Is the next great Canadian novel just waiting to be written?
November is National Novel Writing Month and three events are already planned for South Delta libraries.
National Novel Writing Month, which is also known as NaNoWriMo, aims to help and inspire writers to write 50,000 words during the month of November, 1,666 words a day over 30 days. Municipal Liaisons organize local write-ins and social events, where writers can come together and write.
Participants are also encouraged to sign up at www.nanowrimo.org where they can plan their novel, join a local group of writers, receive online encouragement from staff and published authors, and have access to a world-wide community of writers through online forums.
NaNoWriMo stared in San Francisco in 1999 when a small group of non-writers challenged themselves to write a novel in 30 days, deciding that 50,000 words was the minimum size for a novel.
Over the years it has become a worldwide phenomenon. Last year, 325,142 participants, including 81,311 students and educators in the Young Writers Program, took part; 803 volunteer Municipal Liaisons guided 615 regions on six continent; and, 849 libraries, bookstores and community centres played host to write-in events.
“We welcome anyone who wants a challenge, and offer encouragement and assistance as needed,” said Dave Levine, one of the Municipal Liaison for the Lower Mainland. “The goals is for everyone to try to win, much like a crazy marathon. Though our focus in on quantity, not quality, and we never stop to fix mistakes,” he said, adding that several well-known works have been written during NaNoWriMo write-ins, including Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants, Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, Wool by Hugh Howey, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Jason Hough’s The Darwin Elevator and Marissa Meyer’s Cinder.
So far, three events have been planned for local libraries – Nov. 1 from 2-4 p.m. and Nov. 3 from 4-6 p.m. at the Ladner Pioneer Library; and, Nov. 2 from 6-8 p.m. at the Tsawwassen Library.
For more information visit www.nanowrimo.org or www.vancowrimo.ca.
