November is National Novel Writing Month, and the Stonefire Apartments Blog is writing about writing! Each year, novelists all around the world commit to writing a 50,000 word novel in just one month. Join their ranks as a novelist this year by signing up to participate on the official National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo) website. Of course, you don’t have to sign up on their website to write, but signing up gives you access to a community of writers, local writing events, pep talks by famous authors, and a tool that can help you track your progress. One of our favorite programs by NaNoWriMo is “Come Write In.” Come Write In helps writers find other NaNoWriMo writers in their area. You can find out more about the program here.
Each year famous authors and writers offer up encouragement and sage advice for tired writers through NaNoWriMo’s pep talks. One of our favorite pep talks from Jonathan Stroud. Here’s an excerpt:
“You could write a novel about the act of writing a novel. It’s a heroic act. (Or so I tell myself as I sit here in my garret study, chewing my nails, scratching my nose and staring blankly at my screen. That’s what this is, I say grimly: a heroic act.) Why is it so heroic? Because it fits the mythic pattern of all great legendary heroes’ lives. It’s the story of a mighty quest accepted, of a long journey undertaken, of insuperable obstacles overcome and finally—in your case after 30 painful days—of lasting triumph won. It would make a fine movie, apart from the scratching the nose bit—probably starring Charlton Heston. Full of dramatic highs, dreadful lows and endless tedious bits when the audience goes out to make a cup of tea. It’s an epic, all right, and we’re all in it together.”
There are plenty of benefits to writing every day. Even if you don’t plan on participating in NaNoWriMo, you can benefit from National Novel Writing Month by committing to write a little bit every day. Writing every day can help you heal, absorb new information, and become a more grateful person. So pick up a pen and start writing!
We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about National Novel Writing Month! Are you planning on participating? Leave us a comment and let us know. Thanks for reading!