Hey everyone!

Thanks for coming to my fundraising page for National Novel Writing Month's November Write-a-thon. On November 15th, I'll be joining more than 100 authors at the SomArts Cultural Center in San Francisco. Our goal: Write as much of our novels (did I mention I'm writing a novel this November? 50,000 words in 30 days!) as possible over six hours of food, drinks, and fun.

All the money I raise will go directly to the Office of Letters and Light, whose free programs such as National Novel Writing Month inspire tens of thousands of kids, teens, and adults to write books every year.

I have worked with kids for the past 8 years, of all ages and capabilities (the autistic I have had the pleasure of working with were fantastic, always) and I cannot tell you how vital arts/writing/afterschool programs are.  This past year I've volunteered my time at a local elementary school, teaching 3rd and 5th graders the joys of writing poetry. Many of the students came from low-income families and some seemed to live a tough life. There were some students that would often cry when we would start talking about certain subjects and I thought it was very freeing for them to have us there to open up to and give them a positive outlet to express themselves in. It let's them know they're not alone and let's them hash out all that they are feeling in a healthy manner.

This summer I have also been working privately with an 8 year old to foster a love of creative writing and we're almost done with a story! :) I tutor in academic writing too, but my first love is creative. I love working with kids because they remind me of infinite possibilities and just how powerful our imagination is, among other things we often forget about as we grow older.

Thank you so much for your support of my writing and for your contribution to the Office of Letters and Light's literary mission! If you can think of anyone else who might be interested in sponsoring me, please forward this page along to them!

You can keep tabs and elbow me into productivity here:

Nanowrimo Novel Writing Profile:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/260865

Blog to document madness:
http://writetotiana.blogspot.com/

Love and Light,

Tiana =]