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(Camp) NaNoWriMo

(Note: This article was started in April, finished in November)

April 20, 2020

April's always a bit weird. Especially for us public high schoolers. We're a little over halfway into the semester, and that means a lot of things: preparing for exams, counting down the days until school ends, rainy days, and procrastinating-on-thinking-about-studying-for-finals. Yes, I see you. We're in the same boat. 

This April is different. This April, we on a national–and global–shutdown. The United States economy is falling hard. People are falling sick around the world. And it might feel like our little universes–the familiar things: school, friends, family–are falling away. 

But enough dramatic, flowery writing. 

Every April, NaNoWriMo holds an event called Camp, where participants are encouraged to set personal goals and write throughout the month–just write. It can be any type of writing, and of any genre. 

It's been an absolute escape from the turmoil of daily life. 

November 26, 2020

Things have changed, but not much. We still live in the same world. In some ways better, in some ways worse. It is November, and many places are still locked down out of fear of this monster that has gripped our lives. 

November gives way to NaNoWriMo. The past month has likely been, for many writers around the world, a time of creativity and determination. Once again, an escape from the turmoil of daily life.

For the first time in a few years, I did not participate in National Novel Writing Month. As an outsider looking in, I have had many thoughts about the month. About the steadiness of working toward a goal, and the magic of allowing your imagination to run wild. Strengthening your will, persevering. 

To me, part of the magic of NaNoWriMo was all the people I met. Wonderful people, from different parts of the country and even the world.

It's a bit late in the month to spread the word, but to any and all who need a project to work toward, a place to feel welcome at, a relief from the confusing, intricate thing that is life–check out this event. 


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