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OLMC Guides: WABIAD

Welcome to the Catherine McAuley Library

Tips to Consider

Before the day: 

  1. Work out how your team are going to collaborate? Office 365? Teams? Other?
  2. Hive mind! A key factor in creating a great story rests on your teams’ ability to collaborate. Assign roles & responsibilities.
  3. Read winners works from previous years to see what the judges are looking for, https://writeabookinaday.com/past-results/

Writing a winning story:

  • Keep it simple. Use the given parameters only. Don't add more characters, other settings or issues. Make sure the given issue drives the story and is resolved. Consider using the Hero’s Journey Story arc as a framework.
  • Try for a winning first sentence; something that will startle your reader. 
  • Try for a twist at the end, An unexpected ending that readers don’t see coming will ensure that your story stands out. Perhaps you could foreshadow this ending earlier in your story.
  • Chapter headings are an opportunity. Simply numbering your chapters is a missed opportunity...
  • Hero the illustrations: one per page. The front cover and back blurb are ESSENTIAL visual elements. 
  • Perhaps you could use alternating character perspectives. Chapters can be used to show alternating character perspectives and also disguise different writing styles.
  • ONE VOICE - a winning book brings together the synergy of all members to create a whole cohesive text that reads as "one voice" or one author. The team's editor has much to contribute to this goal.
  • Consider speaking to your audience in text that is familiar: incorporate text bubbles, sms messages, instagram posts, TikTok
  • Planning and time management are key. Leave enough time for editing and reading, check for spelling and grammatical errors. 
  • You must comply with the competition rules including the Parameter page, copyright statement, bolding of random words and word count.
  • Use the planner to plan out your day.

WABIAD Website

 

What's it all about? Browse the website and check out last year's winners to see what a winning book looks like. You'll see there are National and State winners.

Fast Facts

When: Monday 15th September and Monday 22nd September, Week 9 and 10.

Where: Library 

What is WABIAD?: A National 'teams' writing competition to write a book in day. The event support childens' cancer research

Teams: Teams from Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 will compete! 10 people in a team

Divisions:
Years 7, 8  & 9 are in the Middle Secondary School
Year 10 are in the Upper Secondary

Word Count: Both Divisions must observe a minimum 3500 to  maximum 5000 word count.

Objective: To write and illustrate a story

Rules & Parameters: On the day, you are given unique story parameters including:
Two human characters
One non-human character
A setting
An issue  ( the issue must drive the story )
5 random words

Participants should be familiar with the following documents:

  1. The WABIAD Manual covering all the rules and requirement is essential reading.
  2. Day planner
  3. Team Roles

Writing Tips

Illustrating Tips