Ready? Set? Get going as part of novel writing program

Editor’s note: This article is guest-written by library staff member, Whitney Taitano. You can follow Whitney’s blog at ebonnerlibrary.org.

By WHITNEY TAITANO

Contributing writer

“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” ~Jodi Picoult

It’s that time of year again. Sweaty palms and pounding heartbeat cuing the start of a race. The rush of a deadline can be highly motivating and it spikes my adrenaline every time as my fingers sprint across the keyboard. An entire month devoted to reaching a 50,000 word count? Yes, please!

Many writers participate in National Novel Writing Month as a way to sharpen their skills and develop a better routine to facilitate their writing goals. Getting started, generating enthusiasm, respecting the deadline, and cultivating determination, focus and a strong work ethic is all part of National Novel Writing Month.

NaNoWriMo is one of those events I wait for with bated breath and keen anticipation. I would liken this sensation to a sort of electrical charge shooting up my spine and across my scalp, sparking my brain into a blaze of ideas. Of course, I write throughout the year, but there is something special about this time. With the numerous projects I manage at any given time, I take great pleasure in the act of pumping out a word count instead of getting lost in an idea, as I often do. I attribute this to the term known as Perfection Paralysis.

PERFECTION PARALYSIS

Here is the cycle: perfectionism, procrastination, paralysis. Rinse and repeat.

You may be like me or know someone like me, the sort of person who gets too in their head about the ideal result of an endeavor. It’s not because we’re lazy, but because we’re terrified. The fear that our skill does not match up to an ideal can be absolutely crippling. We think, I want this to shake up the world and get people thinking. Then we start comparing our work to that of the greats who came before us. Then we start panicking because we believe there’s no way our work will measure up to theirs.

When I first start a project, I already have very high expectations for my work. There’s a certain image in my head of what success will look like and it often gets in my way of enjoying the process. NaNoWriMo is an opportunity for me to get out of the dreaded mindset of perfectionism.

THE BENEFIT OF A DEADLINE

NaNoWriMo is not about creating a perfect or even palatable product. It tosses out the notion that your first draft has to be good. It is about the physical development of an idea which you can mold over time and getting into the habit of writing on a regular basis. Working to a deadline puts us squarely in the moment, affording us the head space to chip away at a tangible piece work instead of overthinking a concept or getting caught up in self-doubt.

NaNoWriMo helps writers to understand that the craft can be as rewarding as it is difficult. Having a large chunk of a first draft completed can bring a writer the elated high that comes with accomplishing something truly personal. It’s a risk to put ourselves out there and onto the page, but we do it because it’s a part of us. We write because we are human and we have something to say, not because we’re perfect and we know better.

The ability to express our thoughts and feelings and ideas is a wonderful gift. The ability to develop a structure and routine designed to create an outlet for this expression gives us the power to reach out to others and give them something to relate to. While our worldviews may not be altogether unique, writing presents us with the opportunity to give a voice to those who can relate to our experiences. November is a time to refocus our attention toward this pursuit.

READY. SET. GO!

We have from Nov. 1 to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30 to write 50,000 words. To get started, go to nanowrimo.org. To accompany you on your mission, should you accept it, is a list of resources provided by the library:

Sharpen your use of the basics …

1. “The Chicago Manual of Style”

2. “Dialogue: the Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen” by Robert McKee

3. “Writing to a Deadline: the Journalist at Work” by Donald Murray

Master your gift for storytelling …

1. “On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King

2. “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell

3. “The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller” by John Truby

4. “Save the Cat! the Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need” by Blake Snyder

Learn more about the business of writing…

1. “Writer’s Market 2019”

2. “Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market 2019:”

3. “Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market 2019”

The following take place at the Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar Street, unless otherwise indicated.

- Friday, Nov. 2 — A Special Clark Fork Mother Goose Story Program, 10:15 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch. Geared to waddlers and toddlers and their caregivers, this 20-minute story time is followed by 20 minutes of play. Information: 208-208-266-1321.

- Friday, Nov. 2 — Library Peace Pole Unveiling, 11 a.m. Join the community in welcoming a new peace pole featuring the phrase, “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in four languages; English, Salish, hand-sign, and paw-sign. Third-grader Pax Longanecker, who was born on the International Day of Peace, will perform the unveiling which will be followed by a World Community Day event at the Presbyterian Church. The pole is sponsored by the Sandpoint Quakers and the Presbyterian Church. Information: 208-263-6860.

- Saturday, Nov. 3 — Sandpoint Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Support your library while supporting your book habit. Score deals on used books and media at the monthly FOL sale.

- Saturday, Nov. 3 — Bella Note’ Choir Performance, 10:30 a.m. Bella Note’ students will share a special singing performance. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Nov. 6 — Mother Goose, 10 a.m.; six-week sessions. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Nov. 6 — Preschool Stories, 11 a.m. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Nov. 6 — Robotics. 3-5 p.m. Explore STEAM with Lego Mindstorm robotics. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Tuesday, Nov. 6 and Wednesday, Nov. 7 — Intro to Virtual Reality, 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. Experience VR. Explore the world with Google Earth VR, swim in the deep sea, go on a virtual tour, play arcade style games or walk a plank suspended from an 80-story building — all from the safety of The Library! First come, first served. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesday, Nov. 6 — MAGIC the Gathering, 3:30-5 p.m. Teens meet in Community Room A to play the game, MAGIC. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Nov. 7 — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8.

- Wednesday, Nov. 7 — Library Building Days, 2:15 p.m. in the Children’s Area glass room. Join us after school for building fun with Lego’s, blocks, circuits, games, and more! Information: 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Wednesday, Nov. 7 — 3D Printing Workshop, 4-6 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch. Design your own 3D printed object and learn some fascinating ways 3D printers are being used. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for this beginner-level class: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, Nov. 7 — MakeIt Art, 5-6 p.m. at the Teen Lounge. Teens, this isn’t your second-grade art project! Join your crew for mixed media turkey hand art in the Rotary Teen Lounge. Open to 7th-12th grade-aged teens. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesday, Nov. 7 — Friends of the Library Presents: Ice Age Floods – A Natural Phenomenon, 6 p.m. in Community Rooms A & B. The Friends of the Library host an evening lecture to be given by Dr. Tony Lewis, president of the Ice Age Floods Institute. Dr. Lewis will address the following questions: What conditions brought about these Ice Age floods? What is the evidence of these Ice Age floods? What effects have these Ice Age floods had on Sandpoint and its surroundings. FOL will provide coffee, tea and cookies. Information: Tony Lewis, 208-208-255-1284.

- Thursday, Nov. 8 — Infant Lapsit, 10 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint branch, 1407. A rhyme program for pre-walkers and their caregivers. Six-week sessions. Pre-registration is required: Suzanne Davis 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, Nov. 10 — “Mankiller”; two screenings, 12:30 and 3 p.m. in Community Rooms A and B. “Mankiller” explores the life of Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation who led her people in building one of the strongest Indian Tribes in America. Film screenings followed by discussion led by Jane Fritz of the Idaho Mythweaver. Information: 208-263-6930.

- Clark Fork Autumn Reading Program — For all ages. Read and record the title of each book, full magazine, or audiobook along with the author’s name between now and Dec. 1. For each completed item, earn a library bidding dollar for use in the Holiday Silent Auction on Dec. 7-8. For more information contact the Clark Fork Library: 208-266-1321.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Time To Sleep” by Denise Fleming at Dover City Park and “I Know It’s Autumn” by Eileen Spinelli at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of the library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit.ebonnerlibrary.org or call Suzanne Davis at 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.