Two years ago, I learned about Nanowrimo. I had wanted to try novel writing and had all kinds of story ideas in my head, but no concrete plan on how to write it all down. Nanowrimo provided the exact format I needed: just write - every day- and see if you can reach the goal of 50,000 words. I now have one novel under my belt and am searching for an agent, and a second novel in progress.
During the month of November, the Office of Letters and Light has a team of "cheerleaders" who encourage all the participants in Nanorwrimo. Their pep and positive attitude sure encouraged me to keep striving toward that finish line of 50,000 words.
Review from Guidestar
This last november I participated in one of their writing programs, and it was so much fun! they were there periodically giving me tips and boosts of confidence to keep on going until i reached my goal! it a great organization!
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in NaNoWriMo, sponsored by the Office of Letters and Light, for four years. It's just what I needed to motivate me to write regularly and to improve my writing skills. Thanks to NaNo, I've met writer friends, joined local groups, completed novels, and sold several magazine stories and poems. I look forward to November every year, and hope to continue to participate for years to come.
Review from Guidestar
I am thankful to The Office of Letters and Light for their service to help encourage and challenge me through the process of writing a 50,000 word first draft of a novel in 30 days. It is impressive to me the amount of support they were able to give through the organization.
Review from Guidestar
When I first heard of NaNoWriMo, I thought, what a wonderful idea it was. And then I participated, and realized that the structuring of Nano, helped me actually sit down and write more than just a dab here and there, but encouraged me to write not only during November, but to continue to write after November came to a close. It put me in touch with others who all helped encourage each other to write.
Review from Guidestar
This was my second year with NaNoWriMo, and I greatly enjoyed the fast pace and the encouragement brought about by the members who participated. It was a fun experience and I will be participating again this year.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light (OLL) host NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) every November. A fledgling novelist, my first title took me 7 years to write. The month-long NaNoWriMo event challenged me to write a 50,000-word novel in one month.
To my amazement, I completed this challenge by the deadline. I am now editing this 56,000-word novel that I will publish next month. Without the Office of Letters and Light and its NaNoWriMo contest, I never would have pushed myself nor believed in my ability to write a novel in only one month. Now, I'm writing one novel every quarter. I have the Office of Letters and Light to thank for my new career.
I was impressed that, throughout the contest, OLL staff and prominent authors wrote encouraging e-mails - challenging participants to achieve daily and weekly goals. Though a self-motivated contest, the cheerleading and enthusiasm was helpful.
I was surprised to see how linked together all the regional centers were. It was extremely easy to register, get started, and maintain a presence within the OLL's contest network. They hosted several writing sessions at physical locations near me during the contest. It was all quite helpful.
I strongly urge you to support the OLL. It is doing terrific things for writing communities around the world.
I am willing to answer any related e-mail inquiries. My e-mail address is: l.c_cooper@hotmail.com
With kind regards,
LC Cooper
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in National Novel Writing Month for four years now, and it has always been a wonderful experience. (And I finished each time!) I would never have thought I could write so much so quickly, and just get so much done. It's easy to put things off, or just never get started at all. And having to start a new story is great, as it gets me exploring something new, and it's amazing where it can go by the end of the month.
The Office of Letters and Light has been a great motivator to write. The regular emails are inspiring, and the boards are a great place to meet other writers for encouragement, suggestions, critiquing and feedback.
My daughter has participated in Script Frenzy. She's only in middle school, so she didn't write a full length script. But she fell in love with writing, and now, almost a year later, she's still at it. She takes writing materials wherever she goes. Whatever she decides to do, these writing skills can only serve her well.
Review from Guidestar
Through NaNoWriMo , The Office of Letters and Light encouraged me to attempt and achieve the" impossible;" to begin AND COMPLETE a 50,000 words manuscript in one month. They encouraged, cajoled, shared, and exhorted until the very last minute What they gave me was the gift of confidence and added a whole new dimension to my creativity. This was an epic adventure that I fully intend to attempt again.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light programs have provided me with so much insight into my own abilities and writing styles. The enthusiasm and participation from everyone has helped to encourage me to go for a dream I've had since I was a little girl. The advice is unmeasurable. I have participated for two years now and am looking forward to many more.
Review from Guidestar
This is absolutely one of the most amazing things I have ever done. That may sound dramatic, especially to people who don't enjoy writing. But National Novel Writing Month gave me the motivation and courage to achieve a dream of mine. I've already participated for the two years that I've been aware of this organization, and I can't imagine not continuing every November.
Review from Guidestar
This organization has been enormously influential in helping to encourage people to write - and therefore, read. Literacy and creativity are undernourished in today's fast-paced, technological world. Kudos to the Office of Letters and Light for keeping both the creative and competitive spirit alive!
Review from Guidestar
I am forever grateful for The Office Of Letters and Light NANOWRIMO. Without it, I would never have realized that I could indeed write a novel in 30 days. It was possible. It didn't take me years to write. It was one month. And I've done it twice. I take my writing much more seriously now. The support is wonderful, the ability to compete and inspire are fulfilling. I just love them, not a little, but a lot.
Review from Guidestar
I have wanted to write fiction since I was a teenager. One of my friends suggested that we participate in the 2010 Nanowrimo. I agreed, because sometimes it is easier to agree than to say no. I wasn't expecting much, but in the end, it was a truly enlightening experience.
That being said, I think the most worthwhile thing is the young writer's venue offered by the Office of Letters and Light (OLL). If they find the experience even half as worthwhile as I did, then OLL will have contributed to the development of many young authors.
Review from Guidestar
Nanowrimo helped me to discipline myself to finally write the novel I had been thinking about for awhile and kept telling myself I would write one day. Well, November proved to be the thirty days it took to write it. It was very helpful to have a deadline. I liked the neat award certificate, too!
Review from Guidestar
This was my first year with NaNoWriMo. I am so glad that I was able to write the first draft of my story and I know I wouldn't have been able to do it without NaNoWriMo. It's an amazing program and it was great to be able to participate in it.
Review from Guidestar
My experience with the Office of Letters and Light comes from my participation in their annual writing project, National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. 2010 was my first year of participation, and I have every intention of doing it again when November 2011 rolls around, as the experience helped me in a lot of ways. As a writer, I have found many obstacles standing between me and completed novels: lack of determination, lack of ideas, writer's block, and a whole laundry list of other issue that only writers can truly understand. NaNoWriMo helped me address each and every one of these issues. The NaNoWriMo approach to writing continues to influence my writing to this day. It has improved my confidence tremendously - I say to myself, 'If I can do this in a month, imagine what I could do in a year!' Since NaNoWriMo, my productivity in writing has been at an all time high, and I truly believe I have NaNoWriMo to thank for it. The experience made me take a good long look at my writing, it taught me valuable time management techniques, it taught me to avoid procrastination, and most of all, it was just plain FUN.
Review from Guidestar
I heard about NaNoWriMo on the internet and was excited when I checked it out. They said I could write a novel in a month and I decided to give it a try. It was lots of fun and I did in fact write a novel--I won! It was exciting, discouraging, and a lot of work, but NaNoWriMo helped me keep at it when I got discouraged by interacting with other people who had the same problems and reading the hints supplied by the group.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is a truly amazing nonprofit organization. Without the help of National Novel Writing Month, Script Frenzy, and the Young Writer's Program, writers everywhere would be floundering in their own self-doubt and fear of starting a project. The members of this organization truly understand the needs and desires of writers, and they reach out to non-writers everywhere as well, encouraging a wiser, more united world by allowing people to access and utilize their creativity.
NaNoWriMo helps writers of all ages, different levels of experience and all shapes and sizes. It gets us writing and, after all, that's what we're here for!
Review from Guidestar
I've participated in several National Novel Writing Months and one Script Frenzy put on by the Office of Letters and Light. What a fantastic challenge! The story behind this organization is an inspiration in itself, but that is far from where the inspiration ended. With the annual Nanowrimo events, the Young Writers programs, and Script Frenzy the OLL is opening doors and expanding the horizons of so many people who would have otherwise been in the dark when it came to such wonders as speed writing.
Review from Guidestar
I found out about Nanowrimo from a couple of my friends, and decided to try it last Nov'10 as part of the "Finish-the-da**-book" resolution I have had for 3 years. Nanowrimo really benefited me in pushing along this goal. No only was there the pressure to write no matter what, it was also really helpful to have received good advice along the way from fellow Nanowrimo-ers suffering the same struggle. To top it off, I actually managed to finish the book! I'm now in the dreaded phases of editing, and I have Nanowrimo to thank for helping me to do it.
Review from Guidestar
I did NaNoWriMo this year for the first time, and it was amazing. I loved it! This organization is so great for aspiring writers because it lets you throw away your internal editor, your inhibitions, your fears and lets you just write with encouragement and a huge community of others who have gone through exactly what you did that month. It was a commitment, sure, but it was a good commitment. HIghly recommend all writers to do this! It was so much fun!
Review from Guidestar
It was with the help of the Office of Letters and Light, through their NaNoWriMo program, that I wrote my first novel. I could never have got as far as I did without the friendly community they nurture or the encouraging pep talks every so often. I am very grateful to them for their help.
Review from Guidestar
This was my first year participating in NaNoWriMo and the opportunity The Office of Letters and Light provided was fantastic. Thanks to them I have a first draft of a novel - as do thousands of other participants. The kindling they provide for worldwide creative endeavors is consumed by the passion of the folks they serve. Thousands of people spent last November writing and becoming better communicators. And it was all free - what an amazing service this organization provides.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is providing inspiration and support for aspiring writers everywhere. I have participated in National Novel Writing Month since 2004 and completed the 50,000 words each of those 7 years. Writing is a solitary occupation and support is not always easy to find. The OLL programs not only provide inspiration and support directly to participants but have also set up forums where users can interact and give support, advice, and constructive criticism to each other. In 2010 my 9 year old son joined me as a participant in the Young Writers Program. He reached his writing goals as well. OLL programs are great for teaching writing, and inspiring and supporting writers.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo has done a lot for me. And I'm sure that is has done this for a lot of other people, too. Whenever I would write, I would keep all of my ideas cooped up inside and only write a sentence after, like, an hour of sitting in front of my computer. Now NaNoWriMo has broken down that barrier, and I can write freely with ease. And I can't wait to go back next year ^.^
Review from Guidestar
OLL has been a great assistance to me for two years now with their sponsorship of the NaNoWriMo writing contest. Having them there to tie everyone together is a wonderful help in keeping the motivation necessary for writing in mind.
Review from Guidestar
I stumbled across OLL before the start of the 2009 Nano year. Because of OLL I have successfully completed two novels and have been able to confidently approach publishers for representation. The OLL is a great support to people throughout the entire Nano challenge and throughout the rest of the year by keeping the forums running so that us Nanoers can discuss and recieve help for our 'out of season' writing projects. OLL helps promote literacy and should have the full backing of any pro-literacy group.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo '10 was my first NaNoWriMo and I'll always remember it! I managed to complete my first novel, something I've been meaning to do for as long as I could remember. Just the other day someone reminded me about being a great author and I was able to tell them "Well, I might just be now that my novel's ready for print". Yep, through The Office of Letters and Light's great incentives (Free Proof copy with CreateSpace), I'll have proof of my victory and I was introduced to a great oppertunity to publish my book.
As an aspiring writer, it can often be difficult to simply sit down and write. I have participated in NaNoWriMo for the last two years and I intend to continue as long as possible. It's the kick in the pants a procrastinator needs and offers all writers guides, forums, links to helpful resources, and a great sense of community.
Without such a supportive program that involves writers from all over the world to chat, word war, get advice, share experiences, and of course vent frustrations, it is highly unlikely that I would have finished 50k words of two novels and continue working on and editing them in hopes of marketing them.
Getting published is my dream, and NaNo (and therefore the OLL) is helping give me the tools to do so. It's become a goal rather than an unreachable dream. I cannot speak highly enough of this program; it has helped me immeasurably. I have come to look forward to November with a mingled sense of dread and anticipation, but always know that the ride is worth every second.
Review from Guidestar
I have always wanted to be a writer. I've loved to write for what feels like forever. Since I knew how to pronounce the word, "author" was the answer to the inevitable adult question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I wrote short stories, poems; I even started a newspaper for my family members and friends.
But a novel? That was just WAY too terrifying. I tried my hand at it once, at the tender age of 12, and never ended up finishing it. But a few years later, I was reading an online friend's blog when I came across the term "NaNoWriMo". I was immediately curious as to what it was - anything writing related is a new opportunity in my eyes. When I went to the website, I found out that it was "National Novel Writing Month" - write 50,000 words in a month and you get a fancy certificate and a whole novel to work with. I was entranced. I studied the website for a few minutes and then signed myself up. After a tumultuous, busy November, I finished my novel at 50,0135 words.
That was three years ago, my first win of NaNoWriMo. Now I have three winners certificates hanging on my wall, three novels, and the ability to outline and write other things outside of the month of November and the structure of NaNoWriMo.
NaNoWriMo's parent organization is The Office of Letters and Light, and it is to them that I extend my thanks for teaching me that diving right in is the best way to go about anything. Editing my fourth novel currently, I just might get that dream of being an author someday, thanks to OLL.
Review from Guidestar
I am both a client and a donor of the OffIce of Letters and Light.
They started off as a small group of friends who decided to write a novel. They set aside one month and set themselves a deadline to write 50,000 words. Eventually their small group grew, and now thousands of people join NANOWRIMO every november.
The Office of Letters and Light provides assistance to people who dream of becoming authors. Their website hosts many helpful forums for writers to exchange ideas. But they do more than just that.
They founded the young writers program which helps to foster a love of writing in young teens. Along with that, they also conduct a book drive every November to help spread a love of reading as well.
Review from Guidestar
We are most creative when we have a structure to work within. And accountability. I did NaNoWriMo for the first time last year and was amazed at what I could accomplish when I silenced (repeatedly and often loudly) my inner editor and just wrote. The support and encouragement from the NaNo folks and Office of Letters and Light was invaluable - and the tools they provide were also very helpful. After a month break, I picked up my novel and started to read through it, and realized I actually have the beginnings of something here. What an amazing experience!
Review from Guidestar
Who in the world could encourage me to write 50,000 words in one month? The Office of Letters and Light did. Through encouragement, ideas, and organized meetings, I've written three novels.
I loved using their website and interacting with everyone on line.
I hope to have one published in the near future and I would be no where that without OLL!
Review from Guidestar
I love National Novel Writing Month. I have participated and donated for the last seven years. I encourage everyone I know to try it, because even if you don't "win" by completing your word count, you still win by seeing how much you can accomplish if you just set your mind to it. I even published one of my novels written in November with a professional publishing house, which was a dream come true.
What Nanowrimo and the Office of Letters and Light do is build dreams. They help everyday people set goals and do something they could never do otherwise. And through their work with young people, they get dreams of writing started. In this age where information is everything but illiteracy seems to be everywhere, this is huge for the young people they work with, and for society at large.
Review from Guidestar
I was skeptical of the NaNoWriMo "write-a-novel-in-thirty-days" pitch, but I had dreamed of writing a novel for so long that I just had to try. Through their pep talks, encouragement, and ability to encourage me not to take myself overly seriously, I gained confidence and completed the rough draft of my first novel.
That was in 2008, and that novel has since been self-published. I have completed two more writing sprints through National Novel Writing Month, and I look forward to taking part in NaNoWriMo every year. NaNoWriMo builds confidence, encourages people to live up to their dreams, and networks writing wannabes all over the country - and world.
I would recommend National Novel Writing Month to anyone who ever had a dream to write - even if they never wanted to be published. The experience has been invaluable to me in my growth as a person and as a writer.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light spearheads an annual competition (festival, more like) called the 'National Novel Writing Month', more often called 'NaNoWriMo'. It was a catalyst in my writing career, and helped me find a passion for writing that I had never known before. A 50,000-word novel in one month does sound daunting, and many do try and fail. However, once the immense task was completed, I felt different -- not just from the ache in my fingers, but also because I grew as a person, a writer, a scholar. Not only did the NaNoWriMo help me develop excellent writing skills, but it also aided me in finding a new passion, a new purpose in life. The novel that I had been planning to write for years -- but never got around to it, as most people don't -- was finally written. I will not hesitate to recommend this event to writers of all ages, from casual bloggers to professional writers.
Review from Guidestar
I was a first-time NaNo-er this November and the experience was great! I had never written so much in such a short time...or really at all.
I found out three weeks in that my brother was also participating, which was amazing. I hope that we both do it again this year.
Review from Guidestar
Nanowrimo has helped me write three novels so far. The Nanowrimo project is a worthwhile creative writing program to encourage writers of all levels, abilities and ages to create art. It promotes international cooperation between writers from all over the globe as they strive to meet their writing goal within this unique writing community.
Review from Guidestar
Last October I was challenged by a friend to participate in the NaNoWriMo event in November. I screwed up my courage and wrote a 50,000 word novel for the sheer joy of writing. In the throws of my creative excitement, I submitted some query letters for a novel I had already completed. Amazingly enough, I received a response three weeks ago from my query. I would not have had the commitment to submit a query, much less write an unedited book without the support of The Office of Letters and Light. Will I consider looking toward publishers for my novels? Yes. Will I participate in next year's NaNoWriMo? You had better believe it. A wonderful organization, a wonderful experience that gave me the faith to continue to write. I thank them.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in the Office of Letters and Light's free creative writing programs twice now, and each time, it has always left an impact on me. The first time, I realized that it was possible to write a 50,000 word monstrosity in a month. The second time I participated in National Novel Writing Month, I met more people who cheered me onto finish and are cheering me on now to try to get it published.
Knowing that I can write a novel of 50,000 words in a month has also encouraged me as I begin to work on my senior thesis. I have three months to write this, and it will be less than 50,000. I know I can do this!
OLL provides peptalks as new authors and old join in this high-velocity noveling creative process and every person I have met through this has been nothing but supportive.
Review from Guidestar
I began writing with this group 3 years ago, and have completed a novel every year (or at least the first 50,000 words). One book is being published next month, another within another few months, and the third is still under work. The Office of Light and Letters is just that: encouragement daily to keep wirting no matter what during the month and a light at the end of years or thinking about writing but not doing it. The experience for me of doing WriNoNaMo was truely life-changing, because with that first novel, I realized I had the words and the dedication to follow the dream I had had all these years. I credit them with the fact that I now call myself a writer to others. The work they do with youth is wonderful. The more young people who can experience the joy and confidence that comes from being successful at their writing will change their lives. I truely believe this. So, in essence, this NP needs and deserves help. I donate every year, but they can do greater things as the funding increases.
Review from Guidestar
I'm another one of those people who has always wanted to write a book, but is also a demanding self-critic and anxious about criticism from others. Maybe this means I'm not cut out to write a novel, but you know what? NaNoWriMo (a project of the Office of Letters and Light) gave me the opportunity to let all that go and feel confident that whatever I write is fine and deserves to be written.
"Silence your inner critic!" "Write with abandon!" NaNoWriMo encourages. I've won the challenge 7 of the 7 years I've participated and I've gained more confidence each year. I share my work with others now, see improvement in it, and have bragging rights to having written 7 50,000+ word novels!
With the support of the Office of Letters and Lights, NaNoWriMo has also introduced me to fellow writers from all over the world, people with the same dream, as well as to other writers in my neighborhood and city. I've grown leaps and bounds through these connections--my writing is better, and I have willing readers and critics, cheerleaders, and friends I might never have made before.
And, I've had the opportunity to take part in book drives and fundraising for special projects, like building libraries around the world.
But, perhaps most important to me, I've donated to programs that encourage young readers and writers, and I can't think of any more lasting legacy in this world than to instill the love of reading and writing in young people. If you can read you can do anything. You can learn anything. The world is yours.
Review from Guidestar
I've always called myself a "writer" but all that I had to prove that were a stack of unfinished short stories and a handful of bad poetry. Someone mentioned NaNoWriMo in passing and I was fascinated by the idea of writing 50,000 words in one month - maybe I could actually finishe something!
I took on the challenge, despite working two jobs and having a family to take care of. Sometimes it was insanely difficult to sit down and pound out 1,776 words for that day, sometimes I had to double up, and sometimes the words flowed so easily it was like my novel was writing itself. Through it all, the forums and all of the great people I met there, helped me through it. When I was discouraged, or stuck somewhere, or I just needed a name for my protaganist's pet, there were people there who were going through the same thing and who were ready and willing to help. I liked to think that maybe I helped a few people along the way as well.
I did it, I won NaNoWriMo. I didn't get a parade or a bunch of fancy prizes, but what I got was so much more. I got a work that far exceeds anything I have ever done before, even though it needs plenty of polishing. I got the hope that maybe I really was a writer. I got confidence and joy and so many things that I cannot even put into words.
I reccommend this to anyone who just wants to have a really great, really fun adventure in writing!
Review from Guidestar
I am an art teacher in a low income middle school. Many of my students struggle with Reading and Writing skills. For the past 4 years, my students have written, edited and published their own novels through the Young Writers Program. I have witnessed amazing transformations through this program. I have students that were disengaged and at risk for being retained or possibly dropping out, who discovered a love of writing, reading and learning through the process. Most importantly, my students build confidence in their ability to accomplish any goal and it translates into other areas of their lives. And every year, former students, now in high school, return to join our Novel Writing group.
The fact that it is a free program is amazing and essential. My school and my students could never afford to pay for the curriculum, free proof copy and awesome website. I am so thankful for the Office of Letters and Light and I have an army of students behind me that would say the same.
Review from Guidestar
The help I got from being a part of NaNoWriMo was mostly spiritual... in that it boosted my confidence as a writer to know I had written two complete novels. Writing has always been a huge part of my life, but now I have something to show for it, and I have ample bragging rights.
Review from Guidestar
I can't say enough good things about Nanowrimo, sponsored by The Office of Letters and Light.
I have participated in Nanowrimo for 6 years now and it has changed the way I approach almost everything. The approach to creativity encouraged by Nanowrimo, the idea that doing it without the expectation of perfection the first time round, has opened doors my own mind. Too often I, like many people do, would procrastinate. It had to be right even before I started. Nanowrimo taught me that if I wanted a novel, it had to be written. Otherwise it was only an avenue of creativity I had never wandered down. This road led me from the novels I wrote to other aspects of my life. I'm a do-er now, not a procrastinator. My mind has changed, and all for the better.
Review from Guidestar
Would I have published a novel without the encouragement of The Office of Letters and Light, via their NaNoWriMo program? Honestly, probably not. I started writing novel-length fiction as a teenager, but mostly set aside my creative writing after I got married and started raising a family. The rare efforts I made to continue my writing were unfocused and unproductive. I hesitated to try NaNoWriMo, feeling I could not possibly fit in the time necessary to win, but I have done it four times starting in 2006 and I have won each time.
More importantly, the novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo in 2009 ("Lesson One: Revolution!") is now published and available as both a paperback and for the Kindle reader. And most importantly, a creative pursuit that has always been important to me but ended up "on the shelf" for years is now part of my life again. I truly value everything the NaNoWriMo program offers, and I have the highest praise for The Office of Letters and Light for conducting this highly effective program each year.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in NaNoWriMo once before, but I didn't win. It's a very friendly environment that promotes getting to know people, and asking for help when you're stuck or you want suggestions. Everyone there encourages you and helps you become a better writer. It also helps with deadlines. Most people shrink back in fear of deadlines thinking that they're never going to get it done. NaNoWriMo teaches you that you can do it, those deadlines aren't as bad as you think they are. If you can write 50,000 words in 30 days, you can pretty much write anything you want in a limited amount of time.
Review from Guidestar
I came across a mention of NaNoWriMo while I was reading, and checking it out was one of the best things I have ever done. This organization motivates people to accomplish their dreams, and that is an invaluable service. I know that I will be participating in this wonderful event again this year, and the next, as will all of the members of my family and a good number of my friends. This organization is a gem, and is worth supporting.
Review from Guidestar
I have enjoyed NaNoWriMo more than I have any other writing contest. I love how the challenge is with one self, yet one always has the NaNo crew behind them. The news letter are always so uplifting and the other authors are ready at all times to inspire. I share my time with NaNo with everyone that I come across and will get as many as I can to join me come November. I am very proud to have my winner badges on my sites. I hope that NaNoWriMo is around for a very long time to come!!!
Sincerely,
Robin Renee Ray
My friend introduced me to NaNo this year and I actually wrote a 50,000 word novel!!! Every time I tried to write a novel, I always got lazy and stopped. NaNoWriMo encouraged me to keep writing and I did! It's amazing and it makes you feel good about yourself. It was stressing, but it's better than starting ten pages then stopping. NaNo is the best writing experience I've ever had.
Review from Guidestar
I first discovered The Office of Letters and Light through a magazine article which referenced its annual writing event, National Novel Writing Month. I thought anyone who wanted to write an entire novel in just 30 days must be crazy, but was curious enough to look at their website. What I found was a thriving, vibrant, diverse writing community that not only supports adult authors and would-be-authors, but also provides resources to classrooms to help young writers find their own voices. I have personally participated in NaNoWriMo for the past four Novembers, and to say that the experience has been life-changing is not an overstatement. Through online resources, Twitter feeds, and local write-ins, I have found the encouragement I needed to finish two novels. Even though I did not complete the challenge until my third year, I wrote more in each of my first two attempts than I had in years. I cannot say enough good things about this organization and the way they encourage and support creative writing. I am proud to be a Wrimo, and cannot imagine NOT spending each November ingesting large amounts of caffeine and writing 50,000 words alongside the folks from the Office of Letters and Light!
Review from Guidestar
I've been writing for years, but it wasn't until I participated in NaNoWriMo this past November that I was able to finish something I'd written. I wrote a novel, and it never would have happened without the constant support from The Office of Letters and Light. They sent encouraging emails almost daily, with tips and pep talks from famous writers. It was the first time in my life that I felt like I was truly a part of a community of like-minded souls - a community of writers. If I hadn't participated in NaNoWriMo, I don't think I ever would have finished a story. They do truly amazing work encouraging developing writers.
Review from Guidestar
This was my first year as a Wrimo, and I have only positive experiences to share. The month-long deadline served as a perfect motivation for a process that normally takes a lot longer, and it was fun to do with friends. While it's quality, not quantity, that counts, this contest was fun and a great writing exercise. It was well organized and the website was easily navigable. Overall, NaNoWriMo left no room for complaints.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in The Office of Letters and Light's Nanowrimo contest the past three years, and each has been a great experience. I am an avid writer and write all the time, but even so, the Nanowrimo really helps me to focus my productivity. Best of all is the social aspect. I find tons of advice and support on the forums; both other members and the administrators are helpful and kind. I especially enjoyed the "word war"which makes for some fun friendly competition and good personal challenge. Nanowrimo introduced me to a community of writers, whereas before it was a very solitary pursuit for me.
Review from Guidestar
As a middle school teacher, I've seen lots of struggling adolescents deal with the typical middle school angst. Office of Letters and Light provides a structured outlet for kids who can't verbally turn to anyone else vent through writing. I've seen this literally be a life saver. As an adult, I appreciate National Novel Writing Month--also an outlet. Outstanding, and much needed, all around.
Review from Guidestar
I do not remember how I came across NaNoWriMo, that is, National Novel Writing Month, but I have never been sorry that I have. When I started writing, I did not know a soul that did the same. I was 17 and I wasn't writing fanfiction. I needed a way to connect to people, to feel like I wasn't completely crazy in my need to write something original, in my desire to one day see my name in print.
NaNoWriMo connected me with writers all over the world. Their forums allowed me to read about people in the same situations as me, to respond to them - it got me excited about writing instead of feeling like it was a deep dark pit I was unwittingly wandering into. I found friends on there and this year, my third year, I actually went to a NaNo meet near me. It was incredible to see people from my area who actually wanted to get together, who wrote, just like me.
NaNoWriMo is also the reason that I have seen my name in print. I have won two out of the three years I've put into it and one of their prizes is a glorious proof copy of your novel. That little copy was 'proof' to all the people that thought I was wasting my time. I even went and ordered a few more copies, paying for them myself and selling them to friends and coworkers who were just as excited as I was.
I may not be a professional writer, I understand that I still have many areas that need work, but I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today if it wasn't for the Office of Letters and Light who put eons of work into making NaNoWriMo all it is. Without them I would be left in my deep dark pit, staring at a blank page for a month instead of belting out 50,000 words.
Review from Guidestar
I heard of NaNoWriMo, made possible through the Office of Letters and Light for the first time in 2010. I chose to participate. It was one of the most exciting and educational experiences I've had in decades.
During the month-long process, I learned I can write a basic 50,000 word novel. I learned that about the time I was ready to stumble or throw up my hands, there was a message of encouragement awaiting me.
Not only were the messages encouraging, they fun and light-hearted. It was better than having a stiff, formal message; they personalized it for us, one writer to another.
This move convinced me that I can and do. What I can do is up to me, be it writing a novel or skywriting a message.
The Office of Letters and Light is an incredible organization devoted to helping writers and other duties inherent in that endeavor. Without them, I don't know if I'd have known what to do when things got difficult and challenging afterward.
They didn't stop there. They offered opportunities to learn about editing and revising that basic novel. They offer information about publishing and self publishing and more.
They are an invaluable asset to the experience of being a writer.
Review from Guidestar
My 12 year old daughter and I were first time participants in the annual NaNoWriMo put on by the Office of Letters and Light. It was a fantastic experience, linking us with others all over the world and inspiring us to reach our artistic goals. I cannot think of a more efficient, inspiring means to encourage written artistic expression than through this annual event. And, I put my money where my heart is and donated to the cause as well. NaNoWriMo provides a valuable public service where I simply know of no alternative -- and I am a member of an author's association. Believe me, there is just no comparison. If supporting the arts in a responsible, efficient, world-reaching way is a priority, thatn this is a charity worth supporting.
Review from Guidestar
As a young author, I found that the Office of Letters and Light (which is behind both NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy) has greatly helped me as a writer. Both of these programs helped me branch out and meet my goals, and even introduced me to a writing community which I would not otherwise have discovered. I am very grateful to the Office of Letters and Light for the inspiration it provided me.
Review from Guidestar
The Office and Letters and Lights sponsors one of the greatest annual writing events--National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo as we participants call it. Without this amazing program many writers who like to procrastinate (myself included) would not finish the dimonds in the rough manuscripts that keep us writing.
Review from Guidestar
This year it's the fourth time I write in nanowrimo. I adore it ! It helped me with my writing, and permitted me to try to crete novels shamelessly. What I'm the most grateful for is that I can take part even if I'm not anglophone : I'm french...
Thanks Nano.
Review from Guidestar
I love NaNoWriMo! They have motivated me to write a whole entire novel in thirty days--not just one time, but twice in a row! I now look forward to November like I look forward to Christmas.
I love the NaNo atmosphere, community, encouragement, enthusiasm, and pretty much everything about it! NaNo makes novelwriting a crazy, wild, fun experience and I'm so thankful for everything that they do.
I love getting encouraging e-mails, lurking in the forums, watching the videos, reading the blog, and taking advantage of all the other great features that NaNoWriMo offers during the month of November and beyond.
I've also done Script Frenzy once and greatly enjoyed that experience as well.
I love what the Office of Letters and Light does to encourage people all over the world to write. I believe that anyone can write a novel or screenplay; it just takes a little bit of motivation and a healthy dose of fun--and that's exactly what OLL offers.
Thanks, OLL, for all you do! Keep on rocking!
Review from Guidestar
OLL offers a very special program every November that encourages people to follow their dreams and sit down and work out a 50,000 word novel in one month. It gives them the distraction of meeting writing deadlines without worrying over how good what they are writing really is. NaNoWrMo is ans awesome program where it is not about getting the ideas out, putting them in a coherent order and and just proving to yourself that you can do it. There is always encouraging messages for those who do not get courage and support from their family and friends to follow their dreams. I love participating in NaNoWriMo every November. I love the challenge it offers.
Review from Guidestar
I heard about OLL's NaNoWriMo in 2007, and I started participating in 2008. The amazingly simple and counterintuitive idea of writing a novel in a month, worrying about quantity not quality, opened up new horizons for me. Since then I have participated (and won) every November, and I have gone on to other writing projects. NaNoWriMo truly helped me fulfill a dream of mine, to be a writer.
In 2008 I was in Berlin for the year, kind of miserable and lonely. Participating in NaNoWriMo there helped me not only write my novel, but also connect with others who were involved in the same kind of activity, and tremendously lessened my isolation.
The structure of NaNoWriMo has also inspired me to go on and set up other such structures for myself, so that I could push my writing life forward in a way I had never been able to do before.
Review from Guidestar
2010 was my very first year participating in Nanowrimo, and I never thought I'd complete a 50,000 word novel in 30 days, and achieve the honor of being a Nanowrimo winner, but I did.
The structure of the program and the guidance and encouragement that comes from the Nanowrimo team, allows any aspiring author to put away their fears and just do it. And by golly, I did do it.
While I am definitely someone who achieves what is necessary to get the job done, it is typically because it is for work, not for the sheer sake of doing it, like writing a novel.
I now believe that it is possible for me to write a novel, a good novel and become a published author, simply because I took the Nanowrimo challenge, and with the support of the staff and a ton of other like minded folks, I did it, I got it done. I won...and I can't wait for the next one, because i have a brilliant idea for a mystery novel...
Review from Guidestar
I have so many stories just sitting unfinished on my hard drive, but none of those are my NaNo novels. NaNoWriMo gives me the motivation and inspiration to actually finish something I've started. It's a huge help!
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in NaNoWriMo, sponsored by the Office of Letters and Light, for 2 years now. Both times I "won" -- writing a novel of over 50,000 words in 30 days. Before this I had been trying to write a novel for 30 YEARS! In college I took a class on how to write a novel and that started me off, but I never managed to get past the first 1 or 2 chapters. Now I know how to write a novel and I am working on my third. NaNoWriMo taught me to ignore my inner editor during the first draft and just write (the editing comes later). I donated to the OLL both years because I think it's such a great organization. The people who run it have such a friendly, positive attitude. The message boards on the site are very supportive. I really think this is a wonderful organization.
