About a dozen local writing enthusiasts are working hard to beat a deadline to write a novel by the end of the month.
For the past twelve years, the month of November has marked a busy time for writers participating in National Novel Writing Month. The challenge is to write 50,000 words by the end of the month — the equivalent of a 250-page novel.
“It works out that you have to write 1,667 words a day in order to finish with exactly 50,010 words on November 30,” said Anda Miller, an Emporian who is participating in the challenge.
“They all think we’re crazy,” she said of people’s reaction to the challenge.
Begun in 1999, National Novel Writing Month was created as a way to encourage people to embrace writing as an art form, and since then the movement has grown into a community of writers all over the world, all sharing one goal: finish the book. The deadline is near.
“So far I’m up to 37,193 words,” said Brandy Nance, another local participant. She is keeping a daily running total written on her hand. Her goal was to have her novel — a sprawling story that takes place in the future — finished by Thanksgiving.
This is the second year Nance has participated in NaNoWriMo, as it is referred to by those taking part. A friend of hers took part in the past, and last year she jumped into the fray.
“I grew up writing,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to write a novel.”
Last year she finished five days early.
“I love to create,” she said of her love for writing. “It’s an art for me.”
Since its creation, the movement has grown exponentially. For its first year, NaNoWriMo had 21 participants; last year, 200,500 people took on the challenge. It has grown to include hundreds of volunteers in more than 60 countries who hold write-ins to offer support and encouragement to writers.
Though several authors have gone on to become published through their efforts with NaNoWriMo, most would argue that it isn’t about the fame or the glory.
“The whole process is a reward to me,” Miller said. “As a writer, you get to play God and create your own worlds.”
As any novelist will argue, the process is difficult and largely solitary. Part of creating those worlds can involve tough decisions, as Miller found out when she opened her novel by killing off her protagonist’s entire family in a house fire.
“It was necessary for the story line,” she said.
For Miller, the satisfaction of completing her novel won’t be the only reward.
“I was able to make my dad proud,” she said. “He asked for a copy of my book when it gets published.”
For many writers, the month of November is both exhilarating and exasperating. Enjoying the support of a large community of writers can inspire, but the looming deadline — which Miller referred to as “incredibly obnoxious” — can be daunting. Many participants plan a party for when the month is over to celebrate their successes.
“It’s called the ‘Thank God it’s over” party,” Miller said.