Shelf Life: Library to host NaNoWriMo writing workshops in November

November is just around the corner and you know what that means … It’s almost time for NaNoWriMo. What is NaNoWriMo, you ask?  NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Novel Writing Month, started in 1999 to challenge writers to write 50,000 words in one month. (A daunting, but overall exciting challenge!) NaNoWriMo is now a nonprofit organization that not only continues this challenge, but provides educational programs, writing advice, and serves as a social network for authors, librarians and writing buddies.  

In the spirit of this challenge, York Public Library will have writing workshops in the Community Room on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for the month of November. We encourage people to register for the event (at yorkpubliclibrary.org/calendar) in order to receive updates and notifications, but drop-ins are welcome.  

We will start off the workshop with some writing prompts to help get the writing juices flowing. After that people can form groups to go over their work, ask for advice, and connect — or just use the time to get some writing done. Of course, writers of all genres are welcome to join. Poetry, plays, nonfiction, or any other written creation can be workshopped during these meetups. We aim to provide a space and community for like-minded individuals to join together and explore their creativity. 

Though this is in the spirit of NaNoWriMo, there is no need to feel pressured in keeping up with the word count to reach 50,000 words. I myself have participated in NaNoWriMo for a few years now and have yet to reach 50,000 words. I’m hoping this year to change that! I just started the planning stage for this year’s story by getting an outline together. Outlines are a writer’s best friend and if you want to join in the Challenge, I recommend making one before Nov. 1st.

Like all events at York Public Library, masks are required for these writing workshops. We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 2, ready to write.

It wouldn’t be a Shelf Life column without some book recommendations. Here are some books on writing to help you on your writing journey.

“On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King; “How to grow a novel: the most common mistakes writers make and how to overcome them” by Sol Stein; “Reading like a writer: a guide for people who love books and for those who want to write them” by Francine Prose; “Murder your darlings: and other gentle writing advice from Aristotle to Zinsser” by Roy Peter Clark; and “Mastering the process: from idea to novel” by Elizabeth George. 

Another opportunity for aspiring writers: York Public Library will host author and Maine native Gregory Brown on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m., for a virtual talk about his book “The Lowering Days.” The Boston Globe describes the book as a “graceful and compassionate debut novel … a flashlight into the heart of a small Maine community perched on the precipice of the Penobscot River, its future and its past.” We look forward to learning more about Brown’s writing process and storycraft, and hope you’ll join us.

Register for Brown’s talk and our in-person November writing workshops at yorkpubliclibrary.org/calendar.

Marlow Stefanik is a library assistant at York Public Library.