Writing Month which challenges participants to write an entire novel in the month of November. Here is a link to the organization’s webpage: NaNoWriMo Link.
NaNoWriMo kicks off on November 1st. No, it’s not some ancient horned pachyderm, nor is it some hip new social media craze (it’s totally been around since the 90s). It’s short for National Novel Writing Month which challenges participants to write an entire novel in the month of November. Here is a link to the organization’s webpage: NaNoWriMo Link.
“Write a novel in a month?” you question, inquisitively. “Impossible!” you declare, declaratively.
“Well, not totally,” we reply…counterintuitively.
Zora Neale Hurston wrote “Their Eyes Were Watching God” in just seven weeks. Okay, a little more than a month, but still, an incredible book in an incredibly short length of time.
But still not fast enough for you?
Well, what if we told you that Jack Kerouac wrote “On the Road” in just three weeks—that’s less than a month! It is said that Kerouac taped sheets of paper together into a long strip so he didn’t have to stop typing to reload his typewriter. You know, that thing people wrote on that came long after papyrus and shortly before computers.
“But November is already here,” you say. And at the time of your reading this very blog, there might not even be a whole month left. Well, how about this, friend? Paulo Coelho wrote “The Alchemist”–yes, a book translated into over 80 different languages that has sold over 65 million copies worldwide–in just two weeks! That’s two (2) weeks, 14 days, one entire fortnight!
Are you up for the challenge? If so, here at CCPL, we have compiled a list of books to help you get started. If you need help crafting the perfect novel with realistic characters, writing the perfect SciFi novel, or getting down into the nitty-gritty of detective fiction, we here at CCPL have got you covered. So check out these titles and begin your NaNoWriMo adventure today.
From Cosmos: Jumpstart Your Creative FLOW, Banish Writer’s Block and (Finally) Write Your Dream Novel. Whether a story has just popped into your brain or you’ve been dreaming about it for years, it’s easier than ever to power through your first manuscript with this must-have guide from writing coach Char Anna. Char ditches the fluff and shares tried-and-true methods that will arm you with all the knowledge you need to jump feet first into putting your story to paper. Through her engaging techniques and strategies, you’ll learn how to outline like a pro; craft interesting, complex characters that your readers will root for (or against!); avoid plot holes, pacing issues and other common pitfalls that can trip up new writers; write effective dialogue and so much more! No matter if you’re writing a contemporary thriller, a historical romance or an epic fantasy, Char’s instruction and hands-on exercises will take you from a novel newbie to a seasoned fiction writer in no time at all.
Writing Fiction: An Introduction to the Craft (2002) by Garry Disher
From Cosmos: Explains the basic steps to effective fiction writing. From an award-winning author, sound, practical advice is included on the most significant elements of fiction, such as plot, character development, and voice, and strategies are provided for the effective use of tense and the dialogue. All forms of fiction are explored, including novels, novellas, short stories, and crime fiction. In addition, the writing concepts introduced are illustrated with examples from a wide variety of known writers, presenting a candid picture of the pleasure and pitfalls from a wide range of fiction-writing experiences.
Storyville!”: An Illustrated Guide to Writing Fiction (2020) by John Dufresne
From Cosmos: A smart and funny guide to writing fiction, with engaging infographics that bring storytelling techniques to life. Whether you are daunted by a blinking cursor or frustrated trying to get the people in your head onto the page, writing stories can be intimidating. It takes passion, tenacity, patience, and a knowledge of and faith in the often-digressive writing process. A do-it-yourself manual for the apprentice fiction writer, Storyville! demystifies that process; its bold graphics take you inside the writer’s comfortingly chaotic mind and show you how stories are made. In Storyville!, seasoned guide John Dufresne-whose approach “will anchor the newbie and entertain the veteran” (San Francisco Chronicle)-provides practical insight into the building blocks of fiction, including how to make the reader see your characters, create a suspenseful plot, and revise, revise, revise. Storyville! is a combination handbook and notebook, with original prompts and exercises crafted with Dufresne’s singular dry wit and Evan Wondolowski’s playful and illuminating graphics on every page.
The Compass of Character: Creating Complex Motivation for Compelling Characters in Fiction, Films, and TV (2019) by David Corbett
From Cosmos: Just as a compass provides direction for an explorer, so does motivation provide direction for characters in fiction. The ‘compass’ of character motivation is composed of four points: Lack, Yearning, Resistance, and Desire. In The Compass of Character, you’ll learn to deeply consider the key question ‘What does my character want?’ and learn techniques to answer that question by writing realistic and empathetic characters without falling into formulaic, unsatisfying results that only diminish the character…The Compass of Character is the one book that can guide writers to that end with both instruction and inspiration.
Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction: How to Create Out-of-this-world Novels and Short Stories (2013) by Orson Scott Card, Philip Athans, Jay Lake and the editors of Writer’s Digest
From Cosmos: Do you envision celestial cities in distant, fantastic worlds? Do you dream of mythical beasts and gallant quests in exotic kingdoms? If you have ever wanted to write the next great fantasy or science fiction story, this all-in-one comprehensive book will show you how. Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction is full of advice from master authors offering definitive instructions on world-building, character creation, and storytelling in the many styles and possibilities available to writers of speculative fiction.
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America edited by Lee Child with Laurie R. King.
From Cosmos: From some of the most successful mystery writers in the business, an invaluable guide to crafting mysteries, from character development and plot to procedurals and thrillers.
Writing Historical Fiction: A Writers & Artists’ Companion (2014) by Celia Brayfield and Duncan Sprott
From Cosmos: Contains advice from leading international and bestselling writers, this book provides all the practical advice you need to write historical fiction successfully.
Writing Without Rules: How to Write & Sell a Novel without Guidelines, Experts, or (Occasionally) Pants (2018) by Jeff Somers
From Cosmos: Are you looking for a fresh take on tackling the challenge of writing a successful novel and building your career? No matter your writing level, this book will reveal to you the unconventional, fresh approaches to writing and selling the novel of your dreams.
