NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and it occurs in November
National Novel Writing Month started in 1999 as a challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel in 30 days. Now every year on November 1, thousands of people start to write, determined to end with 50,000 words of a new novel.
NaNoWriMo became a non-profit organization in 2006 with their programs supporting writing fluency and education. They host more than a million writers, with a social network with personal project libraries, author profiles, and writing buddies.
NaNoWriMo tracks writers’ words and hosts writing events from Mexico City to Seoul to Milwaukie with the help of over 900 volunteers. They have partners in libraries and community centers.
Anybody can participate in NaNoWriMo, from teachers, to stay-at-home parents, and students.
In 2021:
- 427,653 writers participated, including 90,561 students and educators through the Young Writers Program
- 406 libraries, community centers, and bookstores opened their doors to novelists through the Come Write In program
- 51,507 Campers did a writing project at Camp NaNoWriMo
- 842 volunteer Municipal Liaisons guided 671 regions on six continents
For more information visit: NaNoWriMo
Many books have come about from NaNoWriMo, including:
- “Cinder,” “Scarlet,” and “Cress” by Marrisa Meyer
- “American Panda” by Gloria Chao
- “With the Fire on High” by Elizabeth Acevado
- “Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
- “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell
- “The Astonishing Color of After” by Emily X.R. Pan
- “A Blade so Black” by L.L. McKinney
- “Side Effects May Vary” by Julie Murphy
The local Fern Ridge Library did NaNoWriMo activities as well. You did not have to participate in NaNoWriMo to attend. The focus was on coming together to make time for your writing.
This is a great way to get to know writers in your community, add more words to your works in progress, and boost your morale.
The activities were held on Mondays in November from 1-3 p.m.
There was also a display at the Fern Ridge Library. It had books about writing and books written during NaNoWriMo. It featured adult, teen, and children’s books.
Students can participate in NaNoWriMo through the Young Writers Program. The Young Writers Program supports under-18 writers and K-12 educators. They can participate in the main event each November and smaller writing challenges throughout the year.
For more information and to sign-up visit: Youth Writers Program
Celia Emmelhainz, an educator in Kazakhstan, said “I watched all my students grow and develop as writers, thinkers, and creators over the month of November. They’re excited to do it again this year and engage further in developing their own stories about their world.”
A 7th grader in Illinois shared, “the Young Writers Program showed me that I could do whatever I want if I put my mind to it. I never thought I could write a novel. And YWP proved me wrong.”
