#cwi

Libraries and NaNoWriMo have been obvious besties since the very beginning.

Libraries are already the natural home of so many writers, are set up with programming space to host them, and are (tirelessly!) doing everything they can to support the book lovers who come through their doors.

That’s why, in 2009, we made our relationship with libraries official and created the Come Write In program. This mutually beneficial initiative gives libraries access to our resources, local communities, and passionate volunteers. And it gives those writing communities what they most need: a space to call home.

In the 10 years since it began, our Come Write In program has expanded to include community spaces of all kinds, but libraries have always been at its core. Without libraries and librarians, NaNoWriMo could never have become what it is today.

As bang for your buck goes, it’s hard to beat CWI. We offer a kit full of goodies to help entice and encourage writers; provide guidelines and resources on event hosting; and keep in touch throughout the year with tips and support. In return we have an incredible network of spaces for writers—over 1,000 each year—with no strings attached and no cost to our participants.

But we’d love to be able to do more for our Come Write In spaces, and for them to be able to do more for our writers. Your donation will allow us to:

Increase our reach to 1,300 CWI locations.

Create this year’s facilitation kits, available to all spaces.

Build a CWI accessibility database, so all writers can find a safe, comfortable place to work during NaNoWriMo.

Help us reach our $20,000 goal to expand the Come Write In program so we can help give even more people access to everything libraries and NaNoWriMo are able to do together!

JSY Giving is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping other nonprofits tell better stories. We believe that well-told stories can amplify a nonprofit’s impact. Our focus is on nonprofits in the Literacy, Women & Minority Entrepreneurship, Anti-Human Trafficking, and Services for Youth sectors. These were all sectors that Jane helped when she was alive.

Writing, like reading, is something that gets better with practice. The stories that inspire us to action are the ones honed over time and reach deep into our soul. We get better when we write and share our stories with others. That’s why JSY Giving is proud to support Come Write In.

“Our stories are what define us, inspire us, and expand us into different points of view.“

Our lived experiences make for the best stories. Come Write In gives many people a place to be with other story nerds and share their lives through the stories we write. This makes us and our communities better. Our stories are what define us, inspire us, and expand us into different points of view.

That first NaNoWriMo novel led me to tackle the hard work of capturing the story about loving and losing Jane. That memoir, which I wrote during another NaNoWriMo, has been a big part of my healing from grief and loss. It also captures what it means to love, with all the baggage that comes along with it.

My hope is that more people will Come Write In to their local libraries and write stories together. Sharing our stories is a powerful way to build communities that make the world a better place. It’s also a great way to bond with others since writing with a partner opens up your eyes to whole other worlds, especially ones with magical mirrors and talking sea otters inspired by your 9-year old (now 10) writing partner.

Jarie Bolander is an engineer by training and an entrepreneur by nature. He has over 20 years of experience bringing innovative products to market. He is a Certified Story Grid Editor whose uses his editor training to help his companies tell better stories. He has published six books—8 Startup Dilemmas All Founder Will Face, The Entrepreneur Ethos, 7 PR Secrets All Founders Should Know, #Endurance Tweet, Frustration Free Technical Management, and Business Basics for Entrepreneurs. He’s also the ED of JSY Giving and on Twitter @TheDailyMBA.

Libraries are full of needed inspiration, whether you’re working on fiction, nonfiction, or academic writing. And beyond the materials a library can offer, they also offer patrons a sanctuary.

You might have a new set of writing goals in 2019, whether you’re planning on participating in one of the Camp NaNoWriMo events or National Novel Writing Month in November. Getting a head start on your writing is the best way to continue the habits you built from November and keep them going through the new year (especially if you’re like me and took a long break in December).

Besides setting the right ambiance at home or heading to a café to write, sometimes we find the distractions of familiarity or bustle of other people can be too much when we’re already fighting procrastination. When that happens, it’s time to revisit your list of hot spots in town and consider trying something new! Let’s start with the library.

Libraries demand respect of all their patrons—from volume to cleanliness. This means if you need a little peace or a break from how loud the world can be, the library shuts it all out! Between the stacks and comforting walls of a library you can let your mind wander as your eyes scan the shelves and focus on the soft ASMR of light keyboard tapping and pages flipping. It’s the perfect remedy.  

Beyond environment, libraries are full of tools for physical and digital research. Feeling not-so-confident about how to write your next scene? Your novel’s genre has shelves full of authors who have felt the same as you. Check out how they handled their conflict and try something new in your own writing! Just imagine walking in one day and seeing your book on your local library’s shelves.

If you’re interested in getting more involved with your library, consider looking at what events they host, as well. Some libraries will hold write-ins with the community throughout November—mine does! Others are always open to working with you to get the events you and your peers want. Libraries thrive when their community takes advantage of what they offer. Don’t be afraid to ask a librarian for help.

Whether it’s the books, the sanctuary, or the events, you deserve to be part of your town’s library. And your library needs you.

Jennifer Sheffield is a full-time tech professional and freelance editor in the Seattle area. She was raised in the Atlanta area and received a BA in English from Valdosta State University with an emphasis in journalism. Jennifer is 28 years old, a Ravenclaw, and tea fanatic. Currently she's hoping to complete the first drafts of a fiction novel and nonfiction memoir by the end of this year.