Have you ever wanted to write a novel but haven’t started yet? November might be the right time to try as it’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)!
What is NaNoWriMo? In addition to being a fun month, it’s also the name of a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging writers for this annual event. Authors aim to create a novel between November 1st to the 30th, usually with a goal of 50,000 words. The organization that officially runs the event also provides workshops throughout the year, but November is a great time to focus all your energy into squeezing out text onto paper. You can learn more about how NaNoWriMo works by visiting their website. There you can also make an account and track your progress.
To be clear, NaNoWriMo doesn’t actually see your work. Their website is a tool to help you keep track of how many words you’re writing. If you were running laps around a track, NaNoWriMo would be the stopwatch while you ran. Whether you’d like to keep your novel as a private piece of art or try publishing it is up to you.
For authors that want to write with others, NaNoWriMo also offers local events and write-ins run by volunteers. The local chapter for Westchester County has over 1,600 members. You can get updates about events by registering online. The next Westchester event will be for the NaNoWriMo Kick-off, taking place October 28th. Make sure to join the Westchester group, which is free to do, and RSVP if you plan on attending. Of course, if you’d prefer to do your novel writing without signing up or interacting with others, that’s totally fine.
While you’re plotting your next novel, don’t forget to check out free resources from your local library. There you can find plenty of books about writing with the help of your librarian or through Libby.
For those participating this year, we wish you luck!