by: Reagan Ramm

If you’ve followed Kingdom Pen for any length of time, you’ve probably heard us mention the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum. If you’ve been following us for a long time, you may even be tired of hearing about it. Don’t look now, but here it comes again. But stick around because I’m about to tell you something that is completely out of this world.

First off, if you haven’t heard of the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum, let me introduce you. Like its name implies, the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum (or OYAN) is a homeschool class that teaches young authors how to write a novel in one school year. In the May/June issue of Kingdom Pen—two issues back—we interviewed the founder of OYAN, Daniel Schwabauer. I cannot recommend OYAN enough. I think it’s safe to say I wouldn’t be a writer today if it wasn’t for the curriculum. I don’t even think Kingdom Pen would exist without it. In the almost two years since Eli King founded the first issue of Kingdom Pen, nearly all of our writers have come from the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum. More than just a homeschool class, OYAN is a family.

That being said, this article is not about trying to convince you to buy the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum (although, if you’re a young Christian writer looking for a place to get started in novel writing, you can’t go wrong with OYAN). I’m here to tell you about something that has never been done before–a dream that can become a reality with your help.

Which place is a better location to write a story? Your basement or…say…Bag End? The answer is obvious. Yeah, Mr. Schwabauer thought so too, which is why he is going to build a replica of Bag End solely for the purpose of creating a creative environment. It would be a creative arts/retreat center. Not only could you stay in a hobbit hole and get some serious inspired writing done, but you would have excellent writing resources at your disposal. The central hub (Rivendell) of the proposed four hobbit hole facility would be a library, complete with exclusive content, including some of the first works ever published by Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. Teachers would also hold classes for writing instruction, making the center not just a place to get some writing done, but a place where you come away knowing more than you did before.

But this won’t just be for writers. Filmmaking–another mode of storytelling–will also be encouraged and taught, complete with equipment used in Hollywood. If you’re a filmmaker, here is a chance for you to get your hands on the best in lighting, filming, and editing equipment. Not only that, but you’ll have the perfect environment to explore and learn in.

There’s just one problem: the hobbit holes haven’t been built yet. This facility will be built, it’s just a matter how soon the Schwabauers can get the funding (yes, the Schwabauers are paying for this out of their own pocket). Where will this money come from? The proceeds from every book sold in the Legends of Tira-Nor series—written by Daniel Schwabauer—will go toward building the hobbit holes.

If you want to help, there are plenty of ways to do it, the simplest being prayer.  Pray for the Schwabauers and this project. Additionally, you can tell your friends about this. Who wouldn’t want to spend a couple nights in a hobbit hole? (Okay, we know some people wouldn’t, but we’re praying for them.) Or, you could buy the book(s). Blog about this, write about it on facebook, twitter, pinterest–you get the idea. Spread the word. Let’s make this happen!

Hobbit holes, anyone?

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