Some people challenge themselves to climb a mountain or run a marathon. The challenge for writers is to complete a novel. For them, there is a NaNoWriMo.

That’s the acronym for the National Novel Writing Month sponsored each November since 1999 by California nonprofit, the Office of Letters and Light. During NaNoWriMo, people all over the world challenge themselves to write a novel of 50,000 words or more. Hundreds of published novels have begun as a first draft during the November event.

It’s easy to join. Writers just need to pick up a pen or sit in front of the computer and start writing. This year, the Boothbay Region will have its own volunteer liaison, author Elisa Lorello. Lorello will host a series of workshops at Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. throughout November to help coach those wishing to participate in the monthlong event.

As described on its website, NaNoWriMo is “One part writing boot camp, one part rollicking party... encouraging creativity, education, and the power of the imagination through the largest writing event in the world.” This year, 400,000 people on six continents are expected to begin a 50,000-word novel. The event also includes a young writers program which last year provided writing support to 9,000 classrooms worldwide.

Lorello hopes to create a local community of people writing throughout the month. She will offer coaching and cheerleading. Writers don’t have to share their work with others and Lorello will be working on her next novel along with them during November.

“Just get your story down on the page in any way that works,” she answered when asked how to begin. “Don’t worry about whether it’s good or bad, first drafts are always terrible.” She will help participants understand the process and set goals for the month.

Her advice comes from experience as an author (two of her novels were written during past NaNoWriMos), as an academic instructor and from volunteering during past NaNoWriMos. She plans to have a December followup workshop for the writers to advise them on “What happens next and the use of social media.”

Lorello and her husband Craig Lancaster moved to Boothbay in June from Billings, Montana. They are seasoned authors: Lorello has published 12 books, Lancaster five, and the couple has co-authored a novel “You, Me, & Mr. Blue Sky” which will debut in January 2019. Lancaster is also a news contributor for the Boothbay Register.

Lorello acknowledged, writing 50,000 words in one month is a big commitment, but she encourages budding novelists to join. The NaNoWriMo website at https://nanowrimo.org/how-it-works has information for those wishing to register and Lorello offers more information and the chance to subscribe to her group at  http://www.elisalorello.com/for-writers.html