BELLOWS FALLS — If, on Nov. 1, you hear furious keyboard pounding echoing around the world, it is the sound of more than 250,000 people beginning a literary challenge of epic proportions: 30 days, 50,000 words, and one original novel.
November is National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, the world's largest writing event and literary crusade.
Throughout November, the Rockingham Free Public Library (RFPL) will hold programs for teens and adults focused on writing. The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words during the month of November.
Although the event emphasizes creativity and adventure over creating a literary masterpiece, more than 90 novels begun during NaNoWriMo have since been published, including New York Times bestsellers Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.
To get the creative juices flowing, there will be opportunities for teens and adults to hear from published authors on their writing process.
On Monday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m., writer Elayne Clift will present “Truth or Fiction, What is Creative Nonfiction?” Clift will discuss writing and the realities of self-publishing, using her own writing as a discussion point. She is a journalist, educator, and author of more than a dozen books. This is open to all, but registration is encouraged.
On Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m., cartoonist Hilary Price will present “How to Write Really Short Sentences: Creating a Cartoon Strip.” Price is the creator of the syndicated comic strip Rhymes With Orange, which appears in 175 papers across the country. She will talk about cartooning and finding inspiration.
Young writers of any age are welcome to participate in the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program.
Throughout November, youth are invited to write-ins every Thursday at 3:30 at the library for inspiration, challenges, and programming around writing. Each week is a different theme. Participants can sign up at the library and at midnight on Nov. 1, armed with only their wits, a vague story, and a ridiculous deadline, can join the more than 300,000 people around the world setting out to become novelists.
For more information, contact or visit the RFPL at 802-463-4270, rockinghamlibrary.org, or stop by 65 Westminster St.