Review from Guidestar
I learned to reorder my thinking from NANOWRIMO. I had to restructure how I work and how I plot. In so doing, I was able to finish a book idea I had unsuccessfully struggled to get on paper for four years. I found that my brain rewired itself, and the skills I learned helped me to edit an old manuscript that needed 35,000 words trimmed in a month, the same time limit I had structured myself to work with for NANOWRIMO. I now know that I can indeed write on a deadline, and if I get the contract I am hoping for, I KNOW I can reach their deadlines also. I would not have had the confidence to send off the query letter on the old manuscript without this successful experience. I intend to enter every year from now on, to keep the synopses strong and firing.
I used to write, long ago. Then I stopped. And I stayed stopped for a decade and a half.
And then I heard about a program sponsored by the Office of Letters and Light: NaNoWriMo.
OLL and NaNo brought me back to writing, helped me find my words, made me remember what it was to be a writer. They gave be back a part of myself I thought was long gone.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo put on by OLL makes my fall. I love the challenge of writing with a whole host of other participants and getting to know both them and myself through this fabulous program. The whole team is really supportive and knowledgeable, and they run some amazing forums and workshops and games for us writers to socialize and take a break from our writing frenzy. I love doing this, and I give money every year because I want it to always be around! 2010 was my third year participating, and I know I'll be doing it for years to come.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo is awesome. I'm not sure I can put it any better than that. The excitement, the dread, the rush of inspiration, and the final exultant victory -- I never would have experienced any of it without the Office of Letters and Light had they not established NaNoWriMo. I also never would have finished my first novel that I'm truly proud of.
Review from Guidestar
This is a great program--I have been doing the novel writing month for three years, and it totally jump-starts my creativity. I work with kids at a hospital too, and when I told them about the novel writing month they were really excited. I think this more than any program I have seen brings the idea of being able to write and create to people in an accessible and fun way. It fosters a love of writing and a love of reading in the best way possible.
Review from Guidestar
The Office and Letters and Lights sponsors one of the greatest annual writing events--National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo as we participants call it. Every year, a bunch of crazy people get together and write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. That's right. 30 days!
It sounds like insanity, but in fact, it is pure creative magic. Ever since I participated in my first NaNoWriMo 5 years ago, I was inspired to pursue my dream of being a professional writer, and I look forward to each November now more than any time of year.
The Office of Letters and Lights supports us writers with ideas for stuff to do when we get stuck, really inspiring pep talks from famous writers and the Office of Letters and Lights staff, and gives us an awesome website where we can track our progress and join groups in our area for online and in person support.
The Office of Letters and Lights also hosts similar programs for young writers and screenplays. They are doing a huge service to the future of literature and entertainment in our country. They ROCK!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light caught my eye on the Internet two years ago, and I followed a link that asked me if I had always wanted to write a book. I signed up for NaNoWriMo in April of that year, and in October, I received a notice in my email that the time was drawing near for NaNo to start. I started getting excited, nervous, and inspired to finally commit to doing the impossible and write my novel. I had never written a book before, but always dreamed of it. As November 1st approached, I got more and more nervous. What should I write about? As I explored the NaNoWriMo site, I learned that it didn't matter so much what I wrote about as long as I wrote. The word count was what mattered, and nobody had to see my novel if I didn't want them to see it. So with no idea of what my book was going to be about, I started pounding away on November first. One word after another flowed from my fingers, and it was an incredible experience. The story took on a life of its own, and it was almost like I couldn't wait to sit down and write to see what was going to happen next! I finished my book a week ahead of the deadline, and spent the rest of the month and December working on the editing and revisions. I was excited to see my book in print, and took advantage of the free offer from Create Space for a proof copy. It was a lifelong desire that became a reality. In 2010 I wrote my second book, also through NaNoWriMo, and I am taking my time with the editing process this time. It was great fun, but nothing can beat the feeling of finishing that first book. NaNoWriMo made it happen.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in NaNoWriMo three times, winning twice. It has been an exercise that has greatly improved my productivity by pushing me to write without doing critiques in my head as I go. As an English teacher, I also have an appreciation for the young writers program -- anything to build excitement in the younger generation for the written word. The NaNoWriMo program is well-organized and makes it easy to be a participant. The ongoing encouragement lifts the spirits when you are ready to throw in the towel. Kudos to all of the NaNoWriMo people who believe that there is something worthy in us that needs to be on paper (or on the computer in this case).
Review from Guidestar
For years the Office of Letters and Light have helped inspire me to put ideas onto paper and fashion a story. These people are fantastic at ensuring the websites run smooth and the forums are full of interesting conversation at the crucial month of November. They deliver their inspirational messages directly to your email, inspiring children and adults alike to do things that we would otherwise always put off for that 'one day' that may otherwise never come.
Thank you for your support, and the organisation of pep talks by published and famous authors.
Review from Guidestar
Although I have been writing for most of my life, I hardly ever finished anything till I participated in NaNoWriMo in 2010. The event gave me the goal and the encouragement to not only write, but to complete something!
With my hubby's intense support, I reached 50,000 words in the first 3 weeks, and finished my novel. Since then, I have gone on to research publishing and agents, and have engaged test readers to give me feedback before editing the novel and sending it to an agent.
Without NaNoWriMo, I would probably still be floundering about with dozens of half finished products. But with them, I have an actual product that is being improved upon and, hopefully someday, sold!
Review from Guidestar
The NaNoWriMo project is a beautiful thing. What a simple but powerful concept - to exploit the enigmatic power of deadlines to incite a flock of timid aspiring writers to exceed their own expectations. The Office of Letters and Light empowers writers to write more and write better. More importantly, it empowers non-writers to start writing in a nothing-to-lose, cut-loose-and-go-for-it environment in which one can't possibly do wrong. in the course of discovering that their novels don't flat out suck, at least a handful of participants are bound to discover that they've accomplished something truly great. Such a deceptively simple platform can serve as the staging area for downright revelatory writing experiences for invaluably talented writers. This can only mean good things for our culture.
Review from Guidestar
It sounds like a scam, doesn't it? Join our program to achieve a goal, do all the work yourself, and succeed, we'll give you a pat on the back and a certificate with your name on it. Riiiiight. How much is this going to cost me? I can do this on my own.
But it doesn't cost anything. And there are 200,000 other crazy people trying for the same goal. A goal that promotes literacy and art and communication. And the program is there to give you support, encouragement, ideas, tips, and expertise in doing what, for so many would-be novelists, has heretofore been impossible: writing a book.
Yes, I could do this on my own. Except I haven't. I could set a daily goal to write. But I'd probably fall short. Some of us need structure. Some of us need encouragement. And some of us need what the great philosopher Mary Poppins called "an element of fun." You find the fun and snap! The job's a game. Before you know it, the month is gone and the job is done. Well, 50,000 words done, anyway. But that's more than I had done before.
Review from Guidestar
I started writing at a very young age, but only first participated in National Novel Writing Month, as hosted by the Office of Letters and Light, last year.
Despite the fact I've only been involved once, I cannot express enough gratitude to the Office. I met new people, was inspired to write and was often amused and given support by those who had no reason to amuse or support me.
The fact that the Office of Letters and Light exists to do those things is no doubt a major reason I finished my 50 000 word novel and truly endorsed my love of creative writing.
Review from Guidestar
The two years I've participated in the Office of Letters and Light's NaNoWriMo have changed my life. After decades of creative block, I was inspired and supported and pushed to get back to writing. And it worked! The whole set-up is marvelously supportive, making it possible to inject the hard work of writing into one's regular life. My NaNoWriMo novel from 2009 is out now, and 2010's is in the process of revision. What's more, I'm now strong enough to write regularly on my own, outside the structure of NaNoWriMo. To me, it feels like a miracle!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light promotes literacy and creativity through their Script Frenzy, Young Writers Program, and National Novel Writing Month programs. These programs are free, and are an invaluable service to aspiring writers everywhere. The program websites offer tools and forums where writers of any level can find support and encouragement.
I stumbled upon NaNoWriMo almost by accident. I thought about doing it, but was afraid I'd never be able to make a goal like that (50,000 words in 30 days). The next time I thought about it was early November of the following year. I just knew I couldn't do it in 15 days if I didn't think I could do it in 30, but I signed up anyway. What did I have to lose? It turns out, I had a lot to gain. Confidence. Focus. Skill. Friends. Contacts. I completed that challenge, and the following year as well. The experience gave me the confidence to finish and (successfully!) submit work for publication. I don't think it would have happened without OLL.
The experience both years has been so exhilarating that I cannot foresee a time when I won't want to participate. I donate and buy merchandise each year, to do my small part to support this wonderful organization.
The Office of Letters and Light is an amazing organization. They have done such an amazing job promoting creative writing, as well as supporting those just starting out and I believe that they really do deserve so much more credit than they already get. Through the Office of Letters and Light, so many people have been able to discover their love for creative writing. Without organizations like this, our society would truly be lost.
Review from Guidestar
Despite the notion that a good novel cannot possibly be written in thirty days, National Novel Writing Month is one of the highlights of my life. In my sophomore year of high school, I came upon the site for this 50,000-word challenge and was perplexed as to why anyone would do such a ridiculous thing. Now, this is my third year of participation in this event. Again and again, it challenges my conception of the impossible and hardens the idea that there is always enough time in a day for what you love. It tells me that nothing is impossible and opened my mind to the limitless possibilities that exist for me. It is an affirmation of the inexplicable joy in the thought process. In thirty days, I undergo a metamorphosis. Now, as secretary of a writing club, I introduce this event to others so that they can grow, too.
Review from Guidestar
In 2010 I participated in The Office of Letters and Light's National Novel Writing Month activities. The experience was awe inspiring! The challenge of writing 50,000 words of original text in 30 days was something I thought I could not do. But the organizers were so enthusiastic about the proposition, I figured why not give it a try! I did. And with the infrastructure of support and practical advice I made it to the end.
Literacy is changing worldwide. The printed word is, to me, precious. The power of the novel form enhances us generation after of generation. The exchange of ideas about the human condition is imperative! Everyone has something to share. The mission of this organization is to show us amateurs what we can accomplish. It fosters belief in one's ability. Who knows the importance of someone's ideas if they are never expressed. The Office teaches us to look for new avenues and bypass our shortcomings. It's a terrific endeavor for which many of us are extremely grateful.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light serves a critical role in the encouragement of creative writing throughout all levels of society. Their cheerful, regular encouragement through emails, and the friendly, exciting atmosphere their site fosters through forums and writing buddies, can encourage even the most shy, green writer to push forward and explore their own imagination through the written word. They've even got classroom programs, both for college level and for younger writers.
Making sense of one's plot is akin to making sense of one's life. Sometimes you just need a little outside perspective. OLL's NaNoWriMo gave me that. In fact, they've inspired me to try to write rough drafts in NaNo-fashion more often than just once a year. I'm planning three rough drafts in 2011 because I was so inspired by the planning and writing success I had last November. I'm an indie author, and I know I wouldn't be nearly as successful or excited about my future if it hadn't been for NaNo's "shut up and write" philosophy.
Review from Guidestar
A friend asked me to join her in a NaNoWriMo contest and I was expecting to be disappointed. I thought that there was no way to write a novel in one month. I was very happy to learn that I had been wrong. I wrote over the 50,000 words required to "win" the contest, and now I have a free paperback copy of my hard effort, thanks to the Office of Letters and Light. Seeing my work in book form has been inspiring, and I plan on entering the NaNoWriMo contest again next year, and the year after that....until I am too old to write because my hands shake or my mind goes. I love NaNoWriMo that much. Every part of my experience was grand, right down to the website, incentives, distractions, guidance, and community the Office of Letters and Light provided for the NaNoWriMo contestants.
This was really a wonderful experiance for me. I write generally for a hobby, but this challenge just offered such an interesting oppertunity that I felt that I HAD to push myself, HAD to see how far I could go. 50,000 words and countless hours later, I finished the NaNoWriMo and I've never felt better and more confident about my ability as a writer.
The community was amazing, which was at first one of the bigger things that drew me into it. If it wasn't for the continuous NaNoWriMo emails connecting me to the community (and, in turn, reminding me about the project!) I probably would not have been as interested. It wasn't just a solo thing -- we were all in it together, and meeting a common goal was just very satisfying.
I have suggested this to numerous writer friends of mine in hopes that they'll participate next year. :)
Three years ago (in 2008), I first participated in the Office of Letters and Light's annual event called NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The program's goal, to write a 50,000-word novel draft through the month of November seemed daunting to say the least. I was comforted by the fact that about 150,000 others would suffer along with me, including the founders of the OLL themselves.
That year I gave up in the first week, another one of the many participants that fail to complete or "win" NaNoWriMo each year. I failed not because of any fault in the event's design but because I vastly underestimated the effort it took to write a novel. That "failure" should have been it. I should have just given up and not even have bothered to attempt the same feat next year as it was obvious that I was incapable of writing a novel draft in a month. However I forgot that I would still receive emails from the organization, mostly pep talks and notices from OLL. One of these emails was a pep talk from Meg Cabot, one of my favorite young adult authors. Skeptical, I read the pep talk anyway, and it was as the name implies peppy. I don't remember exactly what it was in that email but I didn't feel so bad about not winning NaNoWriMo. In fact I was so motivated that I wanted to try again next year.
So in 2009, I wrote and wrote until I thought I was going to go insane. I kept receiving weekly pep talks and notes of encouragement from the OLL and won NaNoWriMo again (even the way the OLL refers to completing the task, as winning, magnifies this already extraordinary accomplishment). Two NaNoWriMo wins under my belt compels me to write this review today.
It is not just the program itself that has improved me but the way that the Office of Letters and Light approaches it. Their attitude is, even if you're not sure of where you're going with your plot, go there anyway because you will discover something about your plot, your characters, and yourself that you did not know existed. The weekly pep talks, as I mentioned before are great additions to the program, as I got restless from time to time and needed to be encouraged as to why I was doing something so ambitious. The participants in the forums also motivate each other to do better, to go farther with their manuscripts. It's a beautiful thing to read the "Adoption Society" forums (in which someone can 'leave' a small plot device, name for a character, etc. for other participants to 'adopt') and see the "thanks!" from someone who has been helped.
The OLL's NaNoWriMo program gave me confidence as an author that I had previously lacked, especially when I started college this spring. Whenever paper writing stressed me out I would think to myself "you've written two novel drafts and you're worried about writing an eight page paper?". This thought propelled me forward to continue my paper (the eight page paper to which I refer gained an A- grade, something I partially attribute to NaNoWriMo's 'just write' attitude). The organization truly cares about its participants and wants them to achieve great things, whether or not they win NaNoWriMo that year. Without the Office of Letters and Light and their NaNoWriMo program, I would not have become the confident writer and person I am today.
Review from Guidestar
I've participated in the past two Nanowrimo events put on by OLL. The events were great, and they encouraged me to start and write most of two novels. The community there is great, and they are a great source of writing tips and information for those who are new to writing.
Review from Guidestar
All the programs that the Office of Letters and Light run are fantastic. They encourage people young, old and anywhere inbetween to put that novel or script they've been dreaming of for years, sometimes even decades down on paper for the first time. To just get through a first draft of it, helping them realize that things don't need to be perfect the first time you do them. You don't expect to be the best baseball player the first time you pick up a glove, why should you expect to be the best writer ever on the first thing you ever pen. They deserve so much credit for convincing people to write stories no matter how ridiculous and for showing the world that anyone can write a story.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo helped me write my first book. It was something that I'd wanted to do for years and, as soon as I heard about it and peeked on the website I was hooked.
And I've been hooked for the past few years.
I've told hundreds of people about it.
And I've told them not just because I know some of them always wanted to write a book, but because I believe we all have the potential to be creative, to use our energy in positive ways, in ways that are beneficial not just for ourselves but for others too.
And NaNoWriMo proves not only that each one of us CAN do it. But that we can do it TOGETHER.
Sure, we end up not meeting the vast majority of the people participating every year. But we know they're there. We know that they are going through the same pains, the same joys.
We know we are not alone.
And that is an incredibly important resource.
It's one of the things that makes us human.
Thank you guys and gals.
I'll see you in November.
If not before...
Peace.
pedro.
Review from Guidestar
I had always wanted to write a novel but I usually wrote a couple chapters and didn't have the motivation to write more. I had heard of nanowrimo before from some posters at my library, but being barely 13, I'd assumed that writing a novel in a month was a task for a "real" adult. But I got onto the nano site and discovered that teenagers were welcome to join and there was even a forum section devoted to teenage nano-ers. I signed up, pulled four other friends and classmates into the program with me, and even though we didn't all finish, November was an amazing experience for all of us. For me, 1,667 words a day wasn't really too bad, and knowing that millions of other people were going through this month with me increased my motivation and really helped with my writing skills. The novel I've written is painful to read - personally, I hate reading it myself - but the fact that I can - and did - write 50,000 words in 30 days gives me the courage to do bolder things. When out of ideas I would frequent the forums, where you can pick up literally thousands of abandoned plot bunnies, and I discovered a lot of support just waiting online. Not only did the global self-competition offer support for writing, it also improved my fluency - ideas come to me much faster now. I'm planning to do April's Script Frenzy with a buddy, and I'll definitely do nano next year too. I'm also planning to go to the locally organized write-ins and meetings. Not only has nano improved my writing skills, but it has also offered me constant support via the forums and my regional MLs. I'm immensely grateful to OLL for orchestrating such an event.
Review from Guidestar
I've been a participant in National Novel Writing Month, one of their programs, for three years now. Each time I learn something new about myself as a writer, myself as a human being, and of course about my characters through the process of writing a novel. It's an entirely different feeling to write so quickly than it is to sit and ponder characters' actions before committing them to paper. While most of what I write in that state of flow is pretty bad, or just plain weird, sometimes the most brilliant moments can come out of putting my thoughts down no matter what they are, and NaNoWriMo helps me to get back to that feeling. It might not help me write a draft I intend to publish, but the writing I do during NaNoWriMo is still very important to me.
Review from Guidestar
I don't know what I'd do without The Office of Letters and Light and specifically their National Novel Writing Month program. I've taken part in the program for years and just recently became a volunteer Municipal Liaison for my local region. The resources provided on the NaNoWriMo site were incredibly useful and the opportunities it made available for me were unlike any I could have found without it. The prizes that they offer to writers who make it to their 50,000 words in a month really get people excited and motivated to write and I know they were a great incentive for me.
Review from Guidestar
Thanks to nanowrimo I wrote my first novel. I am a physician with loads of material and ideas, however no one motivated me quite to the extent that nanowrimo did. I now have a 75000 word novel on which I just completed my own rewrites. It is ready to start taking off around the world. I am so grateful for the opportunity and the encouragement. Please don't stop now!
Review from Guidestar
National Novel Writing Month has been one of the most exciting experiences in my life. I've been participating for four years in a row now and have no intentions of stopping. What NaNoWriMo provides is total and complete motivation to complete a piece of work you will treasure forever. It has a great community of friendly, helpful and lively people who only help to encourage the creative process. I look forward to November every year, and consistently have a blast each time. It is impossible to describe the excitement and satisfaction of the process -- I can only recommend you try it for yourself. Each year I set new goals for myself and each year I've been reaching them -- no, surpassing them because of the kind of atmosphere NaNoWriMo provides. Writing 50,000+ words in a month will make you a better writer and a happier person -- even if you are a little exhausted at the end!
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in National Novel Writing Month and Script Frenzy for five years now, since I was twelve years old. I decided to try this crazy thing called writing novels, and when I began my research, I found this website, and more importantly, the forums that go with it. I hesitantly ventured in, and immediately found myself welcomed. The Office of Letters and Light and the other participants have never been anything other than friendly, welcoming, and accepting of me, even when I was a twelve year old newbie.
National Novel Writing Month has changed my life for the better. I can honestly say that I am the strongest writer in my grade because of my experience writing for Nanowrimo, because these programs finally gave me enough strength to take the plunge into fulfilling my dreams of writing. Without them, I'm sure that my plots would only be scribbled notes on scrap paper and daydreams.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light operates the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) each November. I participated in NaNoWriMo this past November 2010 for the first time. At first the idea of writing 50,000 words in one month was overwhelming, but I took the challenge and succeeded. From that experience I gained confidence to write whatever I want when before I doubted my abilities. I also came away with so many writing ideas and projects that I am still wading through all of them. OLL offers encouragement to writers of all ages and a place to share our projects and ideas. Without OLL, I would never had the courage to continue with my writing.
The Office of Letters and Light changed my life. I'd leave it at that but it does make for an awful short review. I'd been working on the same story for six years and cried, and weeped, and worked myself into a hole that I didn't know how to write out of. So I put it away and lament about never finishing my first, only, true novel. Then November came and I decided to try this thing called Nanowrimo, thanks go to 'I Should Be Writing' for suggesting it too, that The Office of Letters and Light puts on. I have never been so encouraged to pour my heart out into words in my life. NEVER. The motivation the organization creates kept me moving all through November.
And I found… I could write a book. And I could sit down everyday and work on it. And I could finish a book. The biggest thing I took away, other then the 52,320 words I wrote, some in a hospital while waiting for an overdue niece to be born, I could write everyday and my story was better for it. I discovered I am a writer.
I have not stopped writing since either, well there was a small break where I slept a whole day, and it is an amazing feeling to almost be done with the novel that I've been working, pandering, dabbling on, and glorifying for years.
Review from Guidestar
Finishing NaNoWriMo helped me be more confident in other areas of my life too. It has helped me finish things, and realize my creative dreams. When I moved to a new city, I immediately had the makings of a social life too with the meet-ups organized in each city. Even for those who don't win, it can be a positive experience to be part of a supportive, fun community. Watching other people do it, makes the goal within reach.
My 'novels' aren't always worth showing to people, it's true, but a) they are rough drafts and b) it's good practice without the pressure to write well that can bring on writer's block.
I participated in Nanowrimo the past two years and after each time I got this sense of accomplishment that I was a writer, even the first year when I didn't succeed in my goal of words. I felt good about my writing in a way I hadnt in a very long time, and thus made me feel like I could write well again. This organization is very VERY important ot boosting self-esteem and helping people set goals when it comes to their creativity.
Review from Guidestar
Before I found out about the Office of Letters and Light and their non-profit campaign NaNoWriMo I never had faith in my writing. Now, besides being a winner during my first year of the contest, I feel like I can officially call myself a writer and have much more confidence in my writing. I think what this non-profit organization does is very important to struggling and new writers, and I appreciate what they do year after year with this contest in November. They deserve to be recognized for they encouragement, amazingness, and kindness that just flows from their office.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NaNoWriMo for my first time last year, and I wrote a 50,000 word novel. I must say, I found the people there to be very kind, and I know I could never have written my first novel without them.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NaNoWriMo and completely enjoyed the experience. The constant help on the forums, as well as the motivational emails sent out greatly inspired me to continue writing, even when my inspiration was flagging. By pushing me to continue, my writing style grew and flourished, even throughout my novel for the challenge, and the change is very evident.
I loved participating in the challenge, and hope to again next year!
Review from Guidestar
I participated in 2009 and 2010 in NaNoWriMo. I am an older, somewhat isolated woman. I am shy, live out in the country far from family, and don't have neighbors with like interests.
NaNoWriMo opened up a world to me; a world I had within me. The OLL folks encouraged me every day to see that world and to make it blossom. They gave me tools to give myself pride and to join up with similar people.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity they gave me.
Review from Guidestar
I'm a writer, or so I have often said, but most of my writing is aborted before I get going. Through their "National Novel Writing Month" Campaign, the Office of Letters and Light gave me the encouragement, incentive, and community to make the push all the way through the writing of an entire novel, which I was able to polish enough to feel comfortable submitting to a well-known novel contest. Their partnership with businesses and community resources also introduced me to new tools and opportunities that I would probably not have had the gumption to find on my own. I have been impressed and inspired by the OLL and I imagine that I will continue to have wonderful things to say about them the more I learn about and benefit from the work they do.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is an amazing organization. They put on not only Nanowrimo, but also Script Frenzy in April--both of these annual writing sprees have helped me realize my dreams. The youth version of NaNo meant so much to me as a kid--I wrote four novels before I turned 13! My writing ability (and, my grades in school) improved immensly during that time. This past November, I saw my dream of completing a fantasy novel come true. Without the OLL, this wouldn't have happened.
Not to mention the charity they support to bring books to the less fortunate!
Overall, the OLL freaking ROCKS!
Review from Guidestar
Every year I look forward to NaNoWriMo, and I check the Office of Letters and Light's blog each week for the fun and useful information. This organization encourages people to go for their writing dreams, provides a supportive forum to help them along the way, provides printable free workbooks for the Young Writer's Program, which my son has benefited from the past two years, and proves to us each year that we CAN do what we set our mind to, as long as we are diligent and bullheaded enough to give it a try.
Review from Guidestar
NaNo is AWESOME!!! So empowering and positive and inspiring....I've done it two years straight now, and won both times. I would never, never have accomplished that without the great energy, good humor, and go-for-it cheerleading of the Office of Letters and Light!!! WOOT!!
Review from Guidestar
Nano Wrimo.
When I first heard those two words I thought they were plain gibberish. Perhaps something a little kid would utter when trying to say something obscure. But when October came around I was hit in the face (metaphorically of course) with an message from one of my online readers asking if I was going to participate.
I thought 'Hey, 50,000 words in one month might be a bit hard, but why not?' Why not indeed. I decided that 2,000 words a day was a decent goal and set myself to write the best book I could write. I began to get active in the Nano Wrimo community learning new ways to stunt my inner critic until January and even did something I never thought of doing.
I took up the traveling shovel of death and killed a character off with a shovel.
I would' ve liked a few more spontaneous ideas, like the traveling shovel of death, and perhaps a chat room to communicate better with my Nano soldiers. But I really can't say that the community would be better with them, just that I would have had more social contact while locking the door every time I had a new idea.
In the end I finished with a jumbled up 50,000 words that outlined a crazy novel. Despite loosing my social life and having my mother (who I don't live with) constantly harping at me for staying up all night writing for a month I can say I'm please with what I have achieved.
I don't think I would've even thought of this story if not prompted to write a novel in a month. Now I've already have gotten offers from agents to try and get it published. I owe this to Nano Wrimo.
Thank you,
K.
Review from Guidestar
In 2010 I signed up for NaNoWriMo, and at the end of one month I had successfully completed the first draft of a novel. My progress was accountable to others participating in the challenge, and the accountability is what spurred me on. NaNoWriMo is a personable, well-organized, and popular organization which promotes fiction writing. I recommend it to any writer, regardless of experience level.
I'm 60 years old. I just wrote my first novel.
I never imagined that was possible.
The Office of Letters and Light makes the joy of writing available to many, many people through intelligent and often very funny coaching and encouragement.
And, they raise money to make that experience available to young people. And of course I donated to that.
They provide great value to the overall community by letting loose creative potential that is often buried. Forever.
This gives me great hope.
Review from Guidestar
Through the Office of Letters and Light I have participated in Nationa Novel Writing Month a total of six years in a row. For two of those years, OLL lent me an AlphaSmart to participate in the contest on. I fully believe that I wouldn't have been successful those two years without their help. The programme is amazing, and I have made several life long friends by participatig in the programmes that they are in charge of. The money that is donated to them is used to fund bringng the joy of writing to schools in the United States as well as to fund schools and libraries in third world countries.
Review from Guidestar
I heard about the NaNo Novel writing challenge from an on-line friend, and looked it up. I did manage to write my 50,000 word novel. I wrote a complete novel and felt great about that achievement. Without the encouragement and advice I got from the site, I never would have gotten the confidence boost writing that bundle of words gave me.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NaNoWriMo last year and wrote my second novel. As a result of the participants, the forums and the assistance provided, I now have my first novel published, I have presented it at a literary review, and I have an interview on a local radio station soon. My book is in several local bookstores, and I have received excellent reviews so far. The experience is so exciting and without NaNoWriMo, I can't say for sure that I would have seen this project come to fruition. Next year, my 11 year old daughter hopes to participate as well!
Review from Guidestar
In 2008, my entire family participated in NaNoWriMo and we all finished. My two boys at the time were 15 and 18, and they finished! It was exciting to them to realize that they could, in fact, write a novel. Their grandfather is a novelist, and so am I; but this experience gave them confidence in their own skills.
As such, I've become a donor to the Office of Letters and Light. I believe the art of the written language is changing; if the OLL can keep kids interested in writing, then perhaps the change will be all for the better. I don't know - I do know that the world can always use another writer. Bless you guys for doing what you do!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light runs NaNoWriMo, an incredibly fun, supportive way for aspiring writers and published authors to cheer each other on to writing a full novel in a month.
I've met so many writing friends and critique partners through this program. I've won NaNoWriMo two years in a row now by writing more than 50K words in a month :)
The Office of Letters and Light is a wonderful organization, and I recommend their free programs to every writer I meet.
Review from Guidestar
For two years in a row, Nanowrimo has helped me write my first draft of two novels. Without the "edge" of competition, I doubt my endeavors would've been as successful. I enjoy browsing the site, (even though it's addictive) and their motivational speeches. I will continue to participate and donate to Nanowrimo because it's truly a great thing.
Review from Guidestar
At a very young age, I loved to write. From eight years old, I would always write stories and I loved it. The problem: I could never find the motivation to finish them. For three years now, I have participated in NaNoWriMo and in those three Novembers, I have written three novels. I can no longer imagine my year without NaNo and this is possible because of the OLL. My accomplishments with NaNoWrimo have boosted my self-confidence and made me finally believe that the dream I've had since I was a child is actually a possibility.
Review from Guidestar
I took the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days which was sponsored by NaNoWriMo (The Office of Letters and Light). With the constant encouragement from this organization and it's volunteers, I succeeded in this daunting task. It changed my life, to say the least. I will now forever be a writer. My sense of accomplishment, achievement, and intellectual growth that I acquired from this experience are intangibles that can never be taken away.
I would, and do, recommend NaNoWriMo to anyone who will listen. I support their cause wholeheartedly.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in National Novel Writing Month in 2009 and 2010. I won both years by doing something I never dreamed I could do. I wrote 2 novels! I certainly never thought of myself as I writer of fiction much less an entire 50,000 word novel. And now 2 novels! Never would this have happened without the encouragement and support of The Office of Letters and Light and the people at NaNoWriMo. The weekly pep talks from published authors are worth the price of admission alone. And guess what? There is no admission! Only donations. This organization deserves praise and support for changing people's lives. And helping in a simple and fundamental way to achieve dreams.
Review from Guidestar
I love to write. I have a video of myself at four years old telling my mother that all I want to do when I grow up is write stories. It feels like I spent half my childhood with a pen in my hand crafting imaginative tales that took me far away from my own life. As I grew so did my vocabulary and eloquence-- I began to get serious in my pursuit of writing as a career. And of course, what better way to accomplish this than go to a reputable college and declare an English major. This is where my brilliant plan went awry. As it turns out spending all of one's time applying literary theory to Heart of Darkness is the single best way to lose one's love of creative writing. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a devoted reader, but all of a sudden I had no time, energy or reason to create anything new. That is... until nanowrimo. All of a sudden I had to sit down every single day and put words on a page. It was like something was awakened in me that I hadn't felt since my early teens. I was a writer again. It was as though my imagination had been in hibernation this whole time but the moment I woke it up it took up right where it left off and in the space of only a couple of days I remembered why I wanted to write. It is impossible to express in this short space what those 50,000 words did for me but believe me when I say that I arrived in December completely changed. I was saved from drowning in academia. And yes-- I'm going to stay in college and get a degree and all those things that people say you should do-- but to quote Mark Twain, I am never again going to let schooling interfere with my education. Thank you, nano.
Review from Guidestar
For the thirty days and nights that NaNoWriMo consumes your life, the Office of Letters and Light becomes your own personal pep squad. Writers live in the chat rooms and peruse the forums. I went for the whole experience this year and even joined my fellow regional writers at a meet-and-greet, several write-ins, and the TGIO party.
It's an experience that I'm glad I indulged. Will I do it again this year? I'm looking forward to it.
Review from Guidestar
I love Nanowrimo - it makes my November. No, it makes my year!! I have done Nanowrimo for 4 years now and plan on doing it for the rest of my life. Writing a novel in a month is SUCH a fantastic experience, and having people doing it with you makes it the amazing thing that it is. The friends who participate in Nanowrimo with me are special friends indeed. For me, Nano is about doing something for myself, and to prove something to myself. Again, I love Nanowrimo
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light organizes NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month. This was my first year participating, and it was an amazing experience. While writing is ultimately a bit of a solitary experience, the OLL has a lot of support for new writers, from email support and advice, Twitter challenges, an IRC channel, message boards all the way to local in-person "Write-Ins." I attended a couple Write-Ins, and it was nice to get out of the house and focus on my story without household distractions. I also leveraged some of the message boards -- it was nice to know there was a place to commiserate if I was having problems with my story.
Review from Guidestar
NaNo is a great program! I used to love writing when I was a kid, but gave it up when I experienced problems with depression and other mental illnesses. NaNo got me into writing again, and was also instrumental in introducing me to a social community of great people who also love to write. Writing gives me something positive to do, and it gave me a huge sense of accomplishment to reach my goal of 50,000 words for this year's NaNo. I am now back into writing on a regular basis, and I still love it!
Review from Guidestar
I used NaNoWriMo with my son (10) this year, and he successfully wrote a novel! He felt SO accomplished, and now my other two children (7 & 14)want to write novels of their own next year!
Review from Guidestar
I'd heard about NaNoWriMo for years before actually attempting the challenge, but I'd always held back actually learning more about it or - God-forbid - actually attempting it. I was incredibly intimidated by the high word counts and, what seemed like, a ton of serious, focused people working hard on their novel.
The first time I learned more about it, was the first year I joined. Friends revealed to me the true inner workings of this great idea. It was a fun, challenging, rewarding, completely crazy and insane good time. I'm so glad I got to be a part of it this last November, and am planning to participate next time. I encourage everyone who has the slightest interest in writing to at least find out more about what goes on!
