Calling all writers to accept the challenge
Chronicle editor invites writers to join virtual writing challenge
Among the many other national days of awareness and celebration, November is also National Novel Writing Month or Nanowrimo for short. It is the month where writers take up the challenge to write the first draft of their book in a 30-day timeframe. The goal is to write at least 50,000 words in a month, which roughly breaks down to 1,667 words per day.
Participants can create a free account and sign up for the challenge at www.nanowrimo.org. The site provides writing tips and word count tallies; writers also receive badges and points for accomplishing milestones along the way. In addition, those who upload a 50,000-word submission by Nov. 30 will receive access to discounts for writing software and other services from editorial and publishing companies.
This year The Chronicle’s editor, Bridget Elam, invites aspiring and seasoned writers to join her in the Nanowrimo 2021 challenge. Anyone who is interested may join the Facebook group, Written in 50k. Group members will receive additional encouragement, updates, tips and prompts for the Nanowrimo 2021 challenge. In addition, the group will go live with virtual writing sessions and fun videos. There may be opportunities for in-person write-in sessions as well.
The sole purpose of the Nanowrimo challenge is to get writers writing. Those who have put off writing because of a lack of time or not knowing where to begin have a chance to just start. The only cardinal sin to this challenge is editing. It is advised that during Nanowrimo, writers do not edit their work. Editing interrupts momentum. Remember the goal is to just get to 50k words. After the challenge is over, there will be plenty of time to turn that raw first draft into a polished manuscript.
There have been many New York bestsellers that started as Nanowrimo projects. Sara Gruen’s “Water for Elephants” and “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell are both best sellers that were originally Nanowrimo projects. In fact, many books have their origin rooted in Nanowrimo. Elam’s first attempt at Nanowrimo resulted in her debut novel, “Stained Glass,” which was published in 2018. Her sophomore novel, due to be released in 2022, also started as a Nanowrimo project. Your book could be the next.
And when the month is over and you have finished your first draft, you should join a writing group (if you haven’t already). Local writing groups like Winston Salem Writers offer the camaraderie, workshops and additional resources for writers. For more information about Winston Salem Writers, see wswriters.org.
You may officially sign up for Nanowrimo at www.nanowrimo.org and you can accept Bridget Elam’s challenge by joining the Facebook group, Written in 50k.
November 1 is quickly approaching. Will you accept the challenge?
