{"id":2370871,"date":"2015-03-19T08:55:36","date_gmt":"2015-03-19T13:55:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oneyearnovel.wpengine.com\/?p=1116"},"modified":"2021-10-14T00:20:26","modified_gmt":"2021-10-14T05:20:26","slug":"one-year-adventure-novel-more-than-a-curriculum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clearwaterpress.com\/oneyearnovel\/blog\/one-year-adventure-novel-more-than-a-curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"One Year Adventure Novel: More Than a Curriculum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kaitlin Wells, Guest Contributor\"More-than-curriculum-Mar2015\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

What some people do not know about the One Year Adventure Novel<\/em><\/a> (OYAN) is that it is not just a writing training course for young writers; it is also a vibrant creative community with an online forum, monthly webinars, and workshop events. Kaitlin Wells, a longtime \u201cOYANer,\u201d now studying creative writing at Kansas State University, shares why she believes students should join the OYAN community:<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wanted: You<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Some people search their whole lives for community.<\/strong> They scuff their feet along the sidewalk, peering into metaphorical windows and jiggling locked door-handles, just yearning for a sense of belonging. A home<\/strong>\u2014that\u2019s the dream, right? A group of people who will take you as you are and love you for it<\/strong>. I count myself among the infinitesimal portion of humans who are blessed to have found such a community at a young age<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The One Year Adventure Novel<\/em><\/a> (OYAN) community isn\u2019t just a giant peer critique group or a writing mentorship program<\/strong>. It\u2019s a family.<\/strong> Sure, most families live under an actual roof, but we\u2019ve always been a little nutty. We\u2019re strewn across continents. We\u2019ve got everyone from thirteen-year-olds to people in their twenties. What does that mean? Every student has a place.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Summer<\/a>

Only so many feet could fit!<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the coolest parts of joining OYAN is the welcome you receive<\/strong> and the people<\/strong> you start to bond with. You can expect greetings ranging from a shower of virtual skittles and a nickname, to deep, intellectual, faith-based conversations that strengthen and challenge you as a writer and a person<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, creative people are often misunderstood<\/strong>. I mean, maybe you\u2019ve been gifted with an incredible group of friends, and more pals from OYAN would just be icing on the your social cake. Or, maybe\u2026 you\u2019re more like I was at thirteen years old. Lonely, and hungry for acceptance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s where OYAN stepped in for me<\/strong> and for so many others. It\u2019s a safe haven<\/strong> filled with all kinds of individuals\u2014including people who have been through exactly what you\u2019re feeling and have come out stronger on the other side.<\/p>\n

\"Winter<\/a>

Enjoying a session at a Winter Workshop<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

So, you\u2019re a writer\u2014or, you want to be a writer.<\/strong> Perhaps you\u2019re not sure what you\u2019re doing, but you could use the English credit. What can you expect from OYAN\u2019s community?<\/strong><\/p>\n