National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, is celebrated by Monroe Walton Center for the Arts

The NaNoWriMo celebrations at the MWCA begin Friday, Nov. 1

November is National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. With Walton County having such an abundance of talented authors it is not surprising that the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts has decided to celebrate NaNoWriMo for the whole month of November.

NaNoWriMo began in 1999 when San Francisco writer Chris Baty, along with a group of 21 participants from the Bay Area, challenged themselves to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. MWCA, which has an active ​writer’s group, is asking if there are other budding authors in the community ready to write their book?

“You can do it here at MWCA with other writers and authors to encourage you. November is National Novel Writing Month and it is a fun empowering approach to encourage creative writing. The challenge is to draft a novel in one month,” said Barbara Barth, Literary Arts Chair at MWCA and herself a published author. “Come write with us every Sunday (1 to 5) and Monday (11 to 4). WiFi is available and there is plenty of room for you bring your laptop and have a cool place to work. No charge/no reservation needed. Pop in when you have time.”

The only exception to that schedule is Sunday, Nov. 17, when there will be a book launch for local author Lori Duff’s latest publication, Devil’s Defense. You are, however, still invited that day to drop in and celebrate the book launch with Duff and other members of Walton Writers.

Walton Writers host three on-going monthly events especially geared towards writers, from budding writers to published authors. The meetings are free and open to the public.

Joining Walton Writers Facebook group is recommended to help interested persons stay up-to-date on the meetings and workshops.

“And not everyone is aware we have a mini book shop at MWCA with local authors from surrounding counties. Jackie Rod and Marlene Buchannan helped start the book nook as original founders. Books are for sale, and the authors teach classes and have book launches as members of the art center. Lori Duff, Lynn Hesse, Sheila Hudson, Julie Clarke, Georgiana Fields, are just a few of our authors,” Barth said.

To learn more about Walton Writers and Readers, click or tap on this link.