NaNoWriMo: Get Your Novel Written!

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ~Toni Morrison For many would-be novelists, National Novel Writing Month is in full swing with the first full weeks of writing passed. A local kickoff was hosted by the local Municipal Liaisons of NaNoWriMo at Wilde Roast Cafe where people were able to meet fellow writers, veterans and rookies alike. There are numerous resources on the Regional NaNoWriMo page. Forums for encouragement, for writing help, as well as a calendar with numerous “write-ins” where you can sit with your fellow writers in frenzied bursts of writing or ordered bliss and type out that adventure, fantasy epic, or adventure novel. To help with this, a writer need not write alone. There are daily write-ins in various locations across the Twin Cities. Notably, the Central Library in downtown Minneapolis hosts moderated write-ins with the intention of helping participants write as many words as possible. It is sponsored by the Big World Writing Club. From bars in Northeast Minneapolis to coffee shops in the South Metro, you may walk into a space for a coffee or lunch and find yourself presented with silent figures tapping at their keyboards as they attempt to tell the story that is inside of them. Many novels have come out of NaNoWriMo, notably Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus. While there is some criticism of NaNo, most of this comes from people who simply want to remind potential novelists that after the writing is done, then comes the monumental task of editing. Perhaps NaNo should be followed by National Editing Month in December. At any rate, whether what is written does reach the editing stage, or if it is merely a private exercise in writing a novel. Happy NaNoWriMo and happy writing!   Image via: National Novel Writing Month (.org)