Moraine Valley Community College is helping people tell their story by participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), during which participants work toward the goal of writing 50,000 words during November. Moraine Valley has been selected as a host location. Participation is free and open to all in the community.
“We feel there are a lot of writers out there—of both fiction and nonfiction,” said Sheryl Bundy, assistant professor of Communications at Moraine Valley. “The hardest part of writing is doing it every day—even when you don’t want to. The support and structure of NaNoWriMo can help people really achieve their goal. And, participating can help one cultivate the habit of writing beyond the month of November.”
To help participants get ready for the writing month, Moraine Valley will host free prep workshops.
- Digging In: Researching the Story and Setting, Thursday, Oct. 10, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Building D, Room D236
- Introduction to NaNoWriMo: How it Works, Wednesday, Oct. 2, noon to 1 p.m., Building L, Library
- Who Does What: Developing Characters and Plot, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2 to 2:30 p.m., Building D, Room D245
- The Road to 50,000: Surviving NaNoWriMo, Wednesday, Oct. 23, noon to 1 p.m., Building L, Library
A kick-off party will be held Wednesday, Oct. 30, from noon to 1 p.m., in the Library. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite writer or book character. Refreshments will be served. The college will sponsor group write-ins on Nov. 7, 14 and 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., in the Moraine Rooms in Building M.
“We hope everyone will take these opportunities to meet other writers and cheer each other on. The write-ins are a great part of the NaNoWriMo experience,” Bundy said. “And, we’ll have food and prizes.”
A wrap-up party will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from noon to 1 p.m.
Tish Hayes, Information Literacy librarian, said the Library is excited to participate in this event, and she plans to write as well.
“The Library is always a place where writers can find resources to meet their creative goals, and we’re excited to partner in bringing NaNoWriMo to campus to build a community of support. We can’t wait to see what the community creates and celebrate all those written words,” she said.
“I’ve known about NaNoWriMo for years and have cheered others on, but writing 50,000 words in a month felt overwhelming. I’m excited to participate this year with the support of our Moraine Valley community,” Hayes said.
Participation in NaNoWriMo is sponsored by the Library and the Department of Communications, Languages and Literature. For more information, contact Bundy at bundy@morainevalley.edu or Hayes at hayesL45@morainevalley.edu.