Review from Guidestar
With NaNoWriMo, I finally had an opportunity to concentrate on my writing, if only for a month. In that month, I was able to not only finish my novel, but gain the confidence to have it published once I was done with editing and reviewing the material. I really appreciate all of the encouragement the members of NaNoWriMo gave me throughout November.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NaNoWriMo 2010, which is one of the three programs The Office of Letters and Light sponsors. Even though I loved to write, writing a 50k word novel was challenging. However, I gathered much encouragement from the forums on the NaNoWriMo website, LOVED the pep talks, and believed that even minuscule little me could write something SO fantastic.
And I did.
I am so amazed at how hard the OLL staff work to make this possible. And it's free. Writing is so important today--we use it on blogs, read it in newspapers, even FB or twitter statuses. But everyone has a story within themselves--something they want to share to the world. But they just need a little help in getting it out there. The Office of Letters and Light does just that...and more! They have fantastic helps for beyond the writing process, professional links, publication help and feedback! They are the best writing motivation-er I know. Thank you, OLL!!
Not only has OLL given me the confidence to actually write and know that I'm accomplishing something....it has given me a whole new outlook on life. I'm seeing everything twice, once by vision and again through the eyes of a writer. And it's marvelous, simply marvelous.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is a magnificent organization designed to help writers write more and write better. They have engineered some very creative ways to engage the world with writing. My favorite and my first exposure was their NaNoWriMo contest. November is National Novel writing month. The challenge to write a novel in a month was amazing and well worth it. I support the work and energy of this group,
Review from Guidestar
I have always wanted to do more with my writing, and write a book. NaNoWriMo gave me a reason to, and now I have finished a first attempt at writing a book and am working on several other projects. I never would have done any of it if NaNoWriMo had not inspired me to try writing that first book. I plan on making NaNo an every year thing. Every now and then the website went down, and was a bit slow, but other than that it was perfect. The OLL encourages people to write, and that is something that I don't see nearly enough of.
Review from Guidestar
The act of writing is solitary, but through National Novel Writing Month, the massive annual event run by the Office of Letters and Light each November, writers lift their pens and flip open their laptops knowing that they are not alone. The Office of Letters and Light fosters creative endeavours among adult writers and, more crucially, young writers. Through their online community, I have found a wonderful group of local writers and the courage to continue to celebrate my creative side.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo is one of the best things anyone who enjoys writing or reading can participate in. I highly recommend that anyone interested joins and gives it a shot. It's well it. NaNoWriMo is highly enjoyable. The atmosphere is supportive and fun. NaNoWriMo is wonderful.
Review from Guidestar
Every year this organization helps hundreds of thousands of people from all ages and walks of life realize that they can create anything they want if they put their minds to it.
As a three-time participant of the National Novel Writing Month program that this organization holds every November, I can tell you that there are few other programs that have affected my life as deeply as the Office of Letters and Light.
Review from Guidestar
I really enjoyed joining NaNoWriMo. It really helped me understand my craft better. I became a more disciplined writer because I had a specific goal to meet. This organization helped me by sending me words of encouragement, tips on how to write better, stories about how other writers struggled to finish the goal of 50,000 words, and the like.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo provided me a forum, stage, and graph to mark my progress writing at least 2500 words every day through the month of November, 2010 thereby completed a novel of 50,000 words in that 30 day timeframe. The support and encouragement were fantastic and the giveaways and gift items superb. I will do this each year. I also donated $50 to show I wasn't a total slug just always taking. This is a fantastic service, fun for serious writers. Even better, I have a novel I'm going to tweak and sequel and publish online this year. So ciao 4 now you all!
Review from Guidestar
This was one of the most enjoyable experiences/challenges I've undertaken in my life thus far. I succeeded in completed a 55,000 word novel in only 21 days and it was only because I put myself to the test with this wonderful program. NaNo provided inspirational emails, forums and write-in/meet-ups to encourage participants to reach their goal. I don't know how I would have gotten through such an ominous task without the support. I am looking forward to participating in NaNoWriMo next November.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Lights has one of the better goals and aims of non-profits. The best way to help children succeed is to instill in them a love of reading, and in the future, writing. The services provided by The Office of Letters and Lights do a great job in sowing those seeds.
Review from Guidestar
Nano is extremely important to the writing community. It helps new writers like myself stay motivated and introduces us to new points of view. I hope they are around to stay.
Review from Guidestar
I first heard of NaNoWriMo just three days before November 1st, 2003. The contest captured my imagination--I had dreamed my whole life of writing a novel but somehow lacked the will to go beyond notes and outlines. What was more, the organization sponsoring NaNoWriMo was generous (no fees were required), imaginative (prizes were PDF files and gif images), and altruistic (donations to the organization beyond their basic needs went to building libraries in Thailand).
It was a rocky ride, but with the lively online communities, the clever pressure of a deadline, and encouragement from the regional Municipal Liaison I succeeded in writing my first ever novel. I did it a second time in 2004; and I made some suggestions to the regional Municipal Liaison of ideas I had on improving the experience of the participating writers.
The ML was impressed by my suggestions and invited me to join her as co-ML in 2005. I did and have served as a volunteer NaNoWriMo ML each and every year since then, also managing to complete my NaNo-novel every year.
The reasons for my staying on as a volunteer NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison are fourfold:
1. I find it tremendously rewarding to help other writers realize their dreams of completing a novel
2. The staff of the Office of Letters and Light are all such great people that they inspire the volunteers and participants with their mission (now focusing towards using the power of NaNoWriMo to help young folks write fiction)
3. I enjoy the interactions with the writers who participate in NaNoWriMo
4. It is heartwarming to be a part of the tremendously creative and sharing community of ML volunteers
This isn't to say that there have been some rough patches or disagreements between the volunteers and the central organization; every volunteer organization experiences this. But overall the spirit of open exchanges and generous support have made NaNoWriMo and the OLL a true success story.
Review from Guidestar
I LOVE the Office of Letters and Light. Since the First Amendment is so vital to our country, any organization encouraging the written word is contributing to the well-being of us all. I loved being one in a group of people writing novels in November, and plan to participate every year i am able. What i like most about OLL is the Young Writers Program. I wish every classroom in America could participate.
Review from Guidestar
There is very little that's more precious to me than words. Words let me express myself to the world and tell my story. The Office of Letters and Light let me do this. The people provided the means and the motive to do something I had always wanted to do. They didn't just help me write a novel, but they provided me a way to express myself in a way I had always wanted to.
They set me on the pathway to truly following my dreams. The small ones that take up a huge place in my heart. The ones that I'd daydream about because they were just that: daydreams.
It seems petty, as charities go. Helping people write. How simple. How basic. Everyone can do that, right?
Yes, everyone CAN do it, but no one really believes that THEY can. It's always a future goal, but the Office of Letters and Light made it more than a possibility. They made it an obtainable goal.
I feel like I'm writing a small novel in this miniscule review, but I don't want to minimize the impact that it's had on my writing life and my life as a whole. I know I can do anything I set my mind to. I've written three novels so far- the last over 100,00 words. I didn't know I had that many words in me. But I'm going strong and will continue to write. Thanks to The Office. I don't know how I could've done it without you.
They sent encouraging emails, maintained boards where I could discuss my problems, and overall, produced an environment where I felt free to just go for it.
Review from Guidestar
I love Nanowrimo! They offer an expansive community and programs to kick an aspiring writer in the tush!
Their programs for youth are stellar. They won't stop till every can read and write.
Review from Guidestar
November used to be the worst month of the year. The November Nervous Breakdown was a tradition. Until 2005 when I found Nanowrimo!
As the facilitator of a free writing group in the east end of Toronto, I thought it might be instructive to encourage my members to play around with the idea of writing 50,000 words in one month. They chickened; I didn't.
Nanowrimo may not have saved my life; however, those 30 days are not the horrible darkening days.
The only year I didn't finish was in 2007 when my husband left me, taking the computer with my material on it. I found that the Nano community propped me up. There was always next year.
The materials sent out by the administrators are helpful and encouraging. Their support to the local groups is phenomenal. The local groups add a personal level to the work.
Several people have been focussed enough to have their "Nano" published. But these aren't the only success stories - it's the high school kid writing vampire stories who connects with the grandma writing an historical novel. It's the sixteen people taking a night off writing and going to karioke together. It's those profile pictures on Facebook that let you know you're part of a community.
With very little money, but a great deal of enthusiasm, the Office of Letters and Light has made a community. We need to connect a bit more during the year, and the local groups peter out a bit.
But there's always next year!
Review from Guidestar
I am both a donor and one who has benefitted from the support given to nanowrimo. My participation in nanowrimo propelled my writing life from barely adequate to one where I not only express myself in stories and poems, but am involved with other writers and writing groups. My confidence in both verbal and written communication blossomed via my interactions with other writers involved with nanowritmo. Now I help other writers. I have also watched others blossom because of their involvement with nanowrimo.
This is a great organization - the writing opportunities are not limited to one group but are open to everyone, no discrimination. I'm grateful this group exists for writers everywhere.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I did it for the first time three years ago, and have written a novel in November ever since. And I totally do not see myself stopping anytime soon. I love NaNo, and love how much it has enriched my life and my approach to writing.
Review from Guidestar
Office of Letters and Light mean a LOT to me, I'm homeschooled and my family and I use NaNoWriMo for an elective, and the rewards that winners receive are very helpful to me as a sprouting writer/author. I don't know what my year would be like if I didn't have NaNoWriMo to look forward to. Overall it is a wonderful experience, and a wonderful opertunity for not only old and young adults, but also for teenagers with their Young Writers Program.
Review from Guidestar
The OLL, through it's NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) program encourages young and old authors alike to take that leap of faith and just write. Personally, I've always been curious about writing and when the opportunity came up to do NaNoWriMo I took it. I decided if I liked it I'd continue at it and maybe pursue it on a more serious level. I not only won NaNoWriMo, but I found that I absolutely loved to write. Since then I haven't really stopped. That was November 2009. I just truly feel this program helps people who might not even be sure about writing commit to a goal and even discover, like me, that it isn't just a daily word count, but that it's something they want to do forever. And, I mean, the sense of accomplishment is SO awesome! I love the work done by OLL and it's programs.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light runs the National Novel Writing Month contest and they do an amazing job. The website connects writers from all over the world, helping people build communities and cross-cultural understanding. I have made new friends in my city through their in person writing events and friends around the world through the forums. Before participating in NaNoWriMo, I saw the career of "author" as an elusive, mystical, improbable profession. Now, I know that it is a tangible, attainable goal and I have a much better understanding of how to achieve it. Not only that, but I have a whole community of fellow writers who want me to succeed and who are there to answer questions I may have along the way. The staff at OLL also provide weekly emails of encouragement and support from published authors which has been amazingly helpful. In short, because of the Office of Letters and Light and the communities they have established around the love of writing, I have grown as a person and I am going to aim for the goal I once thought impossible. This is a place for anyone who loves to write, or just dabble with words, and would like to see what their fellow writers are doing.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo has been an incredible experience I feel truly lucky to have been a part of. It's one of those underground experiences of sorts that spreads by word of mouth, at least in my neck of the woods, and comes to be something you look forward to year after year. It's been a community builder and a fantastic creative exercise, to say the least. It's also a tremendous program that's given a lot back to the community in so many ways, I look forward to watching it continue to grow and thrive and help the community.
Review from Guidestar
As a creative-type, it can sometimes be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff of internet services, especially when they're free.
The folks at NaNoWriMo run a top-notch program. Just creating the online space for people to do this would have gotten five stars from me - for the sheer brilliance and effort required - but they take it a step further and let you network with other writers, track your word count, stay motivated via regular e-mail "pep talks"... they even give you a personalized certificate of completion at the end (provided you complete it), and keep all your information securely online for next year.
Fantastic.
IThe first year, I wrote 58,558 words for a novel I had been working on (unsuccessfully) for several years. I could never have done that without my involvement in this wonderful non-profit organization. The encouragement of their volunteers, the helpful information available on their site, and (not least) the wonderful word counter that let me see day by day how I was progressing. Since I first joined their yearly party called nanowrimo, I have written several short stories, have rpartly evised my novel, and taken a course in creative writing. For this old women who never believed that I was creative, my involvement with The Office of Letters and Light has been a life-changing eye-opener.
Review from Guidestar
Nano is the best idea ever for helping people realize their dream of writing a novel. The online community generated during Nano is one of the most supportive artistic communities in which I have ever participated. I have been a part of Nano for three years and it has worked magic in my writing life.
Review from Guidestar
In a world where schools are struggling to educate our children, it's great that there is an organization out there doing their part to help encourage children (and adults!) to get their thoughts out there and be heard. I participate in NaNoWriMo every year, and will continue to do so.
Review from Guidestar
When I first joinned the OLL's NaNoWriMo program, I thought it was a load of hooey, the kind of thing you did when you Just want to have fun. But after not 1, but 2, of my books written during the contest became accepted for publishing after a couple of fast edits, I realised that the OLL was helping me to become the writer that I always wanted to be. And not just me. The OLL has helped many, many thousands of people realise the joys of writing, the thrill of meeting a deadline and the absolute inhabition of creating their own worlds, where they're the master. The Office of Letters and Light are just plain awesome!
Review from Guidestar
Writing is one of the best things you can do if you're looking for self-discovery, and the Office of Letters and Light can help you do it. During November, they push you to write a 50,000 word novel. Speaking from experience, it's amazing, even better with friends and other people doing it, and I've been talking of nothing else since November last. Writing a novel is incredibly fun, and these awesome people help you pull it off with poppy emails and a snappy website.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo is awesome. They provide so much support to aspiring novelists... I had never written so much in my life. I love NaNoWriMo and am very excited to do it again. It turned a month that would have been aimless into a month in which I fell into an exciting world of writing that I haven't escaped since.
Review from Guidestar
I started NaNoWriMo because a friend was doing it. I didn't even plan to do it until the night before. At 11:59 PM I had a main character - nothing else. Fifteen days later I had my first novel.
I cannot express how grateful I am to this website. I could have written the novel on my own time, but the website gave me a place to have competition and encouragement. Without this website I wouldn't have written my novel.
It's been two years. Both years I've written a fifty-thousand word novel. Both years I finished the novel in less than the month. I am so grateful to this site for the opportunity to get my thoughts into words.
Thank you NaNoWriMo.org!
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo, just one of the events offered by OLL, has literally changed my life. A few years back, when I found NaNo, I had not written much since college (many years for me.) By making it a low-stress, fun event the OLL effectively freed me to open up and be creative again. I have made NaNo a regular part of my life ever since. More importantly, I have made writing a regular part of my life!
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo was a great experience for me. I'd been looking at writing a book for a while, but this is what really got me going. I finished the contest and am really happy to have done so. The support provided by the NaNo community is spectacular, and the entire event is worth a great deal to those who participate (an ever-increasing number). I've only competed once so far, but I fully expect to do so again next year.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo helped me do in 30 days what I had not accomplished on my own in 2 years: write a novel. The tools and the encouragement were motivating and helped me to reach my goal.
Review from Guidestar
Participating in National Novel Writing Month, sponsored by the Office of Letters and Light, is one of the few things to which I can point and say with confidence: That definitely changed my life! I'm an aspiring novelist, as are many of the NaNoWriMo participants. I've harbored this aspiration since elementary school, as have, I suspect, many of the NaNoWriMo participants. And until I discovered and committed to the Office of Letters and Light's challenge, I had never come close to completing a manuscript (not to break this awesome quasi-parallel structure I have going on), which, I suspect, is true of many NaNoWriMo participants.
2010 was my first year participating in NaNoWriMo and it was a phenomenal experience. By the end of November, I walked away with more than just a 50,000 word manuscript. I walked away with renewed motivation and determination. I had just accomplished something that had been on my Life's To-Do List since I was six years old and I had done it in 30 days after 17 years of procrastination.
I walked away (metaphorically, of course - literally, I collapsed away from NaNoWriMo after a furious writing marathon on the last day of the competition because, hey, procrastination is a habit that dies hard) from NaNoWriMo with the distinct feeling that I could do anything. In fact, since winning NaNoWriMo, I have undertaken, and accomplished, one big giant goal every month in an attempt to replicate that joyous feeling of achievement.
Beyond my personal experiences with the organization, I wholeheartedly support the youth programs it offers. Returning to my pipe dreams of being a novelist, I specifically want to write for children and I can't even articulate the importance I place on promoting literacy and a love of language to children. For this reason alone, even if there were no NaNoWriMo and no Script Frenzy and no component of the Office of Letters and Light's work that could give me personal warm fuzzies of accomplishment and invincibility, I still would be an advocate.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is the most wonderfully creative group of people who just want to help writers overcome writer's block and they succeeded with me. I wrote a novel in 30 days!
Review from Guidestar
I volunteer to help the Office of Letters and Light to run their programs because I support anyone who wants to write be it a novel, a script or a young writer. Especially the young writer. Why? because when I was young I didn't have anyone to support the idea that I wanted to write, if anything they all put it down. We need this program so the young writers of today will not be stalled until later in life to fulfill their dream be it fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, poetry, or just to put their own thoughts on paper.
I am also a client in that I have been signing up for NaNaNoWri for 7 years. I ran a NaNoWriMo writer group in November at my local book store before I even knew to do that. I donate a small amount every year(Its all I can afford on a fixed income), and talk up the program to all my writing groups. The Office of Letters and Light do not care that I am dyslexic and make many errors, they just care that I write!
I hope you will consider them for this award. Where else can you get support and help in the writing field for the free or the cost of a donation.
Review from Guidestar
OLL provides encouragement to young writers in particular and I think that is very worth while. I've read too many illiterate papers by young people; anything that encourages them to improve is a good thing. I don't have a lot of resources, but I try to donate a few times a year.
Review from Guidestar
I have taught writing and composition for nearly 20 years on the collegiate level, but I have always written for my own enjoyment. I also read voraciously, from many different genres and have thought, "I could write this." Since I am not teaching this year, when a friend mentioned the writing challenge of NaNoWriMo, I decided to take up the gauntlet and write the novel for my own enjoyment.
I thought the endeavor would be lonely and solitary. Instead, since I shared my decision with friends on a writing site, and since I attended local get-togethers of others doing the challenge I finished the month of November with new friends. When I first signed on, I didn't realize I had a group of other writers in my own city who could give me pep talks, so I signed on for the Isle of Skye off Scotland since I love the area. The local moderator from Skye became a friend and confident.
Not only did I write the 50,000 words by November 30 to finish the challenge under the wire, I also had cheerleaders from the next block, from across the Atlantic and from the NaNoWriMo daily blogs. The organizers sent us letters from published writers with information about the process of writing a novel, and posted weekly humorous videos addressing problems writers encounter and how to deal with them.
Imagine getting pep talks through the heavy irony and hilarity of Lemony Snickett, and the clarity and appreciation of fan fiction from Mercedes Lackey.
I also had writing buddies, whom I could count on for moral support and whom I sent messages of hope to in return. Both have become great friends.
So, I wrote the first draft of a novel, got good information from professionals, and met new friends through accepting the NaNoWriMo challenge to write a novel in November. It was one of the best experiences of my writing career. I willingly donated to the Office of Light and Letters, and I look forward to doing the challenge in November 2011.
Twana Biram
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is doing a phenomenal job of helping people write. Without NaNoWriMo, I would never have been able to finish a novel. And even though November is over, I'm still writing. Anything that supports them is amazing!
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo is so many things: stimulating, challenging, motivating; it inspires your creativity and pushes you to your limits. It forces you to learn to discipline yourself. It doesn't allow you to second guess yourself - you don't have time! And while, at the end of the day, it's all about whether you have the chutzpah to get to 50K or not, the camaraderie of the challenge is incredible too. Just knowing that there are so many other minds spinning their tales at breakneck speed is totally inspiring and makes you want to push yourself that much more. And the payoff? Whether you win or lose, it doesn't matter. You learn so much about yourself, how you work, and your story, and the experience is utterly priceless.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo and the Office of Letters and Light changed my life.
No exaggeration.
Because of this program, because I took them up on on the challenge they presented, because I opened myself up to the motivation, encouragement and programs they made available to me- I reached a goal I had never dreamed possible. I FINISHED a novel. My teen daughter finished a novel as well, on the same evening I did! This experience bonded us as no other could.
But wait! There's more!
Because of people that I connected with who were also accepting the challenge, I began another venture that I never thought possible. And another. Several opportunities have presented themselves since I won NaNoWriMo and because of the lessons I learned through it- I grabbed at them and held them tight AND RAN. A this because I now posess, not only a 50,000+ word manuscript, but a belief in myself and my gifts.
I entered NaNoWriMo a mommyblogger who gave it away for free. Within the last three months I have become a paid columnist, a podcaster, and am working with a critique partner to polish and revise my manuscript.
All this because of the programs presented by The Office of Letters and Light.
Review from Guidestar
It's not an exaggeration for me to say that the Office of Letters and Light's National Novel Writing Month contest changed my life. Participating in a worldwide composition marathon not only gave me the impetus to actually write an entire novel in a mere thirty-one days, but it also made me feel like a part of a global community—albeit an exhausted, hyper-caffeinated one. In all seriousness, though, I know of no organization that fosters creativity on such a grand and meaningful scale. They're truly doing great work.
OLL has done more to encourage and develop my abilities as a writer than any class, any job, any teacher or any software program I've ever used. Each November I bless the friend who introduced me to NaNoWriMo, and each year I encourage everyone I know to participate. This group deserves every accolade and award it has and will receive.
Novels have been percolating in my mind for decades, but I wrote none of them down until The OLL came into my life. My first year in NaNo was cathartic, and generated a short story that I am still proud of several years later. I am currently merging my last two November's work into a single volume - much editing and writing remains to be done, but I am jazzed at what I see coming together! I do not know if I would have ever started writing this story without the encouragement and tools provided for NaNo.
Another OLL program I *love* is the student competition. What a concept - teachers encouraging kids to write about anything they want, set and complete their own goals, and communicate with other young people around the world at the same time. What a powerful message for young people!
Review from Guidestar
What could be more important than encouraging people of all ages to have fun and enjoy writing and storytelling? To enjoy the act of creating and then sharing your creation with literary abandon and thus elevating yourself and your ability to communicate? Imagine all we could accomplish if more people could communicate more fully? The Office of Letters and Light with activities like NaNoWriMo does exactly that. Stories have long been a mode of teaching people about how to live and how to overcome seemingly impossible odds. They are essentially creating an environment in which people can learn and grow into people that can teach and help educate and elevate those around them. I can think of little else of more importance.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light gives an opportunity most of us never knew we needed. If you've ever wanted a space to be creative, where it's ok to fail and learning from the attempt is all that matters, where headlong creation is the only goal, and you're surrounded by other people just as crazy as you are all gunning for the same lofty goal, then this is place for you. Organized by the Office of Letters and Light, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) convenes every November and thousands of people around the world throw themselves at the goal of 50,000 words in 30 days.
I wrote my first NaNoWriMo novel when I was in high school, back in 2005. I've participated every year since, spending the last two years as a volunteer for the organization as well as a participant. Every year I get better, both at writing and at leading my local area in the undertaking. I'm currently a university student going to school to become a high school English teacher, and NaNoWriMo is something I plan to use in the classroom. It's a place where failure is part of the learning process and nothing (not even quality) matters more than the discipline it takes to finish what you've started. 50,000 words or bust!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Light and Letters provides crucial encouragement and support to writers. With budget problems causing cutbacks in school writing programs and the publishing world becoming increasingly narrow and profit-oriented in its mission, we need programs that celebrate writing for the joy it gives and supports writers during their dark moments.
Review from Guidestar
The NaNoWriMo campaign encouraged me to write 45,000 words more than I have ever written for a single project.
Now, when I look at 750-word assignments I ask, "That's all? Easy!"
Working in NaNoWriMo, writing a 50,000-word novel, helped me overcome a few barriers as a writer. It's a priceless experience that I'm looking forward to again this year.
The Office of Letters and Light did an amazing job orchestrating it all: They gathered authors, known and unknown to me, and sent me encouraging e-mails each day. I might not have made it through without them!
And I have their little certificate hanging on my fridge so I can see it every day, and be reminded of my greatest accomplishment.
I couldn't have done any of that without the opportunity provided by The Office of Letters and Light. Thank you guys!
Review from Guidestar
This is the organization that organizes the annual National Novel Writing Month. Even though that is an event that does a great job totally consuming your life, it is still a wonderful event that gets people to go out and write. Yup, awesome group!
The National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) program -- organized and supported each year by the Office of Letters and Light -- has changed the way that I approach writing, and has had a positive impact on thousands of writers literally across the globe.
I've participated in NaNoWriMo every year since 2004, and I continue to marvel at the way that what started as a simple idea in a California coffee shop has grown into a full-on celebration of creativity, inspiring writers (both hopefuls and seasoned professionals) to new heights of imagination and genius. All the while, the Office of Letters and Light is behind the scenes supporting the NaNoWriMo novelists, encouraging the next generation of writers through special programs, and promoting literacy.
I continue to participate each year because I know this annual month of literary madness will pretty much force me to work out the kinks in that story I've been mulling over, and that I'll have a workable first draft on or before November 30.
I'm proud to be a part of NaNoWriMo every year, and to support the Office of Letters and Light in its efforts.
Review from Guidestar
I've participating in NaNoWriMo for 2 years now, and I just can't get enough of it. It's helped me improve drastically as a writer, and gain more confidence in my writing through communication with other members. It's an amazing feeling of being part of something, helping others and being helped, and I wouldn't stop attending the event for the world.
I'm actually considering publishing some of my works thanks to the Office of Letters and Light...it gives an immense feeling of satisfaction to be part of the community.
The NaNoWriMo experience was amazing! I had been a dormant writer for about 15 years. After happily graduating from a writing program in 1995, I proceeded to have a baby, build a career, and put writing on a back burner. It was supposed to be temporary, but a couple years ago I noticed I couldn't even write any more. The words were gone--disappeared. Last year I tried NaNoWriMo and made about 3 days of progress which gave me some good material to work with. This year I had an idea, sketched it out, and held myself very strictly to wordcounts. I have a draft of a novel! It's amazing to have done it and the novel has potential that I am working with now. Writing that draft was like being resurrected from the dead. NaNoWriMo changed everything for me.
I've participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) for two years in a row now, and both times I've "won" - which means that I managed to write at least 50,000 words in a month! The first year I wrote just over 50,000 words, and the second year I wrote 88,000. This is a goal that I never would have been ever to achieve without NaNoWriMo. The Office of Letters and Light is an amazing organization that encourages people around the world to write and connect. The online community is one of the richest and most wonderful that I have the privilege of being a part of.
Review from Guidestar
I used to write, years ago, and always said I'd get back into it one day, but just never got around to it. Then a friend pointed me to NaNoWriMo, and in November 2010 I wrote a 50,000 word novel -- not in 30 days, but in 15. The funny, lively, smart online community plus the clearly-defined daily goals put a quick end to all excuses and procrastination. Since then, I've been revising my 2010 project and looking forward to NaNoWriMo 2011!
The Office of Letters and Light helped me realize my real and true dream of becoming a novelist and a published author. Before I found National Novel Writing Month, I was a novelist who never finished a single project. Now, having participated in NaNoWriMo 7 years in a row, and succeeding, I can now finish every draft I sit down to write. It is an amazing non-profit. THey build libraries in third world countries. I feel confident that the money I donate to this organization is used for the greatest cause!
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo has truly changed the way I view literature and the art of writing. I have written two 50k-word novels because of the program, and it has pushed me, through all of their creative forces of motivation, to write more than I could ever have thought possible. I fully intend to continue participating in NaNoWriMo and believe the Office of Letters and Light deserves to be recognized as a great foundation for all that they do. So inspirational, and incredible that they have helped so many people all over the world to start in on their novels. The more one writes, the better!
I've done NanoWrimo for the past five years, and aside from having five novels under my belt, my children have benefited as well. Because they've watched me go through the noveling process every year, they've become motivated to write their own stories. I've got a 9 year old with Asperger's and motor skills issues. We used to have to pull teeth to get a sentence out of him. Now he requests notebooks so he can write and when he has to do any kind of written work at school, he gives lots of details instead of single word answers. My 7 year old decided she wanted to write a novel and have it published. NanoWrimo and the Office of Letters and Light has inspired many youth directly through their programs, but they are motivating many others indirectly too.
This past November was my first time participating in NaNoWriMo and I absolutely loved it! This is a wonderful program to really push all ages past what they thought they could accomplish with their writing. One of my biggest problems as a writer is that I procrastinate. NANO helped me work through that and prove that I can write 50,000 words in a month even while working full time.
The staff was supportive and did an excellent job encouraging the participants with the newsletters, blogs, updates and my personal favorite pep talks from published authors!
Review from Guidestar
I have always wanted to write a novel but could never actually finish one. Usually I would psyche myself out by second guessing every writing decision or simply lose interest. The Nanowrimo program of the Office of Letters and Light allowed me to fulfill that dream. The website that connects you with other aspiring writers and peptalks throughout the month are exceedingly helpful, as is the word counter. It made it much easier to set goals and meet them with this set up. While the novel I wrote for Nanowrimo will never be published and is not particularly good, it reignited my passion for creative writing. I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel, seriously or not.
Review from Guidestar
The OLL provided me with an encouraging space full of like-minded people, allowing me to explore the very depths of my imagination and, ergo, of my very essence. Without the guidance and community of the OLL, I would still have so many locked doors within myself, doors that needed to be opened. In short, the OLL provided me with a means of self-discovery, and, thusly fulfill an extraordinarily important role in my life and the lives of the millions who comprise the community.
Review from Guidestar
I have been participating in the Office of Letters and Light's NaNoWriMo since 2007, and through this program I not only learned I could write a novel in a month, but that there were very few things I couldn't do with enough dedication and perseverance. In 2007, I was convinced I wouldn't be able to write nearly that much, as previous attempts to write anything resulted in unfinished short stories, and even short essays for school gave me panic attacks. Sure, NaNoWriMo isn't an actual cure for panic attacks, but it did help me put schoolwork and my creative writing in perspective, and showed me that I could write a novel, or, in my case, four of them. OLL provides an online encouragement and support system for participants, and organizes local events to help participants connect and often form friendships or writing connections for the other eleven months of the year. Furthermore, I have friends who have participated in the Young Writer's Program, and been able to learn just how much they can accomplish years before I ever figured it out, as well as hone their writing skills.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo inspired me to write 50,000 words of my life experiences as a legacy to my daughters. Because it was a contest with a deadline, I made it my mission to type every single day in November without fail. To my surprised not only completed the 50,000 words, I finished early. I now have a rough draft of family history and life's wisdom preserved for ever for my children and their future children. It's something I have wanted to do since I was diagnosed with cancer 7 yeras ago and never got around to. I think this is an amazing organization which motivates people to write the novel they always dreamed of but keep putting off.
Review from Guidestar
This past November was my first time participating in NaNoWriMo and I absolutely loved it! This is a wonderful program to really push all ages past what they thought they could accomplish with their writing and creates a wonderful sense of pride and confidence. I have never been able to keep my self concentrating on a story before and I'm proud to say that NaNo helped me finally achieve my goal of finishing the first draft of a novel I've had in my head for years!
The staff was incredibly supportive and really did a wonderful job encouraging everyone participating with the news letters, blogs, and updates!
I could not recommend this program any more highly, I think it has an immeasurable impact on students, and adults as well, and should be considered a valuable asset to teachers and anyone else that needs some help to accomplish their writing goals.
This organization's main fundraising effort. "National Novel Writing Month", is in and of itself a public service. I seriously can't even begin to tell you how positively it has affected my life. It has enabled me to complete huge, ambitious, and daunting creative projects with a freedom and a daring that otherwise would have been much more difficult for me to muster.
Many thousands of people directly benefit in their lives from its fundraising alone - and many more benefit from the target of its well-earned dollars: creating libraries overseas.
I heartily recommend this organization and its efforts. They shine.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is one of my favorite non-profits because they encourage all writers; budding and experienced ones, at all levels to follow their dream and complete a writing project on a deadline. How do they do this? Through the yearly NaNoWriMo Writing Challenge and other wonderful free creative writing programs.
They support young writers through user contributions and have worked hard to build a community of writers interested in taking massive action to finish a project and to help others do same.
They are deserving of this special award as I am confident they will put it to great use.; particularly to help those who need it the most.
Review from Guidestar
I have had novel ideas and novel beginnings for decades, but it wasn't until I found out about NaNoWriMo (two days before it began) that I managed to sit down every day and write an entire, finished piece! The bonding I did with my two friends in our NaNoRaMo (as we call it - more fun to say!) team has morphed into stronger friendships and weekly pub quiz nights, so the fun continues! I can't wait to write a screenplay in April.
For me, November is the most wonderful time of the year. Why? NaNoWriMo, of course. I have participated for two years now and have found it to be the most helpful and encouraging organization for just "getting that novel done." It's hard to beat that feeling of reaching one's creative goals and Chris Baty and the team at the OLL have done a wonderful job in creating an event that not only makes you excited to be creating, but also enables you to meet other like-minded people with whom to share your triumphs and struggles.
I came across Nanowrimo when reading one of my favorite writer's blogs. Writing a novel in 30 days? No way. I had written short stories before but I was horribly slow at it an rarely finished them. I thought there was no way I could possibly do it. But in 2008 I got up the courage and joined. It was an abysmal failure...but it was still a fun experience: being apart of the collective, reading the pep talks and hearing about everyone's writing triumphs and failures. I didn't give up after that first year, even though it would have been easy to do so. In 2009 I conquered my novel and wrote over 50,000 words. In 2010 I not only won the day but I did it way before the crack of midnight and I learned new things about myself, creativity and artistic expression. Now after 3 years I proudly wear my winner's t-shirts and tell anyone that will listen all about Nanowrimo. It's an incredible experience that everyone should participate in. But the real diamond is their kids programs, giving children the chance to unleash their creativity and write their own stories is something magical indeed. That's why I donate every year and sincerely hope that The Office Of Letter's and Light wins this contest.
Review from Guidestar
I have been involved in all three of OLL's programs, including NaNoWriMo, Script Frenzy and the Young Writer's Program. They helped me realize my dream of being a writer by connecting me with other local writers and giving us a reason to write. My son participated in the Young Writer's Program last April by writing his first short film. Their educational and inspirational materials (all given away for FREE!) are an amazing value, not to mention the month-long encouragement that arrives via email during each contest. I donate to The Office of Letters and Light every time I join one of their contests, and I encourage others to do it too. They are doing wonderful things for literacy and creativity all around the world.
