NaNoWriMo Season
Let's go on a quest to write a book!
It’s that time of year. Every October, The Writing Journey transitions from our normal yearly cycle to NaNoWriMo season.
For those who have not been involved before, NaNoWriMo (aka National Novel Writing Month) happens every November. It’s a month to (traditionally) write an entire first draft of a novel, aka 50k words, in one measly little month. Throughout the world, there are many regions that work together, hosting events to help Wrimos (our writers, new and experienced) meet their goals.
Many, many, MANY Journey members are part of the US Illinois Naperville region. We host events both online and in person (so we generally get the good fortune to interact with people all over the US).
October is also known as Preptober! A month to prepare. Writing 50k is no easy task. It averages out to 1667 words per day. Most people find that they need their own amount of preparation (some people more and some less).
We’ve partnered with various libraries to offer free writing workshops we encourage the public to attend. Please register with the hosting library or visit naperwrimo.org/events for links to all NaNoWriMo registrations.
Oct 7, 1 to 3 p.m. at Nichols Library in Naperville. Hybrid workshop.
Story Wall Party Let fellow NaNo participants serve as a sounding board to generate new plot twists, ask inspiring questions, and help you get ready for November!
Oct 14,1 to 3 p.m. at Nichols Library in Naperville. Hybrid workshop.
Get Ready for National Novel Writing Month! Bryn Donovan, an author and a former acquiring editor in publishing, offers tips, resources, and creative writing exercises to clarify your vision and your basic plot for your novel.
Oct 16th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Bloomingdale Public Library. Virtual workshop
How to Succeed at NaNoWriMo. This workshop focuses on how to succeed at writing a 50,000 word rough draft in a month.
Oct 18th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Oak Park Public Library. Hybrid workshop
How to Succeed at NaNoWriMo. This workshop focuses on how to succeed at writing a 50,000 word rough draft in a month.
Oct 21, 1 to 3 p.m. at Nichols Library in Naperville. Hybrid workshop.
Memoir workshop This workshop will share with you information about the craft of writing memoirs.
Oct 24th, 7-8 p.m. at Glenside Public Library. Hybrid workshop
How to Succeed at NaNoWriMo. This workshop focuses on how to succeed at writing a 50,000 word rough draft in a month.
This year, the Naperwrimo theme is Quests and Quills! We’re going on a Quest to write a story and not get stuck in the Soggy Middle Marsh or Writer’s Block Bog! You don’t have to be writing a fantasy to join us!
Additionally, ML Jenn (aka dragon_rider82) will be handing out NaperWrimo stickers at events and the Prep Workshops! Stop by in person to pick your your awesome Quills and Quests sticker as well as the return of the hipster PDA in print!
So, if you’re new to writing or looking to jump back in this is a great time to join us and many other regions around the world for free events geared towards the writing community! Head over to NaNo’s website to sign up for free and join the closest region to you and you can always join another region too if you find one that does many online events.
Here are some great resources and recent newsletters about NaNoWriMo:
Jenn (aka JM Guilfoyle and Nerdy Mom Writes) wrote a recent blog/newsletter about Rounding Out Characters. Check it out here!
Grant Faulkner (of NaNoWriMo) wrote an amazing piece about When You Deny a Story It Defines You, and linked to other NaNoWriMo novel-writing series he wrote. Check those out here.