Logo courtesy of National Novel Writing Month
Logo courtesy of National Novel Writing Month

If you have ever dreamed of getting that idea or moving those characters out of your head and onto paper,  then you are in luck for we are gearing up to celebrate National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this November! 

What is NaNoWriMo?

"National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000 word, (approximately 175 page) novel by 11:59:59, November 30.

Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved."

A number of published books including  The Night CircusWater for Elephants, and other books began as NaNoWriMo projects! To get you started on the right foot, Darien Library will be posting writing tips, Tools of the Trade, and more on the Library's website each Friday throughout October. Then in November we will be hosting a write-in so you can meet with fellow NaNo participants as you work on your novel (details to be announced). 

Assignment for this week

Read the previous links about NaNo and then decide if you want to make the commitment to write a novel. Start planning how you can rearrange each day in November for dedicated writing time.Chris Baty, the founder of NaNoWriMo, suggests that you tell others that you plan on writing a book  as a way to pressure yourself into staying committed.
 
Next Friday we will look at books, magazines, and websites that can help you start thinking about your characters and story. Got any questions? Ask below!

Comments

Apostasy and Spiritism in our age

With all the material available in today's media on spiritism it's a wonder those of us who want to create a work that will combat this dangerous trend don't become totally discouraged. We sit awed by the success of writers who have joined the ranks of the frenzied "New Age" trend. We try to qwell that sick feeling of doom for society while at the same time we are lured to it. Our industry knows well that every aspiring writer who incorprates spiritism into their material will get a huge leg up in attracting potential readership. It's my intention to create a work that will insidiously combat and steer readership normally drawn to New Age in another direction. It's my aim to steer these readers towards Church theologians and the Fathers of the Church. This is a tricky presentation and has been difficult to put together in a format that will attract readership.Discouraged by the apostasy that I encounter, especially in our local parishes, I continue to work on my material. I hope I will create a work that will make some small difference. To this end I've taken a new and different approach. A lot of research was required along with great personal spritual growth. Those of you who share my view might wish me luck. Those who don't, well I wish you luck. Yolande Suzin, Darien CT