Nanowrimo changed my life forever. I was roped into it, two days before it was going to start by a dear friend of mine. Never did I think that it would be as big as it turned out to be. Through out the whole month I did the thing I had been trying to do for months, write a book. I found a new inner me that I did not know existed. It is hard to explain the way I feel after coming out of this, all is I can say is that I feel love. Love from writers I met and joined forces with. Love from the story they grew from a small seed in my brain, to a much larger, fuller story. And last but not least love from God who gave me the strength and courage to do this thing in the first place. This was the most hectic, crazing, amazing thing I have ever done, and I can assure you that I will be doing it again nest you.
Review from Guidestar
The OLL changes lives. Through the hard work and effort of it's organization and team, people all over the World learn about creativity, writing and the freedom that can be found within that.
In 2007, I was reading a blog that talked about writing a novel in a month. I followed the link, read the preface of what NaNoWriMo is and instantly signed up. I've been a writer since I was a child but could never discipline myself or believe in myself enough to actually write a novel. I read the forums, learned about writing from real authors through the pep talks they provide. I changed as a person. I went from someone who wanted to be a writer and thought maybe someday I'll try to do it; to someone who wrote a novel from start to finish. I cried when I completed it, it brought such joy to my life. My husband has seen how I've changed over the past four years I've dealt with the OLL and he said that this has brought a joy to my life that he could never bring, but that the OLL brought out of ME. I am so thankful for this organization and will support them forever.
Review from Guidestar
I first found NaNoWriMo the year after I had finished high school, I was doing nothing with my life and I had no idea of what I wanted to do, I had no ambition, no self confidence and I was quite unhappy.
That october, by chance, I found the office of letters and light's website, and since I had nothing else to do, I decided that I might as well have a go, even if what I wrote would turn out to be rubbish.
I was right, what I wrote was utter rubbish, but I loved it every second of theat month, I wrote until midnight on november 30 and I scraped over the 50,000 word mark by about 400 words and with about three minutes to go.
It was the best thing I had done in my life.
From then on, nothing seemed as hard or as scary as it had before, I went and got a better job, I did a tafe course, and I kept writing, and I slowly began to get better at it.
I have done NaNoWriMo three years in a row now, and I have won every year, and my life has changed completely.\
This year, I am going to go to university and begin a bachelor of creative arts, majoring in creative writing, I have written more than I ever thought I would have done, and for the first time, I'm happy with where my life is going, and I think it's safe to say that none of this would have happened if I hadn't found NaNoWriMo.
I participated in NaNoWriMo, which is produced by The Office of Letters and Light, for the last two years. Last year I was able to finish my novel, Bathtubs in a Field. I am in the process of editing the novel down so that it can be submitted to agents and published. Without NaNo I don't know that I would have ever started, much less finished, an entire novel. I Love The Office of Letters and Light. I wish I lived in CA so I could work for them.
Review from Guidestar
OLL's NaNoWriMo gets people to do that which they only dream of. Upon completing the competition, the participant is a writer. Almost everyone wants to be a writer. OLL helps people achieve their dream.
NaNoWriMo is the greatest motivator for writers all over the world to actually sit in their seat and WRITE! I progress farther on my novel projects during the one month of November, then the rest of the year combined. Because of NaNoWriMo, I've made several other writer friends and now, this year for the first time, we are meeting weekly to keep November's momentum active throughout the year. If you want to write, if you have a story to tell, but seem to lack the discipline to sit down and get it done, then sign up for NaNoWriMo! A crazy quest to produce 50,000 words in 30 days will get your blood pumping and your fingers typing.
I not only participated in NaNoWriMo, but I bought T-shirts and mugs adn my husband also donated. We love our products and knowing the money supports this organization. I also wrote several novels in the years I participated, two of which are published and selling.
Review from Guidestar
It's hard to overstate the impact of The Office of Letters and Light with National Novel Writing Month. It is so much more than a "writing contest." It is a dream-fulfilling machine. It inspires. I completed the first draft of a novel I had been trying to write for about 10 years by participating in this year's NANOWRIMO. And not only did it help me with the tools and support I needed to fulfill a lifelong dream, but that kind of personal success spills over into all other areas of life. It is such a confidence booster. And my kids were impressed, too, and that was an unexpected bonus. My success, thanks to NANOWRIMO, also showed them that hard work and persistence pays off. Thank you to the Office of Letters and Light!
The OLL runs some of the most important and creative challenges out there. Yes it helps people write a book or a script, but what it really helps with, what is fundamentally the core of this organisation, is re-discovering our true selves and living in the moment.
The entire aspect of the NaNoWriMo challenge is to let go and follow your heart. Something that we were all born to do but somewhere along the way, have forgotten. Taking part in NaNoWriMo helps us remember who we are, helps us access a creative part of our soul that we never thought existed and most of all, reminds us what we are capable of. The proof of this is in reading reviews from other members who say this has had such a positive impact in their lives.
i love this organization!! so many fail to achieve what they promise, but with nanowrimo, you get exactly what you might expect. a wonderful, supportive website, a huge community, and lots of extras such as certificates, jokes, store with merchandise, etc.
it is a simple theme to write a fifty thousand word novel in thirty days, eyt teh task itself is difficult. office of letters and light does everythign it can to not only promote writing, but has often helped withg literacy efforts as well, loaning alpha smarts, assistance to teachers, pairing with groups like betterworld books.
NaNoWriMo, the November writing project sponsored by the Office of Letters & Light, has helped me immeasurably. The feeling of community, knowing that I am not going through the insanity of pounding out 50,000+ words of narrative in 30 days by myself.
The newsletters, email attaboys and general helpfulness of OLL during NaNoWriMo is amazing. A testament to promoting writing, setting goals and attaining them. It's quite a thing they do. Promoting creativity is one of the most wonderful endeavors somebody can be in. OLL fills this need with gusto and a bit of humor.
Review from Guidestar
According to young adult literature author Maureen Johnson, to become a real writer, one must first suck. One must suck long and hard at being a writer, and through this massive suckitude, one will gain the experience necessary to become a published and accomplished author. The Office of Letters and Light provides a safe, supportive environment for such suckitude. Through their multiple weekly pep talks during NaNoWriMo, they encourage and support thousands of writers around the world in their endeavors to become not only better writers, but better people as well. I personally have completed four NaNo novels, in no small part due to these pep talks. There were days when I just didn't think I could do it, and then I opened up the forums and found that someone out there, someone I didn't even know, believed in me. For some people, it's life-changing. I know it certainly was for me. I'm going to college next year to become an English major and hopefully have my book published thanks to this wonderful organization.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light's National Novel Writing Month is a stupendous organization in which I have participated for the last three years and to which I intend to return again. I enjoyed writing before I participated and thought it would be great fun to give it a shot, writing these crazy, fun, scary novels in just one month.
Needless to say, it was. Their forums are supportive and supply valuable information for not only those doing well, but also those stuck in the annals of writer's block. The website is friendly and well-designed and I truly found it a pleasure to participate. NaNoWriMo made me feel empowered as I wrote, knowing that there were thousands of others across the country and across the world, egging me on and writing with me as we all ran that so appropriately named "literary marathon" to success.
This nonprofit is an honorable cause deserving the support of any and all who encounter it.
Ever since I was a kid, I've been starting short stories and novels and not once had I finished a single one until I participated in the National Novel Writing Month which is organized annually by The Office of Letters and Light. This organization is solely responsible for providing me and many, many others (both known and unknown to me) with the necessary nudge in the right direction that was needed to start/finish our novels and ideas.
Not only are they responsible for helping people hone their creative writing skills, they also provide help and advice on the topic of writing and editing (not limited to novels) to anyone who needs it.
But it doesn't end there. The OLL also supports the stimulation of children's creative writing, which in my opinion is a beautiful thing to do.
Where would our world be without creativity? And what better way to express that creativity than with the one object mightier than the sword?
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the OLL for existing. I've written two novels over the past two years and I'm working on a third outside of NaNoWriMo. All of these have helped me to develop social contacts and strengthen the ones that I already had. Friends and family members are all filled with pride when they hear what I've accomplished and I believe that everyone should be given a chance to experience a similar satisfaction.
Review from Guidestar
OLL is a wonderful organization that encourages and builds up the confidence of writers all around the world, young and old. For me, I'd always wanted to write a book but they gave me the drive to get it done. It was kind of a “someday, that would be nice.” thing. But that someday turned into something tangible! I participated in Nanowrimo in 2009 and I had so much fun, I came back for another go round in 2010! The staff are really friendly and they put a lot of effort and hard work into it every year. They provide the participants with so many resources and a lot of encouragement. It's fun and engaging and I have learned so much about writing, and myself as a person.
NaNoWriMo six years ago and the encouragement, satisfaction, and challenge it gives me and so many others is priceless.
The team at the Office of Light and letters work hard to provide articles from other writers, incentives, and the work they do with the young writers program is an investment in the future of our country. Young people everywhere are encouraged to delve into words, language, and their creative side, and in return, their lives are enriched. There is little I can say in the form of constructive criticism. If they can do it, they do. Whatever could be improved is merely cosmetic or out of their reach. I heartily recommend them.
Review from Guidestar
Before I had heard of NaNoWriMo, the wonderful month long novelling fit run by The Office of Letters and Light, November was just another month. Now it's THE month, the month where the mundanities of life are put aside to make time for living a dream. A hectic, messy, insanity-inducing dream, but a dream nonetheless. I have neither words nor time enough to explain the many, many ways in which this has made my, and many other's, lives better, so I shall summarise thusly; it makes miracles happen.
Review from Guidestar
I first heard about the Office of Letters and Light's program, National Novel Writing Month, when I was in grade 10. I didn't find the time to do it until a year later, but I proceeded to seize "victory" then and this previous year. Without the amazing support provided by the entire team and all of the participants, finishing the challenge of 50,000 words in 30 days could have posed insurmountable, but I was inspired enough thanks to their efforts to cross the finish line. The sheer difficulty ultimately paid off, and I am much more confident in my writing ability after both years. It taught me many valuable skills, from how to flesh out my writing to the all important ability of time management. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything the OLL has provided and look forward to continuing with their programs throughout my life. I cannot emphasize just how much their efforts help me and the world, so it is with my utmost sincerity that I direct anyone reading this review to their site.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light has helped me write three novels and a poetry collection in the past two years. Without the numerous services and the friendly support they offer I would never have been able to accomplish my literary goals. I have had nothing but a fantastic time navigating their website, reading their tips, writing my novels, and dealing with them directly. I can't wait to participate in NaNoWriMo this November and to enjoy their generous support.
Review from Guidestar
The most fun month of the year for me has become November (April might start to be fun too...). I love to write, or so I say, but it's difficult for me to get motivated. NANWRIMO and the Office of Letters and Light have inspired me to write daily - okay, so it doesn't usually last past November, but at least I've done it then. The support they provide through e-mails and videos keeps me interested and inspired, and I truly hope that one of these Novembers will blossom into a year of writing daily! At least, however, I have my November process to look forward to every year!
I have participated in National Novel Writing Month every November since 2008 and am currently in the process of readying my first project for submission to publishers.
I have always enjoyed writing, but participating in OLL's NaNoWriMo shows me just what I am capable of. It also connected me to other writers and showed me just how supportive my friends and family are of my writing habit.
I owe a lot to the folks behind this well-run event. NaNoWriMo staff members are on the ball, keeping participants updated if there are server problems, organizing encouraging emails from published authors, and a million other little things that make a big difference.
Well done, OLL! Keep it up!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is an amazing organization that helps people reclaim the creativity that so many of us lose touch with as we leave childhood. The challenge to write a novel or script in such a limited period of time -- only 30 days! -- seems at first approach like a daunting, even overwhelming task, and reaching the end is an amazing experience. And after conquering such a feat, it is almost inevitable to ask of oneself, "What else can I do that I once thought impossible?"
Review from Guidestar
Sometime around July I get a thrill and a chill. Both are about the upcoming November. What will I write this time? What awesomeness will happen this year? Do I have enough spare time to finish? How could November possibly be so important? OLL. They encourage members to write, to partake in a creative process. While plenty of people could egg themselves on, OLL's NaNoWriMo is the writing equivalent to a marathon. People come together to aim at a goal. Without the central hub of OLL, I doubt it would work quite as well. But outside of NaNo, OLL has other programs that are equally geared to getting people to write. When I donated after my first year, it was out of a sense of having gotten a lot out of a very short time and out of the hope that others could have a similar experience. I feel like that expectation was well met.
It was hard to pick my role as I have both donated and been a beneficiary of this wonderful organization. OLL's National Novel Writing Month has been an inspiration for me each of the 5 years I have participated to date. The sense of community it fosters in local areas, bringing together people who might not find each otherwise - even with our shared interest in writing, is excellent. Having been through it a few years, I love to help out new writers in the month, and am greatly helped by the OLL staff's communication and their representatives in local Municipal Liaisons.
I know my writing and my confidence in it has grown year-by-year. I would recommend it to anyone aspiring to write. Further, if you are seeking an organization worth donating to, I know it feels good to me to think that my money can help bring new and great stories to the world. The esteem it can build in writers, too, young and old, is nothing to sniff at, either.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light provided a forum for me to turn my thoughts into a novel. By providing the forum, encouragement, and support my characters are now correctly placed on the page instead of still running into each other in my head. I intend to participate in NaNoWri in the years to come. There are more stories to be made and journeys to be had!!
The Office of Letters and Light have freed my creative soul and spirit in a way I never knew could happen. I've struggled to write a novel for more than 2o years. Then my husband came home with book, "no plot no problem" and a novel writer was born: me.
I've written 5 novels in 5 years. This year, I'm doing something I only dreamed about: writing a novel I want to publish.
Those first few were all about freeing my soul; writing only for me. The Office of Letters and Light have guided my writing future by providing me courage and confidence to write. So cool,
Review from Guidestar
The OLL does a wonderful thing in helping adults and young people to explore their creativity and achieve goals that seem impossible. I never would have thought I could write a novel in one month, but now I've done so twice with the help of the OLL and their NaNoWriMo. I love that they have a young writers program to encourage school children to write for fun and to develop their creativity. This year the OLL also held a book drive, which I think was a great thing to do to help encourage reading. I really hope they hold the book drive again this year. Ever since I learned about NaNoWriMo, I get giddy with excitement for November.
I found NaNoWriMo online in 2000. I was homeless, desperate, chronically ill and disabled with extreme chronic pain that was at that time undiagnosed. I had no hope of anything other than someday becoming a writer, a dream a lot of people picked on me for at the shelter and mocked.
I am not kidding when I say Office of Letters and Light changed my life. What used to be the world's most solitary art form, novel writing, has become something like the Boston Marathon. I may be serious about becoming professional one day and certainly have worked toward it writing a novel a year (or more) no matter what else happened in my life. But knowing there are so many leisure novelists out there also helps me connect with people who are all also readers.
Print on demand publishing made my dream come true as it did for many other Nanowrimo winners. But having this event every year has done so much to keep my spirits up no matter what goes wrong in life. I'm not a freak any more. I'm just a man with a passion shared by hundreds of thousands of others and it's no different from loving a sport - it's become part of "normal" thanks to OLL. So has script writing with Script Frenzy.
They do a lot every year to expand literacy in ways that aren't the usual patronizing "help handed down from people better off" but very egalitarian. Chris Baty still works his brains every year doing his own novel and sometimes doesn't succeed because he spends so much time keeping OLL going. His pep talks, the guest pep talks by published authors, the get togethers in various places I've lived all broke my isolation.
Getting a printable Winner's Certificate for a real achievement almost every year I've entered has mattered a lot when sometimes walking over to get my own coffee was an achievement I couldn't succeed in. My disabilities are severe and some of those years were worse when I had surgery and before I had social security. I was homeless, broke and incapable of taking care of myself - but I could do something real and wonderful that took hard work and sustained effort thanks to Chris and his support.
Review from Guidestar
I had been struggling to write a novel for several years when I discovered NaNoWriMo, a contest held by the Office of Letter and Lights each November. I have participated in the contest for the past three years and it has proven top be a great motivational tool. Encouraging emails and a great website were integral in my actually finishing my 50,000 words in less than 30 days. I look forward to November each year and the opportunity to participate in such an life enriching experience.
Review from Guidestar
The office of letters and light does more than just give people motivation to write stories, it gives them inspiration to complete the mother of all creative endeavors along with the recourses and support group to make it happen. Every November feels like Christmas Day to me. The specific event and organization makes it feel like my novels serve a greater purpose and gives me so much drive to write. It also gives me and the other writers in my area a reason to invade local coffee shops for hours on end. If the OLL hadn't shown me the power of a write-in, I wouldn't have accomplished as much as I have today.
Review from Guidestar
November! Ah, that glorious month! The eleventh month! The eleventh hour! The eleventh Doctor! (No, wait...) Every November, the Office of Letters and Light runs National Novel Writing Month. Last November, I won it. It takes nothing but dedication to get through. I now have a rough draft of a novel I didn't know I would ever write; I didn't think of it until the first of November. I now plan to work on it and I'm seeking to get it published. Thanks, OLL, for pushing people to be their best. You are wonderfully supportive, funny, and you make everyone who participates feel like they're a winner.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in the Office of Letters and Light National Novel Writing Month for eight years, and I cannot begin to articulate the importance of the NaNoWriMo organization in my life. When I was younger, being homeschooled, I spent the better part of my time writing stories. It was my intention to be a published author when I "grew up". However, other things took over, and with each passing year time for writing became increasingly scarce. Thanks to NaNoWriMo, I know that each November I will be given the inspiration and motivation to set aside dedicated time for writing. The 50,000-word goal gives me something very specific to set my sights on, and the support of other NaNoWriMo participants and the NaNoWriMo organization in general is invaluable in getting me there. I write entirely for my own sanity now, with very little interest in being published. The characters and the story become part of me, and with each year of NaNoWriMo participation I achieve the great joy of adding another 50,000 words of life and love to my collection. I owe NaNoWriMo a great debt of gratitude for this, and I thank them for making such joy a possibility - an annual reality, in fact.
Review from Guidestar
Every September I get a thrill of excitement when the first NaNoWriMo email comes to my inbox. I know another spiritual, intellectual, and emotional workout is coming, as once again I will push myself to create a new universe, to set aside such unnecessary expectations as perfectionism and clean laundry.
The Office of Letters and Light has made a tremendous impact on my life and every year I make sure to budget at least $100 of my savings for their work, that they can share the good news of creativity and love, making authors of folks young and old!
Review from Guidestar
OLL has helped me write two novels in the past two years. They have provided support, encouragement, tips, challenges, and the general push that I needed to make my dream come true.
I also teach middle schoolers and for the past two years, I have led my classes in their very own novel writing project. They were very proud of their accomplishments. To think of what I could have done if I knew that I could write a novel at the age of 13! I hope that this experience will change these kid's lives.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Light and Letters has given me a forum and the encouragement to write three novels in the past three years.
Review from Guidestar
The children's program that they run every November finally got my friend's fourth grader to overcome her dyslexia and start writing. Now she says she enjoys writing and she's starting to write for fun. She may never write a world-shaking book, but she's finally mastering skills that are essential in adulthood.
Review from Guidestar
In a world where it seems like the general public is losing interesting in literature, this not only encourages creativity but written creativity. Something that sadly not everyone has much experience in beyond the primary years of school. The OLL bring not only opportunity but challenge and fun to writing. Myself I started writing at twelve years old and joined in on National Novel Writing Month a year later in 2005. I've participated every year, enjoyed myself and I have no intention of stopping. Writing is not only a source of creativity, but it cultivates the imagination and encourages people to think outside the box while also improving on their language skills. Something, that sadly many people are sorely lacking in. And where one may not do well, it brings on the idea of wanting to do better, to do more. And I believe that is something that OLL believes in as well.
Review from Guidestar
There are four novels sitting on my hard drive that would never have been written if it hadn't been for the OLL. Thanks to them, I've grown in confidence both as a writer and as a person. The work they do is truly important and inspiring.
Review from Guidestar
My friend told me about this years ago. I attempted to write a story but it didn't work out. The second year I tried again and didn't even get half as far because of school. This year my grandmother passed away three days before the start of November. She encouraged me to do one thing: to be Creative. Be it if I wrote something a poem or a story or if I took a picture to make it amazing. OLL and their programs specifically NaNoWriMo was a jolt I needed to create something in her memory. My story is three-quarters the way finished. If I had not be challenged by the idea of writing fifty thousand words it would have been years before I got that far. I am an adult but I would love to be challenged like this in school. Creativity is the key to success and maybe we won't all get our novels published but it will change the way we think and view the world. This program promotes things we often take for granted. OLL helped me start healing and do something my grandmother would have been proud of. She may not have liked the novel but she would have loved to see me write.
"If you are bored you have no imagination." she said to me once. What I have learned if you cannot imagine then your life is stagnate and sad. This program deserves help especially when our Arts are under fire from budget cuts.
Give Children a boarder horizon.
Review from Guidestar
I had a great review written here but the GuideStar website wouldn't let me post it until I logged in and then it erased it.
Needless to say, OLL is amazing and I am a huge fan. They are encouraging and positive in everything they do!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is staffed by a group of amazing people with amazing drive and amazing heart. They inspire hundreds of thousands of people every year to put their creativity on the line and do something amazing (this review is written in the true NaNoWriMo spirit!) in just one short month. The work they put in it is astonishing, and I applaud OLL for their continued commitment to not only inspiring us but also making contributions to literacy around the world.
Review from Guidestar
I happened to be lucky enough to be around when NaNoWriMo was still in its infancy stages. I loved the idea of being gently coerced into doing something productive and fun. And clearly I'm not alone given how many people participate each year. As the years have passed, I have been amazed at the great progress NaNoWriMo has made...all while keeping its heart, soul, and sense of humor. I applaud an organization that inspires art and creativity for the sake of art and creativity, rather than some end goal of always having to sell something or make a career out of it. I thank Chris Baty, the captain of the ship, for making it such a success with his obvious and genuine enthusiasm for helping people realize their dreams. And I credit the entire staff for building such a wonderful enterprise, complete with ScriptFrenzy, the Young Writer's Program, and other fun programs.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo might just be the best nonprofit in the world. If only because it asks for so little (nothing, actually) and gives so much (everything, metaphorically speaking).
I've volunteered for NaNoWriMo for several years because of how strongly I believe in its core principle: Encouraging others to achieve their dreams. Specifically, encouraging aspiring authors to put pen to paper, fingers to keypads, voice to audio recordings.
One specific that comes to my mind is my mother: She's of the age where retirement is near, but where should could still enjoy working. However, the small company she worked at suffered (like everyone else) during the economic downturn, and she was laid off. She struggled for a few months to get a job, to no avail. Then, after a few more months of aggravation, NaNoWriMo rolled around and I suggested that, since she's not working, she might as well write down one of her stories.
Not only did she complete the 50,000-word requirement way early, she's since returned to NaNoWriMo (and Script Frenzy) three times, and has penned three more novels/screenplays. Her first novel is now being circulated by her reading group, where she is getting feedback on how to make the novel even better. Someday, she might even try getting it published. That matters to her much less, I think, than just having the satisfaction of creating something new and sharing it with others.
And that's what NaNoWriMo is all about.
Review from Guidestar
I have been a participant three years and a volunteer one. The OLL is an *amazing* group of people who do a great deal of good for literacy and learning the love of words, reading, and writing. Well worth supporting!
Review from Guidestar
Somewhere within the catacombs of my computer's hard drive, there are two finished novel manuscripts. I know that neither would have been finished if it weren't for the work of OLL. To be perfectly honest, I probably wouldn't have started them at all.
When I first heard about it, I was very skeptical of National Novel Writing Month. Writing a whole book in 30 days? It sounded like an impossible feat, something frustrating and unachievable. I gave it a try, sure I would fail -- and I did.
But losing was still winning, if you understand what I mean. I hadn't reached 50,000 words, but I had written more than I would have on an average month. I had an inbox full of pep talks, both from OLL workers and the authors they had recruited. I had a website full of resources at my disposal, a community full of like-minded people, and -- most importantly -- a burning desire to try again.
I did try again, this past November, and I made the 50,000 word goal. I consider this success among my biggest achievements, because it's one of the things I'm most proud of. Participating in NaNoWriMo showed me that writing wasn't something special that existed apart from life. It is something that you fit in when you can, a few hundred words at a time, an every day attempt at something extraordinary.
I never would have realized that without OLL.
NaNoWriMo also taught me that writing for the sake of writing was perfectly fine. These novels will never leave my hard drive, and that's okay. It helps me develop my observation and communication skills, and it's something I really enjoy. I don't have to be a published author to consider myself a writer.
I started a NaNoWriMo group at my school. The experience of it was so life-changing for me that I knew I needed to spread the word. A dozen people decided to take the plunge with me, from established writers to people who had never written more than a few pages. All of them worked through the month, and all of them felt the way I did when the month was over. The experience had changed them.
None of this would have happened without the Office of Letters and Light.
Their work is invaluable. My life would be very different if I hadn't heard of this program, or if Christ Baty hadn't started it. OLL changed my life, one word at a time.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in a NaNoWriMo a few years ago and had a fantastic experience. The support and general no holds barred approach helped me to reach the goal of completing a draft novel in one month - a feat I had thought impossible before. This organization pushes the boundaries for people who want to be creative and shows them what it takes to accomplish their goals. A worthy cause, indeed.
Review from Guidestar
I've been a participant with NaNoWriMo since 2001. I volunteered and/or was a paid employee for six years and am now a very happy donor. While I always enjoyed fiction writing as a child and young adult, NaNo is the main reason I still write regularly, and it fostered a real passion for writing that stays with me throughout the year.
The Office of Letters and Light is an extremely well run organization. The leaders, employees and volunteers are enthusiastic and friendly, and passionate about their work. I often encourage people to participate in NaNo (and Script Frenzy) because I know they'll have a great experience (in addition to a finished novel).
Review from Guidestar
It makes over 4 years I'm hook on NANOWRIMO one of the most amazing thing I've stubled upon on the internet. Talk about getting people together to bring something good into the world and I will point straight toward OLL!
I am looking forward to see their activity stretch across the full year for everyone! Give them a step ladder and those guys will reach for the moon! Go Nanowrimo Go!
Review from Guidestar
The work that these folks do to encourage people of all ages to write is astounding. I approve both as a participant in 2010 which persuaded me to write more than ever before, and also as a librarian appreciating their outreach programs worldwide across every age group.
Review from Guidestar
I discovered the OLL and Nanowrimo five years ago, and have volunteered as a municipal liason for the past three years. The OLL, with all of its programs brings together a community of writers with a common goal, and inspires people to write a novel, when they may not otherwise have attempted such. When I have need to contact the OLL for anything related to Nano then have always been professional and very helpful. And I am glad that I have gotten to be a part of this organisation.
Review from Guidestar
I've participated in National Novel Writing Month every year since 2005, and won every year! It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I started continuing after 50k to actually complete the story, and this year is the first time I intend to edit and possibly even self publish.
I've been writing for as long as I can remember, but it was NaNoWriMo that got me writing things this long - I'm sure when I start editing, I'll find that "quantity over quality" doesn't leave you with too much decent material, but it's quite true that it's a lot easier to fix something that's been written than to stare at a blank page, and thanks to NaNo I have 6 first drafts.
Before discovering NaNo I had mostly been writing short things, or only a couple of scenes before I didn't bother going any further. Now I'm getting into the habit of writing more, and making myself finish... and for me, even thinking about publishing is a huge step.
NaNoWriMo and OLL will definitely deserve thanks when I finally publish that bestseller :D
Review from Guidestar
I found out about the office of letters and light through word of mouth, and participated in two NaNoWriMos (2004 & 2008). The rollicking, joie de vivre and fellowship of collective writing/suffering/wonderment can not be matched. The process made me realize the latent creative potential that can be harnessed even with a full-time job and a family to keep me busy.
The world would be a darker place without the OLL.
Review from Guidestar
People may say that creative writing is free already, and that anyone is capable of doing so. While that may be true, it is also time consuming, mentally strenuous, and typically not a whole lot of fun to do by oneself. The programs provided by The Office of Letters and Lights help to bring a community of people who want to write together to provide each other with support and inspiration. I personally participated in NaNoWriMo in 2010, and I would not have brought myself to do it without the community spirit and words of inspiration.
Review from Guidestar
I have been involved with the Office of Letters and Light through its National Novel Writing program since 2003, and have been a municipal liaison (regional volunteer coordinator) since 2005. Right from the start, I have been so very impressed with OLL-- its mission, goals, communications, enthusiasm and generosity. I've watched how they went from donating their profits for several years to create libraries in Southeast Asia, and then went onto form their Young Writers Program, which creatively encourages kids to write, and supports the teachers and parents who are guiding the kids.
And they've encouraged ME to write, and hundreds of thousands adults like me... and not only to write, but to form a community with other writers (which is SO helpful)-- an online community via their website, and an in-person community by encouraging regions to set up gatherings and writing sessions, so writers can get to know each other and support each other.
OLL has shown great creativity and improvisation in going forward to achieve their goals, and they've made it irresistibly fun to participate, too. I love this organization and it has given so much to me, that I haven't minded giving back to them. Yay, OLL!
Review from Guidestar
I first found the OLL and NaNoWriMo through an article in my local newspaper back in 2008, and have participated every year since. It has easily been the single most important influence in my creative life!
Review from Guidestar
I joined NaNoWriMo in 2004 and wrote my first novel during my senior year of college. For most of my life I've been painfully shy, and prefer to stick to myself. However, I love books, and I LOVE to write. Several people recommended Wrimo and I debated it, but the thought of writing a whole novel in a single month while studying to get my English degree seemed impossible.
But I did it. I bit the bullet, as they say, and took the plunge. I wrote my first novel that year, enjoying every moment of it. Sure, the novel was no great success in and of itself. It will never get published. But the success came in knowing I could do it. I could write a novel length piece of original fiction, which I'd been dreaming about doing for nearly 15 years.
Even so, I was still painfully shy and wrote alone. My tiny college town did not have a Municipal Liaison to gather people together. A year later, I had moved to a large city with my best friend, who'd ultimately convinced me to try Wrimo in the first place. Here, there was an ML. My friend and I went to the first write-in that year, but it was the only event we attended. She quit mid-November, and I went on to win again, alone.
My third year, I was lucky enough to meet Chris Baty in person giving a talk at a local college about Wrimo. It was there, I met the new ML for my city, as the last one seemed to have quit similar to my friend. I knew what I had to do. I needed to break out of my shell and make some friends. Then the new ML stood up in front of the crowd and announced that he was excited to be the new head person for our region, but didn't want to go it alone. He was looking for a co-ML. I jumped at the chance. And while I didn't actually talk to him in person, I emailed him later to let him know I was interested in helping out...
And the rest is history. lol. He and I became instant friends, and discovered that we work extremely well together. This last November, we co-MLed our city for the 5th year in a row. We draw huge crowds to our events, we have a ton of fun during November, but even once the initial event is over, we still have fun. Together, we've made so many friends that we see all year round and we continue to hold write-ins at our favorite burger joint once a week.
And, this past year I finally wrote a novel I'm proud of, which I will edit to death and then send out to hopefully get published. My dream of writing novels other people will get a chance to read is becoming a reality.
In short, NaNoWriMo changed my life and I'm ever grateful to Chris for starting it up in the first place.
Review from Guidestar
My first contact with OLL was by entering their National Novel Writing Month Challenge several years ago. I then became a Municipal Liaison. OLL provides support to our local writers, it is absolutely amazing. Our region came in first in the US (in terms of words written per member of the group) - quite an accomplishment for a small town group in central Missouri! OLL provides a fantastic support system, providing us with materials and guidance that helps local leaders encourage and inspire aspiring writers of all ages. The Young Writers Program is also amazing - my daughter has participated.
Review from Guidestar
I first took part in The Office of Letters and Light's program, National Novel Writing Month, three and a half years ago, when I was in seventh grade. This was back in 2007, when there was still the running man logo, and it was a rough year for me. I had the lead role in a play, Anne of Green Gables, and was slated to spend half of November in tech week (which are the strenuous few days of despair leading up to show week) and finally show week. First week of November, my grandmother had died. We had to ferry her to Oregon to be buried. I don't claim to be close to my grandmother, but it left me a bit shell-shocked.
Me, this overwhelmed, stubborn thirteen year old, would never have made it through all of that without NaNoWriMo and the community support it provided. It got me writing for the first time since fifth or sixth grade, and it made me actually take my writing seriously.
In 2008, I wrote and finished my second book in November, ending at 150,000 words.
In 2009, I met my four very best friends in the world through NaNoWriMo, other writers, and one of them is coming to spend Spring Break with me this year.
NaNoWriMo has given me the opportunity to, on and off season, write and finish five novels, meet kind, wonderful people, and take part in this constructive, dynamic community of people who are there for support and friendship year round.
Review from Guidestar
I got involved with the Office of Letters and Light through their NaNoWriMo program. Going in, I had no idea what to expect. I knew what they expected of me - write a big ol' novel really fast - and I was excited to do that. What I had no idea of was how hugely they would support me, and what champions they were for the art and joy of writing. NaNoWriMo was not just a singular event, it was one of so many opportunities for them to promote a craft that is becoming less and less important in today's world of text messages and ill-conceived (and rarely proof-read) emails. They find ways to make writing joyful and inspiring, and anyone who is able to do that has my eternal respect and support.
Review from Guidestar
I first participated in National Novel Writing Month (a program from OLL) in 2006. The Office keeps everything going for all of the participants, sending out pep talks and podcasts and supplying the forum for the best online community I've ever found. I didn't win in 2006, but NaNoWriMo has been giving me a kick in the pants every year since, helping me write
Review from Guidestar
This was the first year I participated in NaNoWriMo, and for years I have always had a "what if" burning in the back of my brain when it came to writing a novel.
After years of procrastinating I signed up, competed and WON! By no means is it finished yet - but I an 60,000 words closer than I ever was procrastinating in my head.
