Frequently asked questions

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Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel?

Every year people around the world take the plunge and become an author during the month of November. If you�ve always wanted to write a novel, or try to write a novel, then this is the year to take advantage of National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo). It is a free, annual challenge that takes place every November, where novelists strive to start, write and complete the first draft of their 50,000+ word novel in just 30 days.

Last year over six hundred and fifty thousand people worldwide took up the challenge. In the Naperville region, which serves the western and southern suburbs of Chicago, 148 participants completed their novels in 2013. They were bolstered by online forums and local events, and had fun along the way.

The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo, representing the cities and suburbs west of Chicago, has partnered with area libraries to offer four preparatory workshops. The first one of these will be 7-9 pm, Thursday, October 2nd at the Aurora Public Library. In this first workshop, �The Stone Soup Method to NaNoWriMo Success,� Tim Yao and Kaden Patrick will help you explore some of the essential ingredients of any successful novel: plot, narrative, setting, and a good ending. Bring pen and paper or your laptop to this interactive session.

The other three workshops, all in October and at the Nichols and 95th Street Libraries in Naperville, are: "Genres - Tropes and Cliches," by Frank Dahlman (October 4th, 1-3 pm, Nichols Library); "Fiction ImprovTelling Your Story," by author Todd Hogan. (October 11th, 1-3 pm, 95th Street Library); and �Surviving NaNoWriMo With Your Sanity (Mostly) Intact� by Jen Moore (October 18th, 1-3 pm, Nichols Library).

The October 4th preparatory workshop at the Nichols Library will focus on genre and the creative process. Frank Dahlman will lead this workshop and talk about key characteristics and common tropes found in the most commonly read genres, discussing what works, and identifying common clich�s to avoid. After this brief discussion, participants will brainstorm a possible plot line in the genre of their choosing. This workshop is designed to fill the well of creativity in preparation for NaNoWriMo. Be sure to bring paper and pen, or laptops.

The October 11th workshop at the 95th Street library will be led by Todd Hogan. Todd will be leading a Fiction Improv, and discussing NaNoWriMo's goal of 50,000 words in 30 days, finding your story, overcoming challenges in telling your story, and miscellaneous ideas to succeed. Participants should bring paper, pen and/or other writing devices and a willingness to explore some personal ideas. There will be time for questions and discussion during the presentation.

The final preparatory workshop will be October 18th at the Nichols library. In this preparatory workshop for NaNoWriMo, Jen Moore will talk about ways to prepare yourself for this epic endeavor. You�ll determine your goals, establish your support strategies, and psych yourself up for the challenge ahead. Bring all your last-minute panic - and leave it behind when the session�s over. Also please bring pen and paper or a laptop.

The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo is partnering with many area libraries to offer write-in events in November for people to use to work on their novel while others around them are working on theirs. These libraries include: Aurora (the Main branch and Eola Road branch), Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Indian Prairie, Naperville (Nichols Library and the 95th Street Library), Warrenville, Wheaton, and Woodridge. For more information see the Library Crawl 2014 page.

There will also be a pot-luck kick-off lunch Saturday, October 25th from 11:45am - 3pm. For more information, see http://naperwrimo.org.

"The Stone Soup Method for NaNoWriMo Success" by Tim Yao and Kaden Patrick Thursday, Oct 2nd, 7-9 pm Aurora Public Library
"Genres - Tropes and Cliches" by Frank Dahlman Saturday, October 4th, 1-3 pm Nichols Library, Naperville
"Fiction Improv" by Todd Hogan Saturday, October 11, 1-3 pm 95th Street Library, Naperville
"Surviving NaNoWriMo with your Sanity (Mostly) Intact" by Jen Moore Saturday, October 18, 1-3 pm Nichols Library, Naperville

All participants and their friends and family are welcome to attend the TGIO party December 6th at the Naperville Municipal Center. Come visit http://naperwrimo.org for more detailed event information. Fulfill your dream of becoming a novelist. See http://www.nanowrimo.org and send your questions to mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org.

Past press releases

Press Release 2013-09-01

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does this cost?
A: Absolutely nothing is required. Donations to cover the nanowrimo.org website and administrative costs are accepted but are not necessary.

Q: What do the winners get?
A: A PDF file proclaiming them NaNoWriMo winners if they manage to complete at least 50,000 words in 30 days. More importantly, the happiness of completing at least 50,0000 words of a novel.

Q: Where can I find out more information about the local events?
A: Check out the 2013 Events page for detailed information about the local events.

Q: 50,000 words in 30 days seems foolhardy...
A: Actually, it turns out to be roughly 1,670 words per day, which turns out to be manageable. There are some exceptionally prolific writers who produce four times that amount... but many just barely get over the hump. The NaNoWriMo website and online discussion forums provide a lot of support; and we are organizing some weekly meetings locally for participants to use for writing and discussing their work.

Q: Do I have to publish my novel?
A: No. Some participants share their novels with other participants for critiquing; a few participants have had their NaNoWriMo novels published. There are no requirements here.

Q: What about my privacy?
A: While you do have to provide an e-mail address in order to register, the NaNoWriMo forums give participants fine control over what information is made available to others. E-mail address and identity information can be concealed and the NaNoWriMo team has a strong privacy policy. E-mail addresses are not shared or sold and you have to explicitly sign up to receive e-mail announcements from the NaNo team during November.

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Sign-ups can be done through the http://www.nanowrimo.org website. The NaNoWriMo contest proper begins at 12:01 midnight November 1st.

Q: Who coordinates things for the Chicago Western Suburbs region?
A: We (Tim Yao, Katherine Lato and Frank Dahlman) are volunteer municipal liaisons for the Chicago Western Suburbs region of NaNoWriMo (Illinois::Naperville). We are enthusiastic participants of previous NaNo's who want to help others find the joy of completion that we've found. We organize the kick-off writing session, weekly writing sessions and the TGIO party at the end.

Q: Say I join the region, what do I do next?
A: If you haven't already done so, please come to our regional forum and post a note introducing yourself to the other participants. You can say something about who you are and what you are writing.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org

hipster PDA

The hipster PDA is a cool, retro-low tech solution to information management. One uses a collection of blank and written 3x5 index cards bound with a binder clip or collected in a special carrier to jot down notes. Here are some pertinent links:

NaNoWriMo hipsterPDAs can be found at http://hipsterpda.naperwrimo.org

Which Novel Writing Books are Recommended?

See Book_Recommendations

What other resources are there?

Glad you asked. We have a Useful_references_for_writers page where there are a lot of links collected!

What about navigational aids for the nanowrimo site?

You might like the Reference desk forum index page (that does filtering and sorting)

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