November has no clue what it wants to be. It’s a month of paradoxes. It’s National Health Lifestyles Month. But it’s also National Fondue Month. It’s National Diabetes Month, but also National Banana Pudding Lovers Month.
But it’s also, best of all, National Novel Writing Month. Or, as it’s more commonly known, NaNoWriMo. The premise is simple: all you have to do is write a novel. In a month. No big deal, right?
Here’s the secret: you won’t be doing it alone. There’s an active community of writers all around the world that register on www.nanowrimo.org every year to take the challenge.
And here in Nelson, the library is offering a series of micro-workshops to help you get that novel written. Each week a different local author will teach you about a different topic and answer your questions in a short 30-minute online workshop.
Tune in every Thursday in November at 7 p.m. for a new session. First up, on Nov. 5, Roz Nay (bestselling author of Hurry Home and Our Little Secret) will share her tips on Overcoming Writers Block.
On Nov. 19, Judy Toews (author of the Stella Mosconi mysteries Give Out Creek and Lucky Jack Road) will share her expertise on Making it to the Midpoint and Beyond.
Finally, on Nov. 26, Anne DeGrace (four-time novelist and editor) will help you figure out How to Get the Most Out of Your Critiquing Readers.
Our Nov. 12 writer has yet to be announced – stay tuned to our website and social media for details. Email Heather Goldik at hgoldik@nelson.ca to register for any or all of these workshops.
If you need some more help, visit our website and try out our Gale Courses (free with a library membership). You’ll find lots of opportunities to build up your writing skills, through courses such as Writing Essentials, Write Fiction Like a Pro, and Keys to Effective Editing.
And fear not – it’s not just adults who get to work on their writing in November. Local author and educator Rayya Liebich will be helping youth Learn How to Craft Characters, for kids (ages 9-12) on Nov. 12 from 4-5 p.m, and for teens (ages 13-18) on Nov. 19 from 4-5 p.m. To register for these online workshops email Melodie Rae at mstorey@nelson.ca.
No matter how old you are, or how many words you’re able to write in a month, you’ll likely find that writing helps you learn things about yourself that you never knew.
Help November find itself while you’re at it! Because it can’t be both National No Nut Month, and at the same time National Peanut Butter Lovers Month. That’s just not right. If nothing else, it should be a month for you to do that one thing you’ve always wanted to do: write that novel!
Avi Silberstein is the Children’s Librarian at the Nelson Public Library. Check This Out runs every other week. For more information on all things Nelson Library go to www.nelsonlibrary.ca.