Thank you NaWriMo you changed my life, because I realized finally I COULD do It, and I am!
Review from Guidestar
Script Frenzy and NanoWriMo have been wonderful in getting me to actually set and finish goals for my writing. I've been writing for several years now (I'm 17), but before I just kept starting projects and never finishing anything. NanoWriMo really gave me the boost I needed, and now I'm busy revising my first completed rough draft of a novel, and have written a play as well.
Review from Guidestar
OLL is not only a fantastic charity which has a unique and great cause, it offers its supporters the chance to expand themselves, try new things and meet new people! NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is one of the highlights of my year. It stretches my abilities and I've made some great new friends in the process!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light has done something that not a lot of people can claim: they have put an end to the “someday I’d like to write a novel” novelist. Aptly named, these folks give light in the form of hope to those of us who have always wanted to craft a story, even if it’s just one letter at a time. Or 50,000 words in a month. They force us kick off our procrastination and dive in “right now” instead of next month or next year or the infamous “later” that never comes. I have participated in National Novel Writing Month for the last six years now, and every year I surprise myself with what I am capable of, not only as a writer but as a person. I have reached and even surpassed my goals, I’ve met a group of crazy writers I now call my friends, and I’ve even been drawn out of my shy reverie to volunteer as a Municipal Liaison for the last two years, thanks to the amazing group of people who put together and run the Office of Letters and Light. They offer support, encouragement, writing tools, a community, and even threats when appropriate to help us reach our goals every November. I am proud to be a part of it, and I can’t wait until November this year!
Review from Guidestar
I've been participating in National Novel Writing Month since 2004 and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. This organization has given me the drive to finish four novels since 2004. It's a wonderful experience and I encourage everyone to participate once and you'll be hooked.
In 2010, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a Municipal Liaison for the Louisiana: Elsewhere region and vastly enjoyed the chance to meet other writers and guide them to do something many of them had never thought they could do: write, and for some finish, their novels. My work as a NaNoWriMo ML allowed me to help writers of all ages and experience levels to writer 50,000+ words in 30 days.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo has helped me not only with my own writing, but with establishing a sense of community. My city doesn't have very many official, publicized writers' groups, and these few groups are mostly made up of older adults and university graduates -- which can be an intimidating environment for a young, novice writer. NaNoWriMo provides fun events that encourage people to try writing a novel, even if they've never done it before. The emphasis is on trying your best and having some fun. I've only participated in NaNoWriMo for two years and I've still been able to encourage a lot of teen writers who were unsure of their own skills. I also meet on a weekly basis with the people I met in NaNoWriMo 2009, and we are watching each other's writing skill grow. I'm glad this program exists.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light put on the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) every November. I have participated three years in a row. I have never been surrounded by so many supportive and energetic cheeleaders in the cause of writing. The staff is extremely well organized and keeps you engaged and interested which isn't easy when you never meet them in person but all is done by the internet. I have been able to meet the goal of writing 50,000 words every time I have joined and that is such a boost to my writing career. Every chance I get, I recommend this activity to all of my writer friends and even to youth who are encouraged to join the teen version of Nanowrimo.
Review from Guidestar
I've been involved with National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, for the last 9 years. (Holy moly, has it really been that long?) I have absolutely nothing but positive, glowing, WONDERful things to say about the Office of Letters of Light and NaNoWriMo. Being a Municipal Liaison (local organizer/leader) for NaNoWriMo is, like many other rewarding roles, a tough job. The OLL, however, makes it a genuinely enjoyable challenge by offering plenty of personal insight and support. The atmosphere is positive, the resources are wonderful, and the support is genuine. I love it.
Review from Guidestar
Four years ago I heard about this crazy challenge to write 50,000 in 30 days, called NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. My friends and family have always said I was creative and enjoyed my stories so they encouraged me to write a novel. With the help and encouragement of this organization and the wonderful people that volunteer to make it happen, I did it I wrote a novel. Something I never thought I would be able to do because I don't have the money to take a creative writing class. After two years I joined the ranks not just as a participant but a volunteer as well. In my small region in Colorado I have over 200 active participants and over 100 who finished the challenge. With the help of the Young Writer's Program I have writer's as young as six who are accomplishing an amazing task. I am proud of my writer's. The OLL's programs have changed my life forever.
Review from Guidestar
I work with Office of Letters and Light every year for the past 3 years to help inspire my students to write and practice their English. I help them join NaNoWriMo each year to write something and meet more people from their region and other places. It's been very helpful in improving their English skills and also my own personal writing skills. I am currently working on 2 novels and will be starting another one this November. I really enjoy it and I get all my friends and family to participate too.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is the most incredible resource for encouragement for young and older writers alike.
The whole of OLL is dedicated to the cause of helping writers to find their voice and put it to paper. The officers are extremely personable and passionate and are ready to assist any writer with advice on a moment's notice. Participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is frantic and furious, but the shared anguish of attempting to create a semi-readable work of fiction can create wonderful bonds between writers.
Because of this association I have found a group of people who share my obsession and we have prolonged our involvement in writing together throughout the year instead of just for the month of November. It is wonderful to find a group of people, online and off, who are only interested in helping one another.
The Office of Letters and Light is an amazing and inspirational group and I am proud to be a part of it.
Review from Guidestar
OLL and their programs haven't just encouraged my writing - they've encouraged me to grow as a person. Never before would I have considered public speaking or organization as my strong skills, but after volunteering as ML for OLL's NaNoWriMo program I have a lot of experience with both! I also never considered actually publishing anything I had written before taking part in NaNoWriMo.
Above all, OLL's programs have brought me closer to the writing community in my region, and provided me with some of my closest friends.
Review from Guidestar
I volunteer with this organization every year in order to serve the people in my own community that share a passion for writing and doing something crazy and rewarding with their time.
These people have become like an extended-family to both me and the many diverse writers in this area. What's even greater is that it brings people from all over the world from all different cultures together with a common interest and a common goal.
The work that this organization does is amazing, and I look forward to working with them every November.
Review from Guidestar
We entered our students for the Young Writers challenge and used the manuals provided online. Where the competition was concerned, the results amazed us; we never thought that our students would complete the challnege, but not only did three of the classes do so, they even exceeded the word count required and expressed interest in going up against us next year! The works they produced, while requiring a lot of editing, were impressive and boosted their morale which motivated them to do more inside the langauge classroom. Some of the worksheets were so useful that we modified them and used them to complement our language teaching and literature analysis.
As for me, I never expected that I would be able to produce a creative and viable novel! So that was an accomplishment for me and it gave me a chance to apprecaite the importance of enjoyable challneges in life.
Review from Guidestar
I feel the Office of Letters and Light is aptly named. They deal with letters. And getting people to write letters. Lots of letters. Some of those letters end up being collected in novels, or scripts. And the people are not unchanged by the experience; some are volunteers like me who egg others on, some are participants who find out things about themselves, some are young people who push themselves in literary directions. Everyone benefits greatly.
What the OLL do is organised various fun pursuits that can light up peoples lives directly and indirectly worldwide. All credit to them and their growth and their mission. They encourage thinking, communicating and personal betterment. What society doesn't need that?
Review from Guidestar
The thing I love the most about the Office of Letters and Light is the feeling of family they give off.
I have been volunteering for them for just over five years and I have enjoyed every minute of it. They constantly support their participants and volunteers. Their messages constantly remind me that they "get it". They understand that this is a volunteer position and let us know how much we are appreciated.
It boggled my mind went I look at all their activities and how to they keep it all running. But they do year after year.
Review from Guidestar
I've been taking part in National Novel-Writing Month for five years, three as a volunteer Municipal Liaison, and I've watched the OLL grow in both size and scope. It's been an honor to contribute to it.
The OLL strikes just the right tone for their goal of encouraging literacy and writing. Through NanoWriMo I have been encouraged not just to write more, but to read more. I enjoy everything the OLL puts out-they are a smart, positive and gentle (but not too gentle!) resource for good!! I would encourage anyone to go to their website right now and check out what great work they are doing!
Review from Guidestar
I wrote a novel during the NaNoWriMo 2010! It was arguably the most exhilarating experience of my life. The OLL team were relentless in their support, motivation, and insight! Motivational boosters from the OLL team and the author friends really helped me through the blues and the tough days. I have felt an incredible sense of community and camaraderie. I am torn between wanting to spread the word about the event and the OLL to as many people as possible to let them know of this incredible place. On the other hand, I feel the need to keep it secret so as not to spoil it. I recruited friends and family to participate and gave each aspiring writer a copy of the founder’s incredible book. It has been a wild ride and I cannot wait to do it again this coming November!
Review from Guidestar
Through Nanowrimo and Scriptfrenzy, OLL has helped me find writing community, guidance, and confidence in the world of writing both novels and screenplays.
Review from Guidestar
OLL, through NaNoWriMo, has impacted my life in a number of ways. Not only did it give me the discipline to sit down and put pen to paper on the novel I had been wanting to write for so long, but it also gave me a forum to meet lots of other writers. I was able to connect with literature buffs in my hometown of Amman, Jordan whom I would never have otherwise meant. It is a great nonprofit with wide-reaching impact around the world.
Review from Guidestar
This year, for the first time, I participated in NaNoWriMo which is held by OLL. It was my first experience doing something like this. As part of this participation, I wrote a 50000+ word novel... in one month! OLL's team members guided, encouraged, and occasionally pushed me to success in this endeavor. They put in significant effort and have made me excited to continued writing. More importantly, they have encouraged me to use their Young Writers Resources to have my kids develop their writing skills this summer.
The tools they provide are astoundingly good, simple to use, and wonderful. While they ask for support, they don't attach a price to participation.
The thing that stands out the most for me is that I was able to get a sense for and feeling of involvement - from Jordan! I don't live in the US, but was afforded the chance to be part of something excellent that my peers back home were also doing. This connection is very important and shows just how well OLL is serving the world. My only recommendation for improvement would be making NaNoWriMo a challenge that could be done any month of the year. Aside from that, I can't think of anything that would enhance the experience!
Review from Guidestar
I discovered NaNoWriMo about 2 years ago and it has been everything I hoped to find in a writing community. I went from enthusiastic newbie to co-ML the following year. I found a local writing/critic group through NaNoWriMo and formed my own open writing group on Mondays from NaNoWriMo participants. I have met like minded individuals and made great friends. My life has only been richer for participating in NaNoWriMo, and the reason I volunteer for this great organization is to give back so much of the awesome I have discovered through participating with them. If connects writers, and really allows you the opportunity to push yourself to see exactly what you can do given an outrageous goal and a tight deadline.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo has made me a better writer, allowed me to engage with a new community and helped me prove that I can write something of an extended lenght. Their tips, advice and support during the two years I did NaNoWriMo was invaluable.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in Nanowrimo since 2007. Since that first year, I've been impressed with the professionalism, courtesy and inspiration provided by the organizers so much so that I wanted to become a part of the show. I wanted to be involved not only as a writer, but as a person who inspires the other Wrimos in my area. I volunteered to become an ML last year and it was a very rewarding experience. To say I'd do it again in a heart beat would be an understatement. I signed up for Script Frenzy last year and this year I'm the ML for a new region. I know I'll have all the support and guidance I need from the OLL just like my fellow writers will have my support and guidance when they need it. OLL is just awesome...
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in NaNoWriMo for the past three years, having succeeded in 2009. It's a great experience for all aspiring writers and the contest is huge motivation to actually get some work done. I can think of nothing negative to say about the whole experience.
I have recommended it to most people I know, and have turned quite a few people onto it.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo is one of the most rewarding campaigns I've ever taken part in. I've donated three times in the two years that I've participated, and it's wonderful to know that the money I give is going towards helping children and adults alike to rediscover the rapidly fading pastime of writing for pleasure.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NaNoWriMo in 2008 and in 2010. Both times I was impressed with the professional quality of assistance offered to participants. Not only were there plenty of articles to review, but the organization's participants donated their on time and opinions on the forum. Had I not participated, I would never have completed a novel.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in the OLL's National Novel Writing Month and Script Frenzy events. For the past two years, I have served as a volunteer Municipal Liaison for both events as well. I think the OLL is a fabulous organization, dedicated to literacy and perpetuating the need for writers and readers. As a teacher, I have encouraged my students to participate in NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy as well. The students are thrilled to accept the challenge and often discover untapped talent during these events. The Office of Letters and Light staff work tirelessly to support their events and do it with a smile. This is an outstanding organization and one with which I am proud to affiliate.
Review from Guidestar
I have been involved with the Office of Letter's and Light since 2005 when I first started participating in their National Novel Writing Month program/experience/opportunity. National Novel Writing Month is an incredible life-changing experience that has grown from a handful of participants in the late 90s to almost 200,000 worldwide this past fall. It is a creative writing challenge where participants try to write a 50,000 word rough draft of a novel in 30 days. While the challenge is individual NaNoWriMo (as it is affectionately called by participants), it is also a great community building event. Participants are grouped in regions (or municipalities) that are lead by local volunteers called Municipal Liaisons (MLs). These MLs organize local write-in events, encourage writers, and create an environment where people can pursue their passion for writing.
I have been involved in the Illinois::Naperville region in the western suburbs of Chicago as well as the Elsewhere::Middle East region covering several countries in the Middle East. Both experiences have been phenomenal. The opportunity to meet other creative people while pursuing something I love to do (write) but don't always find the time to do is refreshing.
OLL also sponsors an annual script-writing event (Script Frenzy) and has developed a curriculum that brings NaNoWriMo into the schools (Young Writers Program). Although I have not been directly involved with the YWP I have served as a Municipal Liaison for 2 years and know educators who have used the YWP successfully with their students.
In my opinion OLL is an amazing cultural phenomenon that encourages creativity, the arts, and community. It's meteoric growth in participants around the world is a testimony to the fact that OLL is creating an important space for people to express themselves in a ways that is meaningful.
If you have ever dreamed of writing a novel - NaNoWriMo could be the first step!
Review from Guidestar
Like so many others, I've volunteered as a Municipal Liason with OLL for the last few years, and a participant in their activities for years before that. And I keep coming back.
The experiences I've had with OLL have been intense, thrilling, exciting, confidence building and amazing. I've written 3 high speed novels, countless vignettes, achieved life-long goals, and made wonderful friends both online and in the real world. The NaNoWriMo event in particular has become part of my way of defining myself to the world.
The people who run OLL are wonderfully supportive to their volunteers and the general public, and the lengths they go to to help people achieve their goals are amazing. They constantly seek ways to support literacy not only for those of us who want to write a novel in 30 days, but also for those in more limiting circumstances, something I admire and support whole-heartedly.
Review from Guidestar
I've been a volunteer for OLL's programs for 3 years, a participant for 6. Its Nanowrimo program is the highlight of my year and it's helped me grow as a person: both as a writer and a leader (I am one of the Municipal Liaisons for Singapore). I've become more confident as both writer and leader, and met some wonderful people who are passionate about their writing.
Not only that, but it's amazing how Nanowrimo has helped give the writers in Singapore exposure. Many of our participants are teenage writers who never thought there was a writing community in the country, and coming to Nanowrimo has helped them see that there is. It's helped them interact with other writers of varying ages in a safe, open and engaging environment that we don't have elsewhere. It's also helped a lot of them become more confident in their writing (which isn't really see as a 'productive' pursuit to have in our school results-oriented country).
Our chapter has grown exponentially from year to year, and I'm glad to say we're engaging even more youths and adults by being part of the Singapore Writers Fest in 2009 and hopefully 2011.
It's brought together creative people that otherwise would never have met, and it's been a glorious journey through fiction for all of us.
Review from Guidestar
OLL's Nanowrimo project has changed my life. It's given me confidence as a writer and given me a place to meet other writers, who have gone on to form writing groups that exist independently and all year round.
It's an amazing and inspiring event.
Review from Guidestar
I have taken part in the NaNoWriMo event for several years and it's one of the highlights of my year. I have finished novels that I would never even have started without NaNoWriMo. Last year I decided to volunteer as a Municipal Liaison to give something back and help to cultivate the community in my area that supports so many people in their writing dreams.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light has been a godsend for many aspiring writers who lack the confidence in their ability to complete a novel. It is difficult to describe just how affirming it can be to finally complete a 50,000 word manuscript and how much motivation one develops for continuing to write once one has done so. I started as a member of the public who joined in to try and write the 50,000 words, and after one successful year, I volunteered as a municipal liaison for the following year and again managed to complete my 50,000 word count for my novel.
I have children who joined in with the Young Writer's Program and were thrilled when they succeeded at reaching the word counts that they had set for themselves, and I am planning on working as a volunteer with children in our schools to encourage creative writing as well now.
Review from Guidestar
During the last few years the Office of Letters and Light became a regular starting point for at least one great month in the year. Not only did I meet many new and inspiring people during events like the NaNoWriMo but also could I use my own potential and ideas to spread the power and incredible work of The Office.
When I look back at the last years I saw the number of people participating, helping, donating and doing good rise above all expectations and I always felt it is a great thing that we all do, channeled by the clever campaigns, motivating speeches and powerful events from The Office. And - last but not least - I always enjoyed the authenticy and honesty of the people working for this NGO. It helped bonding and getting in touch a lot!
I hope you'll support the Office of Letters and Lights with their goals and vision! And know I will. Again and again.
Best regards,
Michael Lüdeke
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light has been inspiring writers for years with its NaNoWriMo challenge. Personally, it has challenged me yearly not just to pursue writing for my own enjoyment and for the improvement of my craft, but also to help other writers--some of whom are more experienced than myself, others less--remember that writing should be fun as much as it is something that's a compulsion or something we always dream of doing. More than that, it helps inspire people to pursue their literary dreams with the realization that if you can write a novel in 30 days, imagine what you can write in a year, several years! The Young Writers Program also helps us ensure that this craft is developed and perpetuated in today's youth.
Review from Guidestar
Four years ago, I jumped into NaNoWriMo as somewhat of a dare. I had never written a full length novel nor entertained the idea of doing such. Once I got started, I searched and found support with a NaNo-group 45 minutes from my house. Because of the amazing help I received both in-person and online, I finished a complete novel in 30 days. Up until that point, I didn't fully realize what a writing community could do for me.
Last October, I signed on to be the liaison for my area. I was told that I would probably attract 25 members, as it was my first year. I got 134. The Office of Letters and Light not only trained me well, but they held my hand through this entire experience. When I freaked out (doubting I could pull this off) about three days before the event, Chris from the Young Writers Program shored me up with multiple emails. I proceeded, knowing that the OLL had my back.
With the support of our local library system, I hope to expand my knowledge base and support my local region through Script Frenzy in April. This has been an incredible experience for me and for my 134 regional writers!
Review from Guidestar
I first heard about the Office of Letters and Light in 2007, with their NaNoWriMo novel writing writing project. I signed up with about two days to spare before the contest started and was delighted to discover a world-wide network of like-minded individuals supporting each other in a crazy novel writing endeavour.
I thought the OLL was great, but it wasn't until 2010 when I became a municipal liaison here in Cape Town, South Africa that I truly began to appreciate the magnitude of the work that they do, and the good that they spread through a global network of more than 250,000 people.
As a municipal liaison I worked as a local volunteer to encourage people in my community, my town and my country to take a chance and get out there and write. Watching people who had never written more than a page of words before discover their inner writers was amazing, and having the support and dedication of the OLL, especially Nancy, who was always on hand to answer questions and give words of encouragement.
My favourite story from last year was of one of my participants, a gentleman from an under-privileged community who told me at the beginning of the month that he was the only person he knew in his community who wrote and that no one could understand why he would bother with a writing a novel in a month. By the end of the month he had people coming up to him asking when his book was going to be finished and when they could read it, and this from a community for whom reading is not a high priority.
I'm truly grateful to the OLL for putting together a program that lets me grow as an individual, and that lets me help others grow their potential as well. There is little to beat the feeling of seeing a person have that "aha" moment when it comes to writing.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light have been the biggest influence in moving me from a writing for fun mindset to a writing as a career mindset. They have some of the most upbeat and enthusiastic staff and volunteers I have ever met.
Through their NaNoWriMo program, I have finished three first draft manuscripts. As a municipal liaison last year I also had the joy of encouraging others in their writing.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is an awesome organization that encourages creatives pursuits, especially in the craft of writing.
NaNoWriMo, one of their three programs, is what I have experiance with. I've participated for two years so far and foresee coming back year ofter year far into the future. The goal is of writing 50k words in one month along with thousands of others all around the world is a fun, crazy experience!
The forums are wonderful, personalization of profiles is good, a very fantastic experience!
Review from Guidestar
As a participant of 4 years and volunteer Municipal Liaison for the latter 2, you would think I would not have trouble coming up with words to describe my admiration, adoration, and unending love for The Office of Letters and Light. I've spent more than 200,000 words on unfinished novels - clearly, I can pad a paragraph like a champ!
But the trouble I have conveying my thoughts about National Novel Writing Month, its parent non-profit OLL, and the incredible staff involved probably comes from the fact that I love them all so much. It's easy to laugh at that statement - it sounds like the kind of love that teenaged girls toss around to describe Justin Bieber. Banal and hollow is their Bieberiffic love. Very true and genuine is mine (for OLL, not the Biebs - try to stay with me here).
I took part in National Novel Writing month as a way to meet new people when I moved to a new city. I continued to participate because of the fun I had the first time and because I respected the OLL's mission. It's the carpe diem approach to writing something - sieze the day! Don't put off until "someday" what you can pound out next November.
I am the first to admit that I do not participate in National Novel Writing Month because I aspire to be a writer. I have been an active fiction writer since I was but a wee fanfictioneer, but it is not at all my chosen career path. I love the burst of creativity that I get at midnight on November 1st - it has become a cathartic release for me to vent all the things that I didn't understand about the previous year in a forum that A) no one else will ever read (thank goodness) and B) can be as non-sensical as I like. What has kept me coming back to National Novel Writing Month has been the people. The sense of community. The fact that it is run by good people, doing exceptional work, encouraging grown-ups to jump outside of their comfort zone and do something delightfully crazy.
Being a Municipal Liaison for National Novel Writing Month has been a truly life-changing experience. When I was asked by the local MLs to join the team, I was ecstatic. The idea that I could help to run a piece of something so positive for so many, with ripple-effect goodness to others across the globe, was an incredible boost to my confidence.
National Novel Writing Month changed my life, so much for the better. The dedicated staff of The Office of Letters and Light are a few of my personal heroes.
Review from Guidestar
A little more than three years ago I embarked on the great NaNoWriMo adventure as a participant. I was just starting out University and was losing sight of my friends. I was getting depressed and felt lost. I signed up without quite knowing what waited for me.
Through NaNoWriMo I met some of the most wonderful people on Earth. We became fast friends, and continued meeting long after the event. These people give me strength and incredible joy. They're crazy and wild and awesome.
The next year I took the next step, and chose to be the Municipal Liaison. I had gained so much from participitating in NaNoWriMo I couldn't imagine NOT sharing the experience. Others had to discover this wild, 50,000 words roller coaster, and I would make it as easy as they could.
I can't count the benefits I've had from NaNo and the Office of Letters and Light. Great friends, here and everywhere around the world, Roomates. A boyfriend! A passion for the writing life. I firmly believe I'd never have considered publishing as a serious option without the 30-days challenge.
Review from Guidestar
I've been writing for years, but it wasn't until I started doing NaNoWriMo that I actually started to believe that I could do this as a profession. While I'm still hunting that elusive 'first sale', I'm a lot closer (with three novels finished) then I would ever be without NaNoWriMo.
Review from Guidestar
Let me begin by expressing how many more stars I wish I could offer National Novel Writing Month, and the Office of Letters and Light. Through my now-six years of participating in the event, I have made some of the best friends in my life and strengthened friendships with people I knew. I have discovered more about myself as a writer, my abilities, my intentions, and my dedication to craft in that crazy nose-dive into the unknown than I thought any event, workshop, class, or mentorship could ever offer. I have become more ambitious, and watched those ambitions unfold even greater, more profound yields than I desired or expected. In fall of 2009, after moving to a new place, NaNoWriMo helped me find a place in a community. 2010 was my first year volunteering as a NaNoWriMo municipal liaison, and I feel like I had a hand in giving a few people a little bit of that in return. The event is about self-discovery and creativity, about writing, about being vivacious and free and unrestrained. These things are critical to people of all ages, and each on their own is worthy of being celebrated and supported. However, the organization is about all that and more: leadership, friendship, stewardship, and occasionally viking ships. I am continually floored by what they are able to do, and a not-insignificant part of my heart yearns for NaNoWriMo season all year.
Review from Guidestar
I have been participating in the various events presented by The Office of Letters and Light for seven years and have never had a bad experience. Through National Novel Writing Month, the Young Writer's Program, and Script Frenzy, the OLL presents writing and literacy in a fun, exciting, and easily accessible way. By making novel-writing, script-writing, and just writing in general into an intense contest (where you are only battling yourself and the clock) they have opened up the realms of words and books and fiction/non-fiction to a whole world of people who wouldn't normally find it interesting. The OLL is run by an extremely tight-knit, dedicated staff who work tirelessly to make everything they do a rousing success.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is a wonderful organization that encourages people to follow their dreams of writing a novel. I believe that by encouraging writing, it also encourages people to read. The most important part, to me, is the Young Writers Program, which encourages kids ages 13 and under to writer, and therefore read, more. I think it is extremely important for kids especially to read more to expand their knowledge of the world. It is also important for adults to have this 1 month of Literary Abandon to pursue their dreams of writing a novel, a dream they might not have pursued otherwise. I have met several people who say, "Someday I'm going to write a novel." Having the local meetings, and the solid goal of 50,000 words in 30 days gives people something concrete to work toward, rather than writing a novel of an indeterminate length "someday." Office of Letters and Light encourages literacy, and the pursuit of dreams.
Review from Guidestar
As a kid, I was a writer. But as an adult, responsibilities and real life trauma caused me to set childish things aside for almost 20 years. I picked up a pen (they're called "computer keyboards" now) about the same time I found Nanowrimo, the Office of Letters and Light's Novel Month program. Five years later I am a second year Municipal Liaison, my son has completed his novel for the past two years running, I've won 3 of the past 5 years, and I have some cool stories I never would have started or finished had it not been for this program.
But more than that, participation has taught me so much about teaching writing to others, especially the big lie we tell ourselves, that it takes large blocks of uninterrupted time to write, and if you don't have that, you shouldn't start. Or the one that goes, "You're not going to write anything good, so why start?" The fact is, you can't edit writing into something good until you start, and the courage and faith to Start is something Nano gives its participants, along with the really cool feeling of being part of a community of writers all around the world. I love meeting fellow writers online and in my local community, and I love seeing kids starting out on their own writing journey. Hopefully, they won't let a 20 year span of time go by when they aren't writing. I just wish this program had been around when I was growing up.
Review from Guidestar
I've participated in NaNoWriMo three years now. It has been a wonderful motivator for me each year. It has also motivated several several of my friends who would otherwise never started writing.
Review from Guidestar
I first discovered NaNoWriMo in 2003, the year I graduated high school. I had only been writing seriously for a couple years, but had never finished anything that wasn't fan fiction.
I didn't 'win' NaNoWriMo (reaching 50,000 words in 30 days) until 2009. It was amazing, but the story wasn't finished, and to be honest it still isn't!
In 2010, our Municipal Liaison moved away, and fellow NaNo-er and I were given the opportunity to share the responsibility for our region. I also completely finished my first draft, rather than just reaching 50,000 words. It was beyond amazing.
The Office of Letters and Light uses its programs (NaNoWriMo, Script Frenzy, and the Young Writers Programs) to create passion for art and literature.
At the same time, they help people realize that their dreams are possible.
And they even help make those dreams come true.
Dreams that come true are what keep us going, especially with the struggles people face every day. That is what OLL is. Inspiration.
Review from Guidestar
I don't think I could say anything that hasn't been said already. OLL does all they can to help encourage writers like myself. 2010 was my second year participating in NaNoWriMo, at the end (after reaching 50,000 words) I was able to watch a video for the winners. The video wasn't long and all it was was the people of OLL clapping and cheering on the winner. It was only a little gesture but it made me tear up because they made the effort to make sure all "Wrimos" knew how much their efforts were appreciated. Bravo OLL!
Review from Guidestar
I have been participating in the Office of Letters and Light’s, (OLL), yearly National Novel Writing Month event in November the last four years. During that period I have been able to realize my personal goal of writing novels that others have read and enjoyed. I have benefited from both the structure of the program, the support of fellow participants and from the coaching and mentoring available through the services provided by the OLL staff of volunteers. I have also been volunteering to help local writers begin flexing their skills at writing and helping them realize their dreams and enjoy the writing process. I do not think I would have had the nerve to attempt to write a novel from start to finish, and certainly not complete the task. I now reach that goal each year and have helped some of the others in my local community attain their goal as well. The support of the Office of Letters and Light makes this possible. I am actively campaigning to get the local school district to review the Young writers program for the possibility of adding it to the curriculum for middle and high schools.
Review from Guidestar
If I had several hours, I might be able to tell you everything I have to say about The Office of Letters and Light. But the biggest thing that they have done for me and for everyone the world over is bringing the joy of NaNoWriMo to an otherwise astonishingly dull month. The work that they put in to prizes, goodies, how-to's, forum junk, and all the little things that no one even thinks about thanking them for is AMAZING! Seriously. And not only that, but at the end of each November, I have a novel. Another novel. Another...until here I am, five years later with five novels under my belt and a lifetime's worth of great memories to share.
Last year was my first year volunteering as an ML, and I was terrified--BUT! The OLL made things easy with in-depth materials that taught me my job, a willing spirit to share if I needed help, and all the love and encouragement anyone could need to lead a group like mine to victory and noveling bliss!
That takes tons of work, and they don't get nearly enough thanks for it. As far as nonprofits go, they're the tops!
Review from Guidestar
I first participated in NaNoWriMo in 2003, and I've been a proud member ever since. Not only did I find the motivation and inspiration I needed to become a better writer, I've also made a great many friends from the experience.
A few years ago, I became a volunteer Municipal Liaison because I wanted to give something back to the OLL. Not only has it been rewarding to help my own region, but working with the OLL has been an absolute joy. They're dynamic, enthusiastic, and always happy to talk. I have no doubt that they're continuously dreaming up bigger and better ways to change the world, and I wish them all the best for it.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is wonderful organization. I have always loved to write and daydream about becoming an author. I never had the guts to try until I stumbled upon NANOWRIMO at my local library. NANOWRIMO was a group that challenged, coached, and encouraged you to get that novel out of your brain and onto the paper in thirty days. It was just what I needed! It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done...but when I held that manuscript in my hands the first time I felt like a million bucks. Last year I took the challenge to become my local group leader and it was a blast. I made so many friends and now I get to encourage others to follow thier dream to "Write that Novel".
Review from Guidestar
The OLL program I am mainly involved in is NaNoWriMo. I first heard of it as I was going around the web, decided why not and gave it a try. I loved it, especially when I was able to meet up with people who enjoyed writing like I did. My third year I became an ML with a friend and we have had a lot of fun getting to know others in our area. I'm not able to get out much, but since I have start doing NaNoWriMo I've gotten out more and made so many new friends, we now meet once a month througout the year. We meet and greet a lot of unique people and I hope it will continue. Its thanks to me becoming an ML that I finally got out of my shell a bit more. With each meet a little more breaks off.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in NaNoWriMo every year since 2005 and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. One reason it really resonated the first year was that the organization reached out in so many ways and encouraged me to write a novel - my first - in a month. The suppot through the on-line forum and e-mails from Chris, and the book No Plot, No Problem got me from 0 to 50,000 words in 30 days. That taught me that there really is time each day to do something creative. Rather than going it alone again, I wanted to gather a group in our community for the next year so I volunteered to become the ML (Municipal Liaison) and that added incredible dimension to my life. The group of people of all ages that responded to my flyers has mostly stuck together since then, with some moving on and new ones joining, and we feel a special closeness thanks to NaNoWriMo. Our group writes year round and is welcomed, despite our often loud writerly meetings, at a local book store where we gather twice a month on Sunday afternoons. The OLL operates on a shoestring and is always trying to do something great like build a library in Cambodia or encouraging kids to become novelists through the young writer's conference. It's a fabulous and worthy organization. I'm a huge fan.
Review from Guidestar
I started participating in an Office of Letters and Light program, NaNoWriMo, years ago after hearing about it from a friend. I joined as a joke, thinking it would be a one time deal. It was so much more than I expected! I had so much fun, I've participated every year since and eventually realized I wanted to give more back and ended up becoming a volunteer for the organization. Being a participant was fun, being a volunteer is even better.
As a teacher and a student writing club organizer, I have used the materials provided by the Young Writers Program through Office of Letters and Light. The materials and support have been amazing - the students love the special forums and workbooks and produced amazing pieces. Several students have already published their own books from the writing they produced through the Young Writers Program.
The whole experience has been overwhelmingly positive; I've regained my love of writing and had the chance to share it with fellow writers of all ages thanks to the many events organized by the OLL. In addition to making many new friends and forming lasting relationships, I've also had the chance to test out new technology to support my writing thanks to the forums and suggestions provided by this organization. I also participated in OLL's fundraiser Night of Writing Dangerously for the last few years, an amazing night. I wrote more in one night than I ever thought possible, enjoyed the company of some great writers, consumed great food and massive amounts of sugar, and helped raise money to support the various programs OLL runs.
If you have the chance to participate in an OLL organized event, I strongly suggest you go for it.
Review from Guidestar
What inspires me about what The Office of Letters and Light is doing is how far it reaches, even to a lowly writer like me in Malaysia. Despite the distance, the OLL still manages to encourage writing and literacy to the people who might not always believe in their own capacity for self-expression.
Review from Guidestar
I spent several years attempting to become a writer. Over time, I had read how-to books, subscribed to writer's magazines, and completed college courses toward a Bachelor's degree in English.
The turning point for me was my first year participating in the National Novel Write Month. In thirty days, I completed a novel in rough draft.
The support from NaNoWriMo staff was fantastic. Their encouragement and resources enabled me to build my story ideas not only into a written work, but also a successful self-published novel.
