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Friday, October 30, 2009

NaNoWriMo Begins Sunday, Nov. 1

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) takes place each November, and 2009 marks Year 11 of this cooperative novel-writing challenge. The goal: write 50,000 words in one month. As of this afternoon, over 100,000 adults and over 35,000 teens have joined the challenge thus far.

The link to the website above allows you to track your progress, receive encouraging e-mails several times each week, and forums and regional groups also exist to help and encourage us along the way.

Doing NaNoWriMo last November was incredible. It was a challenge because my laptop died and I was sharing a computer with my husband which meant I could only write while he wasn't home. It was a challenge because I started five days late but still managed to finish two days early. It was a challenge because I started my novel with no plan, no foresight, and no outline -- a real problem for a linear thinker like myself.

If anyone does join NaNoWriMo, please become my buddy; my name there is SusanneB and perhaps we can have some write-in days/evenings either at the library or at Pine Valley Java.

So come on and join NaNoWriMo -- it will be a wonderful experience and a great way to add 80-100 pages to whatever you're currently working on. Or start something brand new!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Writers' Workshop Meeting on October 13 at 7:00 PM


Our monthly meeting of the MECAC Writers' Workshop
will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 PM
in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library.
Writers of all ages and levels are welcome to join the group
as we work together to improve our writing
by sharing our work and giving feedback to each other.
So bring a page or two to share with us
and come willing to encourage and critique other writers as well.
For questions, leave a comment or e-mail Susanne.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Ruminate Short Story Contest

Ruminate Magazine of Faith in Literature and Art has extended their Short Story Contest deadline to October 23, 2009. Use the hyperlinks above for contest rules which are also listed here:

Guidelines:

-The submission deadline for the prize is midnight October 23rd, 2009.
-The entry fee is $15 (includes a free copy of the Spring 2010 Issue).
-You may submit one short story per entry and it must be 7000 words or less.
-$500 will be awarded to the winner and publication in the Spring 2010 Issue will be awarded to the winning story and runner-up story.
-A blind reading of all entries will be conducted by a panel of RUMINATE readers, who will select 8 short stories as finalists.
-David James Duncan is the 2009 finalist judge, and he will be reviewing the finalist stories and selecting the winner and runner-up. Close friends and students (current & former) of the judge are not eligible to compete. Nor are close friends or family of the RUMINATE staff.
-All submissions must be submitted via our online submission form. We will not accept mail or email submissions.
-You may pay online or mail your payment.
-Winners will be announced in the Spring Issue, March 2010.
-Please remove your name, bio, and any contact info from the file that you submit.
So enter if you like ... and enjoy the process!