Discover the magic of National Novel Writing Month
October 30, 2019
What is National Novel Writing Month?
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a 30-day writing challenge with participants across the world. You can register here to track your word count and compete with friends to hit 50,000 words by November 30, 2019. NaNoWriMo a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing that encourages getting words on the page and turning off your self-editor (at least until December 1, 2019). The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library encourages you to spend November immersed in the act of writing for writing's sake and to get your creative juices flowing!
Find Library NaNoWriMo events here.
How does it work?
By registering for an account on the NaNoWriMo website, you have access to an international community of other writers. When you register and choose a home region, you will connect with local participants, events and more. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is just one of many participating locations.
For young writers, under age 18 (and the people who encourage them), there are a wealth of resources to set a writing goal and get words flowing onto the page or screen. Visit the Young Writers Program for more information.
Find details on how to sign up, track your writing, set goals and connect with your fellow Charlotte-area NaNos here.
What events will you find at the Library?
The Morrison Regional, Myers Park, Mountain Island Library, North County, and Scaleybark branches will have informal "Write-ins" in November. Come enjoy a quiet space and the company of your fellow writers as you work toward 50,000 words. All writers are welcome, even those not enrolled in the official challenge. Enjoy the supportive writing space available in the Library!
Main Library, Plaza Midwood and other Library branches will have additional special events, including a NaNoWriMo Quick Tips course on November 6, 2019, writing workshops and author events. Check our calendar of events for times and locations.
Eager and curious writers can even access Charlotte-themed writing prompts from the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room here.
Special Events
- NaNoWriMo Quick Tips, Wednesday, November 6, 2019, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Main Library
Local Author Surabhi Kaushik shares tips and tricks from her experience for getting the words on the page to finish your writing project. Register here.
- Never Abandon Imagination, Saturday, November 2, 2019, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Mint Museum Randolph
Join us at the Mint Museum Randolph for a journey into creativity. Find ways to recover and reclaim your deepest source of inspiration. This writing workshop will guide us playfully through exercises designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Participants will view the exhibit “Never Abandon Imagination” as part of the workshop experience. Register here.
- Writers' Workshop: Exploring Story through Identity, Community and Purpose, Saturday, November 9, 2019, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Independence Regional Library
Join Louis B. Smith, a local writer, architect and conceptual thinker on a two-hour journey into story. Learn to create more complicated believable characters, clearly realized contexts for those characters and to express a sense of purpose for each. Whether you are writing about romance, adventure or personal histories this framework may help you better connect to your audience. The workshop will include free writing on each aspect. Register here.
- Creative Writing Workshop: Finding Transparency, Voice and Creativity, Thursday, November 21, 2019, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Matthews Library
Join Glenn Proctor for this creative writing workshop. Learn how to uncover individual creativity as it applies to writing about life and truth. Register here.
- Library Resources for Writers, Monday, November 25, 2019, 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Main Library
How can the library help you with your writing project? Whether you are writing for pleasure or business, we have several resources to support you. We will cover them all briefly in this program, including an introduction to Pressbooks and Self-e. Register here.
Write-ins
Any library is a great place to work on a novel, but these locations have coordinated events. Come write with fellow writers!
- Monday nights 5 – 7:30 p.m. North County Library
- Tuesday nights, 5 - 7:30 p.m. Myers Park Library (except Nov. 23 and 30)
- Tuesday night, November 26, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Matthews Library
- Wednesday nights, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Morrison Library and Mountain Island Library (except Nov. 27)
- Friday mornings, 10 a.m. – noon Scaleybark Library (except Nov. 29)
- Saturday mornings, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mountain Island Library (except Nov. 9)
North County Library
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This blog was written by Pamela Turner, senior library assistant, of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.