National Novel Writing Month

By: Amanda Rasmussen

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). NaNoWriMo is a unique approach to creative writing that challenges participants to write 50,000 words during the month of November. Thousands of writers from around the world participate annually.

Interested? There are many ways to get involved.  Sign up for a free account on the NaNo website nanowrimo.org. There, you can upload your content, keep track of your progress, and join an international community that offers support and resources. By participating, you receive free resources, offers, and discounts from different professional writing programs and software, as well as the chance to win prizes!

Participants must be 13 years of age or older, have a NaNo account, and validate their word count during the month of November. Those under age 13 can participate in the Young Writers Program, which allows participation with modifications in the form of individually created word count goals and age appropriate forums and resources.

Grimes Public Library is hosting programs and activities throughout November to support NaNoWriMo participants and non-NaNo writers.  Every Wednesday from 6-8pm, the Library will provide a quiet Writing Room for participants to write as little or as much as they would like.

The Library will provide a writer’s kit  complete with a journal, a pencil, and various resources to Writing Room users, as well as weekly writing prompts posted on Instagram, Pinterest, and at the library.

So stop by the front desk, pick up your writing tools, and write a novel this November!