During the month of November, Richardson youth can become authors with the support of Library staff and peers. Since 2016, the Library has hosted Camp WriteIn, coinciding with National Novel Writing Month, for aspiring authors. This year’s event is held across three evenings in the Library.

Diane Bashaw, Youth Services Librarian, started the program locally six years ago. In 2015, Bashaw’s daughter Robyn told her about the novel-writing initiative, and the two tried their hand at a book. Bashaw impressively wrote 50,000 words that November on an adventure story. The next year in 2016, she brought the program to the Library.

“The first year we had a good-sized group,” Bashaw said. “They were all excited about it and set writing goals. We had a chart where they could keep up with their progress, and at the end of the month, they each received certificates.”

The momentum has continued each year as November means novels for a group of area youth. During evening sessions, Bashaw leads participants in activities like exploring idea prompts and developing characters.

Writers may use their own word processing software or paper, and can utilize the broader program website as a writing platform as well. Writing allows students to tap into their imagination, collect thoughts and implement a plan. Writers in the program set and meet goals for literary works from 1,000-25,000 words for the month. The exercise is ultimately productive in academia and someday, in the workplace.

“It’ll help with schoolwork. And in whatever job a person has, there is often some aspect of writing,” Bashaw said. “The skills are going to carry over into what they do.”

This year, students may participate in person or virtually.

“They get to meet with others who are interested in writing and talk about their stories,” Bashaw said. “If they have a story to tell, this is the place.”

The program is for writers ages 10 – 17. To participate in the program in person or virtually, call the Library Youth Services Department at 972- 744-4358. Visit www.cor.net/library and ywp.nanowrimo.org