I've heard a little bit about it, but what IS NaNoWriMo, anyhow?
NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month.
Yeah....so? What is it?
NaNoWriMo is an organized attempt to encourage people to write a novel...in a single month.
The goal is to get people over the hump of expecting a first draft to be good--because first drafts are never good! Writers who liberate themselves from expectations of goodness are more likely to actually write that first draft...and then, once it's written, they can actually move forward and do some editing and revising and maybe actually FINISH WRITING THE BOOK!
But in November, the whole idea is to just write. 50,000 words is the goal, which results in a 175-page book.
To achieve the 50,000-word goal, writers need to churn out approximately 1600 words per day if they plan to write every day.Or, if folks work weird schedules like me, they can write 4,000 words in a day or two, and then not write a single word for a day or two, and then write more when they have a chance. Remember that it doesn't have to be good, it just has to be written down!
Are there meetings and stuff?
The library system is offering writing workshops, writing coaches, and opportunities for writing support groups to meet in the library throughout the month. The entire list of library system programs for NaNoWriMo is located on our website:http://www.kcls.org/events/nanowrimo.cfm
Participants in NaNoWriMo (we call ourselves "WriMo's" for short) are not required to attend meetings or workshops. The only requirement is registration on the NaNoWriMo website (conveniently called www.NaNoWrMo.org ); participants update their own wordcounts.
There are other regional WriMo events, which can be found on the www.NaNoWriMo.org website. Again, not required.
NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month.
Yeah....so? What is it?
NaNoWriMo is an organized attempt to encourage people to write a novel...in a single month.
The goal is to get people over the hump of expecting a first draft to be good--because first drafts are never good! Writers who liberate themselves from expectations of goodness are more likely to actually write that first draft...and then, once it's written, they can actually move forward and do some editing and revising and maybe actually FINISH WRITING THE BOOK!
But in November, the whole idea is to just write. 50,000 words is the goal, which results in a 175-page book.
To achieve the 50,000-word goal, writers need to churn out approximately 1600 words per day if they plan to write every day.Or, if folks work weird schedules like me, they can write 4,000 words in a day or two, and then not write a single word for a day or two, and then write more when they have a chance. Remember that it doesn't have to be good, it just has to be written down!
Are there meetings and stuff?
The library system is offering writing workshops, writing coaches, and opportunities for writing support groups to meet in the library throughout the month. The entire list of library system programs for NaNoWriMo is located on our website:http://www.kcls.org/events/nanowrimo.cfm
Participants in NaNoWriMo (we call ourselves "WriMo's" for short) are not required to attend meetings or workshops. The only requirement is registration on the NaNoWriMo website (conveniently called www.NaNoWrMo.org ); participants update their own wordcounts.
There are other regional WriMo events, which can be found on the www.NaNoWriMo.org website. Again, not required.
What if somebody wants to start writing late in the month, instead of the beginning of November?
Writing in general is a good thing. Even when it's bad, it's good. Just write!!!
Are all the library staff people writing novels this month?
Nobody is required to do anything in this life except die and pay taxes. (I'm a librarian : I looked that one up).
However, several of my co-workers--and staffers around the library system--are writing and everybody else is invited to join us.
Why is the library doing this?
This year, the library is piloting a bunch of different events to support NaNoWriMo. We are experimenting to try to figure out what will be most useful to writers. As with all things involved in NaNoWriMo, it's okay to try something that doesn't work very well, because that's one of the ways to figure out what will work.
KCLS' goal this year is to emphasize what an AMAZING resource the public library is for writers. The library provides all sorts of resources to writers for FREE, including:
We also, of course, offer a comfortable, well-lit environment with wi-fi and a tremendously friendly, helpful, and encouraging staff.
What's the thing with the rubber duckies?
The duckies are the self-adopted symbol of Seattle-area WriMos. When writing in public (and not minding a few distractions) Seattle WriMos will display a ducky, in hopes of attracting conversation with other WriMos.
Besides, ducks are cute.
Can I do it?
Yup.
Is it free?
Yup.
Can kids do it?
Absolutely. We encourage writers of all ages and abilities to write their little hearts out during NaNoWriMo. Novels don't even need to written in English--if you are more comfortable writing in another language, do it!
What if I fail?
What if you don't?
Just write. It's fun. Maybe you'll surprise yourself!
What happens at the end of the month?
At the Richmond Beach Library, we will have a party with coffee and cake to celebrate all the writing that took place in November. Our celebration is planned for December 1st, from 4 to 6 pm. Other libraries may have celebrations planned -- watch the www.kcls.org website for more information.
As for the marvelous books that are written, that is up to the authors. Some people use the month of December to revise their manuscripts and send them out to publishers in January or February. Some folks burn theirs. Some really good books have come out of NaNoWriMo...maybe yours will be one of them!
What if I have more questions?
Explore the official NaNoWriMo website www.nanowrimo.organd the library program website http://www.kcls.org/events/nanowrimo.cfm.There are also NaNoWriMo support groups on MySpace and Facebook.
Writing in general is a good thing. Even when it's bad, it's good. Just write!!!
Are all the library staff people writing novels this month?
Nobody is required to do anything in this life except die and pay taxes. (I'm a librarian : I looked that one up).
However, several of my co-workers--and staffers around the library system--are writing and everybody else is invited to join us.
Why is the library doing this?
This year, the library is piloting a bunch of different events to support NaNoWriMo. We are experimenting to try to figure out what will be most useful to writers. As with all things involved in NaNoWriMo, it's okay to try something that doesn't work very well, because that's one of the ways to figure out what will work.
KCLS' goal this year is to emphasize what an AMAZING resource the public library is for writers. The library provides all sorts of resources to writers for FREE, including:
- Expensive reference books about everything from how to fix (or break) a getaway car to how to diagnose (or administer) a lethal poison.
- Publications such as Writer's Digest, current world information from newspapers and magazines, and databases full of news and information
- Historical and scientific reference materials for historical fiction novels and science or medical thrillers
We also, of course, offer a comfortable, well-lit environment with wi-fi and a tremendously friendly, helpful, and encouraging staff.
What's the thing with the rubber duckies?
The duckies are the self-adopted symbol of Seattle-area WriMos. When writing in public (and not minding a few distractions) Seattle WriMos will display a ducky, in hopes of attracting conversation with other WriMos.
Besides, ducks are cute.
Can I do it?
Yup.
Is it free?
Yup.
Can kids do it?
Absolutely. We encourage writers of all ages and abilities to write their little hearts out during NaNoWriMo. Novels don't even need to written in English--if you are more comfortable writing in another language, do it!
What if I fail?
What if you don't?
Just write. It's fun. Maybe you'll surprise yourself!
What happens at the end of the month?
At the Richmond Beach Library, we will have a party with coffee and cake to celebrate all the writing that took place in November. Our celebration is planned for December 1st, from 4 to 6 pm. Other libraries may have celebrations planned -- watch the www.kcls.org website for more information.
As for the marvelous books that are written, that is up to the authors. Some people use the month of December to revise their manuscripts and send them out to publishers in January or February. Some folks burn theirs. Some really good books have come out of NaNoWriMo...maybe yours will be one of them!
What if I have more questions?
Explore the official NaNoWriMo website www.nanowrimo.organd the library program website http://www.kcls.org/events/nanowrimo.cfm.There are also NaNoWriMo support groups on MySpace and Facebook.
Now: get out there and WRITE!
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