Today we welcome Danny Coleman as our guest blogger. Danny is an accomplished journalist and radio personality. Last month, he was invited to his first NaNoWriMo write-in. As many NaNoWriMo participants review their accomplishments and ponder next steps, we hope this post will re-ignite your passion to edit and publish.
November is National Novel Writers Month, more commonly known
as “NaNoWriMo.” When first heard, the anagram possibly sounds like language
from a strange planet, or perhaps more like a line spoken by Robin Williams in
the old “Mork and Mindy” television series; rest assured it is neither.
According to its own web site, “NaNoWriMo is a fun
seat-of-your pants approach to creative writing.” Every year, beginning on November 1 and running thru November 30, people
from all walks of life and professions are encouraged to take on the challenge
of writing a 50,000 word novel over the course of those thirty days. Skilled,
unskilled, amateur or professional writers are all welcome to “hunker down” and
push themselves towards the finish line in this truly unique literary
experience.
The Central New Jersey “WriMos” are one of five “NaNoWriMo”
regions and are led by Bridgewater resident Bill Patterson and Richenda Gould
of Plainsboro; two very enthusiastic writers in their own right and known as
the Municipal Liaisons. From their vantage point at the Hopewell Branch of the
Mercer County Library in Pennington, the duo sits amongst their fellow writers
and would be novelists, urging them on through various activities like “write-
ins” and “word wars.” “You wouldn’t think it because we’re in a library but
this really is like a social event,” said Gould.
On this particular day, there were ten participants, a tad
higher than the seven to eight that has so far been the daily average.
Patterson, a married father of two boys, was the focus of the day’s event as he
was the self-imposed “Monkey in the Box.” Putting in an eight hour shift with
one fifteen minute break per hour, Patterson accepted the task of writing
10,000 words during that time frame. “I’m averaging about 1,400 per hour,” he
said. “The only difference is that I’m writing and all of my words are being
projected on a big screen so that everybody can read them, hence, I am the
Monkey in the Box. I am under a microscope; it’s a challenge but fun.” “Yes
it’s a true public forum,” chimed in Gould. “His written words projected on the
big screen for all the people to see, we hope it’s inspiring.” I was afforded
the opportunity to participate in an hourly guessing game; guess the total
number of words that Patterson will write during the current hour and get to
name a character in one of his novels. I came within a hundred words but was
bested by another in attendance.
The clicking sound of furious fingers tapping away on laptops
was quietly deafening as each would be author applied generous amounts of
pressure to themselves to reach their word goal. Pennington resident Shelley
Seymour, a married mother of two daughters, real estate referral agent, blogger
and self-published author has written five previous novels and got her start
because of “NaNoWriMo.” “I’m from Canada,” said Shelley. “I was educated
through the graduate level in English Literature from Ottawa Canada where I
took creative writing, this event, “NaNoWriMo” got me into this. I’ve now got
my own publishing company and I’ve done it pretty much on my own. I figured a
literary agent, even with a good one, major publishing companies only accept
one out of every twelve hundred to two thousand books; I’ve published five on
my own and I got started at an event like this.”
Sarah Sensenig, 29, a married vocal music teacher and like
Seymour, a Pennington resident, has only begun writing in the last three
months. Sarah is penning a “Dystopian Sci-Fi Romance” because it’s her favorite
genre. “My husband is a music teacher at Pennington School; I graduated from
Princeton’s Westminster Choir College and my mom was a writer, she wrote a book
when I was in third grade and she used to make me read all the time. I never
minded because I love to read, I did then and still do now. I started writing
for fun and I got hooked. I’ve attended a writing workshop here at the library
and decided to come back for “NaNoWriMo.” This is a great thing, I’m glad that
I’m doing it.”
Former journalist and Hopewell Township resident Susan
Swords, a married mother of one daughter and currently employed by the State of
New Jersey was attending her first “NaNo.” “I’ve been writing creatively for
about four or five years now, my first job was that of a newspaper reporter,
quite a difference in styles. In my journalism days I had to rely on facts and
relaying things accurately; as a novelist I can just let it flow. The
difference is that I can embellish my work now, I’m not held to the facts.”
Swords is writing a “Sci-Fi novel about a girl’s journey, who during its
course, keeps getting randomly transported in time without warning,” a “Kind of
scary but good undertaking.” “I wrote 3,500 words today but to look at a blank
screen, knowing you have a word quota, can be intimidating. I am enjoying every
bit of this; I can get something done that I never thought that I’d be able to
do and the program gives you tons of support.”
Librarian Ross Holley, 22, participated in “NaNo” in high
school and enjoys seeing the writers come and go. “I’ve been a librarian for
the last seven years and I’m currently in Grad School, so my time is limited
but if it wasn’t, I’d be right with them. I love seeing it drive extra traffic
to the library, love the write-ins; it’s always good to have something going on
here.”
According to Patterson, he has big plans for the Central New
Jersey Region “WriMos,” “I registered for my first “NaNo” in 2007. During the
registration process an entire plot, seemingly all 50,000 words came to me, I
thought, I can do this. From there I became more involved and eventually
thought, why not? I became the Municipal Liaison for Central Jersey Region and
when I teamed up with Shen it just got better. I want to have a “Write All
Night” where we get going around 6 p.m. and
finish at 6 a.m. I
want a large venue where we can have a huge group of writers take part. I want
this in addition to the smaller library sessions. That’s my job, I dream big
and Shen makes it happen!”
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer
from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program called “Rock On
Radio,” which airs Sunday evenings at 10 p.m. EST, on it he features
indie/original bands, solo and unsigned artists and entertainers in a
laid-back atmosphere. There are live performances, interviews, phone calls
and interactive chat rooms as well. He has been a guest on many radio and
television programs. You can find Danny, his radio show and his writings at the
links below and his weekly print column can be found in The Trentonian newspaper:
