Free local writing workshops offered for National Novel Writing Month
National Novel Writing Month is a free, annual event each November to encourage people to write a 50,000-plus word first draft of their novel. Anyone age 13 or older can register at nanowrimo.org to participate. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people take the plunge.
The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo serves the western towns of Chicago. Throughout November, they are partnering with a dozen libraries to aid participants in working on their novels.
Free writing workshops will be offered at local libraries. Sign up with the hosting library, or visit naperwrimo.org/events for links to all NaNoWriMo registrations.
The first of three NaperWriMo prep workshops will be a "Story Wall Party," a brainstorming session for your Nano novel, on Saturday, Oct. 7. Only have some of what you need for National Novel Writing Month? Let your fellow NaNo participants serve as a sounding board to generate new plot twists, ask inspiring questions, and help you get ready. The hybrid workshop will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. at Naperville Public Library's Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave., and on Zoom.
On Saturday, Oct. 14, it will be "Get Ready for National Novel Writing Month!" from 1 to 3 p.m. offered both online and at Nichols Library. Bryn Donovan, an author and a former acquiring editor in publishing, offers tips, resources, and creative writing exercises to clarify your vision and your basic plot for your NaNoWriMo novel. You can use this workshop to spark your motivation about a work in progress or to come up with a new idea for a story. Don't worry about being put on the spot - you won't have to share your work with the class. This workshop is for your preparation and inspiration.
Learn how to manage your writing project and your time more efficiently in the virtual workshops on "How to Succeed at NaNoWriMo." It will focus on how to succeed at writing a 50,000-word rough draft in a month. While the outcome is a book, many tips will be focused on time and project management, as well as overcoming internal fears surrounding writing.
The workshops will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with Sam McAdams and the Bloomingdale Public Library on Monday, Oct. 16; and Gwen Tolios and Oak Park Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 18. It also will be offered on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 7-8 p.m. with Jenn Bauer and Glenside Public Library.
Memoirs are something many enjoy writing during NaNoWriMo. In this workshop, host Sherry Linker will share information about the craft of writing memoirs. The hybrid workshop will be 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, on Zoom and at Nichols Library in Naperville.
Naperville Region's 2023 NaNoWriMo kickoff party will be 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St. Meet your fellow NaNo participants, play games, and get a brief introduction to NaperWriMo 2023. This will be an in-person event only, hosted by the library, who will be providing pizza.
For details and registration, go to naperwrimo.org.