National Novel Writing Month

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National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo 2012
NaNoWriMo Library Events
Getting Started
Other Library Events
Books About Writing
Books by NaNoWriMo Authors

NaNoWriMo 2012

Join us for our fourth NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). This November, people all over the world will attempt to write a 50,000-word novel by midnight, November 30. Participants sign up by creating free accounts at www.nanowrimo.org, the official site for National Novel Writing Month. There they can post their daily (or hourly, or second-by-second) word counts, display samples of their writing, or discuss their progress and even arrange local write-in events with other writers on the site forums.

If you are planning to write a novel this November or any other time, we invite you to write it here at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library. We offer air, light, chairs, tables, computers, wireless internet, outlets and jacks (for laptops), books about writing, friendly reference staff who can try to help you with burning questions like "Can a nine-year-old fit down a badger hole?" and much more.

NaNoWriMo Library Events (stay tuned for updates!)

Saturday Write-Ins
Come meet your local fellow novelists! Meet up for all-day write-ins at the library,
- Saturday, November 3rd, 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday, November 10th, 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday, November 17th, 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday, November 24th, 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Why close at 3:45? Because the library itself closes at 4 p.m.
Story Writing Contest (Kids Are Writers Too!)
1st through 6th graders are welcome to submit stories for a special story writing contest in November. Submit by Friday, November 30th and win a prize! Click here for guidelines and other information.

Are there other days or times when you would particularly like to meet other people for a write-in? Email or contact Sarah at 978-468-5577, or visit the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library thread at the official North Shore Nanowrimo forum (anyone can read it, but you must be logged in to post.)

Getting Started

If you are participating in National Novel Writing Month for the first time, the best way to start is by visiting the web site and creating a free account. If you would like to communicate with fellow writers, your next stop is the NaNoWriMo forums. These forums are available year-round, but all old threads and postings are wiped clean on the first of October as people prepare for the intensive writing in November.

Forums include the Genre Lounges, Resources and Writing Support, and many other groups. (There is even a NaNo Rebels forum for those using November to write something like a memoir, script or non-fiction book instead!) At the bottom you will find the Regional Lounges, where you can hook up with authors from your local area.

Here are a few short cuts for Massachusetts participants:

Other Library Events

Want to avoid your novel while still doing something novellish and cool? Here are some other writing and book-related events at our library.

50 Book Challenge
Hamilton-Wenham Library invites everyone to read 50 books this year. Do you know which books you've read? It's not too late to join! Click here to find out more, and get your reading log today.
World of Wizarding is a Harry Potter Happening designed for grades 3 - 5. There will be one happening during NaNoWriMo, on November 7th. Click here for more information.
League of Superheroes is a new superhero themed program for children grades K-2. There will be one league meeting during NaNoWriMo, on November 14th. Click here for more information.
You so do not have time for this, but our library hosts three Reading Groups, meeting monthly. November is no exception.
- Mystery Mayhem, Tues. Nov. 13th, 10:30 - 11:30 am.
- Monday Night Book Group, Mon. Nov. 19th, 7:15 - 8:30 pm.
- Literary Luncheon, Tues. Nov. 20th. 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Books About Writing

These are just a few of the many books on writing available from the Hamilton-Wenham Library. If you are looking at this list during or immediately before the month of November, many of these books will be checked out, but feel free to call 978-468-5577 and ask if the title you want is actually available (it may just be checked out to a display!) We can also bring books in from other libraries.

		Your Child's Writing Life: How To Inspire Confidence, Creativity, and Skill At Every Age Allyn, Pam 649.6 ALL/ parenting
		Books, Crooks and Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure Budewitz, Leslie 808 BUD
		If You Can Talk, You Can Write Saltzman, Joel 808 Saltzman
		No Plot? No Problem! A Low-stress, High-velocity Guide To Writing a Novel in 30 Days Baty, Chris 808.3 BAT
		How To Write Science Fiction and Fantasy Card, Orson Scott 808.3 CARD
		Plotto: The Master Book of All Plots Cook, William Wallace 808.3 COO
		Writer's Guide To Character Traits: Includes Profiles of Human Behaviors and Personality Types Edelstein, Linda N. 808.3 EDE
		You Can Write A Romance Estrada, Rita Clay 808.3 ESTRADA
		Write Away: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life George, Elizabeth 808.3 GEO
		So You Want To Write: How To Master the Craft of Fiction and the Personal Narrative Piercy, Marge 808.3 PIE
		You Can Write A Mystery Roberts, Gillian 808.3 ROB
		Book In A Month: The Fool-proof System for Writing a Novel in 30 Days Schmidt, Victoria Lynn 808.3 SCH
		First Draft In 30 Days: A Novel Writer's System for Building a Complete and Cohesive Manuscript Weisner, Karen S. 808.3 Weisner
		On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft King, Stephen B King, Stephen

Books at Hamilton-Wenham by NaNoWriMo Authors

It's true, some NaNoWriMo novels have been published. Click here for a growing list of published authors. Below are some NaNoWriMo novels that our library actually owns. Check them out, and see what you think of the results!

		Persistence of Memory Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia Y ATW
		The Compound Bodeen, S. A. Y BOD Also available as an audio playaway: Y Playaway BODEEN
		Self Storage Brandeis, Gayle Fic. BRANDEIS
		The Hungry Season Greenwood, T. Fic. GREENWOOD
		Ape House Gruen, Sara Fic. GRUEN
		Flying Changes Gruen, Sara Fic. GRUEN
		Water for Elephants Gruen, Sara Fic. GRUEN Also available in large print: LP/ Fic. GRUEN and on audio CD: BCD/ GRUEN
		The Night Circus Morgenstern, Erin Fic. MORGENSTERN Also available in large print: LP/ Fic. MORGENSTERN and on audio CD: BCD/ MORGENSTERN
		Into the Darkest Corner Haynes, Elizabeth Fic. HAYNES
		Cinder Meyer, Melissa Y MEY
		Anna and the French Kiss Perkins, Stephanie Y PERKINS
		Time Off for Good Behavior Rich, Lani Diane Fic. RICH
		Daughter of the Bride Segrè, Francesca LP/Fic. SEGRE
		The Mote in Andrea's Eye Wilson, David Niall LP/Fic. WILSON