14 | The Writer • November 2019
19991999
2000
2001
2002
Chris Baty decided he
wanted to write a
novel and estimated
that the most slender
novels on his book-
shelf – think The Great
Gatsby – are approximately 50,
words. He challenged 20 friends to
write a novel with him that July, and
they gathered together in coffee-
shops each night to write together.“After the noveling ended on August 1,
my sense of what was possible for
myself, and those around me, was for-
ever changed. If my friends and I could
write passable novels in a month, I
knew anyone could do it.” —Chris BatyNaNoWriMo’s original 21 participants swelled to
140 participants who learn this simple groundbreak-
ing formula: a goal + a deadline = a creative mid-
wife. They also decided to write in November, not
July, causing thousands of people to ask over the
years, “Why November?” (And there’s no one real
answer. But if you can write a novel in November,
you can write a novel in any month of the year.)“A deadline is, simply put, optimism in its most
kick-ass form. It’s a potent force that, when
wielded with respect, will level any obstacle in its
path. This is especially true when it comes to cre-
ative pursuits.” —Chris BatyIn year three, participation exceeded the
expected 150 participants: After creat-
ing a rudimentary website, 5,000 peo-
ple volunteered to participate – and a
novel-writing phenomenon was born“In its third year, NaNoWriMo had
become a new kind of writing group,
one where it was OK to laugh at your-
self and, more importantly, laugh at your
shortcomings as a writer. With every-
one aiming for completion rather than
perfection, energy levels soared to new
heights.” —Chris BatyNaNoWriMo created the position of
“Municipal Liaison,” the title for the vol-
unteer NaNoWriMo chapter-heads in
towns across the nation – and beyond.
Municipal Liaisons, with their dedica-
tion, their smarts, and their tough-love
tactics, help thousands of participants
by hosting in-person writing gatherings
in their communities.
Today, nearly 1,000 municipal liai-
sons organize writing events in loca-
tions around the world.“What’s nice about NaNoWriMo
is that you are traveling with a
posse of thousands, all of you
making your way over the
mountains, through the valleys,
across the creeks. You are
fighting off the beasties.”
—Maureen JohnsonNaNoWriMo^ logo:Imagecourtesyof^National^ Novel^ Writing^ Month.