Across the nation, authors and storytellers are aiming to write 50,000 words over the course of a month. Some of these authors include students at Legend.
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is the annual occurrence in November which motivates all kinds of authors to write 50,000 words of a novel, play, or compilation of short stories.
While many students at Legend have attempted and even completed the competition in years prior, this year, juniors Jenny Bell and Caitlen Stobbe are getting on top of making it a school wide event.
“This year, we hope to get more of a group together and use the library and have more time to type,” Stobbe said. “We’re hoping to get more people involved.”
On Tuesdays in November from 3:00-4:30 p.m., Stobbe and Bell have planned to have meetings in the library for students planning on competing in NaNoWriMo to gather and write freely, get feedback from other students, and “talk each other off the literary ledge,” Bell said.
“When you’re forced to do something, like writing 50,000 words, you’re not going to enjoy as much as you should. You’re too focused on making those 50,000 words. Here you get a chance to have put that inner editor away and have a blast,” Stobbe said.
The Parker official NaNoWriMo write ins are at the Panera Bread on South 20 Mile Road on Thursdays, starting at 6:00 p.m. and goes until 8:30 p.m.
NaNoWriMo is a great way to be involved with other writers and keep up with writing at the same time.
“Normally, NaNoWriMo is something that separates me from my social life. I lock myself up for a month. Don’t get me wrong, that’s great,” Bell said. “Books are one of the most important things in the world. They help establish empathy in people. This year, I wanted NaNoWriMo to be something that didn’t take me away from my social life, but boost the writing of everyone I love.”
Both Bell and Stobbe encourage everyone to try this event at least once in their lives.
“I would love for as many people who love to write get involved. I wouldn’t want to put a number on it,” Bell said. “Anybody who likes to write, who spends their free time imagining stories should do this. Whether you write a short story, a lengthy story, or a novel is not the point: it’s not necessarily about writing a book, but getting your ideas onto paper. It’s just an opportunity that any self proclaimed author should take up.”