Write a book in a Day: 12 Hours, Four Teams and Four New Books

Each year, King’s Christian College participates in The Kids’ Cancer Project’s Write a Book in a Day competition. The challenge invites students to work in teams to plan, write and illustrate a complete book in 12 hours, with the finished stories created to entertain children in hospitals across Australia.

This year, four King’s teams took on the challenge. Student reflections from the day captured both the initial uncertainty and the excitement of bringing a book to life:

We began at 8am by creating a schedule and unpacking the story parameters. The parameters were as interesting - and initially as confusing - as last year’s, requiring five specific words along with particular characters, a setting and a problem. Once we had made sense of them, our story began.

We spent the day developing the plot, creating character concepts, drawing illustrations and writing paragraphs, chapters and, ultimately, the complete story. The end of the day arrived too soon - and so did the deadline. We finished with only minutes to spare before 8pm. Time really does fly when you’re having fun!

The experience taught us to stay conscious of the time and double-check that every requirement had been met, with nothing missing before the deadline. We also learned a great deal about teamwork, perseverance and patience - especially when we realised most of the book had been written in past tense after agreeing it should be in present tense!

Across the four teams, students grew closer and formed new friendships. We are grateful to have seen the creativity and effort behind the project and to have been part of it. We would encourage anyone considering the challenge in future to have a go. While 12 hours of writing can seem daunting, so much can be achieved when a team works together.

Alongside developing young authors and illustrators, Write a Book in a Day raises funds to advance research into the treatment and care of children with cancer. Families are invited to support the campaign through the fundraising link and share it with friends and family. https://writeabookinaday.com/school-groups/?id=2798

Keep an eye out for previews of the four books in future newsletters ahead of the official judging in November.

ARTICLE AUTHOR  Ralf de la Mare

Student reflection contributors currently recorded: Ella P. and Malachi F.