Ciriello
It’s no accident that I work in a library. I’ve always loved reading and being surrounded by books, and like many readers, I’ve often fantasized about seeing my name on the cover of that new bestseller. So far it hasn’t happened, but I keep trying.
For me, the hard part of writing is getting started. I struggle with making time to sit down and write. Several years ago I heard of an annual writing challenge called National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, and I decided to give it a shot.
Founded in 1999 and held each November, NaNoWriMo is an annual challenge to write 50,000 words, the average length of a novel, in 30 days. That’s less than 2,000 words per day. No problem.
While I have yet to complete the challenge, I’m not ready to give up. I’m taking the challenge again this year, and I hope you’ll join me.
Through the years, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have accepted the NaNoWriMo challenge. Of course, much of the writing done during such a fast-paced writing frenzy eventually gets edited, cut out, or simply set aside and forgotten.
But more than a few projects go on to become novels we love. “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern, “Evie Drake Starts Over” by Linda Holmes, “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen and many more got their start during NaNoWriMo. Why shouldn’t your story be part of that list?
Fifty thousand words in 30 days sounds daunting, but don’t worry, you don’t have to do it alone. There is a worldwide community of writers and wanna-be writers to offer support and encouragement.
This year, the Greenwood Public Library is joining that community. We are an official “Come Write In” location, which means we will be hosting writing sessions throughout the month. We will kick off the challenge at 6 p.m. Nov. 1, and then gather at 6 p.m. every Monday for games and activities designed to up your word count. There will be a special Saturday session at 10 a.m. Nov. 25.
People are invited to come for any or all of these sessions. Participate in the activities, chat with other writers, or just sit and write in a semi-quiet environment.
Writing is often a solitary endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be. A big part of the popularity of NaNoWriMo is the community aspect. Events like “Come Write In” sessions and online forums give writers a place to share ideas, ask for advice, and just cheer each other on.
So what are you waiting for? Are you ready to take the challenge? You can find more information and join the online community at nanowrimo.org, or join in-person events like “Come Write In” sessions hosted at the library. It’s time to tell your story. Let’s get started.
Donna Ciriello is an Adult Services Librarian at Greenwood Public Library. GPL staff members share in writing this twice monthly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
