Could you write a novel in a month?

National Novel Writing Month is a 50,000-word challenge

Anyone who has an interest in writing has probably thought about writing a novel at some point. But it always seems far away, too difficult, or there’s some other obstacle. National Novel Writing Month, commonly abbreviated as NaNoWriMo, removes those obstacles by challenging participants to write a novel in a month.

The challenge works like this; writers sign up to the NaNoWriMo site. They create and name their novel. They start writing Nov. 1, and have until 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30 to write a 50,000-word novel.

NaNoWriMo is celebrating its 20th year of encouraging creativity and new and exciting novels. This year, the event is expecting over 400 000 writers to challenge themselves - including almost 95 000 K-12 students.

NaNoWriMo, through the challenge, offers a multitude of resources and ways for participants to be inspired. Before it even starts, they run an online author’s bootcamp, appropriately dubbed Camp NaNoWriMo. It has the same idea, helping authors to complete a writing project in a month.

During November, when the event actually runs, they offer pep talks from a slew of different authors. Once it’s all over, they offer help to participants who want to publish their work.

The organization also reaches out to communities to start writeins, spaces where authors can come together to write. Peterborough’s own public library is included in those approached, and it has its own write-in.

The event will include writing games, a place to share ideas, and a place to give and get advice. It will happen on Satufrom 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the Multipurpose

Room. Refreshments will be provided.

For those interested in the challenge, it is not too late to try. You can join NaNoWriMo by going online to nanowrimo.org and signing up for free.