(the following was submitted by Nicole Amsler)

November is the month best known for television sweeps, too much turkey and frost on the ground. But for a handful of Dayton writers, it is also NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month.)

National Novel Writing Month began in 1999 with only 21 participants. Now, in its 11^th year, a few hundred thousand writers from all over the world endeavor to write a 50,000 word novel from scratch. Writers can register for free at www.nanowrimo.org and can begin writing on November 1^st. The website offers forums, advice, word wars and community connections.

“Just knowing that there are thousands of others embarking on the same amazingly crazy challenge helps me to write,” said Dara Sorensen, one of the three Dayton Muncipal Liasons (or MLs). “Many times, writing is a solitary profession. So to see so many others participating and encouraging one another makes reaching 50K in a month seem a little smaller somehow.”

The Dayton area NaNo group, affectionately named DANG, meets all over the city most nights in November. Flocking to coffee shops, book shops and libraries, the DANG group is a mismatched group of young and old(er), students and professionals, experienced writers and newbies. The genres are broad as well—ranging from fanfic to fantasy, historical romance to literary fiction.

Winning NaNo is accomplished by uploading the completed manuscript online for a quick word count before November 30^th. You win a printable award, winner icons for your website and of course, bragging rights.

But the biggest win varies for different people. Some pursue publication, others don’t write another word again until next November.

“The big win for me personally is that I found my critique group through NaNo. I’ve been part the group ever since 2007 and my writing has improved so much, thanks to them.  Without NaNo, I’m sure I never would’ve been part of such a great group,” said Sorenson.

November is already a busy month. But by drinking copious amounts of coffee, ignoring your carpal tunnel syndrome and neglecting your laundry, it can be done.

Tips to Win NaNoWriMo

• Try to accomplish the daily word count goal of 1,667. It is much harder to make up one or more missing days.
• Don’t worry about making the story perfect as you are writing it. Turn off your internal editor. NaNoWriMo is about producing a first draft—not a polished manuscript.
• Attend one of the many write-ins in the area. Other NaNo participants are encouraging and friendly. But don’t expect too much conversation. Write-ins tend to have concentrated times of silent writing followed by several minutes of conversation.
• Participate in a friendly “word war” by challenging another writer to see who will get the most amount of words in an allotted time.
• Don’t give up. Even if it becomes impossible to win NaNo this year, you will have more words in your word in progress than you did at the beginning of the month.

NaNoWriMo Write-In Calendar

The full NaNoWriMo calendar can be viewed on the Dayton forum on www.nanowrimo.org. You must register join the forum but registration is free.

Oct. 30th
Pre-Kick Off Party, Kettering-Moraine Library (3946 Far Hills Ave, Kettering, OH 45429), Noon-3 PM

November 1st:
Northern Kickoff, Piqua Public Library (116 W High St. Piqua, OH 45356), 5:30-8:30 PM
Dayton area: Dorothy Lane Market, Upstairs Room (740 N Main St, Springboro, OH 45066), 6-9 PM

Nov. 2nd:
Write In @ Panera Bread, Fairfield Mall (2751 Fairfield Commons Dayton, OH 45431), 6-9 PM
Write In @ Panera Bread, Miller Lane (6550 Miller Lane Dayton, OH 45409), 6-9 PM

Nov. 3rd:
Write-In @ Books & Company, The Greene (4453 Walnut Street Beavercreek, OH 45440), 6-9 PM

Nov. 4th:
Write-In @ Night Sky, Troy (18 N Market St Troy, OH 45373), 6:30-9:30 PM

Nov. 6th:
Write In @ Washington-Centerville Public Library (111 W Spring Valley Rd, Centerville, OH 45458) 12:30-4:30
Write-In @ Night Sky, Troy (18 N Market St Troy, OH 45373), 1:00-5:00 PM

Nov. 8th:
Event @ Dayton Public Library, Main Branch (215 E. Third St. Dayton, OH, 45402), 5-8 PM
Write-In @ Piqua Public Library (116 W High St. Piqua, OH 45356), 5:30-8:30 PM

Nov. 9th:
Write In @ Panera Bread, Fairfield Mall (2751 Fairfield Commons Dayton, OH 45431), 6-9 PM
Write In @ Panera Bread, Miller Lane (6550 Miller Lane Dayton, OH 45409), 6-9 PM
Write in @Dorothy Lane Market, Upstairs Room, (740 N Main St, Springboro, OH 45066) 7-9 PM

Nov. 10th:
Write-In @ Barnes & Noble, Dayton Mall (2619 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd Dayton, OH 45459)

Nov. 11th:
Write-In @ Night Sky, Troy (18 N Market St Troy, OH 45373), 1:00-5:00 PM

Nov. 13th:
Write in @ Fairborn Public Library (1 East Main Street, Fairborn, OH 45324) 1-5 PM

Nov. 15th:
Write-In @ Piqua Public Library (116 W High St. Piqua, OH 45356), 6:00-8:30 PM

Nov. 16th:
Write In @ Panera Bread, Fairfield Mall (2751 Fairfield Commons Dayton, OH 45431), 6-9 PM
Write In @ Panera Bread, Miller Lane (6550 Miller Lane Dayton, OH 45409), 6-9 PM
Write in @Dorothy Lane Market, Upstairs Room, (740 N Main St, Springboro, OH 45066) 6-9 PM

Nov. 17th:
Write-In @ Barnes & Noble, Dayton Mall (2619 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd Dayton, OH 45459)

Nov. 18th:
Write-In @ Night Sky, Troy (18 N Market St Troy, OH 45373), 1:00-5:00 PM

Nov. 19th:
Write in @ The Loft, Fairborn (1 South Central (West) Fairborn, Ohio 45324 ) 7-11 PM

Nov. 20th:
Write-In @ Night Sky, Troy (18 N Market St Troy, OH 45373), 1:00-5:00 PM

Nov. 22nd:
Write-In @ Piqua Public Library (116 W High St. Piqua, OH 45356), 5:30-8:30 PM
Write in @Dorothy Lane Market, Upstairs Room, (740 N Main St, Springboro, OH 45066) 6-9 PM

Nov. 23rd:
Write In @ Panera Bread, Fairfield Mall (2751 Fairfield Commons Dayton, OH 45431), 6-9 PM
Write In @ Panera Bread, Miller Lane (6550 Miller Lane Dayton, OH 45409), 6-9 PM

Nov. 27th:
Write in @ The Loft, Fairborn (1 South Central (West) Fairborn, Ohio 45324 ) 6-10 PM

Nov. 29th:
Write-In @ Piqua Public Library (116 W High St. Piqua, OH 45356), 5:30-8:30 PM
Write in @Dorothy Lane Market, Upstairs Room, (740 N Main St, Springboro, OH 45066) 6-9 PM

Nov. 30th:
Write-In @ Night Sky, Troy (18 N Market St Troy, OH 45373), 5:00-9:00 PM
Write In @ Panera Bread, Fairfield Mall (2751 Fairfield Commons Dayton, OH 45431), 6-9 PM
Write In @ Panera Bread, Miller Lane (6550 Miller Lane Dayton, OH 45409), 6-9 PM