It’s almost November and time for PiBoIdMo and NaNoWriMo!

Registration for Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) http://taralazar.com/piboidmo/ begins October 25.The 2014 website for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) http://nanowrimo.org/ is up and running.Have you checked them out yet?

PiBoIdMo and NaNoWriMo are fun and challenging.There is no charge to participate.Even if you don’t finish, you will probably learn something from the experience that will help you move forward with your writing.

You can organize your own kick-off party for PiBoIdMo.There is a three page handout to get you started.It’s filled with great ideas from previous PiBoIdMo years, http://taralazar.com/2014/10/09/host-your-own-piboidmo-kick-off-party/.

Some libraries have gotten involved with NaNoWriMo.This library in New Jersey is hosting a program to convince people to participate, http://www.nj.com/messenger-gazette/index.ssf/2014/10/somerset_county_library_system_observes_national_novel_writing_month_in_november.html.

Perhaps groups in your own community are planning events to be held in November. 

Good luck with your writing next month!

Debbie A. Byrne has a B.S. in Mass Communication with a minor in History. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and is working on her first children’s book.

November Challenges Part Two

Last month, I wrote about two November writing challenges that I planned to participate in: PiBoIdMo and NaNoWriMo. I am currently working on both. For me, PiBoIdMo is going better than NaNoWriMo. Hmmm. Does that mean I will be better at writing picture books than novels? Or perhaps it’s more realistic to plan to do only one of these during the month of November.  J

What I am doing this month seems insignificant compared to the challenges that many in my home state of Illinois are facing. On Sunday, November 17, several tornadoes hit parts of northern, central and southern Illinois. There were several deaths, along with many injured. Tornadoes also struck other Midwestern states – Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

If you wish to help those in Illinois affected by Sunday’s tornadoes, there is a list of businesses and organizations accepting donations at the website below.

http://wgntv.com/2013/11/20/how-to-help-victims-of-illinois-tornados/

I don’t know who is collecting donations in the other states, but I recommend giving to the
American Red Cross or the Salvation Army if you would like to help.

I will be back to my regular monthly blog post in December. Thanks for reading!

Debbie A. Byrne has a B.S. in Mass Communication with a minor in History. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and is working on her first children’s book.

November Writing Challenges

Next month, I will be participating in Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) http://taralazar.com/piboidmo/ and National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) http://nanowrimo.org/.

Registration for PiBoIdMo starts October 24. You can sign up now for NaNoWriMo. Both events are online and start November 1 and end November 30. Winners are eligible for prizes. See each website for details.

PiBoIdMo began in 2008 by children’s author, Tara Lazar. Her book, The Monstore, was released in June of this year by Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

Chris Baty started NaNoWriMo in 1999. His book, No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days, is a recommended read for NaNoWriMo participants. 

This will by my first year for PiBoIdMo. This is my second year for NaNoWriMo. It will be a challenge trying to do both!

Will you join me?

Debbie A. Byrne has a B.S. in Mass Communication with a minor in History. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and is working on her first children’s book.