Moraine Valley Community College is encouraging people who have dreamed of writing the great American novel to get a head start by participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). This national initiative encourages participants to write 50,000 words during November. Moraine Valley is an official “Come Write In” location, which means participants can use the college’s Library as a base for working on their writing projects. Participation is free and open to the public.

“This is a great opportunity to create community on campus and to connect to the larger community,” said Tish Hayes, Information Literacy librarian, “Writing 50,000 words in a month isn’t easy, but it’s possible with the support we provide for each other. I love that the Library can offer the physical space to help make that happen, along with resources writers will be looking for as they create their novels.”

To help participants prepare for the writing month, Moraine Valley will host free workshops on its main campus at 9000 W. College Parkway in Palos Hills.

Digging In: Researching the Story and Setting – Oct. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Building D, Room D236

Who Does What: Developing Characters and Plot – Oct. 18, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Building D, Room D236

The Road to 50,000: Surviving NaNoWriMo – Oct. 25, noon-12:30 p.m., Building L, Library

Additional events, such as group Write Ins and a wrap-up party, will be held throughout November. Details will be posted on nanowrimo.morainevalley.edu.

Moraine Valley was a NaNoWriMo host in 2019 and had 70 participants. They hope to make this an annual event to encourage the community to write.

NaNoWriMo began in 1999, and each year, hundreds of thousands of people around the world join in.

“Knowing so many others around the globe participate in this at the same time can be so motivating,” said Sheryl Bundy, professor of Communications and Literature. She is excited the college is serving as a host location. “What makes it special is meeting others who write and finding support from those relationships.”

Hayes added, “As a partner in bringing NaNoWriMo to campus, Moraine Valley values the opportunity to provide a place where writers can find resources and research support as they develop their writing plans and help them meet their creative goals.”