November is the best time to join a writer's group.
That's because it's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and to celebrate, an online community of writers likes to sign up to do this ridiculous thing where they forget their families, jobs, and obligations and write like mad in a competition to see who can get to 50,000 words during the course of the month.
Sadistic, I know. The event has gained some popularity internationally, and some of the word vomit produced during that chaotic month has even gone on to become international bestsellers and films.
You may have heard of a little movie starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon called Water for Elephants. Allegedly written for NaNoWriMo. Not by me, unfortunately.
In fact, my novels are generally a messy stack of half-finished manuscripts with outlandish, awesome plots and very little in the way of editing. Maybe NaNoWriMo is just what I need.
I've never had the courage to sign up before. It's easy enough — go to the website, nanowrimo.org, register, and you're set for a month of literary agony. Set aside your family, your friends, your job. Set up your TiVo to record November's episodes of whatever shows you simply cannot live without, and stock up your freezer with microwavable meals. It's time to write.
Looking for a writer's group for support, community, a place to get feedback and critiques? Well, you are in luck, my friend.
I just happen to be starting up a writer's group, and there is always room for more literary-minded individuals to join up.
Our first meeting will be Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. The Bonnyville library has graciously offered to allow us to meet there, and writers of all ages and abilities are invited to attend.
Bring a sample of your writing to share and I'm sure we'll get along famously.
I wrte a column back in September that detailed my tragic inability to understand the lack of a writer's group in Bonnyville, a town which so nicely supports other art forms like music, pottery, and painting.
The response I got to that column ran along the lines of “You're right, there should be one. You should start it!” and I cannot continue to complain when offered the opportunity to rectify the situation.
Writing is a lonely profession — but maybe it doesn't have to be.
That is why you should join my writer's group.
Alone, you may struggle beneath the crushing weight of writer's block, wander, lost and alone in a maze of unfinished plot and grammatical uncertainty.
But together, we can accomplish anything.
Even writing a novel. Though perhaps in a little bit longer than a month.
