Reminder about National Novel Writing Month

A few people have mentioned in comments or private emails that they would be interested in participating in National Novel Writing Month but do not live near me.

Of course, National Novel Writing Month  is available everywhere. It is neither a local Wisconsin Dells event nor my personal project. It is, in fact, an international event, with over 400,000 participants writing in every major language. You do not need to join any group or attend any sessions like we are having at our library. You can go online at nanowrimo.org to find out all about it and to sign up. You can do the whole thing from the comfort (or discomfort) of your own home or local coffee house. There is no fee whatsoever to participate, although there are items you can purchase if you so desire. 

Chris Baty's book, No Plot? No Problem!, is a humorous account of the origins of NaNoWriMo and contains lots of hints about how to prepare and how to survive and even thrive while cranking out your 50,000 word draft. You can purchase it at the NaNoWriMo site or through Amazon easily enough -- the ones in NaNoWriMo's shop are autographed -- or check it out from a friendly local library. Reading the book is not necessary at all. In fact, I did not read it until after I had successfully completed NaNoWriMo twice. But it is entertaining.

If you go to YouTube and enter nanowrimo in the search box, you will discover lots of videos that have been uploaded by past participants, telling you about their experiences and offering tips.

So don't be afraid to jump in wherever you are. To paraphrase the motto of the House of Stark in Game of Thrones, "November is coming."

Remember: The World Needs Your Novel!