Drop in and write on at The Library this month

A slight plot twist in the movie “Finding Nemo” would have had Dory famously singing, “Just keep writing” instead of “Just keep swimming.” Were she a writer, she would, no doubt, participate in National Novel Writing Month. We couldn’t imagine Dory giving up on a goal halfway through. No, we know what her advice would be. Now that you are at NaNoWriMo halftime, this is no time to stop. Just keep writing.

If this is the first you’ve heard about NaNoWriMo, keep reading. Every year, writers of all proficiencies, genres, and platforms set a personal goal of writing a 50,000-word novel during the 30 days in November. Whether an earth-shattering plot comes from this exercise is up to the author, but the important thing is that the word-count is met. Participants can register for the challenge on the national site at www.nanowrimo.org.

Here at The Library, we are hosting weekly NaNoWriMo write-in sessions every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you are at half-time with your goal or just getting started, you can join other writers to crank out your words with support, camaraderie, and “writing fuel” (caffeine and sugar) provided by The Library.

“My number one tip? Sugar. After that, some coffee. And then some more sugar. In normal life, I don’t let myself eat sugar very often, but in November? When I’m flagging, when I just can’t get that extra thousand words I need to reach my goal, a Twizzler appetizer followed by a hot chocolate chaser will get me the words I need” — NaNoWriMo Participant, Nikki Hyson.

Write-ins also include group writing prompts and “word sprints” to keep writer’s block at bay. Once registered, you can drop in any time or stay for the full four hours.

For more information about National Novel Writing Month or how you can register for the write-in sessions, call Mike Bauer, Lifelong Learning coordinator, at 208-265-2665 or “write” him an email at mike@ebonnerlibrary.org. For additional inspiration, check out our NaNoWriMo book display on the second floor at the Sandpoint Branch Library.

Friends don’t let friends NaNoWriMo alone. Join us this Tuesday for some fun and encouragement to just keep writing.

The following classes and events take place at the East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar St. unless otherwise indicated.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — Teen Role Playing Games, 3-5 p.m., Room 102. Teens play Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and other RPGs. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Fridays — M.A.C. (Manga/Anime Club) for Teens, 3-5 p.m., Room 102. Celebrate fandom at The Library. Read, write, and watch your favorite manga and anime with other enthusiasts. Information, 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays in November ­— Visual Communication Skills and American Sign Language. 10:30 a.m. in the VR Room. Open your eyes for a hands-on workout in communication skills. Welcome anyone struggling with hearing loss or anyone interested in learning about American Sign Language and the visual culture of the deaf community. Open to new students until third class. Registration required. Information: Susan Schaller, susan.schaller@gmail.com.

- Saturday, Nov. 16 — Concert: Brad Keeler, 2 p.m. in the Community Room. Brad Keeler is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, composer, and interpreter of vintage music. For this concert, he will be presenting music from the Great Depression, including folk music, country music, blues, as well as songs from Broadway and Hollywood. He will be playing six-string guitar, open-back banjo, tenor banjo, National Resophonic guitar, and harmonica. This is a free concert sponsored by The Library and Sandpoint Friends of the Library. Information: 208-265-2665.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, Nov. 18 — open play with marbles, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Karen’s Room. This is a drop-in STEM-inspired “What can you build?” challenge. Younger children should have a parent present. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. in Karen’s Room. 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.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., in Karen’s Room. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Youth under 10 years old must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays in November — NanoWriMo Write-In, 3-7 p.m. in the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation Community Room A. NanoWriMo is a challenge for authors to write 50,000 words during the month of November. The Library is holding weekly write-ins for fellow writers to gather and support each other in their NanoWriMo quest. All ages and abilities welcomed. The goal is to write as many words as possible to develop your story — this is not an editing session. This is not a workshop or critique session. Coffee and caloric fuel provided by The Library. Facilitated by the Sandpoint Chapter of the Idaho Writers League. More information: Mike Bauer, 208-265-2665.

- Tuesday, Nov. 19 —Teen Book Club, “Everything Grows” by Aimee Herman, 3 p.m. in the YA Reading Area.

- Tuesday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Nov. 21 — clock making class, 3:30 p.m. in Karen’s Room. Come paint or decoupage a canvass and turn it into a clock. Very limited space for fourth through sixth graders. Registration required. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1212; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Mother Goose, 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library; stories, rhymes, and music for toddlers and their caregivers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Storytime, 11:30 a.m., Clark Fork branch library. Stories, music, and crafts geared to ages 3-8. All welcome. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesdays — Teen Lounge Passive Pop-Up Programs, 4 p.m. in the Rotary Teen Lounge. Teen-driven art, engineering, robots, and science projects and workshops. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Nov. 20 — Science Café: Understanding Alzheimer’s disease, 5:30 p.m. in the Innovia Foundation Community Room B. Our facilitator this month is Joel Loiacono, regional director, Alzheimer’s Association serving North Idaho and Eastern Washington. He will lead a discussion on recent research on the disease, symptom management, caregiving and other items the audience wants to discuss. This is an audience-driven discussion so bring your thoughts and questions! Information: Mike Bauer, 208-265-2665.

- Thursday, Nov. 21 — Teen Special Program Series, cardiac exploration, 4 p.m. in the Innovia Foundation Community Room B. Retired cardiologist Brad Huhta will show us how stints and catheters are placed in the heart. This class will be using actual stints and catheters and putting them into pig hearts. Graphic medical images and use of sharp implements will be used. May not be suitable for all students. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org. Register on Eventbrite at ebonnerlibrary.org on the listing in the Events calendar.

- Saturday, Nov. 23 — VR Day, group reservations; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sign up a group of two to five people to play “Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes” and exciting multiplayer game where players assist each other in disarming a virtual bomb! Registrations times are on the hour until 4 p.m. Pre-register your group at 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

- Now through Sunday, Dec. 1 — Clark Fork Autumn Reading Program — for all ages. Read between Sept. 1 and Dec. 1 and record the name of each book, full magazine, or book on tape with the author’s name. For each completed item, earn a library bidding dollar for use in the Holiday Silent Auction held on Dec. 6 and 7. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Winter Reading Challenge — Register at ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org for the first of three winter reading challenges. Our first one is a Holiday Challenge, from Nov. 4 through Dec. 13. Read and complete holiday-related activities to earn books and drawing entries. Drawing prizes include robots, knitting looms, and legos. Separate January and February Challenges will follow in the new year. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Teen Winter Reading Challenge — Runs Nov 1 - Feb 29. Fun new format and great prizes. Visit ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org for more information and to register. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Rotary Teen Lounge — Open to seventh-12th graders from any school/homeschool; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 2-6 p.m., and Fridays, 2-5 p.m. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org, or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Over the River & Through the Woods” by Linda Ashman at Dover City Park and “Time to Sleep” by Denise Fleming 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 Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

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