National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by Midnight on November 30. Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. Take risks and write on the fly.

Join us for the kick-off and meet weekly during the month of November as part of a writing support group. We will provide free writing workshops, a coach for one meeting and highlight library resources for writers. In 2007, over 100,000 people took part in NaNoWriMo. Isn’t it time you finally wrote that novel?
National Novel Writing Month Booklist

Write-In Sites

Join other writers as they struggle to get those pages done. Bring your own treats, we DO allow food in the library!

Issaquah Library, Thursday, October 30, November 6, 13 and 20, 3–6pm
Covington Library, Thursday, October 30, November 6, 13 and 20, 7-9pm
Fairwood Library, Saturday, November 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2pm
North Bend Library, Saturday, November 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 11am–1pm
Mercer Island Library, Sunday, November 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 1–5pm
Richmond Beach Library, Tuesday, November 4, 18 and 25, 1:30-3:30pm
Bothell Regional Library, Wednesday, November 5, 12, 19 and 26, 3:30–5pm
Valley View Library, Thursday, November 6, 13 and 20, 7–8:30pm
Lake Hills Library, Friday, November 7, 14, 21 and 28, 3:30-5:30pm

More information about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Wrting Month)

Free Writing Workshops

Join us for writing tips and ideas from accomplished, seasoned and published authors.

Writing a Novel: How to Get Started and Keep Going
Saturday, November 1, 10am-Noon
Richmond Beach Library
Presented by Kelly Jones and Brenna Shanks
Ages 8 and older welcome
Have you always wanted to write a novel? Join a novelist and one of KCLS’s selection librarians as they talk about practical concerns, creative strategies and how to stay in your chair long enough to get those words down. Bring your questions!

Writing with Your Head Down
Saturday, November 1, 11am
North Bend Library
Presented by Deborah Schneider
Discover tips and tricks from a published author to write faster, easier and better. Learn to kick-start your Muse, turn off your internal editor and find your core story.
This fast-paced, multi-media presentation will have you clicking away at the keyboard, eager to get your story on paper.

A Place on the Keeper Shelf: How to Layer and Self-Edit for Emotional Structure
Saturday, November 1, 2pm
Fairwood Library
Presented by Jodi Henley
Learn some helpful editing tips from a line editor for the Wild Rose Press. Is your story good, but not great? Is something missing? This workshop will take participants through "double" plot layers, self-editing, practical structure, and in the process, make their story "one for the keeper shelf."

Techniques to Bring Your Novel Writing to Life
Sunday, November 2, 1-5pm
Mercer Island Library
Presented by Robert Dugoni
Kick off NaNoWriMo with New York Times Bestselling Author and acclaimed teacher, Robert Dugoni. Learn how toemploy time-tested techniques of best-selling authors to improve your novel writing. This workshop will focus on catching and holding the reader's attention in the first three pages while avoiding common mistakes, taking ordinary characters and making them memorable, and learning how to create and sustain tension, the keys to keeping readers turning the page. The class will include a handout and is designed for both beginning writers and writers who have already completed a manuscript and are looking for techniques to make it better. Students are encouraged to bring the first three pages of their work for in-class use and gentle critique.
Registration required.

Building a Roadmap to Get You Writing
Thursday, November 6, 7pm, Covington Library
Thursday, November 13, 7-8:30pm, Valley View Library
Presented by Elizabeth Boyle
Learn simple techniques to build your story idea into a novel from this award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of historical romance. Tips on plotting, character development, and brainstorming past the writing roadblocks will keep your writing moving right along through NaNoMo. More books by Elizabeth Boyle

Write a Novel in a Month
Saturday, November 8, 11am-12:30pm
Bothell Regional Library
Presented by Mindy Hardwick
Congratulations! You have decided to write a novel in a month! Join us to learn some motivational techniques from a successful children’s writer. Keep the momentum going as you build up your word count each week.

Writing Tips for the Scaredy Cat
Friday, November 14, 3:30pm
Lake Hills Library
Presented by Yasmine Galenorn
Is your computer screen a blank page, taunting you to fill it with words? Do you stare at the chair, wanting to write but just not knowing how to get yourself motivated? Your fingers are on the keyboard but you can’t shake the editor on your shoulder? USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn offers hints and tips on how to keep motivated when fear, time-sucking activities and the editor-within are all interfering with your writing. More books by Yasmine Galenorn.

SnoValley Writers Work Group
Sunday, November 2 and 16, 3–5pm
North Bend Library
Adults only please
Join other local writers for exercises, critique and lessons on voice, plot and point of view. Contact snovalleywrites@gmail.com for assignment prior to coming to class.

NaNoWriMo Survival Celebration
Monday, December 1, 4-6pm
Richmond Beach Library
Authors of all ages are invited to celebrate the end of National Novel Writing Month! 
Successes large and small will be rewarded. Refreshments will be served to everyone who attempted to meet the NaNoWriMo goal of writing 50,000 words in a single month.  

Programs for Teens

Lake Forest Park Library Teen Writers' Group
Lake Forest Park Library
Tuesday, October 21, 4-5pm
Explore and develop your creative abilities using a variety of short writing exercises in a supportive group environment. 

North Bend Teen Writers Group
Tuesday, November 18, 3–4:30pm

North Bend Library
Grades 6 through 12
Are you creating your own novel, play, poetry or a comic book? Want to learn how to improve your writing? Come ready to write, share and get feedback to improve your work. We will do various exercises, play games and learn new writing techniques.

Sammamish Teen Creative Writers Group
Tuesday, November 18, 3:30–4:30pm
Sammamish Library
Grades 6 through 12
Share your work with other teen writers. Read it aloud if you want to, or bring copies to get written feedback. This is not a class-we will not be doing writing exercises. The Teen Creative Writers’ Group is a place for like-minded teens to meet, share their stories and poetry, and talk about writing, while munching snacks.

Bothell Teen Writing Workshop
Thursday, November 20, 3:30pm
Bothell Regional Library
Teens in junior high and high school
It doesn't matter whether you are working on a novel, prefer poetry, or songwriting is your thing! Join us to write, try new ideas, explore fun writing games and techniques, share your work and have fun!