By Hannah Gordon
Assistant News Editor
It’s November, which means it’s National Novel Writing Month (known as NaNoWriMo). NaNoWriMo challenges writers of all ages to break their daily routines and make time to write. Their goal is to write a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 p.m. on November 30.
Although there is not a group that meets regularly in the area, St. Bonaventure students are still participating in NaNoWriMo. Makeda Loney, a senior journalism and mass communication major, is participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time. Her novel is a story about her life called “Too Soon.”
“I chose to take part because it’s different and allows me to focus on something that isn’t my life or all the things that are pushing against me,” Loney said. “It allows me to articulate my feelings.”
Jessica Rehac, a graduate student in the Differentiated Instruction Master’s Program, is participating in NaNoWriMo for the fifth time. The past three years, she met the 50,000-word goal and “won” NaNoWriMo.
“My first year participating, I met my own word count goal. (It was) slightly less to ease myself into novel writing, and (I) finished the novel a month later,” Rehac said. “Hopefully this year, I’ll have written five novels in five years.”
In order to write 50,000 words in one month, writers often aim for 1,667 words a day. With such a high word count to meet every day, writers say staying motivated it a struggle, but they are willing to work through it.
“The fact that I have an idea in my head and want to get it down on paper is what gets me to sit down every day and write my 1,667 words, no matter how long a day it’s been or how much work there is still left to do,” Rehac said.
Sometimes it’s the pressure of writing that maintains motivation, participants said.
“The aspect of challenge motivates me,” Loney said. “The fact that I need to fulfill something every day makes me remember to write. It makes me want to continue.”
If participants stay motivated, NaNoWriMo can offer an excuse to actually do the writing that participants can’t seem to make time for throughout the year, according to Rehac.
“I’m a writer all year long, but having a clear time frame to start and finish a project helps,” Rehac said. “That’s probably the reason why November seems to be the only month that I ever actually finish writing a book. I love to start new projects, but absolutely hate to see them through. I’d rather just start a new one as they come up.”
Although it’s not too late to join in on the NaNoWriMo fun, writers that started are already set into a daily routine.
“Writing is a hobby of mine always, but in November it becomes a habit,” Rehac said. “I don’t get a chance to write a lot of non-academic stuff at work or in school, so NaNoWriMo gives me a reason to sit down and enjoy the writing process again. It’s less of a commitment and more of a break for me. It can be stressful, and it’s definitely a lot of work, but I’m up for the challenge.”
Anyone interested in participating in NaNoWriMo can write. If writers are interested in gaining support or building relationships with other writers across the globe, they can visit the website nanowrimo.org, and register for a free account. The site offers writers the opportunity to participate in groups that meet locally to work on their novels, brainstorm, or even chat.