I was honoured to be offered the opportunity to become a member of the NaNo team, as a Municipal Liaison for my local area.
Review from Guidestar
During the course of November 2009 and 2010, I was writing novels; not puny short stories, not boring technical papers, and not tedious research reports, but novels.
Over the course of the two months, I amassed a manuscript of over 100,000 words, became aware of my ability to write, reveled in a creative outlet, and enjoyed meeting new people struggling against the same deadline.
50,000 words in 30 days is an average of 1,667 words per day. That presents a great problem ("Chinese for opportunity!" says my misanthropic high school history teacher) for people who have been told their whole life that creative writing isn't useful or important, and who began to believe it.
November 2009 was the first time in over 10 years that I had sat down to write something completely fictional. That experience lead me to participate again in 2010, and then again this coming November. I have decided to be a lifelong writer because of the OLL.
Review from Guidestar
There are few things I could say about The Office of Letters and Light that haven't already been said. But in short, they gave me back my childhood. As a child I would make up magical stories to entertain my little sister and parents. But as I grew up, went to college and obtained a "real job" I found that I had little motivation or interest in writing fantastical tales of adventure or heroics. That is until I discovered OLL's NaNoWriMo program. For a brief 30 days I was that child again. No worries on grammar or punctuation or coherent sentences. Just my imagination and a blank sheet. After 20 some odd years of allowing school and work stifle my creativity I finally found my muse...again. This past year I went from a participant to a Municipal Liaison for Tuscaloosa, AL. So now I'm helping other people (re)discover their muse. How awesome is that?
The OLL is an amazing organization filled with supportive, kooky and inspiring people. They also provide a wonderful online community where people all over the world are your own personal cheering squad.
Review from Guidestar
I first heard about National Novel Writing Month in 2006 and, when I signed up, saw that there was no Municipal Liaison for my area (Prescott, Arizona USA). I volunteered, not knowing how much I would grow as a writer and, more importantly, as a mentor to other writers.
While our region is small in comparison to some of the larger cities, our writers are dedicated. We had our first Young Writers come aboard in 2009. This past year, a middle school teacher got her Language Arts students involved as an extra curricular activity.
If not for Chris Baty and his team, thousands of writers would not know what to do with their pent up energy during the month of November - Thanks to NaNoWriMo and the Office of Letters and Light, we finally have an excuse to say, "Not now, I'm writing."
Review from Guidestar
The office of letters of light has been extremely beneficial for me. I began working with them 6 years ago as a participant. Since then my daughter (who was 5) and I have written a number of stories. I have watched the quality of our writing and extent of creativity grow drastically. She now carries a notebook with her to jot down story prompts and ideas. We have also seen this affect her friends and mine as well. As we talk about what we are doing friends from work and school decide to join us. The community aspect of writing with others has strengthen our relationships and allowed us to get to know classmates and co-workers so much better than we otherwise would.
Is our writing amazing...of course not. I am not a professional and I am not aiming to become a great writer, but I like the ability to get my thoughts on paper and that is a gift that this organization has definitely provided. Thank you OLL.
Review from Guidestar
Nanowrimo and by extension The Office of Letters and Light changed my life. I know, that is a bit over the top, but it is true. I've always been a writer. I'd written poems, short stories, essays and papers. I loved it, but I could never get over the hump and finish a novel. I had a veritable graveyard of novel starts. One time after another after another after another, I would start a book. One time after another after another after another, I would fail to finish.
In November of 2006, I heard about Nanowrimo, but it was too late. I told myself that I would try it next year. I promptly forgot about it. Then in the summer of 2007, I met the Municipal Liaison for our local chapter. I lit up. Local chapters. I didn't know that Nanowrimo had local chapters. I was fascinated. She gave me her information and told me to check the message boards in October and that there would be events. In October 2007, I went to my first event and met the other wrimos in my area. I was amazed by the support and the friendly, welcoming atmosphere. They introduced me to the idea of a scene list and plotting my novel in advance. (I know, who would have thought of that.) Those writers, their advice and support, and the events that were a part of Nanowrimo helped me finish my first novel. I absolutely could not have done it without them and the support that I got on the boards.
Some of those writers are now my very close friends, but I appreciate all of the wrimos that form our Columbia Nanowrimo community and all the wrimos that form our worldwide community, because without their push, I couldn't have written that first novel or the 4 that I have written since that first day. I am now actively revising one of my novels and hope to submit to an agent or editor or a 1000 agents or editors for rejection in the very near future. (I'm still excited even if I know that I will probably be rejected.)
In 2008, I became the co-ML of my region and I absolutely love it. We do pre-Nano events, write-ins during the month of Nano, and a post Nano event. The Office of Letters and Light provides a ton of support for me as an ML during the crazy months of October and November. The ML forum is an excellent tool that allows me to get free and inexpensive ideas for goodies for my region. The ML liaison promptly answers any questions that I may have and I love the stickers, the penny poster, and all the goodies that we are sent every year to share with the wrimos.
In short, OLL changed my life by giving me the tools and the connections I needed to finish something that I love. It is a great non-profit.
Review from Guidestar
The OLL event I'm most involved in is "National Novel Writing Month" occurring every November. I help organize the local area as Municipal Liaison volunteer.
Each year it's exciting and rewarding to see people appear, all determined to spend the month writing. Even people who don't write at any other time of year. The month gives them the energy, drive, friendship and motivation to tackle a challenge most would call crazy.
And they do it with laughs, smiles, and leave with a better view of themselves. That they were worth trying taking the time for this challenge, whether they succeed or not, as well as feeling good about new words they have written that might not otherwise have written.
The boost to self-esteem is amazing. People leave the event feeling as if they can challenge themselves to anything and have a chance at success. Combine that with new friends, positive get-togethers, and motivating events, and it's a recipe for success.
Review from Guidestar
Each year, writers in our area take the challenge to write a novel in a month.
During the year, we foster and mentor local writers but being part of Nanowrimo really spurs our writers on to reach higher and work harder for a month anyway. The excitement and contest atmosphere really gets attention for our writers and makes them take their craft more seriously. Being part of a program that is world wide also is encouraging and exciting.
The young writers material for teachers is great and supplies lots of ways to promote good writing in our younger set.
While we would continue promoting writing without this organization, being associated with them and getting all the writing helps, advice and encouragement has certainly enriched our lives.
They need to win this prize!
Review from Guidestar
Nanowrimo, a program of the Office of Letters and Light, is a month-long event I look forward to every year. For the past six years I have participated in National Novel Writing Month, completing 50,000 plus words of a novel, getting to know other authors, and wallowing in the frenzied fun of Nanowrimo.
When in October 2010 I saw there was a need for a Municipal Liaison for my region, it took hardly any thought on my part to volunteer. I'd found from my experiences with OLL that they are helpful and well organized, so I was more than happy jump into the ring with them. I wan not dissapointed. In my work as a Municipal Liaison, they guided me, opened forums for lots of discussions, and even sent me free stuff to give to participants in the area.
They were there for me and the Wrimos in my area every step of the way, letting us know that we had leaders and cheerleaders.
The staff of OLL always seems to go the extra distance to make their programs accessible and fun.
Along with Nanowrimo, they offer a young writers' program, introducing students and schools to the wonderful world of writing and a script frenzy month were participants work on a script.
Their website is easy to use and dynamic. From posting to the forums to ordering t-shirts, everything flows smoothly.
I believe they are a great organization that is doing a service to this world (and Nanowrimo is certainly world wide) and I'm proud to be affiliated with them.
Amy Tripp
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light changes lives through transformative events that inspire, motivate, and support the creative streak in participants across the globe. Ever more rapidly increasing numbers of people join the National Novel Writing Month and Script Frenzy events each year. I've seen local groups come together through these programs, making friendships and writer alliances that last for years into the future. I've been inspired by this fearless group to pursue my own creative goals, and I'm only one of many who owe this group for the confidence, camaraderie, and creative spirit they spread to all they touch.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light runs one of my favorite programs, National Novel Writing Month. At first, I dabbled as a participant, never really achieving a significant amount of writing, but after moving to a new region I ended up getting really involved with my local writing group. This was in a large part due to the internet features offered by OLL, including group boards on the website.
After a fairly successful year of writing, I was looking forward to another November, when I noticed that our Municipal Liaison was no longer going to be running the show (she moved). So I decided to volunteer, and just completed my second year as Municipal Liaison.
I definitely have to say that as the website has improved, so has my experience. In my early years I do not even recall knowing where to find my region boards, or feeling like the website was anything more than just a place to keep track of my word count. Now, it seems that things are getting ever more user friendly, which counts when you have participants from all groups and lifestyles, from web-savvy teens to computer-hesitant adults.
Another feature that improves the experience for me personally is the sense of community, both within my local group and between Municipal Liaisons online. I still feel like a little more could be done to funnel users to their local groups when the writing season begins, but I also understand that a lot of those signed up may not be participating that year or do not get anything from the online camaraderie.
The best thing about the NaNoWriMo program is that it connects writers of all ages and backgrounds, allowing creativity to bloom and encouraging peer review and group support. Having a goal and a set deadline help the writers churn out words, but having other writers who believe in you, support you, and cheer you on as you work toward that goal works even better. Being able to bounce ideas off of each other, share our writing, and get honest but thoughtful feedback makes the writing exercise more rewarding than simply plugging away to hit a number of words.
While I haven't personally completed a year of ScriptFrenzy (I tried, but it was a BUSY month for me last year) or gotten involved with the Young Writers Program, I can only imagine that the experience is just as rewarding.
Review from Guidestar
I volunteered to be a Municipal Liaison in 2010 after having been a successful participant the prior 3 years. I did this because the experience of participating in NaNoWriMo had fundamentally changed my life in positive ways. Inner creativity had become unlocked and I found myself seeing the world through new eyes and trying new things (like teaching myself to play the guitar). I wanted to help bring the joy of this insane 30 days, 50,000 words challenge to new people so they could experience what I did. Soon after becoming an official volunteer I began receiving emails from people locally interested in trying it out. My favorite was a high school student who said they were going to start their own club at school and do after school write-ins. The entire experience was immensely rewarding for me and I look forward to continuing next year.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in NaNoWriMo for three years now, and this past year I was a Municipal Liaison for the Lethbridge, Alberta area. I cannot give the Office of Letters and Light a more glowing review than I am going to. As a writer among writers, I know that, without NaNoWriMo, I would never have gotten the 150,000+ words onto paper that I have in the past three Novembers. I would have simply put it off until a "someday" that was never coming. And the chance I had this past year to help inspire others in my area by organizing writing meet-ups and meeting other participants just like me was even more inspiring.
The creativity that the OLL programs inspire is truly amazing; those who never would have thought to write are being driven by sheer enjoyment and international support from other writers across the globe. People are connected in a way that simply would not be possible without such a wonderful organization masterminding the whole thing. The Office of Letters and Light is that mastermind, and I can never be more thankful for the amazing support and inspiration they give to thousands of people worldwide.
Review from Guidestar
Ever since I joined the NaNoWriMo several years ago, I have noticed a drastic improvement in my writing and social skills. This was seriously one of the best choices I made in my life and think this could go a long way to helping people of all ages learn to write and appreciate reading as well.
Review from Guidestar
4 years ago, I had never written anything longer than a research paper or short story. Now thanks to OLL's National Novel Writing Month, I've written 3 books, self published one, and am in the middle of editing another before trying to find an agent. NaNoWriMo has changed my life, opened up new doors of creativity, and introduced me to a new community. I feel like I have accomplished something great, and now with OLL's help, I can share my inspiration with others.
Review from Guidestar
2010 was my ninth year participating in NaNoWriMo, and my eighth volunteering with them as a Municipal Liaison. I don't want to sound dramatic and say that my time with this organization has changed my life, but it kind of has. For starters, I have some of my very best friends through NaNo. I have been privileged to meet hundreds of other awesome literary types- people from all walks of life, all coming together to do one crazy project. I met my life partner as a result of being an ML!
I have also walked away from it a better writer. NaNo really takes the average man or woman off the streets and shows them that they too can do it. They too can write a novel. I know scores of people who say 'I'll write a novel someday".....this program gives them that opportunity. It gives people that push they need.
I watched my region go from a ragtag group of strangers to a functioning writing group, and it has been an amazing journey. To be able to sit and talk about my writing with an eighty year old retiree and a sixteen year old twilight fan-girl.....it brings people together.
And it does more than build a community. From book drives to opening libraries in places that wouldn't normally have one to the young writer's program. These people are good people and they do amazing things. I'm honored to be a part of it.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light (currently) run two programs, NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy. For NaNo, I have participated (and won) since 2004, and I have worked for them as a Municipal Liaison since 2005. I have participated, won, and worked for Script Frenzy since it began in 2007.
It has become a huge part of my life. The month (at least) before each event is spent being active and setting things up for the fresh year, though work happens in the months prior when possible.
Review from Guidestar
I've participated in OLL's NaNoWriMo program since 2006, and have completed my novel each year I've done. I've also coordinated events for San Diego as the Municpal Liason since 2007. I love the work that they do, and have met some amazing people through their programs. My writing has also gotten a huge kick-start, and my love of writing has been renewed because of OLL. Their programs have changed my life for the better.
Review from Guidestar
I'm a professional librarian at a high school in Northwest Indiana. One of our three school improvement goals is to improve the ability of students to write. When I saw the NaNoWrimo program I was thrilled. It was a way to get the kids to write and enjoy the creative process without having to worry about a grade, grammar, punctuation, making sense, etc. The way to get better at writing is by practicing. The NaNoWrimo program offered by OLL is a great way for school librarians to be a part of the solution and offer a real contribution to school improvement.
Review from Guidestar
Life as I know it came to an end in March 2005 when I read Chris Baty's NO PLOT? NO PROBLEM! The next month, being a 30-day one, I recruited my mom and my youngest sister to write along with me as a trial run leading up to NaNoWriMo that November. I have NEVER had more fun writing. My family respected my writing time--plus I locked them out anyway--because I made this my mission for those brief, glorious days.
Folks, if your life is full of blahs, take this challenge: buy the Baty book, read it immediately, and then pick a 30-day month and start stomping on those keys, preferably not with feet or toes. Live a little!
The good the OLL peeps do for all of us is immeasurable, but especially laudable are their efforts to encourage kids to read AND write and love what they're doing while they're creating new worlds that spark ramant creativity.
OLL typifies cheerful giving. If you can't donate, fine. If you can, fine. No judgments are passed, although of course OLL is very appreciative of all we NaNoers (I don't want to be a Wrimo!) who can and do monetarily support the various OLL programs.
Review from Guidestar
I am responsible for adult programming at a small branch of a public library. This past year we sponsored programming for The Office of Letters and LIght's National Novel Writing Month. We had a great response to the program and had many enthusiastic would-be authors attempt to write a novel. The deadline aspect of NaNoWriMo inspired many patrons to start writing that novel they always wanted to write. OLL offers free materials to libraries that are participating. They had so many writers in November of 2010, that their website was often bogged down from too many uploads being done at once. I know this is something they would like to address before this November. It is a wonderful organization that encourages creative thinking and writing!
Review from Guidestar
I first participated in the OLL's National Novel Writing Month in 2005, along with my daughter and a bunch of friends. My Daughter had ADD as a child and was NOT a strong writer as a result. Through NaNoWriMo, she discovered a passion for writing and completed her 50K novel before the 30 days were up! I also finished mine, and we've been participating every year since. My daughter greatly benefitted from this experience when she got to college and was undaunted by college writing tests and assignments.
We find the OLL staff and volunteers to be wonderfully helpfull and supportive, besides being very creative and generous. Their website and other community programs are awesome. This organization is top notch and would recommend it to anyone. By the way, one of my friends that tried this in 2005 along with me is now a published author, thanks to the confidence and experience she gained from NaNoWriMo.
Review from Guidestar
I've done National Novel Writing Month with OLL for the last two years, Script Frenzy with them last year, and am already planning my script for this year's Frenzy.
I've much more confident as a writer because Nanowrimo (writing a 50,000 word novel in November) forces you to set aside any insecurity or criticism of your own work until after the book is written, at which point your have an entire first draft of a book *completed*.
Script Frenzy (writing a script in April) is also really helpful, because writing that much dialogue really helps with understanding how people speak and how that's different from how you would normally write, which is useful in all branches of writing.
OLL is an amazing organization.
Review from Guidestar
I have been procrastinating writing a novel my whole life and then came NaNoWrimo. This was just the kick in the pants that I needed to get started. I made it to the 50,000 plus words and now feel as though I have the stanima to continue with the novel. I hope to eagerly pursue publishing with in the next year. From the bottom of my heart I owe this to them.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NaNoWriMo 2010 and it was a great experience. There was so much help from the Office of Letters and Light. They sent out pep talks every few days, made videos of inspiration, and were all-around great about the whole thing. I really loved the month, and I plan on doing it next year. I also plan on participating in Script Frenzy in April 2011.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo 2010 was my fifth foray into the thrilling world of fast-paced novel writing. I first participated in 2006. I had read about the challenge in my college alumni magazine as the founder, Chris Baty, is a fellow alum. I had recently taken a job with a very long commute (2 hours each way) and so had been reading quite a bit. After reading one too many uninspiring novels, I said to myself "I bet I could write a novel!" So I decided to take the November writing challenge. The process of writing was fun, exhilarating, and astonishingly creative. The user forums and pep talks gave me the courage to be adventurous and fearless. All of this energy spilled over into my everyday life, including my husband taking up a creative challenge of his own. But the NaNoWriMo challenge is not just for November. OLL encourages participants to continue their exciting enterprises, to edit and self-publish, to explore other types of writing, to post and even read our works on the website and at events. Today, I am a self-published author who has sold a few dozen books, I have written a script (through ScriptFrenzy) and a short story (on my own), and I plan to publish again later this year. I am a devoted and enthusiastic volunteer, donor, and participant. NaNoWriMo and the Office of Letters and Light irrevocably changed my life for the better and forever.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in a script and novel writing month through the Office of Letters and Light. While I didn't actually complete either, it wasn't through any fault of the organization. They do tremendous work and I'm proud to donate to them as they motivate other to accomplish what I have yet to.
Review from Guidestar
I have always had a great interest in writing but the idea of writing a full length novel seemed out of reach. I always thought that in order to write a novel you had to be a famous author. NaNoWriMo showed me otherwise. In the two years that I have participated in NaNoWriMo I have achieved my goal of writing a novel, twice. The feeling I got from having written a novel and therefore being a winner, was incredible.
SInce the end of this past NaNoWriMo I have been in touch with a published author who has given me some great advice about writing. that combined with my NaNoWriMo experience has gotten me to sit down everyday and add more to my novel.
In addition to all that my confidence and self respect has gone up immensely. people that have read my novel have come back to me saying that it was realy great and that I have a natural talent.
this to me means a lot.
I think of all the organizations out there, OLL is the best. they have changed my life for the better in so many ways.
Review from Guidestar
My dauther and I participated in NaNoWriMo for the first time in 2010. It was a tremendous experience for both of us. We were both "winners" and it gave me a chance to really interact with her about something she is passionate about - writing.
I continued to write my novel even after the contest ended as my story wasn't yet finished at the 50,000 word mark. I've since entered my novel in the Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award contest.
My wife has even become involved by editing my novel as well as my daughter's.
This is a great organization. Very good at what they do.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and LIght is like free polyjuice potion from Harry Potter. It helps you become who you've always wanted to be... a writer! And that's just an adults perspective. Imagine getting that opportunity when you were in school as a kid! Their Young Writers Program helps kids become writers, and they plant the seed in their little hearts that ANYTHING is possible! If I can write a novel, then what else can I do???
OLL is my hero.
Review from Guidestar
I would not be a novelist without NaNoWriMo and the wonderful people at the Office of Letters and Light. Writing, which used to be on the periphery for me, is now much more important in my life as a creative outlet. Last April, I also participated in a Poem-a-Day Challenge, an online experience much like NaNoWriMo, and I wrote 30 poems in as many days. I would not have attempted that had I not had such a positive experience with NaNoWriMo. I have also used materials from the Young Writers Program to inspire my students to write. Thanks to the Office of Letters and Light and their programs, I am proud to call myself a writer; I am also a better teacher of writing; and it's made me a better reader as well. They provide free materials to public school teachers, like myself, and their website with its online forums is chock full of amazing people, who are so welcoming and supportive. The Office of Letters and Light is an amazing nonprofit organization. I have supported them financially, and I am more than happy to talk them up as often as I get the opportunity.
Review from Guidestar
This was the first year that our library had ever held any programming for National Novel Writing Month, and I was flabbergasted with the enthusiasm and drive of the writers who showed up to participate in the events that we held. The Office of Letters and Light was an amazing resource to help with the conception and initiation of the programs that we held all through the month and our library will definitely be participating again next year. It was inspiring to watch our teen and adult patrons work together to overcome challenges with their novels and problem solve as a group to attempt the 50,000 word goal. I can't thank this organization enough for giving us National Novel Writing Month and guiding libraries through hosting events for it... A plus!
Review from Guidestar
OLL's National Novel Writing Month has made a huge difference in my life.
From childhood, I thought of myself as a writer, yet had trouble finding what form I wanted to use and what story I wanted to tell. After a last straw in the form of a college writing instructor. who blithely told our class that I had done something well for one who "wasn't a born writer," I stopped trying to write fiction.
When my older daughter was 18, she took part in NaNoWriMo, and produced a lovely short novel about a post-college road trip, complete with romance. She decided to do NaNoWriMo again this year, and somehow, I was able to put aside all the "can't"s and "not me"s and give it a try myself. I told myself I'd start, and not worry about whether I kept going, let alone whether I finished.
I did finish. My novel was 62,000 words at the end of November 2010. I'm still revising, and it's got a ways to go before I'll be ready to submit it to agents and publishers -- but I have every intention of doing so. And I'm extremely glad that my book exists. And I am profoundly relieved that I was able to give it life.
I couldn't have done it alone. OLL's framework, encouragement, incentives, community, gave me something I've wanted all my life -- and I'm very grateful.
Review from Guidestar
It's really been good to take part in the Office of Letters and Light's National Novel Writing Month. They encouraged me to push myself and reach for my dreams, by setting a no-holds barred, no-looking back goal for me to push forward and get where I want to go.
Review from Guidestar
I couldn't believe what a transformative experience it was to participate in National Novel Writing Month this past year. I'm a seasoned writer and have written novels before, but I'm convinced this is the best way to get a novel off the ground to both test ideas and try new ones--you'll have to try new ones to hit that word count.
I'd like to propose a slogan for NaNoWriMo: "It makes writing fun again." The spirit of the event is just amazing--and contagious--and I still feel it months afterward, believe it or not.
The Office of Letters and Light is truly an organization with a great vision and spirit.
Review from Guidestar
I went through NaNoWriMo for three years. My journey began in 2008 with the discovery of the "No Plot? No Problem!" kit made by the OLL. I snapped it up after my sister suggested it and was shocked to learn it was about completing a novel in 30 days or less. Before long, I went online, and I discovered National Novel Writing Month. In 2008, I made it to 30,000 words and no further. In 2009, I made it to 500 words then crashed due to technical computer issues. My old laptop gave out on me, and I had yet to replace it. Then in 2010, with my new trusty laptop in hand, I reached 50,000+ words! NaNoWriMo is a tremendous experience I suggest for all writers.
Review from Guidestar
My first year of doing Nanowrimo was 2010; my Senior year in high school. I was applying to colleges, writing essays, and collecting as much scholarship money as I could. I was accepted to all of the colleges I applied to, most of whom asked me in the interview; “What is Nanowrimo, anyway?” I explained to them that it is an amazing month of writing until your fingers ache and losing sleep hovering over a novel that never seems quite good enough – and loving every moment of it. Nanowrimo was a fantastic experience, and I’d bet that it actually contributed to the substantial amount of money I got for college!
Review from Guidestar
Having participated in NaNoWriMo for three years and Script Frenzy for two, I can vouch that the Office of Letters and Light runs amazing programs. Though the idea of writing either a script or a novel in thirty days sounds absurd, the motivation, support, and excitement that OLL offers to participants makes each event a thrill ride of enthusiasm ending in a joyous triumph. The programs are amazing at doing what they aim to- involving people of all ages in writing.
Review from Guidestar
Writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days sounds crazy - to anyone but the folk at NaNoWriMo! In the 4 years I've participated, I have won only once, but have had an absolute BALL every single time! It's a great way to meet new people, in your own country and from all across the world! Such a positive community, encouraging you in your writing and to finish those 50,000 words! I've gained invaluable writing experience, improved in a unique way, and have fallen in love with writing along the way. It's even made me brave enought to want to try Script Frenzy this year, even though I have no idea how to write a script! Thank you OLL for the amazing, unique journey, and I look forward to being a part of this for many years to come :)
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo, hosted by the Office of Letters and Light, was one of the best things I could have done for my writing. I finished a first draft (at last!) and my writing improved like never before. Not only this, but by doing it my confidence in my writing raised notably. I had a lot of fun, got to talk with other writers just like me, and got a novel out of it to boot. The goal of NaNoWriMo is to get 50,000 words in 30 days. I somehow made it to 50,023 words in just 28 days! The people of OLL were very helpful and supportive, giving me the push to succeed.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo got me back into writing, and I came out of November with a clear head and a novel. It is the greatest thing I have ever been a part of. Until you have participated in it, you cannot know the profound effect it will have on you.
Review from Guidestar
One day while surfing the internet, I came across an article entitled "How to Participate in NaNoWriMo". I had no idea what a Nanowrimo could possibly be, and when I read the article I was dubious. 50,000 words? In a month? I decided to try and do it, and I can honestly say that National Novel Writing Month has changed my life. It has given me the confidence in myself that I am able to achieve my goals, and it has given me insight into how I write and how I can improve myself. Nanowrimo gives you the opportunity to get onto paper that plot that's been eating away at the back of your brain for years. It gives you the encouragement to meet your daily goals, and to overcome things that you thought were impossible. I shudder to think what would happen if I had never gotten involved-I would still be sitting around, maybe writing a page, a paragraph a week. Now I have written two 50,000 word novels, one of which I think actually has the potential to be more than just a file on my hard drive.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light (OLL) helped me write a novel. Think about that! 50,000 words in the space of 30 days. I never realized I was capable of doing anything of the sort and they provided the time and support for me to see the project through. I was so impressed I shared this with my students. In the past three years my students and I have written 100s of thousands of words because of the support and structure provided by OLL. Their mission statement is simple and they live their ideals with everything they say and do for clients like me. I have rarely donated to a charitable organization but I have to this one and will do so again.,
Review from Guidestar
For a non-professional writer, it's often hard to balance real life and a real job with one's creative impulses. In my case, it's unfortunately easy for my job and other duties to take priority over my writing, and I tend to make excuses for myself: "I'm too tired!" "I had a long day!" "I have to go to the store, and there's no time for writing today!"
During the month of November, though, NaNoWriMo encourages me and other writers around the world to find an excuse to write. Even if we can't reach the ultimate goal of 50,000 words, we make progress, and a fire is lit underneath us to spur us forward in a way that isn't always possible on our own. NaNoWriMo creates a community and support group, offers tips to combat common writing obstacles, and encourages creativity and progress in a very unique capacity. I've been a participant for the past five years, and I look forward to November every year because of it. For a writer, very few feelings can rival the exhilaration of waking up every morning with the urge to write, and an "official" goal and deadline and impetus to help spark our creativity.
Review from Guidestar
November 2010 was my first year participating in NaNoWriMo. I was really apprehensive about writing 50,000 words in one month because I'd never written more than a few thousand for one project. Even before the month started, I was encouraged by the people on the forums and those who worked for The Office of Letters and Lights. Everyone was so focused on reaching their own goals and helping others reach their goals. Every time I got stuck while writing, I just had to go visit the site for a few minutes and then I would be ready to get back at it. The people running NaNoWriMo had a specific section of the front page that linked to forums that would help if you were stuck or just needed a break. I ended up reaching my goal and a few days early, despite the fact that I had to give a major speech the last day of November.
Review from Guidestar
I was a participant of National Novel Writing Month in 2010 and was amazed by the positive atmosphere and the great spirit. Writing 50000 words in one month while working full time and having a regular life seemed like an impossible task to me, but I succeeded and this is a great success. Showed me how disciplin, goals and deadlines are helpful and not blocking my creative life.
The community is great, weekly peptalks encourage you to dream your dream.
I love the idea of the Young Writers Program as this is something I would love my children to have the possibilty to take part in and I would love to have a program like that in my country.
Review from Guidestar
National Novel Writing Month is fantastic as it brings together people from all over the world, people we would never have met otherwise. It even brings people together locally. And it makes people feel less isolated.
It is an opportunity to get away from the stresses of everyday life, like in my case I am a parent carer of a severely disabled teenage son, and to top it all we had a flood at home that took 6 months at least to sort out, so NaNoWriMo gave me an outlet for my stresses of daily life, and everyone could understand when I posted my reasons for delays in writing, but then they boosted my confidence and belief in myself. Everyone is so understanding.
And Office of Letters and Light are great too, the way they keep everyone going and all the hard work they put in to everything. It's a huge online community that meets up regularly, whether for NaNoWriMo or ScriptFrenzy. I'm happy to make a donation but would be happier to know that there is more financial support to keep them going. Well done everyone. I look forward to the next challenge, it keeps me going, it keeps me sane.
Review from Guidestar
I've served as a board member for more than a year, and I'm continually amazed by the creativity, professionalism and dedication of this organization. Board decisions are discussed thoroughly and made with diligence and care. And yet, the organization has managed to maintain its irreverent spirit (example: board decisions are made while wearing viking helmets). Events like the Night of Writing Dangerously put a twist on the normally solitary pursuit of writing, helping people get excited about their own work and the organization itself. OLL serves as a huge source of inspiration -- and fun -- for thousands of writers and students, and it's a thrill to be a part of that.
Review from Guidestar
I first discovered National Novel Writing Month when I was in the eighth grade. It's become something of a legend among fanfiction writers, so there was quite a bit of buzz about it on a Harry Potter fanfiction forum. When I realized what all these writers were babbling about, I became intrigued and went to the NaNoWriMo homepage. It's informative FAQs page allowed me to understand the contest very quickly. It seemed fascinating to me.
The next year, in October, I remembered the contest. I was definitely interested in participating, but I was rather nervous too. I had been planning to be a writer since the third grade, but in spite of a few dozen two page unfinished short stories, I had never actually written something REAL. I was just a silly freshman in high school; what did I know about writing novels? But the premise sounded fun and the attitude was light-hearted, so I signed up to write a fifty thousand word novel in the month of November. In my profile, I wrote a sad little, "Maybe I'll write ten thousand words" message.
Then, I got my first email from NaNoWriMo. And the first thing I was told in that email was that the first thing I had to do now was TELL EVERYONE what I was going to do. The threat of public humiliation would get me to write my novel.
It sounded silly, but I did. I told everyone that I was going to write a novel. And the first day of December, I reported the good news. I had.
I had written a novel. I was a freshman in high-school, and I had written a REALLY terrible novel. Cringe-worthy really.
And the next November, when I was going through some teenage angst, I coped by writing another one. And this past November, I did it again.
None of the novels are particularly good. But they're novels, and I wrote them.
I know that's a confusing attitude to have, that it's okay to write bad novels. But the thing about writing is, it's a very personal, soul-pouring matter. Even though I want to be published one day, I know that I'm not a very good writer now. After years of thinking that not being a good writer NOW means I shouldn't write at all, NaNoWriMo was a fresh attitude. They told me that I was allowed to write, just to write. I was allowed to pour emotions across a page and mess up a lot and maybe skip a comma here and there.
And I was allowed to write three novels, completely by myself. Once you can do something so magical like that, what can't you do?
Well, in my case, I could work up the courage to revise that first novel. I submitted articles to a teen magazine. I researched literary magazines and submitted a short story to a bunch. I learned that a rejection letter is a type of triumph. I posted a multitude of stories to my fanfiction page. I became a different person than I was before NaNoWriMo, because when you take those first steps towards accomplishing your dreams of childhood, it's kind of beautiful.
Another side effect National Novel Writing Month has left me with: a tendency towards rambling. Whoops. =) I guess writing a long review doesn't seem weird after writing a novel.
Review from Guidestar
This year, again, I served as the leader of the Daytona Beach, Florida group for National Novel Writing Month, under the Office of Letters and Light. This was my fourth year of writing under their guidelines, and every year gets better!
This organization does so much with so little, it amazes me! Having administered a $130,000.00+ annual fund benefiting our number of our local charities while employed by Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, I know the ins and outs of fund-raising and dispersal. I consider what the Office of Letters and Light does with the donations they receive to be above reproach, both in administration and in effect achieved. Their work with the Young Writers program is worthwhile and commendable, and National Novel Writing Month has led, literally, thousands of people to attempt to write a novel. This is an organization that truly leads by example.
Review from Guidestar
I am a young writer who participated in the NaNoWriMo project in November 2010. It was an incredible experience, unlike anything I have done ever before. I have always loved to write, but I had never had the courage to get into full-length fiction. NaNoWriMo gave me an opportunity to do just that by having me set a goal that I could accomplish with a lot of hard work, and it left me proud of my accomplishments and extremely satisfied when the month was over.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo gave me the structure to write the first draft of my memoir. I wrote the bulk of the draft during NaNoWriMo 2009 and NaNoWriMo 2010, using the 50,000 word guideline to write about two hours each day. I now have a two-hundred plus page single-spaced manuscript. Too bad the OLL doesn't teach revision -- if they did, I'd sign up.
Two friends of mine joined me for NaNoWriMo 2010. Both of them completed their 50,000 words. I was so proud of them.
I love the little graph that shows you how far you've come, the halo you get for a donation, the ability to send and receive messages from writing buddies. The OLL staff are also friendly and helpful. I would recommend NaNoWriMo to anyone who wants to write and to any writer who wants to get some work done.
Review from Guidestar
My first NaNoWriMo took place in 2009. I had attempted to write a novel more times than I could count, tried year-long commitments and curriculum (I am a homeschooler) but nothing worked. I became too frustrated with the rules and limitations or just gave up quickly.
