Nine Mad Writers. One Crazy Story. Zero Idea What Happens Next.

Last year, kids got so enthusiastic about a New Zealand online writing project that they invited JK Rowling to join. This year, they might just try and outwrite her. In 2010 a group of New Zealand children's writers had a conversation on Facebook about writing an online junior fiction book collectively, and inviting New Zealand children to join in. FaBoStory was born and a wild and wacky ride it was. This is the third year this team of New Zealand children’s writers have got together to try and outwrite New Zealand kids. They are suckers for punishment.

On the 16th of July the FaBostory will begin, with the first chapter of a junior fiction novel being posted on this year’s FaBostory website. And each week New Zealand kids can pen the next chapter, while the FaBostory team tries to outwrite them and take control of what will be an exciting and crazy plot.

Kyle Mewburn, FaBostory writer, said ‘On week 1 - Writer A writes chapter 1. In week 2 - Writer B writes chapter 2 and completely messes up Writer A's original idea (while cackling gleefully and rubbing evil little hands together). In week 3 - Writer C takes the story off into a completely different direction altogether (while cackling gleefully etc).

There will be competitions, prizes and ideas stolen.

Kids can write as part of school or library teams or on their own. 

The FaBostory website is www.fabostory3.blogspot.co.nz  and all details will be up on the website in time for the start of term 3 of the school year. This year’s authors include Kyle Mewburn, Brian Falkner, Elena de Roo, Melinda Szymanik, Maureen Crisp, Tania Hutley, Kathy White, Johanna Knox and Michele Powles.

The FaBo Team want the story finished by Christmas. ‘We’ll need a nice lie down by then,’ said Team Member Maureen. ‘We’re up against New Zealand kids, it’s going to be tough!’

Stories should be up to 500 words long and submitted by Friday 5pm in the body of an email to fabostory@gmail.com  with name, age and school.