November 1st was a day that many writers around the world had been anticipating with a frenzy that usually only accompanies the big holidays like Christmas, Hanukah and, for some folks, Administrative Professionals Day. I’m talking about the start of National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo as it’s known among participants). The goal: write a 175-page novel (50,000 words) by midnight, November 30th. For those doing the math, that comes out to a minimum of 1,667 words a day - no easy task, especially when you’re already juggling a job, school, a family or a myriad of other commitments.

On November 1st, a group of excited writers gathered at Capogiro (20th and Sansom) to meet fellow participants, cheer each other on and, most importantly, start writing so they can reach that 50,000 word goal. Katie Nolan, a student who is the Philadelphia area liaison, coordinated the event meant to inspire over 800 registered participants in the Philadelphia area. This is Nolan’s fourth year in the NaNoWriMo program (she’s crossed the finish line twice) and as of last night she was still undecided as to what her novel would actually be about. “I had an idea about a month ago for a crime story,” she said. “But then I started reading the Firekeeper series and now I want to write an epic fantasy.”

Other NaNoWriMo veterans were in attendance as well. Joanna and Don Corcoran from Center City were already well on their way with their stories as of last night’s party. Joanna, who is working on a “post-apocalyptic fantasy about zombies and the end of the world,” is on her third go-round, while Don is hard at work for the second year of the contest, this time on “a fantasy novel that surrounds the life of a gladiatrix.” He is writing the entire novel on his blog, and, during the party, was already up to 2000 words…

More after the jump!

But there’s a first time for everything, as Philadelphia resident Leyla proves. “I’m working on a surreal, absurdist novel about a thing that eats the world. It’s all about what happens to her, her boyfriend and his dog.” Young authors are also encouraged to participate through National Novel Writing Month’s Young Writers Program. Lola and Stella Estok, ages 9 and 7, are optimistic about their projects. While their word count goals aren’t in the six digits they still aim to complete the challenge with their stories about “the diary of the pumpkin that gets turned into Cinderella’s carriage,” and “a book about a cow who is a Rabbi,” titled, of course, “Holy Cow.”

NaNoWriMo.org, the official website of National Novel Writing Month, reports that there were over 79,000 participants in 2006, with nearly 13,000 completing the entire 50,000 word quota. So far this year over 90,000 authors have signed up, making this the biggest year since its inception in 1999.

It’s not too late to get in on National Novel Writing Month - just visit www.nanowrimo.org for more information. You’ll find all the details on the program as well as forums for your to connect with your fellow writers, get inspiration and meet up with others in the Philadelphia area.

National Novel Writing Month
www.nanowrimo.org