Then I found NaNoWriMo. A crazy idea to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. I took up the challenge and 25 days into November I completed my novel. I was exhausted and wide eyed. In my hands a few weeks later was my manuscript. It was bad. Horrendous even. But I had written every last word. I spent the next six months editing. Rewriting. Shredding. Then in June I did it again. I wrote another book in a month going off the NaNoWriMo idea.
Then in 2010 came my 2nd Official NaNoWriMo, 3rd unofficial. This was the best experience by far. My now best friend joined me on the adventure, I hosted a Youtube NaNoWriMo Vloggers collaboration which was the reason for so many laughs and created so many new friends.
My writing has gotton better by far. My first two novels were terrible. The 2nd marginally better than the first. My third, while still being somewhat poorly written, is far better. Good enough that I read all of it in one sitting. I now understand story structure in a way I never would have been able to comprehend if I hadn't actually written a book myself.
Now I am learning about the publishing process. It's a terrifying thought, but without NaNoWriMo I would never have looked at it. NaNo has been the source of many laughs, many tears, and hopefully many more words to come.
Review from Guidestar
In November of 2007, I was cutting my wrists. It was a hard year for me, and I was still lacking direction in life a year later, when National Novel Writing Month came into my life. Suddenly I had stumbled upon an entire community who wanted to see me succeed and hear what I had to say. Encouragement pours out of the OLL in every form imaginable, prompting people of all ages and backgrounds to pick up a pen and dare to do something amazing.
Review from Guidestar
I've been participating in National Novel Writing Month for three years and have always had good experiences with them. They are very fun and create and awesome community. Their website is helpful and easy to navigate. Their bloggers are insightful and interesting. I am always telling people to join NaNoWriMo. They have made it exceptionally easy to meet writers in my area and have fun as well as complete a daunting goal of 50K words in one month. They are very supportive.
Review from Guidestar
I first heard about NaNoWriMo on October 29th, two days before that year's challenge started. But sure enough, by November 1st, I was on my way to what would become a 50,000 word novel. And it was wonderful.
There's nothing in this world that con compare to the atmosphere of NaNoWriMo, even during the months where the challenge isn't going on. Everyone in the community is focused towards one goal, and is willing to share their thoughts and ideas and tips for success. One thing that always struck me was how friendly these people are. Sure, they might be reclusive writers during one month of the year, but almost everyone you meet is willing to listen to what you have to say and then say something intelligent and meaningful in return. During the challenge in November, I find it extremely hard to stop talking about NaNoWriMo, especially with my real life friends who are all very supportive but have heard me ramble on before. NaNoWriMo has been a positive addition to my life for the past three years, and I hope it continues to be so far into the future.
Review from Guidestar
The NaNoWriMo program has changed my life. I never would have had the courage to start and complete a novel. Since I've finished my first novel this past fall, I've started on two new novels along with a graphic novel which I plan to write this April for ScriptFrenzy.
Without the help of the Office of Letters and Light, I never would have discovered that there is a writer in me, and whether or not I'm ever published has nothing to do with that. I have found a whole new way to express myself and I've discovered that I do have it in me and I am a novelist.
They are amazing!
Review from Guidestar
As a middle school teacher, I used the OLL workbook and free classroom packet to encourage my Limited-English Proficient students learn how to write for an extended period of time. The materials that I received and spent an entire six weeks working from were far beyond the quality of writing aids and workbooks that the district purchases for me, especially for my ELLS (they benefitted from the graphics included in every step of the process). I didn't expect such success, and some of the other teachers at my school commented on how astounded they were to see Intermediate English speakers write a 20-page "novella" - mostly on their own time!
Review from Guidestar
OLL's National Novel Writing Month Program is well designed, honest and therapeutic. The site presents itself with humble honesty that shoots right to the often uncertain heart of those of us who long to write but need a whole lot of encouragement pulling ourselves out into that kind of vulnerability. OLL's transparent, quirky, highly personal presentation of its people, dreams and tools help with the courage we need to write, while the wordcount widgets, pep talks and inspirational little daily oddities help with the stamina of pushing ourselves to the finish. It's true, we need wordcounts. We need goofy inspiration. We need timtams. And in the end writing is great therapy: introspection, planning ahead, catharsis, finishing what you start, linking with a community, embracing your idiosyncracies and rejoicing in small victories as well as large one. It made me a better, wiser, healthier, happier and more mature person.
Review from Guidestar
I found Nanowrimo a week into November in 2005 through a random web search for writing advice. It provided both incentive to write the first book I ever finished, had an active community to ask for help and advice or just talk when none of my family or friends understood why writing is important to me, and it was really the first time that I managed to finish a story without losing interest or hope. for any writer struggling for inspiration and the courage to start that first novel Nanowrimo is the perfect program.
Review from Guidestar
I'm tempted to simply pour unmitigated praise on the OLL-run National Novel Writing Month program. Many participants such as myself could easily dedicate one November to writing a book about how much we love the annual challenge. What really makes it special, though, is the OLL staff. Every year, they provide guidance, wisdom, much needed humor, resources, and such remarkable encouragement. The pep talks they send out are great. Many are from talented authors with solid advice, though my favorites always come from event founder Chris Baty. He and the rest of the staff also take time out of what must be an incredibly busy month to connect with thousands of participants using the NaNoWriMo website, the OLL blog, Twitter, and Facebook.
Everything that this group has said and done in the five years that I have been a NaNoWriMo participant indicates that they are dedicated, passionate, intelligent, and genuinely good people.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is a phenomenal organization. I participated in National Novel Writing Month for the first time this past November, and NaNoWriMo was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. Ever since I've been itching for November to roll around again simply so I can embark on the same amazing journey. The staff of OLL are awesome people who care so much about what they do and the people they do it for, and without them, so much joy in the world of writing would have fallen by the wayside. Thank you, OLL, for being simply inspiring!
Review from Guidestar
What can I say. i learned about Nanowrimo in 2004 and gleefully wait for it every november. it has helped me polish myself into a published writer. something which i had always asipred to do and yet kept finding excuses not to do. Nano is one of my favorite November activities and i gleefully wait for it to shapren my pen and get into the writing groove along with hundreds of thousands of other novelists. I feel so accomplished when I come out of the end of November with a brand new first draft under my belt.
Review from Guidestar
I first heard about OLL's National Novel Writing Month 2010 through an aunt who knows I love to write. What she may not have known was that I was currently struggling with a book that had at least temporarily died halfway, was mildly miserable over the fact that literary agents kept rejecting other, finished novels of mine, and was -- if I stopped to think about it -- feeling a bit starved for the companionship of a friend who *got* me and my writerly passion.
Fast-foward to December: I had a 60-some-thousand-word novel (written in under 30 days!) full of story and characters that I loved, and which I'm confident may be just the foot-in-the-door book I need to get my authorial career started. I'd also met a fellow NaNo participant (through one of the on-line social channels the program provided) who is every bit the delightfully insane artist that I am, and we haven't stopped gabbing on the phone together since.
If anyone else got even *half* as much joy out of the Office of Letters and Light that I have, then I'm sure that one will join me in offering the good folks of OLL a heartfelt internal round of applause and a massive "THANK YOU". My world, at least, has been made better for their existence.
Review from Guidestar
I heard about the OLL program NaNoWriMo late in the game. It was the second week of November when I read about it in a newsletter. I've been writing for several years but never went anywhere with it. I had just decided to find another hobby when I learned of NaNoWriMo. I signed up for one last attempt at writing a novel and actually accomplished the challenge. The community involved with the program provided much of the support I was needing and was incredibly upbuilding. I plan on participating again this year and considering Script Frenzy for the year after. OLL is a wonderful organization and I know they have helped many people of all ages and backgrounds reach their goals and dreams of becoming authors, not just writers.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is the nonprofit organisation responsible for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). From my own personal point of view, the OLL is responsible for making my dreams come true; they gave me a reason to sit down and write a full-length novel, something for which I'd always had a valid excuse to avoid doing. To cut a long story short, I now have a three-book publishing deal which I owe entirely to the OLL. Besides helping people to write novels, however, the function of the OLL is to help people to write - young people, through the Young Writer's Program, and to encourage people to have opportunities to read and engage with books and literature that they may not otherwise have, through their campaign to fund libraries in Laos.
The OLL is not an everyday nonprofit; they fulfill a very specific and often overlooked need - that of encouraging the love of words. But this leads on to so much more - the love of reading, giving people the opportunity to explore their creativity, building confidence and self esteem, developing communication skills and sharing something beautiful and perfect that you made all by yourself.
I recommend the OLL to you with my whole heart, and I thank them for what they have done for me.
Review from Guidestar
I can't remember where I first heard about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), but I know I learned about it from the OLL web site. I have participated for two years now and plan to participate every year in the future. I cannot describe the sense of community and support that it gives to a struggling unpublished writer, daring against all odds to write a novel. OLL and NaNoWriMo put tens of thousands of novice writers in touch with one another in a lighthearted, encouraging, positive environment. I feel camaraderie with novice writers all over the globe, from Antarctica to the Middle East. I am especially delighted by their emphasis on Young Writers. The Young Writers Program encourages children to believe in their dreams and in their own voices. It lifts them up and lets them know that they have s story to tell and that the world wants to hear it. I only wish that had been around when I was young.
Review from Guidestar
After 10 years of failed attempts, NANOWRIMO is what helped me to succeed in completing my first draft. In the years since I have written 3 novels, all with my NANOWRIMO first draft as the starting point. Without NANOWRIMO, I never would have completed that first draft, nor would I have gained the invaluable confidence that I can write, and finish what I start.
Review from Guidestar
Beyond the book writing (84,000 words last year!) Nano, for me, is a social experience. I'm a bit of a homebody. I don't social network. And to make things worse, I recently moved somewhere new, where I didn't know anybody. Enter Nano. I found out that not only is there a strong writing community in my area (that grew out of nano, and yes, they even meet in the off season) but they're all awesome people, who share many similar interests with me (like books, and writing, and even sometimes theoretical conversations about the zombie Apocalypse). So now I know people, and have a reason to go hang out in coffee shops and talk to people every once in a while, and for that, among other things (84,000!) Nanowrimo, I do declare, to be awesome.
Review from Guidestar
National Novel Writing Month is a great program for aspiring writers everywhere. I've never been able to write a long work before because I never really had the motivation, but with that thirty-day deadline looming, you will write like never before. Sure, you draft may be a little rough when you're done, but you did it, you wrote a whole novel.
The forums are friendly and make it easier to write - so many people are doing it with you! When things get tough, the OLL staff find ways to make you smile with pep talk emails, NaNaVideos on the front page, and exciting activities.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in National Novel Writing Month for several years now. The confidence gained from the community was overwhelming. I made ever-lasting friendships and learned more about myself than I thought possible. The OLL helped to open new doors for me, and I could not be more grateful. Everyone at The Office of Letters and Light is absolutely amazing. The organization is absolutely brilliant.
Review from Guidestar
What I love best about the organization is the on-line community. People join together in a writing marathon, cheering each other on, answering questions, and offering support.
I have made lasting friendships with some of the other users, and we exchange our novels.
Review from Guidestar
I stumbled upon Office of Letters and Light's National Novel Writing Month program completely by chance when a friend asked me to join in 2009. It was a month full of challenges, since I the only writing I had done before was poetry. Never had I attempted a short story, let alone a whole novel! It was extremely fun though, and by the end I had met writers from all over the world, and discovered a new talent that I never knew I was capable of ("Wings" ended up beating the 50,000 mark by just a few hundred words and has since expanded as I have finished the story and begun the editing process.) I am extremely glad I had this opportunity though, because it taught me to have faith in myself and it showed me that I COULD balance my newfound passion for writing with school, sports, and family. I have since continued to write and I can't wait to start another novel next November.
Review from Guidestar
I've done NaNoWriMo every year in high school, and won it every time. It's given me valuable first drafts, the ability to free myself and simply write (my work last year was among some of the best writing I've ever done), and given me a huge sense of personal accomplishment. I've learned how to discipline myself when writing, a lot about story writing itself, and I've gained a huge community of people to talk to about writing. It's been amazing, and given me a huge amount of help.
Review from Guidestar
I liked to write but only in a the way that is was the distant cousin of my best friend, reading. Then I decided to do NaNoWriMo. I wrote and I wrote and I lost but I left November with the decision to become I write when I grew up and 20,000 more words than I would have ever got to on my own. This program taught me how to balance my life and how to make things up very quickly.
Review from Guidestar
I love the writing programs from Office of Letters and Light. I've done National Novel Writing Month four times. And I've done Script Frenzy three times.
The experience helped me prove things to myself. For example I now know from experience that I can accomplish an overwhelming project by concentrating on one small piece at a time and finishing that.
Of course we all know that intellectually. But it's a whole different ball game when we experience it for ourselves.
Doing these challenges has also sent my creativity through the roof.
These challenges have greatly enhanced my self-expression abilities.
And I've made wonderful new friends.
I encourage everyone to participate in Script Frenzy every April. And you'll love doing National Novel Writing Month every November.
Jim Kitzmiller
San Marcos, California
Review from Guidestar
When I was younger, I found it absurdly easy to spit out hundreds or thousands of words a day, just because. Of course when I was younger I had a lot more time to do that! Now that I'm older and have things like a full-time job and a life to balance, I find I have a lot less time for writing. I also find deadlines enormously inspirational.
Enter NaNoWriMo.
I've participated in NaNoWriMo six times; I've won it four times. Having accountability (in the form of a word tracker), cheerleading (in the form of the pep talks), and people to commiserate with (in the form of my similarly panicked co-participants) adds a certain determination. This most recent year I finished my novel (or rather, my 50,000 words) in a personal-best 24 days. Without NaNoWriMo I wouldn't currently have a finished manuscript to send out to agents, or another waiting in the wings for its turn in the editing jungle.
My one critique about NaNoWriMo is that due to the epic load on the fora in the first several days of November, the site often slows to a crawl or a full stop, which is particularly annoying for me since all I really use the site for during November proper is to update my wordcount. I understand that tech to handle the kind of loads OLL gets during its events is not cheap, but that's my single biggest frustration with the organization.
Review from Guidestar
I had always wanted to write a book then I found Nanowritmo. I found them through Chris book "No Plot No Problem.” I joined in 2006 and following the “rules” I wrote, and wrote. With the help and encouragement of the website and my local group I finished a book. For the first time I FINISHED a book.
Following up I edited it and two years later I sold it to a publisher. It was the first in a series and I now have a second book (also written with NanoWritMo) coming out this year and a third under contract.
The Office of letters and light has changed my life.
Laura L Alton
LauraLAlton.com
Review from Guidestar
On November 2, 2009 I found out about NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. My best friend, Mary, told me about the program and she thought it would be fun to give it a spin. She was more into writing than I was (the longest and latest thing I had written was four years before in the sixth grade, a fourteen page long fanfiction about a girl attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), but I too thought it looked like a good stepping stone to greater things and agreed to try. Little did I know it would actually be the greater thing. I immediately began working after having made the decision to try, but I didn't write a word until November 7. Instead I mapped out my characters, their homes, my general plotline, and decided which crowded city they would all live in (a fictional one, in the end). I gave my city street names and blocks for miles upon miles, wanting to put off the actual writing for as long as I could. Finally it came to the point where I knew none of what I was doing was going to further my story and I sat down on my computer to write.
It was a long and sometimes stressful process. To win NaNo I had to reach 50,000 words, something that would be along the lines of 90 pages of text in my word processing program at the time. Because my last story had been so long ago and so short, it was a very daunting task for me. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to go about it, and many times I let my "inner editor" out. That means instead of writing full-steam full-time, I would print off a few pages and correct sentences with bad structuring or decide to off so-and-so's point of view for that paragraph because it revealed too good an idea of his intentions.
I discovered some things about myself as I wrote my novel. The majority of them were about writing paired with me (such as I had to have instrumental or foreign music on as I wrote but I rarely noticed once the track stopped), but some were also influences on my daily life even after November. I'm in college now and having written on NaNo has helped me to work on boring research papers without too much complaint. I also try to write fiction year-round now, although not with such success as in November when I do NaNo every year.
I didn't win my first year. November ended and left me with only 35,000 words under my belt, but it also left me with an experience and a surprising loneliness: I had made some friends in the forums that I would have liked to meet up with and talk about writing some more - mostly, just meet. We were from all corners of the Earth, a girl from Japan and a boy from Greenland of all places. Many were American or Canadian, but the majority was thin and the lessons someone from another country can teach you abound in the forums. NaNo also encouraged me to take writing courses my first year of college (this one), which have been very rewarding.
I love NaNo. I love its forums, its challenge, worrying about plot in September, trying to come up with new ways to map out my setting, the characters I run into and create, the Youtube songs, the connections to Nerdfighteria and other groups of friends I already had, and the stronger bond between my friend Mary and I. We go to different schools now, but every November we spend more time at our computers talking online than we do typing away at the stories we're working on.
NaNo lets me forget it's getting cold outside.
Review from Guidestar
I have always enjoyed writing but seemed to have trouble actually getting stories finished - normally I would get about half way or so then get stuck and give up.
In 2008, my best friend took part in NaNoWriMo and recommended that I should try it the following year. After having a look around the NaNoWriMo website for further information, I signed up in February 2009. I was encouraged by the friendly, welcoming tone of the website, both in the sections explaining exactly what NaNoWriMo is and the forums where I have since become part of a wonderful online community.
After spending the summer excitedly preparing for my first attempt at writing 50,000 words in 30 days, I duly began on November 1st. Throughout the month, I did my best to write 2,000 words a day or as near as possible. I was buoyed by encouragement from family and friends, including posters on the NaNoWriMo forums where the simple fact that everyone on the forum is trying to reach the same goal means people understand the difficulties you might be going through. No matter where people are in the world, whatever the time differences, there are always people on the NaNo forums who are ready to try and assist. Added to this, the OLL staff share their own progress on their blog, post pep talks both from themselves and from published authors and generally do everything they can to encourage Wrimos that we can indeed reach that magical 50,000 mark by the end of the month.
As well as online, there are also the regional meet-ups. In the case of the Birmingham-West Midlands group, we have a kick-off party on the nearest Saturday before November 1st, then weekly write-ins each Saturday during the event. It is a great way to make friends with fellow writers, share ideas or help each other with problems.
I wrote nearly 60,000 words that month and the sense of achievement was lovely. The fact that winners also get a code to obtain a free proof copy of their novel was further incentive to actually get on and finish the novel rather than leaving it half-done. For those who don't manage to reach their word target, they are still celebrated and applauded for the fact that they made the effort and gave the challenge their best shot. If anything, the fact that they didn't *quite* manage it this time round seems to make them even more determined to try again the following year.
Even after NaNoWriMo ends in November, the Office of Letters and Light don't just abandon participants. Instead, they provide us with a steady, year-round stream of helpful information and tips regarding revision and editing of our novels as well as advice for those who want to look into getting their novel published - something a number of NaNoWriMo participants have achieved. Whether you are writing for fun, or with the aim of publication, everyone is catered for and no idea is too crazy!
Review from Guidestar
Writing nonstop, until meeting the 50 000 words barrier… It seemed scary, and for me it was! So, when I thought about signing up for NaNoWriMo, I doubted I could do it. Would I be able to write a coherent story in thirty days? And what was the objective in all this? But I also believed that anything’s possible, if there’s will and dedication.
When I started writing, what really surprised me was how easy the words flow into the paper in those few hours I had to write. Even if it was only for half an hour, in those moments nothing was more important.
A lot of those pages are on the verge of radical edition but even so, it’s amazing what a little bit of pressure can do to stimulate our inner muse. I think my most recurrent thought was “This isn’t great. That’s ok, I’ll change it latter!” And what an improvement that was!
NaNoWriMo??? I love it, recommend it and advertise it. For me NaNoWriMo has all to do with the satisfaction of sharing our writing troubles, have a bigger goal and be surrounded by people who understand.
“Thirty days and nights of literary abandon!” Totally true! Its thirty days with one single goal. Eat… not important. Go to the bathroom… in a few more minutes! Turn the TV on… shut that thing off! Out of the house in the weekends… I rather stay in and write.
It really was a personal challenge and an absolute joy when the goal was accomplished.
See you next November…
Review from Guidestar
November of 2010 was a crazy month for me. I had school, sports, the midnight premiere of the 7th Harry Potter movie, and just generally living a normal month of life, I had a lot of stuff going on. But on 12:00 November 1st I participated in Nanowrimo and I am so glad I did. Throughout the month, their website, full of other authors struggling through their novels and various ways to procrastinate, really helped me feel that I was doing something important in those moments when you just can't write another word. I finished my novel a few days ahead of schedule, and it is not as bad as I expected it to be for a book in a month. I feel a lot more comfortable with writing now, especially in any length, and that helps me both for school and for writing for myself. I could not have done it without the Office of Letters and Light. Thanks, OLL!
Review from Guidestar
Last year was my first ever NaNoWriMo, and I enjoyed it immensly. It's always been a big dream of mine to write a novel (a DECENT novel I may add), but I'd never had the guts or the motivation to actually do it. Last November saw a massive dream come true for me, as I finally managed to get that massive idea out of my head and onto some paper.
I can't thank Office of Letters and Light enough, because their amazing programs have given myself and thousands of other like me a chance to submerge themselves in their own creativity, which is something I haven't had the chance to do in a while. OLL's programs have given me a massive confidence boost, giving me the guts to show my work to the world.
I'm so happy that I found OLL when I did, because NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy haven't just helped me find myself again, they've helped immensly with my English work, as I've had to learn a lot of new stuff to write my novel. Also, it's given me the chance to take part in other timed artistic challenges, and I've planned my year out with many various challenges that will really help me.
So thank you OLL for your amazing support, encouragement and general madness that have helped me become a better, more confident person. Though I'm sure my friends might want to kill you for stealing their friend away while she writes her novel :)
-Lauren
Review from Guidestar
I've participated in NaNoWriMo for two years now. It's been a wonderful experience, as I finally gained the confidence to write not just one novel, but two. I now think my dream of becoming a published novelist is realistic. OLL provided not just general encouragement, but also all kinds of specific tips and assistance (like when I needed to know how 19th century jolly boats were loaded into the water) and networking, as well as wonderful emails from established authors. My entire family has applauded my NaNo efforts, and now my older daughter, age 11, plans to participate next year.
Review from Guidestar
i've always loved writing, and then when i was 13 my friend showed me NaNoWriMo. She challenged me to write a novel, so i did. i've done it every year since, and finished with more words every year. Nano is one of the best things about my life, and it's helped me so much with understanding how books work, and how i can write them. Thankyou Nano!
Review from Guidestar
I've always enjoyed creative writing, but until I participated in NaNoWriMo through OFF this past November, I never knew it was something I could really enjoy. During the entire month of November, I concentrated on writing a 50,000 word novel, but it was something my entire family got behind. It inspired me to teach my children to be creative writers, and my husband helped me do research and got himself interested. It was a month of true family support. It brought our family closer together and made an outlet for us to grow together.
Review from Guidestar
Though I've written creatively for over two decades and am a produced playwright, I was never able to complete a novel until NaNoWriMo. The tremendous collaborative energy OLL generates through its programs is something I would not believe if I haven't been a participant for the last 3 years.
I have rearranged my life entirely to be able to join NaNoWriMo each year - even dropping out of graduate school just in time for November one year.
My first NaNo novel went on to become a semifinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and my second novel is just about ready to query to agents. I can truly say that NaNoWriMo is instrumental in my budding career as a fiction author.
Review from Guidestar
I have participated in three years of NaNoWriMo so far, and loved every single minute of every single one! Two and a half novels have been completed.
I've also done one year of script frenzy, and hope for a second in 2011. I never thought I could write a script, but here I am with a finished one on my hands that I'm actually proud of. And OLL gave me the courage to do that!
Review from Guidestar
I too participated in Nanowrimo 2010, and even though I didn't get a novel, I got the steam and effort which makes us believe in our capabilities. The very experience of typing away non stop, along with many others is expansive. But for foundations such as this one, many a novel would have remained in writer's mind. Writing is a lonely task, therefore a porgram like Nanowrimo reminds us that this loneliness is not ours only.
Review from Guidestar
Before I started participating in NaNoWriMo (the flagship program of the Office of Letters and Light), I found myself constantly blocked when I tried to write. I was too caught up in forming perfect sentences to tell an even remotely passable story, and it stopped me every time.
NaNoWriMo changed that. It taught me that novels don't have to be perfect the first time through; that writing could be a joyful free-flowing experiment instead of a slow slog. Whenever people ask me how it is that I can write every day, I tell them National Novel Writing Month taught me to do it. If you haven't participated before, this is your year!
Review from Guidestar
OLL encouraged me to step up to the plate, set goals and go! I met wonderful new people online, laughed and joked about all sorts of writing problems and triumphs and actually completed 50,000+ words in the 30 days for NaNoWriMo. This was my first year (2010) and I'll be back for the fun in 2011. I may even be inspired to try the Scriptwriting challenge they have in April, the novel was so much fun. This event increased my confidence in my ability to set and meet goals, be creative and produce something amazing! To be able to do what they do with so little is beyond creative and clever.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in the NaNoWriMo competition this past year (2010), and I honestly have to say that it's proven several things to me. One, I can write 50K words in less than a month, which I honestly didn't think was possible, and two, it's shown me that I am fully capable of setting a goal and achieving it. Not to mention, it's introduced me to a lot of people in my area that write and have a passion for the art form that I probably never would have met otherwise.
It's also brought several friends of mine and myself a lot closer than I thought it would. It threw us all into the same circumstances, and- setting aside our social, political, and other differences- has given us something to talk about, something to be creative about, and something of a common ground.
Perhaps the greatest thing about this program is that it provides support, encouragement and genuine friendship to authors all over the world. It challenges us to push our limits, test our abilities, and to simply get better.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NaNoWriMo 2010 with no idea what it was really about except that I had to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Halfway through November, I was convinced of it's awesome powers of creating good in this world. NaNoWriMo didn't just inspire me to write more words for one story than I have ever written, but it gave me confidence and courage. I felt more empowered during the time I'd written for NaNoWriMo than in my whole life. Unlike with other online communities I've been a part of, I actively participated in forums and felt like people wanted to hear what I had to say. There were so many helpful hints and guides. I knew where to go when I needed help, and I was confident that I would be answered kindly and in a reasonable time. In short, NaNoWriMo did everything for me short of getting me a job, but I don't think that's an impossible probability.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NaNoWriMo for the first time in 2010 and it was an incredible experiance.
Being a part of a community of thousands of people, all doing the same crazy, caffinated, silly, spectacular thing was just fantastic.
The support offered by not only my fellow participants, but by the staff and interns at the Office of Letters and Light was unlike anything I've ever been a part of and something I'm very much looking forward to next November.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in OLL's NaNoWriMo in 2005 and 2006 and completed the challenge both times (50,000 word document). In 2006, I returned to school after 30 years, completed my bachelor’s degree in 2008 and promptly entered grad school. The 2005 draft served as the basis for my thesis manuscript for an MA in creative writing, which I completed in 2010. After much editing and rewriting, I am now shopping NaNo novel ’06 to agents, hoping to find a publisher.
NaNoWriMo showed me that I could, in fact, complete a book-length manuscript, something I had not been able to do up to that point. It gave me the confidence to complete my education and move on to this level when I can actually look (realistically) at publication. The boost helped me take on a project for a museum fundraiser as well: in 2008-09, I wrote a 20,000 word non-fiction history survey that was published in December 2009.
Review from Guidestar
I participated in NANOWRIMO just to try it out and see what it was like, and I had a lot of fun, though the first time I didn't reach my goal. I participated in the local metups, and they were tons of fun, and although I'm a little socialy awkard, I was able to feel comfortable with all the other people who I could tell felt just as awkward as I did. The services the OLL offered were just perfect, and they really helped make my typing easier, more fun, and all that jazz. They're fun and free-spirited and bear a striking reseblance to utter Happiness and Joy.
Review from Guidestar
I have been a "secret writer" all my life. I wrote my first novel when I was about 14 years old and continued to write two more after that. Unfortunately, they have been lost to the sands of time. Whether it was essays for school or contests, poetry, or research papers, I have always felt that words were a powerful force. They have also always provided an outlet for me, both creative and emotional.
I consider myself lucky to have a wonderful mentor and friend who is a professional writer in my life. At his suggestion, I decided to do NaNoWriMo this past November. My husband, my family and my friends cheered me on through the month as I labored at my first novel attempt as an adult. The wonderful folks at OLL provided additional support and motivation--not only for me, but for each and every one of the over 200,000 participants.
On my very first try, I finished my 50,000+ word novel and I felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment in my work. The best part, though, is that I am now strongly considering introducing NaNoWriMo to a group of students at the inner-city middle school where I teach technology. I know some of them must surely have wonderful stories and ideas to share and could do so with the guidance of someone who has been there.
I applaud OLL for their years of service to the writing community and for their commitment to helping writers find their voices and let their creativity flow. Writing is a reflection of the culture and mindset of the time, and OLL helps to keep writing alive for all of us.
Review from Guidestar
Although I've participated in NaNoWriMo every year since 2004, and enjoyed each experience immensely, two of those years stand out from the rest: 2004 and 2010. Both of those years I not only won the event, by reaching the 50,000 word goal, but I also reached the end of the story I was writing shortly after typing the fifty thousandth word. And that is a very satisfying sensation. So thank you NaNoWriMo. Thank you for all seven of the rough drafted novels you helped me complete. Regardless of whether I live to see any of them published, I will never forget the inspiration and laughter I enjoyed nor the friendships I established during your fast-paced and chocolate filled, month-long event.
Review from Guidestar
The first time I had tried to write a novel, I was eleven and in awe of the word program on my 12-inch screen, 10gb hard drive, 512 RAM computer (or something like that). I was prolific and wrote hundreds of pages because I was determined to write an eight or nine book series. It didn't matter to me that my grammar was bad and my spelling horrible. My characters were cliche because at that age that was all I knew. But I love it. I loved the world I crafted, I love my characters as good friends, I even liked my bad guys.
Then somewhere along the way as I moved from those first novels I became more concerned with the editing process and criticism. I still crafted and had fun, but I had become cautious. I stopped being prolific because my writing was no longer "good enough" and even had a stretch of time where I had ceased writing altogether. But the stories were still there in my head, waiting for their chance to shine and I did get back into the writing game, but no novels. I had become convinced I could never write a novel, as I had conveniently forgotten those early years.
A friend told me about NaNoWriMo and its 50k challenge. I rejected the idea the first few years but finally gave in. I was working double-shifts and only had a notebook to write with in between orders. There was no time for editing.
I forgot how fun that was, the whole not worrying about editing and criticism thing. Editing could and it would wait.
Suddenly the worlds in my head lost their floods gates and came to me without any troubles. I was able to write word after word during the small spans of time I could squeeze them in. When I got home I typed what I had on my home computer before crashing in bed. I kept my notebook and a pencil next to me; it would usually be filled with snippets that came unbidden during the night.
I managed to edge past the 50k line even though I got home late with little time to type that day's pages. But I did it. I've done it every year since, during and outside of November.
I had forgotten my passion for writing when the mechanics got in the way, but NaNoWriMo gave that back to me.
Thank you.
Review from Guidestar
OLL is a truly remarkable organization. With a very small amount of infrastructure, they have figured out an incredibly creative way to utilize technology and social networking (and elbow grease!) to inspire thousands of people around the world to create art. I participated in NaNoWriMo this past November, and the tools and community space furnished by OLL propelled me somehow to write a real first draft of a (not terribly awful) novel -- something I thought I'd never do, though I always had wanted to. I think this is a unique, innovative, and very worthy organization. More art in the world is definitely a good thing, and creative work is a funny sort of thing -- I would bet you anything that the people who participate in OLL's projects come out of it as better, more productive people in the other parts of their lives, not just their novel-writing. That's a net good for sure!
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo was the most amazing experience for me - the encouraging environment, friendly encouragement, and amazing structure of the event helped me immensely during the 30-day writing spree. Without that encouragement and staff there to make it fun, I would not have accomplished my goal. Now with over 50,000 words written, I am editing and polishing my book and hope to publish it...all because of NaNoWriMo.
Review from Guidestar
I am an AUTHOR. Well I am now thanks to NANOWRIMO. You see I have always written "stuff". Two thirds of a short story in a drawer somewhere...well you get the idea. But now i have participated for two years and written two novels. Yes two complete novels. I also participated in script frenzy and wrote a not complete screenplay which was my first effort at doing so. I am going to send out my short stories. I am going to begin a blog about my experiences as a parent of my autistic child. Thank you OLL. For making me KNOW I can do these things, because if I can accomplish writing a novel in a month, other writing tasks are so attainable. Whether a publisher ever decides to publish my works or not, weather ten or ten thousand people read my stories I AM an author. Thank You OLL
-L.L.Somma
Review from Guidestar
I am so thankful for The Office of Letters and Light's programs NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy. I haven'yet participated in Script Frenzy, but NaNoWriMo was a wonderful experience. It's amazing how much far a little bit of nudging can go when it comes to creative pursuits. I love this organization!
Review from Guidestar
I always participate in OLL's National Novel Writing Month. The program has helped me become a better writer and has given me useful skills that have been a part of my daily life. The staff are so open and in contact with the writers, and the web-based community is strong and united. They also bring in authors to send "pep talks" to the participants' inbox. It keeps me moving throughout the month, and makes November the highlight of the year.
Review from Guidestar
When I was in high school, I gave up on my dream of writing. Everything I put down on paper seemed contrived, and pointlless. I gave it all up, and buried myself far away from that secret passion.
I went to college, and changed majors so often I never got any real work done. Through it all--through every failed prospect and disappointed look, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to tell stories. But, after all, I had told myself I couldn't write.
Then Nanowrimo came into my life. I remember November first, 2009--my first year of Nanowrimo--realizing that a writing contest was going on. I figured 'what the hey!' and started writing. I got five hundred words written that first day--less than was reccomended--but I got something else as well. Something far more important.
The moment those first words hit the page, I knew what I wanted to do. I knew I had to finish that story, and that it didn't matter if it was good or not, because there were thousands of other people out there writing with me. I wanted all of us to win--to conquer the little voices in our heads that were saying 'you can't write.'
