Waukegan Park District offers drop-in writing center

National Novel Writing Month, or "NaNoWriMo," is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing.

The Jack Benny Center for the Arts will be a drop-in writing center during November. From 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays writers can get away from home and family and work in a quiet space with fellow writers to get more words toward their NaNoWriMo goals.

Valuing enthusiasm, determination and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel. On Nov. 1, participants began working toward the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30. National Novel Writing Month believes in the transformational power of creativity. The library will provide structure, community and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds on and off the page.

Writers can drop in and write at the Jack Benny Center. There are power outlets, outside food and drink are permitted, location and space are accessible, and parking is free, but there is no Wi-Fi. A Keurig compatible K-Cup machine is available for those who wish to bring their own mug and favorite tea or coffee pods.

For information on other programs and classes, including private music lessons, contact the center for further information, at (847) 360-4740.

The Jack Benny Center for the Arts is located in Bowen Park, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan. Partial sponsorship of the Cultural Arts programs is through a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the state of Illinois.