Written by Writing Education Specialist, Sharma Shields
The nonprofit organization NaNoWriMo, the driving force behind November’s popular observance of “National Novel Writing Month,” has been under fire of late for its unwillingness to condemn the use of artificial intelligence.
As one of the hundreds of novelists included in the Author Guild’s class-action lawsuit against Open AI and Microsoft, I can understand the public’s furor. My hope is that the ethics of using AI will swiftly catch up to the innovation—otherwise we might have an unwieldy, powerful, potentially damaging monster on our hands, not unlike the Creature in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The Author’s Guild has created a solid best-practices guide here. I’m hoping any and all who use AI choose to do so in a thoughtful and transparent way.
In the meantime, we have some wonderful in-person, non-AI writing events here at the library for November. Writing a novel in one month might sound daunting, but there is much to enjoy and learn in the attempt. A daily—or almost daily—writing practice can add vibrancy and purpose to our lives; it teaches us to not to be too precious or perfectionistic with the work; and it urges us to connect with and encourage other writers who are also attempting the goal. Creativity, kindness to self, and community! Very cool.
I’ll be teaching three workshops this month at the Liberty Park Library all related to novel-writing, Getting Started on Your Novel on November 1st, How to Write When You Feel Stuck on November 15th, and How to Finish and Edit a Novel on December 6th. Bring your manuscript-in-progress to work on for an hour or so following our discussions.
Even better, one of my favorite novelists, Alexis M. Smith, will be teaching a six-week series on how to write short novels at the Shadle Park Library called Introduction to the Novella. The series will start on November 5th and end in mid-December. Alexis is a PNBA and Lambda Award winning author, and she truly is a master of the craft. Only a couple of seats remain, so make sure to register today.
All of these events are, of course, free and open to the public.
We look forward to writing novels with you at the library in November! And here are some of the books I frequently recommend to people for novel writing.

Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts by Matt Bell

The Secret Miracle: The Novelist’s Handbook, edited by Daniel Alarcón

Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting and Surviving Your First Book by Courtney Maum

The Way of the Writer: Reflections on the Art and Craft of Storytelling by Charles Johnson

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need by Jessica Brody