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Erin M. Daly, Chicopee Public Library's Adult Librarian, displays the library's book recommendation page on goodreads.com, in which teenagers are encouraged to participate.

(file photo)

By DAN COOPER

Special to The Republican

CHICOPEE - The Chicopee Public Library is encouraging teenagers to get in touch with their creative side by participating in the Young Writer's Program of National Novel Writing Month.

“National Novel Writing Month is an international initiative,” explained the library’s youth services coordinator Erin Daly. “The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel in the month of November.”

The library, Daly said, will be tapping into the young writer’s program where teens can set their own set of manageable goals. They’ll hold a write-in session for teenagers on Nov. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the library conference room.

“I have been promoting the Young Writer’s Program among our teens and on our teen social media pages as a way of encouraging young writers,” Daly said. “I participated in (National Novel Writing Month) myself last year and found it was a really good motivator to get writing. I’m hoping some of the teens in Chicopee will try it out and see for themselves.”

According to the Young Writer’s Program’s website, “National Novel Writing Month happens every November! It’s a fun, seat-of-your-pants writing event where the challenge is to complete an entire novel in just 30 days. For one month, you get to lock away your inner editor, let your imagination take over, and just create!”

The website says the work must be finished by midnight on Nov. 30.

The site also said that if a participant reaches their word count goal by the end of the month, “all winners will get an official winner web badge and certificate, and bragging rights for the rest of their lives.”

Daly said the upcoming write-in event is open to all city teens. “They can participate as part of National Novel Writing Month or just for fun. The write-in will be an encouraging place to write for two hours.”

Daly said participants can write on their own or with friends.

“Writing with a friend or in a group is great for the feeling of support and help with staying on task and comparing the process,” she explained. “We’ll have writing prompts on hand for inspiration, and have a snack of some sort to feed the mind.”

For more information about National Novel Writing Month, go online to nanowrimo.org or contact Daly at the library, (413) 594-1800, ext 120.