Donna Lasko Presents: National Novel Writing Month Challenge

Are you writing a novel? Do you want to write a novel? Are you willing to take a challenge to finish a novel? Then join Donna as she guides us through the preparation to take the challenge of National Novel Writing Month held in November of each year. The challenge is to write 50,000 words in one month. Sound unachievable? Thousands have gone on to publish a novel after completing the challenge. If 50,000 words sounds intimidating, think of writing six or seven pages a day. While completing 50,000 words may not be a typical 300 page novel (75,000 words), it does meet the requirements for a novella or Harlequin romance. Donna recommends that you read NO PLOT-NO PROBLEM by Chris Baty prior to the meetup. Following Donna's presentation we will proceed to critique groups. KSFW WRITERS CRITIQUE PROCEDURE Making your work better and saleable is the ultimate goal, so check your ego at the door. You can bring an article, essay, memoir, poem, website blog, novel chapter, short story, query letter, or book proposal. Bring about 5 numbered, typed double –spaced pages for fiction and enough copies for members to mark up. Obviously, poems won’t require that many pages. You will briefly explain the nature and purpose of the manuscript or poem. Don’t apologize. The readers know this is a draft or you wouldn’t need a critique. You may read the manuscript aloud to the group or have someone else read it for you. While the manuscript is read, the group follows along and begins to mark up your manuscript. A maximum of 10 writers and two hours equals 12 minutes per person to read and receive feedback.We will break into smaller groups to give more time or if attendance is greater. While the group may not be your ideal readers, you can get an immediate impression of your work.