Here at Mid-Manhattan Library, we are just starting to build a community of writers for National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. For the uninitiated, NaNoWriMo is a yearly event in which writers from around the globe attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. That’s 1,667 words per day! It’s a fun and interactive way to finally finish a novel you’ve always wanted to write, to get into the habit of writing on a regular basis, and to meet, workshop, and collaborate with other writers in your community. Once you set aside the stress inherent in the herculean task of writing a novel in a month, it’s really a win-win-win situation. At least, that’s what we NaNoWriMo people will be telling ourselves this November, as we battle writer’s block, plot holes, and our social calendars!

At our introductory session, we heard all about the books our ambitious writers are hoping to complete. We heard story ideas of all kinds: historical fiction, psychological drama, crime, romance, mystery, dystopian sci-fi, experimental fiction—you name it, we heard about it. While we’re all (more or less) strangers to one another now, during the course of the month we’ll be meeting twice a week to work on our novels. We’re sure to get to know each other (and our work) well!

Going into NaNoWrimo, whether it’s your first or your fifth time participating, there are two approaches writers usually take: they plan, or they “pants,” meaning they prefer to just fly by the seat of their pants as they conceive and compose their novels. Neither approach is necessarily better than the other, though there are obvious pros and cons to both. At Mid-Manhattan, we have quite the combo of planners and pantsers—it will be interesting to see which camp fares better throughout the month!

Once per week, we’ll be posting an update so that the greater NYPL community can get to know our writers and follow their progress. Who knows—maybe the next big best-seller will be written right here on the 4th floor! Of our 26 or so participants, six have volunteered to be the mascots for NaNoWriMo at Mid-Manhattan. Will they hit a patch of writer’s block and decide to set aside their project for next year? Or will they “win” the month, having completed their 50,000 word goal? Stay tuned here to find out, and look for #mmlwrites on Twitter for more updates by our writers.

Novelist: Alethea B.

Working Book Title: Dreaming Havana

What’s your novel about?

It’s set in the 1950’s. A woman moves from Cuba to New York City. It details her journey through language and culture, as she struggles with the constraints of family and Catholicism while working toward fulfilling her dream of becoming a jazz singer and composer.

Have you done NaNoWriMo before?

This is my 7th year!

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I’m a planner in life, but not when it comes to my writing.

How are you feeling about participating in NaNoWriMo?

I feel ready to start, to do this. I hope and I am determined with NYPL to complete a 50k+ draft of my novel.

Novelist: Alexis C.

Working Book Title:  Woman in White

What’s your novel about?

A vengeful ghost in New York City who is seeking out the boyfriend who drove her to commit suicide.

Have you done NaNoWriMo before?

Nope. I’m a first-timer!

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I’m a pantser who is trying to be a planner.

How are you feeling about participating in NaNoWriMo?

I'm excited and anxious. Not only is this the first time I'm participating in NanoWrimo but it's also my first time even attempting a novel-length work.

Novelist: Ira C.

Working Book Title: Originally, How the West Was Lost. Sadly, I think that book title is taken by many works already so I have to think of something else.

What’s your novel about?

My story so far is part dystopian sci-fi, part literary fiction—think Kurt Vonnegut meets Arthur C. Clarke meets Douglas Adams.

Have you done NaNoWriMo before?

I’ve done NaNoWriMo once, last year, but I gave up after a couple of days!

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I’d say I am 20% planner, 80% pantser.

How are you feeling about participating in NaNoWriMo?

I’m a combination of confident, excited, and apprehensive!

Novelist: Rhonda E.

Working Book Title: Untitled

What’s your novel about?

It’s a piece of historical fiction set during World War I.

Have you done NaNoWriMo before?

I’ve never participated in NaNoWriMo before.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

Definitely a planner. I’ve been doing research for quite some time!

How are you feeling about participating in NaNoWriMo?

I am very excited about participating in NaNoWriMo. I usually write alone so I think it will be an invigorating experience to work around other creative people.

Novelist: Genee B.

Working Book Title: The Amethyst

What’s your novel about?

A sci-fi fantasy novel about a distant planet that is ruled by a tyrannical king. Who has cemented his rule by eliminating the entirety of the royal bloodline. But there have been whispers of a prophecy of an off-worlder who would end the mad king's rule.

Have you done NaNoWriMo before?

No, I've never done NaNoWriMo before.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I'm definitely a pantser.

How are you feeling about participating in NaNoWriMo?

I'm feeling overwhelmed and I'm not quite sure where to start.

Novelist: Nancy A.

Working Book Title: Blue Magic (subject to change)

What’s your novel about?

A remote island in the South Pacific that’s under the spell of an ancient curse.

Have you done NaNoWriMo before?

This is my first time!

Are you a planner or a pantser?

Planner. I’ve been vigorously outlining this project for the better part of a year!

How are you feeling about participating in NaNoWriMo?

I’m mostly worried that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, but also looking forward to actually, finally, writing my book!

Interested in joining us for a write-in session? We meet at the following dates in the PC lab on the 4th floor:

• Monday, November 2, 6:30pm
• Saturday, November 7, 2:30pm
• Monday, November 9, 6:30pm
• Saturday, November 14, 2:30pm
• Monday, November 16, 6:30pm
• Saturday, November 21, 2:30pm
• Monday, November 23, 6:30pm
• Saturday, November 28, 2:30pm

Space at these write-ins is sure to fill up fast, so make sure you reserve your seat by registering for each session by clicking the links above.