I conquered my little voice. I wrote that novel. It wasn't perfect--it wasn't particularly good at all, in fact, but from that moment on, I knew what I was. I was, and am, a novelist. Since that triumph, I have written every single day. It has given me a confidence and a purpose I have been looking for my entire life.
And someday? Someday I'll see myself up on a bookshelf in my little town's library, published by Tor, or Random House, and I will know exactly who to thank.
Thank you, Nanowrimo, for giving me a future I'm looking forward to.
Review from Guidestar
Without OLL and nanowrimo, I would never have believed that I was able to write 50,000 words. The most I have ever written in my life including all my essays and dissertaion combined. Nanowrimo has given me the opportunity and the ability to believe in myself and let myself go free, but not only that, I have been able to meet some lovely people who have been a tremendous source of support and help when I was finding it difficult to write or was becoming downhearted. The incentives to finish and watch the bar move from 0 to 50K, racing with random people and the motivational emails delivered to my inbox were fantastic for boosting morale. Thank you for giving me one of the most intense months of my life but ultimately one of the experiences which i will never forget.
Review from Guidestar
I'm always looking for a challenge and a way to push myself creatively, and OLL provides me with the opportunity to do that. I've only participated in NaNoWriMo so far, but am planning on also being involved in Script Frenzy.
NaNoWriMo has quickly become an important part of my life. I look forward to the month of November where I can feel free to to write without worrying about being "good enough." Hundreds of other people are in the same boat, and I can reach out to a large writing community for help and support. I've made new friends through NaNoWriMo. I've been able to get my ideas on paper and challenge myself each year.
NaNoWriMo (and all of the OLL's programs) are great. They provide a free way for people all over world to release their creative sides, connect with others, and challenge themselves.
Review from Guidestar
The best part about NaNoWriMo is that you find so many people, both nearby and across the world, who enjoy writing, just like you do. While it can be quite hard work, and there is a certain amount of self-imposed pressure to complete, most of all iit makes November FUN. There is also a substantial social element and it is terrific meeting all sorts of people both in person and online.
Both the other WriMos and the OLL are very supportive which is great, because when you hit writer's block, they are always there to encourage and help you through.
I have done NaNo five times now, and it is an important part of my year. I can'tcount the number of other people I have roped in tojoin the madness, and have never met anyone who tried it who did not find it a great experience.
Review from Guidestar
Thank you, thank you, thank you, to the Office of Letters and Light for bringing NaNoWriMo into this world and keeping it alive, and growing by leaps and bounds every year. If it weren't for NaNo, I would never have fully realized my love for writing, nor my addiction to crazy creative challenges. Once again, thank you!
Review from Guidestar
The OLL manages two of the most incredible writing programs in existence, NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy. These programs manage to turn us into writers for a month, some of us persist in such a career, other are there for the fun, but the point is people come together and they write, quite a lot by the way!
Participating in these events make me feel part of a larger than life community, with people who share the same interests as I.
Apart from that they also have the Young Writers Program, which focuses on children and teenagers, teaching the younger generation the imporance of writing, and also passing along their love for it
I'm a proud participant of both their programs and everyone interested in writing should participate as well, it's quite a ride!
Review from Guidestar
I first heard of NaNoWriMo many years ago. Writer friends raved about it. I eventually found time in 2009 to take part and the experience was awesome. The OLL team work tirelessly to encourage so many people to achieve their dream: to write a novel.
I was so impressed that, in 2010, I volunteered to become Municipal Liaison Officer and served the Devon & Cornwall area of the UK. D&C Wrimos were very successful in their efforts and I am proud that the impetus emanating from the NaNoWriMo experience last November has resulted in a new and thriving face-to-face writers' group based in Exeter.
I intend to volunteer for the same ML role in 2011 and know I will be fully supported by the great team at OLL. Between us, we will bring the creative writing bug to the South West and unleash many more budding novelists on the unsuspecting world.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light sponsors National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) each year, among other things. I participated in NaNoWriMo for the first time in 2010, and through the support of the OLL, their local Community Liaisons, and their wonderful participant Web support, I was able to complete my 50,000-word novel in just 30 days, making me a "Winner"! Throughout the experience, I felt supported, encouraged, informed, inspired, equipped and empowered to finally write the novel I've wanted to write all my life. Everywhere I looked there was a new way in which I could experience my connection with the NaNoWriMo community. As a result of the NaNoWriMo experience, I can now proudly proclaim, "I am a novelist!" And, even more proudly, "I'm a WriMo!" (which is what we participants call ourselves), a member of a diverse world-wide community whose members share a passion for writing, and a love for the Office of Light and Letters!
Review from Guidestar
I did NaNoWriMo this past November and although I didn't win, i absolutely loved it. There was a great community, an easy, fast and fun website, and I definitely recommend this program to anyone even REMOTELY interested in writing!
Review from Guidestar
Since 2005, I've experienced the programs run by the Office of Letters and Light in a number of ways. I began as a participant in National Novel Writing Month; I wrote my first novel in November of 2005, when I was 16, and from that point on I was hooked. This past November marked my sixth consecutive NaNoWriMo "win," and I've learned something new about myself as a writer and as a person with every single novel. The most important lesson I've learned was best articulated by Chris Baty himself: "If this, what else?" If I can write a novel in November, what can't I do? NaNoWriMo taught me to believe in the amazing power of a group of creative, motivated people to do whatever they set out to.
But I haven't just been involved as a writer. Since September 2007, I've been an unpaid intern at OLL headquarters, assisting with both NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy, and I additionally volunteered as an East Bay Municipal Liaison for NaNoWriMo in 2008 and 2010 (while still participating in both NaNo and Script Frenzy every year!). As an intern and as an ML, I've had the opportunity to represent OLL to my community, but the greatest gift is hearing the stories these people have to tell me about how OLL programs have changed their lives -- not just in the realm of writing. The kind of creative collaboration and collective encouragement fostered by NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy seemed to bleed over into all aspects of life, helping people gain confidence to accomplish all kinds of projects, from going back to school to planning a trip around the world.
OLL programs are unique in offering a real-world component to an essentially online challenge. The friendships I've made with other participants in NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy have been more than just the fuel to get me through these crazy challenges -- these people have become some of my best friends. I spent my junior year studying abroad in London; when I arrived I knew no one, but as soon as November rolled around and I attended my first NaNoWriMo write-in, I met people who became fast friends. I'll be leaving the East Bay (and the west coast) this fall for graduate school, but I'm not worried about meeting new people -- because once November rolls around, I'll search out the local NaNo group and find the people who share my OLL-fostered belief that anything is possible.
Whenever I explain OLL to people, they're usually a bit skeptical -- how can writing a script or a novel really change someone's life? But the more involved I am, the more convinced I become that OLL has successfully turned scripts and novels into vehicles for something larger -- fostering personal growth and encouraging people to see the vastness of what they can accomplish.
Review from Guidestar
I'll be honest, I would write even without these guys... but OLL has made it so much more fun! I didn't realize that writing COULD be more fun, but there it is! They provide a community that I never thought I would be able to find, where I feel comfortable talking about my writing in a way I can't even with my closest friends. To take a solitary pastime like writing, and bring an almost party atmosphere to is an amazing feat, but the Office of Letters and Light crew have done it, time and again. Now that I have experienced NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy, I don't know what I would do without them.
Review from Guidestar
If it wasn't for NaNoWriMo (one of the programs of the Office of Letters and Light) , I would never have started writing again. Because of this program, I now write three times a week and am polishing up a manuscript I hope to submit to publishers during 2011. I've incorporated their YWP program into my work (I'm a teacher, who now supports students who write at school outside of my regular classes.)
Most importantly, meeting the challenge of NaNoWriMo changed how I feel about what I can do. After writing 50,000 words that first year and dancing around the living room with joy once I hit that mark, I realized that oftentimes it's my own imagination that limits what I can accomplish. Not reality. I stopped saying "No, I can't" and started saying, "Heck, why not!" In fact, this year I took up running ("Heck, why not!") and went from be able to sustain 30 seconds of running to running a 5K race after 4 months of training. I would not have had the courage to even attempt that, if it wasn't for my NaNoWriMo experience.
I think the Office of Letters and Light is a fantastic organization. They have meant so much for me personally through NaNoWriMo, and I see them affecting students each year at my work through the YWP program as well.
Review from Guidestar
I have wanted to write something, anything, most of my life but never went beyond a few pages. Then, one day, bored at work, I fished a newspaper out of the trash. It told about a crazy sounding thing called National Novel Writing Month that was starting in a couple of days. I thought, 'Hmmm, I just bought a laptop, it is meant to be.' Having no idea what to write about or how I was going to accomplish it, I signed up. It started out slowly, but with a deadline on the horizon, I quickly picked up the pace and before I knew what hit me, I had a completed novel. Wow! The next year I decided to give it another go, and 30 days later I had a second completed novel. This was becoming almost too easy. Well, eight years went by and I had amassed an amazing eight novels. I don't think I would have ever started or finished eight novels without Nanowrimo and will be forever grateful for the part they played in jumpstarting my writing. Have deadline, will WRITE!!! Write on!
Review from Guidestar
I am 64 today, in all those years I never had the positive enforcement behind me to finish the story I wanted to tell. Now in one month time I finished one. And realised there is more in a life then just living and working. I now love to write and re-examen my life by writing about it.
This all thanks to The Office of Letters and Light for there initiative to make "Nanowrimo" an International event.
Thank you OoL. Please continue with these positive endevours..
Review from Guidestar
Office of Letters and Light is an excellent organization for authors, scriptwriters and just about anyone who wants to do a mad thing like write a novel in a month. I've participated in their NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) event three years in a row and their ScriptFrenzy event last year. Thank you to the great staff at OLL for motivating hundreds of thousands of authors to finally get that novel/screenplay/comic book/whathaveyou written!
Review from Guidestar
The Offices of Letters and Light is one of the most amazing organizations on the face of the planet. They run the only website I know of that supplies every writing need - a goal and deadline to get the first draft written, resources, advice from famous authors, and an incredibly strong community for support throughout the writing and revision process.
I first participated in National Novel Writing Month in 2009, excited by the idea of a writer's challenge that didn't require a submission. Reaching my 50,000 word goal was one of the most gratifying experiences I have ever had. I know that without The Offices of Letters and Light, I never would have written my novel. The strong sense of community continued throughout the year, keeping me inspired to finish my novel by late December.
Since I'd had so much fun during National Novel Writing Month, I decided that I might as well try Script Frenzy in 2010. I went into it with lower expectations, but I was shocked at how much I loved it. Writing a script was an entirely new experience for me, and I enjoyed every second of it. With the encouragement once again provided by the online community, I was able to go well beyond the 100-page goal, and not only complete the required page count but also my entire plot arc by April 30.
I participated in National Novel Writing Month again in 2010, this time with an idea that had been inspired by my time on the forums - I wouldn't have even had the idea for this novel without the Offices of Letters and Light! Despite falling behind on my word count, the constant encouragement of the staff and other participants kept me going. I attended a write-in organized by my local Municipal Liaison, and enjoyed it immensely. Once again, I reached fifty thousands words on November 30.
The Offices of Letters helps hundreds of thousands of people achieve writing goals that they never would have realized otherwise. They are always striving to reach farther, improve their organization, and introducing new programs like the Night of Writing Dangerously Write-A-Thon, The Great NaNoWriMo Book Drive, and now Camp NaNoWriMo. Everything they do is truly inspiring.
Review from Guidestar
When I was a young girl, I was always coming up with little stories. In fact, that's how I survived years of church (sorry!) and boring school lectures. Yes, I'm full of ideas, but light on execution. In my late 30's, I finally found a place that will cherish my ideas and use peer pressure to help me succeed - OLL and Nanowrimo. I've been able to write 50,000 words in a month the last two years. While I might not have written the great American novel yet (who knows?!), the experience has helped to boost my confidence, ensured that I can take on 'undoable' tasks, and made me more willing to help others in Herculean efforts.
Review from Guidestar
In 2009, I participated in OLL's National Novel Writing Month. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. They inspired me to write an entire draft of a novel in a month, which was more than I'd ever done in years. It got me motivated to take life by the horns. I grew closer to many friends who were also participating. OLL's outlook on the whole experience was really amazing. They encourage participants to write, even if what they write is the worst prose ever penned. It inspires writers to free themselves of the shackles of perfection. If we don't have to be perfect, then we are free to be creative, to try things and get it wrong a million times, because the more mistakes you make, the more you learn! This experience was life changing for me, and I'm sure it was for many others, too.
Review from Guidestar
NaNoWriMo and the Office of Letters and Light encourage people of all walks of life to pursue the art of writing. As a high tech professional with 30 years experience, writing 50,000 words in 30 days is a daunting undertaking. I could not have done it without the professionalism, encouragement and faith doled out daily by the team at OLL. Their focus on today’s youth provides an outlet for students who aren’t motivated by the education systems in the US and the world to write a book. The confidence built from attempting this challenge is remarkable. And for those disciplined enough to complete the task, the experience is priceless.
Review from Guidestar
I was introduced to NaNoWriMo 6 years ago and instantly fell in love with the idea of writing a novel in a month. I have participated every year since, and have been encouraging my friends to do so, too. Why? It's not just because spending November entrenched in creating a 50,000 word piece of fantastickness is crazy fun (which it is). It's also because of the NaNoWriMo community. Receiving those weekly email pep talks from famous writers is great encouragment, as is just knowing that there are thousands of other people around the globe who are attempting the same crazy feat. Through the NaNo website, local writers can connect and offer each other support, which is crutial. Writing is a lonely job, and without the Office of Letters and Light, it would be even lonelier. People who had never had the confidence to try writing a novel would still be wishing they had the gumption to try. Thanks to NaNoWriMo, they are encouraged to try. It's a great boost to self-esteem. It is one of the few organizations I truly, truly believe in and am always eager to financially and emotionally support. And even though it's only February, I can hardly wait until November!
Review from Guidestar
What a joy it is to meet students who are so engaged with their writing projects that they stop me in the hall to give me updates! The Office of Letters and Light is responsible for this enthusiasm by sponsoring NaNoWriMo. Their website hooks students from the start, and the materials provide an incredible amount of scaffolding for students as they write their novels.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light (OLL) hosts two events that have changed my life for the better: ScriptFrenzy and National Novel Writing Month. Both of these are free to participants however donations are cheerfully accepted. OLL also runs a Young Writers' Program. With friendly, informative staff members, a well-organized website and a fabulous organization, OLL has helped people of all ages all over the world compose their first novel or write their first script. As a volunteer Municipal Liaison for OLL for five years, I introduced my middle school creative writing group to both events and the kids took wing on flights of fancy. It was amazing to experience - and educational for all involved. There's so much good that comes from this small office in Berkeley, it's unbelievable. I heartily recommend the Office of Letters and Light and their good works.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light does a spectacular job of keeping their programs running and keeping the participants motivated. I have been a participant of NaNoWriMo since 2006 and a participant of ScriptFrenzy since it started in 2006. I have also been a ML for NaNo since 2008. OLL sends me e-mails all year long to let me know what is going on with the office and the programs and that makes me feel like a big part of the organization. They consistently put everything they have into running their programs, which helps to spread a love of reading and writing, something I think is very important for the world today.
Review from Guidestar
I first discovered NaNoWriMo, one of the Office of Letters and Light's month long programs, when I was in high school, 8 years ago. Since then, with their help, I've written three novels and made many new friends in the area. I wouldn't have even dreamed I could do something like this without the help of OLL. I now spend months looking forward to NaNoWriMo and all the excitement, fun, and new friendships that it can bring. I don't think I would make two or three new good friends each year without this program- nor would I write a novel from beginning to end.
Review from Guidestar
I've participated in National Novel Writing Month since 2003. I donate to the Office of Lights and Letters every year. With their three programs, they have created an enthusiastic global community of writers of all ages and levels. Their unique approach takes the fear of perfection out of the writing process and allows participants the freedom to reach for their creative potential. In addition the OLL encourages literacy all over the world. I'm proud to be a participant and a donor.
Review from Guidestar
I've been a part of NaNoWriMo since 2003 and Script Frenzy since it began in 2006. I never would have gotten into screenwriting, which I take seriously and am actively pursuing, without OLL. There are dozens of people I wouldn't have met without the events that OLL created and runs every year. I'm so grateful and can't thank them enough!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Lights and Letters is fantastic! Their desire to spread literacy and writing all over the world is admirable and they are honestly the best people to work for. I've loved volunteering for them and plan on continuing. Also, NaNoWriMo is an amazing event that really brings otherwise very different people together and promotes a love of writing.
Review from Guidestar
OLL has created a community of writers across the world, with pep talks, local organizers, quantitative tools, and social networking, The organization has provided motivation, emotional support, and cool posters to hundreds of thousands of published and aspiring novelists and screen writers. My daughter's school has participated in the Young Writers Program for two years, a very nice addition to the program.
Writing is ordinarily a solitary pursuit, but during Nanowrimo and Script Frenzy, we are connected, given context, and validated. In short, it is a PHENOMENON.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light is one of the most fantastic non-profits I've ever seen. Something like Nanowrimo could be a big money-maker considering its popularity, but that money goes into making the world a better - and more literate - place. I'm so proud to be associated with OLL and Nanowrimo, and I just can't say enough about what a wonderful organization it is, or how great the people are who run it.
Review from Guidestar
Always wanted to write a novel but never seemed to get past the first few chapters of my story ideas until NaNoWriMo. The deadline of writing a novel in November helped me get rid of my internal editor that kept saying "your writing's trash...you can't write a whole novel etc." Their encouraging emails and website were timely and helpful and FREE. Thier bookstorenot only was filled with useful books and fun items to inspire writers to reach and celebrate the goal but was also easy to order from and timely in delivery of quality merchandise. I am now in the process of editing and polishing (The website gave hints about that, too.) my first novel--a fantasy that's come true. I can't wait for NaNoWriMo 2011!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters & Light sponsors the world-wide novel writing event the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I have been participating in this event every year for the last five years. The regional volunteers have become some of my best friends. I love this non-profit because they work to bring writing to everyone -- and, specifically, they are helping to put creative writing back into schools. My one gripe is that, each year, the website servers have a difficult time handling the hordes of aspiring novelists. The OLL has a great tech support team, however, and things usually settle down after a few days.
Review from Guidestar
I believe that everyone has a story to tell. NaNoWriMo gives people the chance to do that.
I believe NaNoWriMo is a brilliant program for getting folks actually writing. Because it is so easy in our busy lives to put things off. Even things we really want. Having a deadline and so much dedicated human support helps people reach for their dreams and I believe strongly in the idea of a dream.
I first became aware of NaNoWriMo in 2001 when my daughter found it online and challenged me to do it with her. I have no real interest in writing, but was up for a challenge. The first year I beat her to the finish.
I never expected to do it again. It was fun and interesting but not my thing. But then in October the next year I got an email from Chris Baty that inspired me to do it again. I kept telling myself I wasn't going to do it again. At least until 2007 when I volunteered to be an ML (Municipal Liaison) for Scotland.
Being an ML has been the most amazing thing for me. Last year I had about a thousand folks that looked to the areas I was watching over. Many of them outwith Scotland. I know several of them have gone on to actually publishing their books and so many of them have met or exceeded personal goals.
The most important thing to me with NaNoWriMo, is the positive attitude that 'you can do this' no matter what excuses you want to make. It is a hard challenge, but not an impossible one.
I think it is important to keep NaNoWriMo orientated towards encouraging people. That they have enough funding so that it can stay an open contest that anyone can join.
Review from Guidestar
I helped organize a group of students to participate in the Young Writers Program for National Novel Writing Month. Two teachers and about five students regularly worked on novels together and on our own, and we all thought the program was fantastic. Even the students who did not reach their target word count found the experience valuable. And the students who did finish and "win" said they would never have done it without the program.
Outside of my teaching, I also participate in the adult program, and I certainly don't think I would have finished any of my projects without the support of the NaNoWriMo program.
Review from Guidestar
I first encountered NaNoWriMo when I moved to Japan, strangely enough for a non-profit based in the US! I was working on the JET Program and living in a very isolated rural area. This was an extremely difficult time in my life, and I honestly feel like the self-confidence and can-do spirit that NaNo instills in people (as well as the online--and offline!--community and fellowship) saved me and helped me to experience more of what was around me than I would have otherwise. I constantly recommend NaNo and its philosophy to people around me, and there is no non-profit I admire more.
Review from Guidestar
I became aware of the OLL (and it's program NaNoWriMo) in 2006 when the local paper ran a story on National Novel Writing Month. There are programs and funding for helping kids and adults read, but this is the only organization of its kind, that I'm aware of, that focuses specifically on encouraging people to write! It took several tries, but I made my 50,000 word goal, and I would not have succeeded without the help and support of the OLL, its website, mailings and online services. My only suggestions for the future would be to continue to expand to other countries. Writers from around the world need to be encouraged to tell their stories!
Review from Guidestar
I never would have finished a novella-length work if it had not been for OLL and NaNoWriMo. Knowing that thousands of people around the world are pounding away at their keyboards at the same time is highly motivational. There are many forums with varied topics. It was inspirational keeping up with others on their writing journey.
I became even more impressed with the program when they instituted the Young Writers' Program. Many teen writers participated in NaNo anyway, but they could potentially get credit for it with the curriculum guidelines OLL now has available for teachers. This is a valuable program that helps those who feel they have a story to tell have an opportunity to tell it.
Review from Guidestar
I've been writing since I learned to read. I knew I had a novel in me, but it took National Novel Writing Month to extract it.
OLL doesn't just plop a finish line in front of writers and say "get there." They provide support, encouragement and a writing community. Local liaisons offer in-person encouragement and group write-ins. The feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line is tremendous. And there's more - OLL's Young Writers Program and Script Frenzy. OLL puts a lot of heart and soul (and humor) into helping us writers write more, which in turn helps many of us write better.
The National Novel Writing Month process is invaluable in learning how to complete a manuscript. It teaches the most important skill that a writer can pick up: finishing. For me, this process really boosted my confidence. NaNoWriMo taught me how to manage deadlines and work writing into my daily life. I can’t say enough good things about NaNoWriMo… It really put me on the path to becoming a published author. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Review from Guidestar
At first, the concept behind NaNoWriMo, sponsored by OLL seemed both strange and ridiculous. True, many people dream of writing a novel, and few ever carry through with it, regardless of eventual publication, but do it in a month? Ridiculous!
However, the concept provides two important incentives. First, there's the focus. You MUST do it in a month, at least you think you must. In fact, if you "fail" you've still won, because you tried. You learned, you stretched yourself, and you accomplished something. More importantly, you NaNoWriMo gave you "permission" to write material that wasn't going to win a Nobel Prize. You learned you could write junk, and fix it later.
Ultimately, some participants do seek publication, and I consider myself fortunate to have been successful in that endeavor. With one novel, and one non-fiction book "out" I'm still writing, and I still join in NaNoWriMo every fall.
OLL, without requiring me to spend hundreds of dollars, provides a creative outlet that cannot be rivaled, and the shared forums and other elements help me in ways that would cost thousands through some MFA program. They also provide things, like that "permission" clause, that no MFA program ever considered.
In short, OLL through NaNoWriMo, is helping to create the next generation of writers, be they adults or school children.
Review from Guidestar
Office of Letters and Light offers writers, both young and old with the chance to sit down and devote a whole month to writing their very own novel. What fun! It also encourages and supports teachers to bring their students into the fun, giving the youngest writers a taste of creating their own story. I've taken part in Nanowrimo for three years and fully intend to write again this coming November.
Review from Guidestar
I always dabbled in being a writer, and my stories were 'okay' - then I found NaNoWriMo. I remember my first "novel" attempt - a woman who's life is working out, but told from the eyes of her cat. Who does that? The cool thing, though, is that nobody judged me when I tried that then, nobody judged me when my next attempt was a philosophical look at life relating to looking at ducks on a lake, and now, seven years later, nobody judges me when I work on a steampunk novel or throw in a short story or a mid grades novel to my mix. I used the NaNo experience to get to a point where I was confident in my writing.
When Script Frenzy came along, I thought "hey, my dialog is weak, maybe that will help" and I signed up for that, too. Now, people talk about how good my dialog is, and I've got some interesting scripts sitting here.
In all, I think that anybody who's interested in writing should sign up. You have nothing to lose, but lots to gain. Oh, and as an added bonus? All of the people I consider really good friends are people I met here in my NaNo region!
Review from Guidestar
Like many others, I had always wanted to write a novel, but never really got around to it. The Office of Letters and Light's program, NaNoWriMo, was a life-changing experience, and I'm continually learning more about it every year I participate.
Review from Guidestar
Office of Letters and Light gives life to NaNoWriMo: a world-wide month of creativity, madness, and a race to the end of a 50,000 word novel. Every November, the ordinary guy has a chance to do something extraordinary. That is something I look forward to every year. Sometimes the month begins and I don't even have a single thread of plot to work with, other years I've had months of thinking and planning to where the characters of my nano-novel are already good friends of mine.
The Office of Letters and Light makes it possible for thousands of people to get a much needed break from the mundane of their lives and revitalize their creative energies. NaNoWriMo is liberating, healing, and life changing. I've done it every year since 2004.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters & Light's NaNoWriMo and Script Freenzy have provided unending support and encouragement. The structure of NaNoWriMo provides just what I've needed to do the things I've always wanted to do, but been afraid to tackle on my own. Those things: writing novels and writing screenplays. Its amazing organization that provides encouragement to thousands of writers, young and old. If you've always wanted to write a novel (or a screen play), The Office of Letters and LIght is THE organization that can help you get your novel or screen play done!
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light consistently provides opportunities for aspiring writers, young and old, to experiment and hone their skills in a risk-free and encouraging environment. As a writing teacher, I understand the importance of playful support and challenges, as well as a safe place to try ideas and make mistakes. The Office of Letters and Light embodies these tenets through all of their writing programs, from NaNoWriMo to Script Frenzy to the Young Writers Program. It's wonderful that an organization is out there cultivating a generation of excited writers!
Review from Guidestar
Each year my students look forward to NaNoWriMo. They get excited about setting higher word-count goals, discuss their characters from previous years' novels, and take pride in their work. The Office of Letters and Light makes it easy for busy educators to authentically engage students in real, imperfect, messy writing-- which is what all writing is at some point or another. I like how NaNoWriMo loosens us all up and gets us away from the rigidity of measurable assessment. It puts all of us, students and teacher, into the realm of writers working together. I feel this collaborative classroom approach works best for the 21st century student.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light's National Novel Writing Month was a life changing event for me. The first year, as a participant, I proved to myself that I could write a novel in thirty days, whereas before it had taken me years. With confidence gained, I set out my second year to not only write another novel, but to take their Young Writer's Program to my childrens' school and inspire an entire classroom of young minds. With far more courage and confidence that I'd thought in me, I offered the Young Writers Program to two classrooms and wrote yet another novel the third year. The students loved this program and many of my first year YWP students pleaded for me to follow them into middle school. How could I turn that down?
My fourth and fifth year, in addition to opening the YWP up to four classes at the elementary level and offering a program at the middle school level, boosted me into becoming a municipal liaison so that I could share my enthusiasm for writing with local adults as well.
During my time in the program I've watched students who had difficulties with writing turn into enthusiastic writers, shy adult participants have left their homes to socialize with other writers and come back year after year. I've made great friends, got the push I needed to dive into writing and have gone on to publish a couple short stories, something I would probably have never had the confidence to try for had it not been for stumbling across OLL's program five years ago.
Review from Guidestar
In 2009, I first participated in NaNoWriMo. I had no idea what to expect. I am a donor and also a "client served" as I am a participant in NaNoWriMo events. I also volunteered in 2010 as a municipal liaison to help others in my area.
The bottom line is this: I benefited in very personal ways from my participation with NaNoWriMo and the Office of Letters and Light. From there, I became a donor and then a volunteer. The Office of Letters and Light offers inspiration, guidance, and help to those who are looking to fulfill their dreams. They do this through practical advice, mutually beneficial relationships with vendors and all with humor!
This organization answers questions, responds to community requests and each year makes improvements based on actual feedback from participants. It's amazing how efficient these improvements and changes have been over the past few years. The organization is one that puts its money right where it says it will and provides an inspiring array of services to people of all ages, including students in areas of need.
Review from Guidestar
In addition to my role as volunteer, I am also a donor and client served. I've been involved with the organization's NaNoWriMo event since 2003. I've donated each year since then, and I have been volunteering since 2007. My favorite thing about this organization is its commitment--to its volunteers and to the population that it serves. The staff are tireless in their efforts to help their volunteers and the tens of thousands of aspiring writers achieve their script- or novel-writing goals. The fact that their goal is to bring literature into the world and inspire those who wouldn't normally write to write is another favorite aspect of OLL. OLL truly is dedicated, and dedicated to a very worthwhile endeavor that provides inspiration from around the globe. On a personal level, I've met some of my best friends through the NaNoWriMo event and learned perseverance, as well.
Review from Guidestar
I am a homeschooling mother of 3 and a teacher of a high school language arts cooperative with a class of 17 teens. My daughter introduced me to NaNoWriMo 3 years ago when we both completed the November novel writing challenge. Each year my experience is better than the previous year and I hope that my writing has also improved. I hope to get something published in the future. This past year, I brought my language arts class along for the adventure. Of the 17 that began writing November 1st, thirteen completed the task and wrote their first novel of over 30,000 words. Many of these same students are still writing as their stories were not fully told. I have watched their fears dissolve and their self-confidence soar. I have not finished reading their novels, but what I have read has pleased the teacher in me. I am amazed at the character development, use of metaphor, etc. in their writing. Any program that encourages the development of young adults to communicate clearly, poignantly, and passionately has my full support. We did use the classroom helps and workbooks provided by the Office of Letters and Light and were pleased with the quality and scope of the material. My students and I are now looking forward to the next challenge - Script Frenzy in April. It will be a first for me as well as my students - many of whom plan to put their novel into a screen play format. Thank you Office of Letters and Light. You have certainly produced winners in my class! Kudos!
Because of the Office of Letters and Light, I am a published author today. I'd been a writer all my life, but even with a Masters in writing had never managed to finish a novel before National Novel Writing Month in 2006. The novel I wrote then went on to sell to HarperCollins in a three book deal, and my life has been forever changed by what the OLL helped me to realize: That I am not only a writer, but a working one. I've participated every year since then, and in two weeks, the book I wrote for NaNo in 2008 will be released to bookstore shelves. I owe this success directly to OLL, and I can't say enough about them.
Review from Guidestar
I have completed Office of Letters and Light's National Novel Writing Month twice. It is a free, international programme where participants write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November, with internet support through their fantastic website, and on-the-ground local groups. All sorts of people of all ages and backgrounds realise their writing dreams through NaNoWriMo, and I am no exception.
After a year's revision, My second NaNovel, CUCKOO, landed me a top agent and a three book deal with the major UK publisher, Headline. I have since landed similar deals in several European countries. I am now a full-time writer.
Before NaNoWriMo, I would never have had the confidence in my ability to write a full novel. This programme really works, and the literacy and creative writing work with youth that goes on throughout the year, partly funded by donations from grateful NaNoWriMo participants like myself, is another important arm of the OLL's work. \
They are a great, supportive, approachable and empowering organisation, and their work impacts on hundreds of thousands of people both locally and globally every year.
Review from Guidestar
When my seventeen-year-old mentioned The Office of Letters and Light's National Novel Writing Month to me in October of 2006, I had to wonder if perhaps my children did know me better than I knew myself. With a little arm-twisting, I was a NANOWRIMO participant, and so began my adventures with noveling, 50K in a month, and the start of my writing career.
After that initial taste of scribbling, I amassed one hundred thousand words, then set about finishing the story upon my family’s return to America after a sojourn in Great Britain. After completing the novel, I sought out publication, which occurred in January of 2009, but in the meantime I had again participated in National Novel Writing Month, one of OLL’s main programs, completing several novels in the interim. What I find so enjoyable about NANO is the camaraderie of the writers, the friendly support of multiple liaisons and the incredible enthusiasm of the OLL staff, a group so devoted to the written word, be it in novel form in November or in April during Script Frenzy, OLL’s other main outlet. The interactive nature of these activities makes for great fun, meeting new people through various forums and sharing one’s output. Yet the biggest boon is simply the opportunity for expression, the drive and passion those involved in OLL possess in furthering writing prospects for all ages; one can never be too young for the spark of literature to catch!
A demanding task is fifty thousand words in a month, but not impossible; one of the biggest deterrents to writing is the idea of never completing a manuscript. In NANOWRIMO, the push is quantity over quality, eliminating that never finished novel. Once a completed story is achieved, a writer can take the next step, be it polishing that project, or preparing for the next, up to the individual what commences. But having even reached The End of one novel opens the door, and that is what NANOWRIMO, via The Office of Letters and Light, offers to aspiring novelists, the prospect to write, and complete, that first book. That OLL charges no fees for participants makes it feasible for any and all to follow their dream, the only requirement being a small kernel of plot and the willingness to open one’s mind. With so many resources available via the NANOWRIMO website, pep talks and forum threads covering a gamut of interests, The Office of Letters and Light offers a range to stir the creative juices, one that I am proud to note as the bedrock of my writing career.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light run National Novel Writing Month, a free of charge program that helps would-be writers meet the goal of writing a book during November of each year.
I've participated for six years now. Each year I learn something new about the creative process. I've participated with family members and friends, which gives us a fun pre-holiday activity to share, and I've met new people locally and online who are taking part too.
Best of all, the associated young writer's program encourages kids to take part. My 13-year-old nephew participated last year and was enthusiastic about his project--and this was a boy who'd never written anything longer than a one-page paper for school.
I really appreciate the work everyone does at OLL to keep things running smoothly every year. I hope to keep participating for many years to come.
Review from Guidestar
The Office of Letters and Light runs an annual program - National Novel Writing Month - that literally changed my life. Prior to participating, I only aspired at being a writer but never thought I had the time. A few years later, I've become an active volunteer for the event, have written four novels, and am working toward publishing some of my work. They truly do inspire literacy and writing fundamentals in adults and children alike.