Each year in November many writers participate in a national effort to write 50,000 words, a novel-length manuscript, in one month. Setting such an impressive goal and then achieving it takes time, dedication, and focus. The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) can help achieve it.
"Ready, Set Write!" In Scholastic Math from MAS Complete provides some mathematical facts about participation. Since 2024 is the 25th Anniversary, it’s interesting to look at how the numbers have trended over the years. From different types of writing to how many authors end up formally publishing their work, you can do the math to see what is possible in 30 short days.
How do people make time to write so much in one month? In "Making Time for NaNoWriMo" in Voices from the Middle from Education Source, Katherine Sokolowski provides tips she uses to get her students writing such as starting early and creating a special time for writing. The best part of the article is the student reflections about the impact of taking on the novel writing challenge.
Why would anyone want to write a full novel in one short month? Dana Sachs, a long-time participant in writing a novel in November, describes her reasons in "Doing 50,000 Words in 30 Days" in Publishers Weekly from MAS Complete. Those who have always wanted to write a novel but have hesitated to start might be encouraged by her advice to, “. . . ignore our incapacitating inner critic and keep going.”
Not sure where to start? In the Publishers Weekly article "Pantser or Planner?" Sassafras Lowrey describes two ways to approach writing a novel: being a planner and having an outline or writing by the seat of your pants without a specific plan in mind. The idea is to begin—no matter which method—and develop as a writer from wherever you start.
Those needing inspiration can turn to Literary Reference Source which includes poems, short stories, novels, and articles and essays of literary criticism. The MeL eBooks can provide how-to books such as Writing Fantastic Fiction, Writing a Comic Book, Descriptive Writing, and Deeper Writing: Quick Writes and Mentor Texts to Illuminate New Possibilities.
With the MeL eResources and some creative thinking, libraries can help patrons achieve their goals to write a whole novel. To get started, use ideas from "A Novel in 30 Days" from American Libraries and "NaNoWriMo at Your Library" from Library Journal which share programming tips such as creating writing spaces, holding workshops, and offering peer support to writers.
If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.
Brought to you by Laura Warren-Gross from the MeL Team.
Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First.
Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks.
MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.
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