Writers on campus are channeling their energy into National Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, in a bid to write a 50,000 word long novel by Nov. 30.
Inkspot Creative Writing club has extended their Wednesday meetings from 5-9 p.m. in the Alkek teaching theater to also include Saturday afternoons from 12-4 p.m. It works in conjunction with the significance of National Writing Month as a way to accommodate the heavier workload. The meetings act as a way to socialize the normally isolated activity of writing.
Cassidy Lapierre, English senior, has been president of the Creative Writing Club since 2016. She said both the club and National Writing Month are open to anyone who likes to write, not just English majors.
“Our main goal is to make a community of writers, since it’s such a solitary activity,” Lapierre said. “We love to read each others works and be each others biggest fans.”
Even though November is focused on novel writing, members are still free to work on whatever they want. Lapierre is writing a screenplay as opposed to a regular novel this month because she loves the dialogue.
“Even if you aren’t going for (the novel writing) goal, this is a great month to work on any project you need,” Lapierre said.
The meetings are a time to be as productive as possible. Members participate in “Writing Sprints,” where they spend 15 minutes writing followed by five minutes of discussion about what they wrote.
Lila Ramos, English junior, said it is her second year participating in NaNoWriMo. The supportive environment is what encouraged her to take part again this year.
“Having that dedicated time to just sit down and write makes a world of difference,” Ramos said. “It’s really nice to be able to talk to someone instead of being holed up in your room. It’s really encouraging.”
Khalia Frasier, pre-vet senior and president of the Novel Writers club, said that they are focused on giving people a quiet, stress-free space to work on writing their 50,000 words.
“We give people a break from the stress of trying to get so many words written while also balancing school, work and all other aspects of life,” Frasier said.
Frasier said using National Writing Month’s website, along with with the club’s writing time can be a stress reliever.
“(The website) gives you a way to connect with people all around the world that are on the same path as you and working on the same project,” Frasier said.
Novel writers at Texas State and the Creative Writing Club will be hosting a NaNoWriMo party on Monday, Nov. 26, from 6-9 p.m. in LBJ 3-14.1 to close out the month, as well as their hard work. There will be food, games, door prizes and writing; tickets are $10 pre-sale and $15 at the door. Anyone with an interest in writing is encouraged and welcome to attend.