For the entire month of November, New Mexico State University's Library will host events in honor of National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, to invite students and faculty to spark their creativity by participating in a writing challenge.
The challenge itself is to complete a 50,000-word novel within 30 days. The main objective for NMSU in hosting NaNoWriMo is to provide space for fellowship, support and accountability for aspiring and experienced writers to engage on a national and local level.
“The past couple of years have necessitated virtual participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so this is really the first year that NaNoWriMo has been able to return to in-person events for those that feel comfortable,” said Alyssa Pope, librarian and visiting faculty in the Department of Reference and Research Studies. “In addition to finishing a novel, participants will also benefit from networking with other local writers and expanding their knowledge and skills of novel-writing. We really want to foster the writing community at NMSU and in Las Cruces and show that the library is a great place to engage with other writers and thrive in a creative, productive environment.”
The program will consist of four components:
· Kick-off party: 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Branson Library foyer.
· Display of creative writing books and resources: Through entire month of November at Branson and Zuhl library entrances.
· Three write-in sessions: 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 9, 16 and 30 at the Zuhl Instruction Lab.
· Wrap-up celebration: 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Branson Library foyer.
The NMSU Library strongly encourages the writing community to take advantage of this opportunity and reminds the public of all the resources available to help pursue further achievements.
“If you are running into roadblocks, the NMSU Library is here to help connect you to resources and keep you chugging along to your goal. Don’t be afraid to get started and just try to write as much as possible – especially at our write-in sessions,” Pope said. “More than reaching that word count, the important thing is to write whatever you can and to build the habit of writing regularly. Be free to express your creativity and tell your story. We want to hear your voice and what you have to tell the world.”
The kick-off event is free and open to the public. Free goodie bags and refreshments will also be available. Participants will be entered in a drawing during the write-in sessions to win NaNoWriMo swag.
Pope added the NMSU Library is hoping to make this a regular program series in the future. For more information about NaNoWriMo at the NMSU Library, contact Pope at apope1@nmsu.edu or visit https://nmsu.libguides.com/nanowrimo.