Have you gotten your NaNoWriMo on? Anyone can do it. In fact, the La Mesa Library encourages you to participate and is providing a special ‘sanctuary’ just for the occasion.
NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month. It’s an annual event in November and an estimated 200,000 aspiring novelists will be taking part nationwide.
“We have a lot of library customers that have been coming in already that are interested,” said Heather Pisani-Kristl, La Mesa branch manager. “We’re hoping to get people inspired and let them know that any achievement is possible.”
The library is setting up a special spot inside the Friends of the Library bookstore for three Thursdays in November (7th, 14th and 21st) from 6-8 p.m. for local writers to come work on their novels.
“It’s great,” said Pisani-Kristl. “Writers are surrounded by books for inspiration and we provide all the reference materials they need.”
The library is also providing hot beverages and free Wi-Fi for the event they are calling Come Write In.
“It’s a great event so writers don’t feel so isolated,” said Pisani-Kristl. “It’s a chance to talk to other writers if they need help with character development or plot questions.”
NaNoWriMo was started as a motivational stunt by a small group of writer friends in 1999 and has grown each year. Writers are challenged to create a 50,000 word novel from scratch between 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 1 and 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30.
Participants in the writing nights at the library do not need to be participants in the national event, said Pisani-Kristl. But participation can benefit newer writers by providing structure she noted.
Young writers are especially encouraged and NaNoWriMo has a Young Writers Program designed for them.
“Teens are definitely invited,” said Pisani-Kristl. “With the advent of e-publishing, teenage writers are finding audiences all over the world for their work.
“We had a good turnout for this event last year and we’re hoping to have even more novelists participate this year.”
The La Mesa Library is located at 8074 Allison Avenue. For more information call (619) 469-2151.
