“The World Needs Your Novel”
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing.
On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30.
Valuing enthusiasm, determination, and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel.
Committed to writing 50,000 words in the 30 days of November? Follow these easy steps to get started:
1. Fill out your profile.
Complete your profile so like-minded writers can connect with you. There’s no better place to introduce yourself as an author.
Important: Make sure to confirm your email preferences.
2. Create your novel starting in October.
In order to update your word count in November, you need to give your novel a title (don’t worry, you can always change it later!). You cannot write your novel on our site, but you can share a short synopsis and excerpt.
Announce your 2017 NaNoWriMo novel now.
3. Select your region.
Choose a home region to get updates on local events from your volunteer Municipal Liaison. Once you’ve selected your region, your Regional Lounge will appear with the forums.
4. Earn badges.
Earn participation and writing badges by completing specific milestones.
Award yourself personal achievement badges to celebrate the peaks and valleys of your personal creative journey.
See the National Novel Writing Month organisation website for more details.
Writing Workshops
Even if you prefer taking on the challenge of writing a novel at your own pace, consider one of our growing number of creative writing courses taking place across Hampshire Libraries:
Creative Writing Workshops at Winchester Discovery Centre
Saturdays 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November and 2nd December.
10:00am – 12:00pm (£25) or 10:00am – 1:30pm (£35 extended session)
Whether you travelled with us last term, hopped off briefly or would like to join this expedition, we welcome you. Good storytellers are good navigators. Regenerate your enthusiasm, build your confidence and learn how to create short stories and novels with sympathetic characters and well structured plots that readers, agents and editors will love. Joining us is the perfect therapy for anyone with a slight literary addiction.
And it’s not just novel writing that we cater for either!
Poetry for Novices and Improvers at Fareham Library
Saturday 11th November. 10am-1pm, £8.00
Led by Isabel Rogers, Hampshire Poet 2016, author of ‘Don’t Ask’. This three-hour workshop will help you identify how to turn an idea into a poem. We’ll look at form and free-structure, identify what works, and look at some common pitfalls. If you want to be published, Isabel can offer advice on where and how to submit your work.
Creative Writing at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Wednesday 15th November, 2.00pm-4.00pm, £1
Come along to our friendly and inclusive club with a short extract (300-500 words) on the month’s theme: Read a little, write a little, talk a little.
And for the youngsters…
Wonderful Wordsmiths at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Wednesdays 1st, 15th & 22nd November, 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Gain confidence in your writing and meet other young writers in this friendly group for ages 8-13 years, every other Wednesday afternoon.
Creative Writing Club at Petersfield Library
Wednesday 15th November, 4.30pm to 5.30pm, free of charge.
Come and join our Creative Writing Club for ages 8 to 13 years. Gain confidence in your writing in a fun and friendly group and meet with other young writers.
Monthly club for 8 to 13 year olds, every third Wednesday of the month.
If you would like to join this group, please speak to a member of staff to reserve your place.
Books for Writing More Books!
If you’d like some guidance in your home or study try our selection of writing guides in stock:
Novel writing : 16 steps to success / Evan Marshall.
London : A. & C. Black, 2004.
This text provides a methodical approach to planning, plotting, writing and finishing a novel. It shows the aspiring author how to lay the foundations for a novel, target a genre, and use guidelines to determine length and plot.
Get started in writing a novel / Nigel Watts and Stephen May.
Teach Yourself, 2015
This new edition of an acclaimed guide to writing a novel helps you if you are at the very beginning of your writing journey, showing you how to gain confidence and find inspiration.
Fiction writing : the essential guide to writing a novel / Richard Skinner.
London : Robert Hale, 2009.
Richard Skinner takes you through the process of writing a novel, from ways of generating ideas and beginning the actual process of writing, through to producing a final draft.
Reserve, loan…and get writing. The world needs your novel!
And finally…
Hear informed opinion and have your say at our Books Of the Year 2017 events around Hampshire! Each event is an evening of lively discussion looking at the literary highlights of 2017. Find the one nearest you!
Books of the Year 2017 at Romsey Library
Wednesday 15th November, 7:00pm, £6 including wine and nibbles
Join Angela Hicken, Hampshire Cultural Trust Literature Officer and Crispin Drummond, P&G Wells Bookshop, Winchester for a night of lively discussion looking at the literary highlights of 2017.
Books of the Year 2017 at Chandlers Ford Library
Wednesday 22nd November, 7:00pm, £6 including wine and nibbles
Join Angela Hicken, Hampshire Cultural Trust Literature Officer and Crispin Drummond, P&G Wells Bookshop, Winchester for a night of lively discussion looking at the literary highlights of 2017.
Books of the Year 2017 at Petersfield Library
Tuesday 29th November, 7:30pm, £4
With Tim O’Kelly from One Tree Books
Join Tim as he gives a personal overview of some of the best books published throughout 2017 including the winners of book awards, bestsellers highlighted by the media and popular children’s books.
Spaces are limited so advanced booking is essential.
Books of the Year 2017 at Waterlooville Library
Wednesday 30th November, 7:30pm, £4
With Tim O’Kelly from One Tree Books
Join Tim as he gives a personal overview of some of the best books published throughout 2017 including the winners of book awards, bestsellers highlighted by the media and popular children’s books.
Spaces are limited so advanced booking is essential.
Hampshire Libraries 