My oldest learned how to cook more than pasta because I was doing Nano. My first year was 2006, so she was 12, I think. When they first started the young writers program my oldest three all joined in. I force them to set a word count much lower than the 50 k or I won't have the time to do my own writing.

About three years ago, hubby got tired of being ignored and joined in. My oldest works to much now that shes 20 to participate. My 19 year old is working on getting her GED. It's the price you pay for home-schooling. If she wants to go to college she has to have a GED at least in Arkansas, at the colleges we can afford. She is hoping to get done with that in time to join us.

The only ones that don't understand are my mother and sister. I get a phone call from my mother around the end of October with the question..."Okay so when can I call you next month." Followed up by a phone call in the middle of November wanting to know if I had given up yet." I have won the last 6 years. The last three I have won with over 100k word count but... "Yeah Mom, I quit. I don't want to write a book. I mean just because I have written five novels and rewritten a sixth one twice doesn't mean I want to ever get published and keep writing. I have quit and will never pick up my pen again."