Twice a week Nathan Orie’s classroom turns into a “multiverse” of mythic proportions. In one corner there’s a girl having flashbacks from a previous life, in another a boy with spider legs battles an intergalactic Medusa and in still another a teenager is on the run from an abusive father.

It’s all part of November’s National Novel Writing Month, more commonly called NaNoWriMo, and 28 Old Rochester Regional Junior High Students are hard at work penning their first works of fiction.

Orie, a seventh grade teacher, has challenged kids to the NaNoWriMo challenge for four years, and was impressed by how many signed up.

“Their stories are incredible. I wish I could think like these kids, and I’m totally going to steal their ideas,” he joked.

Twice a week, the students gather in his room for an hour after school to write and discuss their books. Each has set a goal, ranging from 20,000 words to 45,000.

After a primer on how to develop characters, the students started writing on Nov. 1, with the goal of penning at least one page a day.

“It’s a really lofty goal,” said Orie. “They can’t neglect their work and do this because I won’t allow that.”

Even so, it can be done!

The students cite a variety of sources for their inspiration – books they’ve read, life experiences and simply random thoughts. Carly O’Connell’s teen drama has some romance but also a dark side.

“I wanted something to do with a boy and a girl, but I didn’t want to do gushy or anything like that,” she said.

Maddie Hartley’s novel about young superheroes grew out of time with her dad.

“My dad made me watch a lot of superhero movies because he’s a nerd,” she said.

The movies always had a lot of adults, so she decided to create an all kid story. “I always wondered what would happen if there weren’t any,” she said.

Students admit the process is not without its difficulties.

Madison Pedro is writing a book about a girl who has flashbacks from a past life.

“Sometimes I hit speed bumps, but then I find an inspiration and start writing again,” she said.

Students like Ellie Townsend have their whole book mapped out already, but she said it’s hard to fill in the less exciting gaps in her sci-fi thriller. “I just want the good parts,” she said.

Several students said their writing has taken turns they didn’t expect.

“I thought I knew what I was going to write about, but it’s gone in a totally different direction,” said Amber Vaughan.

Kristina Hopkins’ story about a girl dealing with her alcoholic father also has a mind of its own.

“Thinking ahead puts me out of [the story],” said Kristina Hopkins. “I just let my hand write. I never knew she was going to run away until I got to the part where I was saying that.”

Many of the young authors said they’d tried to write longer stories before, but had lost momentum.

“I think if I really try this time, I might be able to do it,” said Matthew Carvalho, who is writing a fantasy about a mutant kid.

With a classroom of peers to keep them accountable, most are confident they will have a first draft completed by Nov. 30.

“It’s nice having other people writing. You don’t feel the pressure that you’re the only one trying to make an impossible goal possible,” said Hannah Powers who is writing a fantasy about a world split in two.

Orie will hold a party at the end of the writing period for kids to share excerpts from their work, and many said they want to continue honing their books throughout the year. Orie will help edit and coach kids and perhaps even help them publish their books.

Halfway through the month, the students are finding the results rewarding.

“Writing gives me such joy. The only problem is that I’m only allowed to do it an hour a day,” said Maeve McEnroe.