What are write-ins?

Write-ins are events where writers bring their laptops (or notebooks and pen) and work on their novels (individually). They can be held in coffee shops, libraries and other places (we once had a progressive write-in that Katherine organized where we wrote in a surprisingly comfortable hotel lobby).

What happens at write-ins?

People write. There is a tiny bit of chit chat (more at the coffee shops, I think) but mostly people are writing. There are also (usually) some word wars. Word wars are timed writing sprints where people try to write as much as they can within a given timespan (e.g., 13 or 17 minutes). Write-in hosts frequently prepare little treats as prizes for those who win a word war.

What should I bring?

Mostly people bring their laptops but some people work on their novels long-hand in notebooks with pen or pencil. If you have a laptop, you might want to bring an extension cord and/or a power strip. Most of our library locations allow snacks, so you can bring a drink and/or snacks for yourself or to share. If a write-in is held at a coffee shop, it is polite to buy something there.

How do I know when/where the write-ins are?

Just go to naperwrimo.org/events for the latest calendar information on events.

Can I bring my parent/a friend/children?

Feel free to bring anyone you like as long as they will not be disruptive to the other writers.

All the write-ins are too far away from me; what should I do?

We have a jabber chat room for virtual write-ins. There are typically people there every evening. Alternatively, you could offer to host your own write-in. See Pomegranate's guide for hosting write-ins.

What's this about prizes?

Some write-in hosts are offering small prizes for word war victories. I will be giving out small whale erasers (one color each week) + a very small number of hand made squids:

Here are my write-in prizes.

I'm hosting write-ins on Monday evenings at the Caribou in Glen Ellyn, and at various other times and places during the day and evening at coffee shops around the area. Let me know if you want one near you and I'll see what I can do.

I may have to head out to Glen Ellyn at some point in November just to try for one of those ducks. So cute! So... ducky!