I encourage you to try it for just the first week. Set a goal: "I'm going to write something that isn't related to school," and work on it little by little. Being busy is no excuse - thousands of AP-ers and extracurricular-burdened students live to tell the tale. Just remember the golden rule - don't edit anything!

While it isn't required, you can join the official site for pep talks from famous authors (Lemony Snicket is one of them!), stickers, awards, and regional events. If you decide to take it offline and be your own taskmaster, go for it! While you'll probably be the only one in your school participating, just remember that someone on the other side of the world is on the same journey. So keep writing!


For More Information:

http://www.nanowrimo.org
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org



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February & March Magazine Issues

March 15, 2012

The February and March issues of Sweet Designs Magazine are now online, featuring a combined 53 new articles and features!!

- Cover: Stephanie Lynn reflects on 5 years
- Cover: India (of Darn-licious knitwear)
- Life in the dumps (moving in with my bf)
- The difference between men and women
- Angels among us (parts 1 and 2)
- Arts graduates & the dark night of the soul
- Triple threat (how I survived my teen yrs)
- Dating isn't easy (my true story)
- How to turn not-so-great gifts ... (fashion)
- Ten reasons to love being single
- Taking the big leap (college)
- Valentine's Day (not what you'd expect!)
- The last of the cold (hopefully) (fashion)
- A month full of love
- Ten tips for successful airline travel
- Reasons I love writing for SDM
- Who needs love?
- They're not all the same
- The life I'm glad I don't have (fiction)
- Professional dress/ finding Fendi (fashion)
- An airport anniversary: a true story
- Inappropriate Facebook photos
- The perks of a big city (college)
- A night(mare) to forget (part 2)
- The Anita Blake series (book review)
- Saving June by Hannah Harrington (book)
- Under the Mesquite by GG McCall (book)
- The Lullaby by Sarah Dessen (book)
- If I Stay by Gayle Foreman (book review)
- My sweetheart (original poetry)
- Isn't it funny (original poetry)
- The stranger (original poetry)
- A winter wonderland (original poetry)
- One night valentine
- The thick envelopes (college acceptance)
- Southern love
- Healthy hair and vitamins
- It's a date (dating idea alternatives)
- The 30 hour famine
- School's out forever!
- Marching right back into spring? (fashion)
- Dear John
- When TV shows depict your life
- 3 Fun ways to rock spring's hottest trends
- Neglected teeth
- Starting something new
- Guy movies
- To hesitate or dive in?
- Deadly, by Julie Chibbaro (book review)
- Beastly, by Alex Flinn (book review)
- I don't care (poetry)
- Together, alone (poetry)

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