Teen Virtual Writing Camp
It's the Summer to Write!
The Summer Reading Club challenges YOU to write an entire novel this summer! Don’t panic, here are a bunch of tools to get you started; and even if you don’t finish it, it’s still pretty awesome that you started one! Here you will find helpful guides to create your story outline, tips and tricks that will bring your character creation to the next level, writing prompts to help kick your creative mind into gear, and so much more! So, who is ready to become the next J.K. Rowling?
Before jumping into writing your novel, it is important to start with a plan! Here is a guide that will get you started on creating an outline for your story. You don’t want to go into story writing completely blind, especially for novels! The outline will keep you on track, but remember, it isn’t binding. It is not the unbreakable vow, so don’t be afraid to steer off course. Let it be a general guide!
Here are a couple other guides to help you on your novel writing journey! The first is a list of questions to ask yourself when creating your characters. Strongly written and well-developed characters will keep your readers invested! The other guide is on plot development; this may sound similar to a plot outline, but that’s not the case. This is just a guide that will get you thinking critically about the plot and how to make sure your story is engaging and exciting from start to finish! No one would want to read a story about Thor just living his everyday life. Wait. I would definitely read that. Ignore that point.
Need ideas? I got your back. Here is a list of different prompts for different genres. They are sure to spark an idea in your mind! Now, the time has come, let the writing commence!
Fun Author Quotes
"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."
- Toni Morrison
"You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write."
- Saul Bellow
"Words do not express thoughts very well. They always become a little different immediately after they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish."
- Hermann Hesse
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
- Douglas Adams
Fun Novel Facts
Don Quixote is the best-selling novel of all time, with over 500 million copies sold.
Edgar Allan Poe originally wanted a parrot to repeat the word "nevermore."
The Monster in Frankenstein has no name, but Mary Shelley once referred to him as "Adam."
If you publish a book in Norway, the government will buy 1000 copies (1,500 if it is a children's book) and distribute them to libraries throughout the country.
In 2002, a fake book sequel of Harry Potter appeared in China with the title “Harry Potter and Bao Zuolong.” It consisted of the text from J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ with names changed to those of Harry Potter characters.
Novel Facts
The average novel has 250-300 words per page.
If you plan to write 500 words an hour for 25 hours a week, you can write 50 000 words in 4 weeks!!
We invite you to visit us and finish your novel at the library. We will provide coffee, computer access, and a quiet space for you to focus and write.