They did it! Huzzah!

Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and "fall into a vortex," as she expressed it, writing away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace.  (Little Women chapter 27)

My two girls won at NaNoWriMo! That's National Novel Writing Month in which one sets out to write an entire novel during the month of November. "Thirty days and nights of literary abandon." as they call it. The standard word count required is 50,000 words, and Lydia did indeed meet this goal. Young writers are allowed to set their own word goal, and Mary Rose succeeded in finishing the 35,000 words she aspired to write.

Mary Rose truly loves to write, and this is actually her second novel she has finished. She previously wrote a 22 chapter book, although that one took her nine months to complete. I just love this picture of her writing, and when I snapped it I told her it was a perfect 'about the author' picture:

I also love what she wrote on the little bio page on the NaNo site:

Q: What authors and books inspired you to write?

A: All the ones I've ever read.

Q: What is your favorite music to novel by?

A: I don't write to music, because then I would sing and dance instead of write.

Q: What survival methods are you planning to use to get through NaNoWriMo?

A: By writing it! I use a pencil and a notebook so I can write everywhere all the time - in bed, in the car, outside...

 

Don't you love that inspiration! All the books I've ever read.

 

You can read more about Mary Rose's writing adventure over on her post.

And here is a picture of Lydia cooped up in her room for the day yesterday. It was quite an exciting day shall we say of Will she or won't she? My job was to deliver cups of tea and snacks to the writer and to keep the little ones out.  She took it quite down to the wire, but you can read about her adventure over on her post. (it's a hoot)

When I asked her if she's going to do it again next year, she quickly replied, Oh, yes!

Congratulations to all the other NaNoWriMo winners out there! Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Comments

[Charlotte]

Congratulations to them! My girls both did the junior version (where they set their own word goal) and they blew far past them. Next year they want more of a challenge. Way to go ladies!

[Martha in SD]

Congratulations, my yes! Such beautiful girls, inside and out. Can't wait to take the time to read their posts. Thanks for sharing this.

[Kelly]

Awesome!!! Congratulations to your girls!

[Sarah]

Oh, your girls inspire me so! (And they crack me up, too- they are such good blog writers!) :)

[Nadja]

Huzzah, indeed! Una was up late finishing her story. I'm so happy about NaNoWriMo...Una used to be a very reluctant writer, and now it seems to be all she wants to do (along with reading!)

I, too, am always impressed by what your kids do creatively. You must be doing something very, very right!

I wanted to comment, too, on your wonderful Thanksgiving photos. I loved them...they made me feel as though I had visited your home.

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Writing with a mug of coffee (or, I'll concede, *tea*) at one's side is near & dear to this writer's heart.

Congratulations to both your girls! Please let them know that Mrs. B. from Minnesota (that crazy lady with the camera) is very proud of them.

[Ellen]

Congrats to your daughters. What an accomplishment.

[Ashley Sue]

I am new to your blog, but I love it! Congrats to your wonderful girls!

[Henry]

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