NaNoWriMo unites budding novelists

November.

This month conjures up images of turkey, orange leaves, parades and the occasional drunk uncle. But for others, visions of keyboards, coffee and 50,000-word documents pop up.

For those of you looking at my previous paragraph with confusion, November is National Novel Writing Month, a challenge to complete a 50,000-word novel—more like a long novella, coming out to an estimated 167 pages.

NaNoWriMo's website, nanowrimo.org, states the competition is operated by an online organization, the Office of Letters and Light.

The point of the month, aside from reaching the 50,000 word goal, is to write creatively, without the intrusions of editing and revision, in a positive environment.  If you "win" the "competition," you only get a certificate and bragging rights.

But aside from being a fun challenge for those who just want to write, some consider this positive creativity over proper writing skills to be a detriment.

In a 2006 post on wetasphalt.com entitled "Why I hate National Novel Writing Month, and Why You Should Too," the author Eric Rosenfield said people who participate in the month don't really care about the novel-writing process.

"I shouldn't have to say that [National Novel Writing Month's positivity over ability policy] is repugnant, and pollutes the world with volumes upon volumes of one-off novels by people who don't really care about novel writing," Rosenfield said.  "I can't help but wonder how many of them will ever write another word."

The purpose is not about becoming an author as a profession.  It's about getting people to write period.

Historically, not all novelists come from creative writing backgrounds.

According to their respective websites, "Harry Potter" author J. K. Rowling was on welfare while she wrote the first few novels "The Firm" and "The Pelican Brief" author John Grisham was originally a lawyer and a legislator. Also, "The Scarlet Letter" author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked in various clerk and government positions.

Just because someone hasn't studied the craft of writing novels doesn't mean they should be discouraged from writing if they have a passing fancy for it.

The purpose of Natinoal Novel Writing Month is to write creatively, one of the biggest hurtles writers of any experience have. After that, the person can rework his or her rough draft from National Novel Writing Month—or any rough draft for that matter—and turn it into a polished, worthwhile text.

Nanowrimo.org does have numerous forums where participants can collaborate with other participants.  Regional branches are also active, one here in Terre Haute and a student organization for the challenge here at ISU.  They host meetings and get-togethers to discuss their progress and issues they are having with elements of craft.

National Novel Writing Month also provides a school-based section of the challenge through the Young Writers Program, as well.  

The organization has even created a month-long unit plan solely devoted to the craft of creative writing and writing novels more specifically. NaNoWriMo's website for young writers, ywp.nanowrimo.org, states that these lesson plans are adapted to state standards for high school English and Language Arts in 37 states, including Indiana and Illinois.

Overall, despite the hippy-esque positivity and rough-drafting process, National Novel Writing Month is a worthwhile pursuit, something that gets people  writing and exploring the world of creative writing.