Introduction to National Novel Writing Month: 30 days, 50,000 words, 1 novel

Instructor: Cameron Steiman
Date: Saturday, October 14
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: IWC
Cost: $75 Nonmembers, $48 members, $42 student members/teacher members/senior members/military members/librarian members

Write a novel in a month? Impossible. Crazy. Insane. Or is it? Hundreds of thousands of people gather together every November to do just that. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a crazy, fun-filled experience. The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days or less. At first glance, this may sound like a daunting task, but if you are prepared and focused you can be a “winner”.

This class will introduce the concept of NaNoWriMo and give an overview of the website and tools used during the month. It will cover useful tips and strategies in preparing for success prior to November and those useful to successfully surviving the month of NaNoWriMo. In preparation for National Novel Writing Month, this class will include:

• how NaNoWriMo works,
• how to fit time for writing into the daily demands of your life,
• ways to approach your writing, whether you are a planner/plotter or a pantser/organic writer,
• how to integrate yourself into the NaNoWriMo community,
• ways to keep your energy flowing throughout the month, and
• solutions for common problems writers experience during November.

This class will make use of in-class exercises, so please bring your calendar, a list of your commitments/appointments for November, and a laptop computer if you have one.

This class is great for writers who are new to National Novel Writing Month, have participated in the past but not reached their word count goal, and writers who want to learn how to quickly write a first draft of their novel outside of the boundaries of NaNoWriMo (as most of the strategies and techniques still apply).