Have you ever thought about writing a book? Perhaps you’ve imagined yourself putting pen to paper for a short story or maybe a memoir? Well, now is the perfect time to take that first step toward your goal! November has become known as National Novel Writing Month or (NaNoWriMo for short). The nonprofit organization by the same name (nanowrimo.org) issues a write-a-thon type challenge each year to aspiring writers all around the world. You can join this creative writing community and find the inspiration you need to make great progress. There’s even a non-fiction writer’s counterpart through the Literacy Archive (literacyhive.org). This year’s theme is Why Don’t You… The Literacy Archive website indicates that this year’s challenge “is designed to stimulate discussion around hobbies and leisure activities and to encourage young people to try something new.”
Want to connect in person? The Quad Cities has its own valuable writer’s resource in The Midwest Writing Center (mwcqc.org), which has it’s own contests and local support network. But, perhaps you don’t want to connect with other would-be writers. You can still find inspiration and fire up your writing muscles this November. Even if you don’t have experience and don’t know where to start, the library has resources for you. Check out some of these titles to help you learn how to build a writing habit, improve your writing skills, and find your voice:
BOOKS ON HOW TO WRITE:
Write your novel in a month : how to complete a first draft in 30 days and what to do next by Jeff Gerke
Refuse to be done : how to write and rewrite a novel in three drafts by Matt Bell
Unleashing your inner author : a step-by-step guide to crafting your own bestseller by Bill Vincent
Write your first novel by Gilbert Morris and Steve Laube
How to write a mystery : a handbook from Mystery Writers of America by Lee Child
Writing That Gets Noticed by Estelle Erasmus
Janet Evanovich’s how I write : secrets of a bestselling author by Janet Evanovich
Write for life : creative tools for every writer : a six-week artist’s way program by Julia Cameron
Write it all down : how to put your life on the page by Cathy Rentzenbrink