NMSU Library hosts November novel writing events

The New Mexico State University Library will host events in honor of National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, throughout November to invite students and faculty to spark their creativity by participating in a writing challenge.  
The challenge itself is to complete a 50,000-word novel within 30 days, NMSU said in a news release.

The main objective for NMSU in hosting NaNoWriMo is to provide space for fellowship, support and accountability for aspiring and experienced writers to engage on a national and local level, NMSU said.  
“The past couple of years have necessitated virtual participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so this is really the first year that NaNoWriMo has been able to return to in-person events for those that feel comfortable,” said Alyssa Pope, librarian and visiting faculty in the NMSU Department of Reference and Research Studies. “In addition to finishing a novel, participants will also benefit from networking with other local writers and expanding their knowledge and skills of novel-writing. We really want to foster the writing community at NMSU and in Las Cruces and show that the library is a great place to engage with other writers and thrive in a creative, productive environment.”  
The program began with a Nov. 1 kick-off party at Branson Library on campus. Three write-in sessions are offered 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 9, 16 and 30 in the Zuhl Library instructional lab. A wrap-up celebration will be held 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Branson Library foyer. A display of creative writing books and resources will continue the entire month of November in the entrances to both libraries, NMSU said.

 “If you are running into roadblocks, the NMSU Library is here to help connect you to resources and keep you chugging along to your goal. Don’t be afraid to get started and just try to write as much as possible – especially at our write-in sessions,” Pope said. “More than reaching that word count, the important thing is to write whatever you can and to build the habit of writing regularly. Be free to express your creativity and tell your story. We want to hear your voice and what you have to tell the world.”  

Pope said the NMSU Library hopes to make this a regular program series in the future.

Contact Pope at apope1@nmsu.edu. Visit https://nmsu.libguides.com/nanowrimo.