Wednesday, November 16, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
21
Local writers join forces in November
By Kit Tosello
Correspondent
Bestselling author John
Green once remarked that
novel writing is “a profession
for introverts who want to tell
you a story but don’t want to
make eye contact while doing
it.” Indeed, many of us envi-
sion writers pecking away at
their keyboards while holed
up alone, perhaps even teeter-
ing on the brink of madness.
But some aspiring novel-
ists in Sisters Country have
lately defied that stereotype,
emerging from isolation to
work together in a public
space, united by a common
goal; they each endeavor to
pen a complete novel during
the month of November.
Local participants in
National Novel Writing
Month (NaNoWriMo), an
annual novel-writing project
that brings together profes-
sional and amateur writ-
ers from all over the world,
have been spotted congregat-
ing at Suttle Tea, engaged
in “write-ins,” roughing out
their manuscripts in an atmo-
sphere of accountability and
encouragement.
Among them is Nancy
Whitlatch, who has long
dreamed of a local writers’
community.
“I participated in
NaNoWriMo last year and
had a lot of fun,” she said. “I
went to write-ins, but there
were none in Sisters.”
So when the NaNoWriMo
challenge came around again
this year, Whitlatch volun-
teered to host the first-ever
Sisters write-in. Lo and
behold, a handful of like-
minded writers showed up.
Whitlatch finds that writ-
ing in community increases
her productivity.
“You wouldn’t believe
how many things I’ve
started,” she said. “I can’t
focus at home. It’s hard to
stay committed. But when
I’m working in a place with-
out a lot of commotion, I’m
really into it. Having others
there, I can see them all typ-
ing away. Even when I’m
stuck, it motivates me to keep
going and at least get some
words down.”
Whitlatch’s current work-
in-progress, a young-adult
novel featuring a group of
teenagers, was birthed from
a short story she wrote in a
community-college writing
class.
In accepting the challenge
to write a 50,000-word novel
in 30 days, participants must
adopt the mindset that their
first draft doesn’t have to be
perfect; it just needs to be
written.
Jill Dyer is doing just that.
At press time, the Sisters
resident had logged 22,900
words in the first two weeks
of November — well on track
to make her goal.
“I’ve heard it said that the
only way to become a more
successful writer is to write.
Both NaNoWriMo and the
Sisters write-in have helped
me do that,” she said.
Dyer isn’t messing around.
“Honestly, I just want to
challenge myself. Writing
fiction feels like a leap.
NaNoWriMo is a way to hold
myself accountable as well as
track measurable progress.”
Prior to this first attempt at
a novel, Dyer had completed
a non-fiction book about
prayer as well as focusing on
poetry. One of her poems was
recently a finalist in a national
writing contest sponsored by
the Oregon Christian Writers.
“The Sisters write-ins are
great because they’re local,
at one of my favorite places
to write, and inspire me to
know I am not the only one in
Sisters attempting this novel-
in-a-month idea,” she said.
Once
registered,
NaNoWriMo participants
become part of a supportive
online community, together
tracking their progress,
receiving pep talks from suc-
cessful authors and opportu-
nities to meet up with other
area writers. The Bend region
of NaNoWriMo currently has
756 members.
Now in its 18th year,
FINEFURNITURE
LES
TAB
EE
FF
CO
Adam Bronstein
Cra sman
By Commission
541-410-1309
SpringCreekWoodworking.com
PHOTO BY KIT TOSELLO
Working on a novel is not necessarily a solo endeavor.
the nonprofit organization
“teaches you to believe that
your story matters, to trust the
gambols of your imagination,
and to make the blank page a
launching pad to explore new
universes. That’s important
because when we create, we
cultivate meaning. Our stories
remind us that we’re alive,
and what being alive means,”
says Grant Faulkner, execu-
tive director of NaNoWriMo.
In addition to accountabil-
ity and motivation, Whitlatch
has also gleaned some new
tricks of the trade from her
fellow writers.
“We shared resources,”
she said. “This is what writ-
ing groups do for each other.”
But one simple discovery has
especially fueled her creativ-
ity anew. “There are other
writers in Sisters!”
In faith that the November
write-ins are only the first
chapter, Whitlatch plans
to keep showing up for the
fledgling writers’ group. On
Thursdays at 1 p.m. for the
foreseeable future, Whitlatch
will hold a table at Suttle
Tea and welcome not only
NaNoWriMo participants, but
any others who want to give
writing in community a try.
Contact her at nwhitlatch@
gmail.com.
For more information
about NaNoWriMo, go to
www.nanowrimo.org.
Headed south for
the winter?
Call today to get your home
winter-ready for your time away!
541-549-4349
260 N. Pine St., Sisters
Licensed
Bonded / Insured
CCB#87587
– We can straighten ‘em out –
HOODOO SKI & RIDE PROGRAM
Loaner Cars
Deductible Assistance
Windshield Replacement
541-549-DENT
— 541-549-3368 —
332 W. Barclay Dr., Sisters
Brace Yourself
for Fall
$300 Discount
PARENT MEETING
Thursday, December 15 ,6:30 PM at SPRD
Fridays, January 6 – February 17, 4 p.m.
Middle School Lesson Package: $320 includes lessons,
equipment, transportation, chaperones, and lift tickets
For the month of November when
you start a full comprehensive
treatment program!
View activities & classes, and register online!
www.SistersRecreation.com
New patients only. Not valid with any other offer.
1750 W. Mckinney Butte Rd. | 541-549-2091
SNO CAP
a &
y Ev Place!
b
e
e
il
Sm e Brac
Th
541-382-0410
410 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters
CentralOregonBracePlace.com
CentralO
MINI STORAGE
Sisters Industrial Park
157 Sisters Park Dr. • 541-549-3575
www.SistersStorage.com
• State-of-the-art
Security Technology
• Sizes from 5x5 to 12x40
• Individual Gate Codes
• Long-term Discounts
• On-site Manager