South Atlanta Educational Complex kicks off National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

The South Atlanta Educational Complex kicked off National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) with a series of author visits. On October 24^th, Stephanie Perry Moore and Derrick Moore, authors of the popular Lockwood Lions series visited the school and spoke with students in the school of Computer Animation and Design (CAD) about the importance of reading and their personal journeys as writers.

On November 1^st, the first official day of NaNoWriMo, Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of the YA historical novel, Cleopatra’s Moon and S.R. Johannes, author of the YA thriller Untraceable met with Language Arts students from all three academies, CAD, the school of Health and Medical Sciences (HMS) and the school of Law and Social Justice (LSJ). The authors led students in a creative writing exercise and spoke about the importance of good research and dedication to the writing craft.

Students were readily engaged and expressed interest in accepting the challenge of NaNoWriMo and committing themselves to writing a novel of up to 50,000 words in the month of November. Each author offered their advice and email addresses to students for further questions and feedback.

Critique groups will meet in the media center each Wednesday  after school to share their stories and receive encouragement and feedback.

You can find information about NaNoWriMo at www.nanwrimo.org.

written by Shanna Miles, Media Specialist, South Atlanta Educational Complex