A 175-page novel in 30 days? No problem, says area writer
By Hilary Shepard Contributing Writer

Region - Every November, tens of thousands of wouldbe authors participate in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel, around 175 pages, from scratch by midnight Nov. 30.

Last year more than 2,000 writers participated from Massachusetts, around 100 from the central area of the state. About one in six participants of the 79,000 total crossed the 50,000 word line.

According to Marlborougharea resident Sara Marks, the experience is "intense - everything goes on hold." This year Marks will participate in her fourth NaNoWriMo. She has crossed the 50,000 word threshold twice and hopes to do so again.

Marks, a librarian, is the area's municipal liaison for the event. As such, she sets up write-in events, where NaNoWriMo participants will gather to write and off er words of encouragement, often over a meal.

NaNoWriMo is free and open to anyone - writers or otherwise. Writers can enroll up to the Nov. 1 start. Participants, known as "Wrimos," work on their own computers, and electronically submit their 50,000 word work of fiction by midnight of Nov. 30 to be recognized for their achievement.

According to the NaNo- WriMo Web site, "Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and eff ort involved … [Participants] started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work actors and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists."

According to Marks, trying to write a lengthy piece of fiction under a strict deadline is motivating.

Compared with traditional novel writing, Marks said, "a lot of people find this to be a

" more helpful environment."

Marks prepares for the event by jotting down plot ideas and notes for her novel throughout the year, but she said many people come into the month with nothing and start from scratch.

NaNoWriMo started as an event among 21 close friends, and quickly grew into the nonprofit organization it is today. The organization is legally called "The Office of Letters and Light." The organization is supported by private and corporate donations, and by merchandise sales.

NaNoWriMo supports several youth education initiatives, including the Young Writers Program, and the construction of libraries in Southeast Asia.

The organization has gained national recognition on CBS, ABC and National Public Radio.

According to Marks, the best aspect of NaNoWriMo is the people she has met through the event.

"You get to spend a month with these really neat people from all walks of life," she said.

For enrollment information or to make a donation or to learn more about NaNo- WriMo, visit the Web site at www.nanowrimo.org.

At the conclusion of the 30 days of writing, many areas throw parties to celebrate what the participants have accomplished, whether they cross the 50,00-word threshold or not. According to NaNoWriNo, "win or lose, you rock for trying."