On November 1st, the 12th annual NaNoWriMo project begins. What's NaNoWriMo, you ask? NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month, and it's this very cool, but also kind of insane, project that takes place each november. The short of it is this: starting 12:01 a.m. on 11/1, your goal is to write a 50,000 word novel by midnight of 11/30.
I've never ACTUALLY done it, but every year I think, "I should so do this." Maybe this year I'll put my money where my mouth is.
Even if you're not ready to take on NaNoWriMo, there are a couple of upcoming programs designed to get you pumped about writing:
The Mid-Atlantic Writers Conference: A Writers Conference for Non-Writers
Saturday, October 2, 2010 :: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sheraton Conference Center, Dover, DE
From the website:
Do you make-up bedtime stories for your children or grandchildren? Have you researched the history of your family? Is writing something you have enjoyed in your business life? Do you journal faithfully? Is poetry a stress reliever? Have you thought about going to a writers conference but felt intimidated by the "real" writers and "master classes" they support? If so, this is the conference for you!
The Mid-Atlantic Writers Conference brings non-writers together with established writers in a casual environment to help the beginners jump start their writing ambitions, whether for one specific project or to fulfill a dream. Learn the basics on how to get started, find support, and author tips, tricks, and resources. You’ll learn and get advice from the region’s established writing community, the ones who have been there, written that!
Choose your interest in fiction, non-fiction and memoir, or poetry. Stay the day in that track, or mix it up to get a taste of all that is on offer. Add in some bling to really get the creative wave going by lunching with an author who will answer your questions, having dinner with a writing legend, or getting one-on-one advice for a manuscript already started or a project you have in mind.
(Full disclosure: I'm delivering the keynote address.)
If you can't make it down to Dover, but are still looking for some writing inspiration, I'm running my Creative Writing Series at the Brandywine YMCA again, starting Tuesday, October 5th. For more information, see below. To register, click here.
ADULT CREATIVE WRITING SERIES
THE WRITING TOOLBOX [04505]
Calling all closet writers! Dust off your manuscripts and bring them to class, where we’ll discuss the craft of creative writing, as well as workshop your short stories and novel excerpts (no poetry, please). Want to try your hand at writing but have nothing prepared? We’ll do weekly writing exercises to help you get those juices flowing – and get your ideas onto a page. Our instructor is award-winning young adult novelist and college instructor Lara Zeises, whose novel True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet (written under her pseudonym Lola Douglas) was made into a Lifetime television movie. Past class members are welcome to join us to continue with your work. Class is limited to 10 students.
Session: 10/05/10-11/09/10
Day/Time: Tue 7:00-7:50 pm
Fee: Full Member $48 / Program Member + Public $54
FICTION WRITING WORKSHOP [04506]
Want to get intensive feedback on your short stories and novel excerpts? This companion course is for you! Member will be encouraged to submit 15 to 20 pages of fiction (no poetry, please) to the class for critique. We’ll also talk about revision strategies and other topics for intermediate to advanced writers. Please have a work in progress before signing up; e-mail instructor Lara Zeises at zeisgeist (at) aol (dot) com if you have any questions. Class is limited to 10 students.
Session: 10/05/10-11/09/10
Day/Time: Tue 8:00-8:50 pm
Fee: Full Member $48 / Program Member + Public $54
COMBINATION WRITING TOOLBOX/ WORKSHOP PACKAGE [04508]
If you’re interested in signing up for both adult creative writing courses, please register for the combination package under code [04508].
Fee: Full Member $72 / Program Member + Public $80
Happy writing, everyone!
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- Lara M. Zeises (
zeisgeist) wrote,