Authors participate in word count challenge for novel writing month

Authors often experience anxiety about the quality of their work as they begin the writing process. This month, many writers in Chico are setting aside their hesitations and starting their stories.

Community members and Chico State students are facing the challenge of writing 50,000 words during November as part of National Novel Writing Month.

Amateur and experienced writers worldwide participate in NaNoWriMo as they strive to reach their individual word count goals, while supporting fellow participants, said Lynn Jacobs, municipal liaison for the Chico region.

“It creates community,” Jacobs said. “Normally, writing is a very solitary activity. You could do it in a closet and never come out.”

Faye Skeen, a first-year student and history major, thinks connecting with other writers will help her find inspiration, she said.

“It’s amazing to know that thousands and thousands of people around the world are doing the same thing you are,” Skeen said.

This is Skeen’s fourth year of involvement with NaNoWriMo, but her first year in the Chico region, she said. Skeen began participating in NaNoWriMo as a high school student in Sacramento.

Although Skeen has never reached 50,000 words, NaNoWriMo encourages her to actively keep writing, she said.

“I have all these cool ideas, but planning all this out slows me down,” Skeen said. “NaNoWriMo is the kick in the butt I need to start writing.”

Skeen writes purely for fun, but the Chico branch of NaNoWriMo also attracts professional writers.

Alumna Angela Alsaleem first signed up for NaNoWriMo in 2007 while living in Salinas. Since graduating from Chico State with a bachelor’s in English, Alsaleem has continuously written short stories in the horror and psychological thriller genres.

Alsaleem works as an insurance producer, but she spends an hour writing four nights each week, she said. For writers without an established structure, NaNoWriMo gives them the motivation to get started.

“When you are trying to write 50,000 words in a month, you have to stay on top of your story and where you’re going,” Alsaleem said. “Writing is a skill, a craft, and if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

When participants reach the objective word count, they win bragging rights and a feeling of accomplishment, Jacobs said.

NaNoWriMo requires an intense commitment, she said. Writers have to take the time to sit, think creatively and develop the story throughout the month.

“For one month you lose your censor, lose your editor and just go,” Jacobs said.

Many writers get so wrapped up in planning their novel they have a hard time getting started, Jacobs said.

Since NaNoWriMo’s emphasis is on the quantity of words, participants have to avoid procrastination, Skeen said. Designing your storyline with the support of a writing community makes the process exciting.

“For classes, a lot of people don’t get a chance to write what they want to write and that takes the fun out of creating,” Skeen said. “It’s freeing to write what you want to, even when you are on deadline.”

Jacobs welcomes anyone with an idea for a story to join the challenge, she said. People can visit nanowrimo.org to register.

Participants can choose to write individually or join group “write-ins,” Alsaleem said. Write-ins give participants a chance to discuss topics, such as word use and character development, with each other.

Though writers have the option of working alone, collaborating with other local participants often helps writers reach their goal of 50,000 words, Alsaleem said.

“It feels great once you make it,” she said. “It’s like running a marathon.”

Hillary Feeney can be reached at
hfeeney@theorion.com
 

For more information, visit:

The National Writing Project website