By Qadirah Monroe 

On your marks, get set, go! This month students at Prince George High School and writers all over the country have taken off and are now taking part in a month-long marathon: a writing marathon.

November is National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. This month, writers from all over the nation will be participating in writing a 50,000 word novel over the course of the entire month.

 Junior Hannah Collins is joining the movement again, for the second year in a row.

 “The goal is to write the novel in 30 days, starting at the beginning of November. I am going write about 1667 words every day, then by the end of the month my goal should be reached,” Collins said.

Writing may just be a recreational pastime for many writers participating in NaNoWriMo, but for Collins it is preparation for her future.

 “I am definitely aspiring to be a writer. The writing that I’m doing now is like practice,” Collins said.

 The official website for National Writing Month, Nanowrimo.org, allows participants to track their progress and communicate with other writers though forums. Many writers feel discouraged during the creation of a novel and sit their work aside. When in need of a little motivation, participants can even read firsthand advice from published authors and the NaNoWriMo staff on the website.

 For Collins, just the thought of what’s ahead is enough motivation.

 “Thinking about my future as an author is really what keeps me going,” Collins said.

 To NaNoWriMo participants like Collins, it is important for novel writing to have its own month and for it to be celebrated.

 “Writing is an art in itself, but writing a novel can be hard work,” Collins said. “There are so many authors and many of them are underappreciated. This kind of writing takes a lot of dedication.”