November is National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. The traditional goal, if you sign up, is to complete the first draft of a novel (50,000 words) in thirty days.

During the month, you’re invited to join Belfast Writers’ Group for weekly meetings to get your word count up.

Want to spend the month writing without trying for the challenge? By all means, still join us.

Only able to join us for one or two meetings, not the whole lot? That’s fine! We are a zero-pressure group.

You’ll just need something to write with (pen/paper/laptop) and a £1 donation towards room hire. Tea and coffee will be provided. Free parking and WiFi available.

Dates of Our November Meetings:

• Week One: Thursday 1st, 7.30-9.30pm
• Week Two: Thursday 8th, 7.30-9.30pm
• Week Three: Thursday 15th, 7.30-9.30pm
• Week Four: Thursday 22nd, 7.30-9.30pm
• Week Five – The Final Count Down: Thursday 29th, 7.30-9.30pm

Venue: Cregagh Youth & Community Centre (opposite Kingspan Ulster Rugby Stadium).

Last night we had a really nice meeting – the first of our weekly write ins for NaNoWriMo. Upcoming meetings for the rest of the year are listed below. They will all be held at Cregagh Youth & Community Centre, Belfast between 7.30 and 9.30pm. I hope you can join us.

• NaNo Week 2 Write In: Thursday 9th
• NaNo Week 3 Write In: Thursday 16th
• NaNo Week 4 Write In: Thursday 23rd
• NaNo Week 5 Write In: Thursday 30th
• December Meeting: Thursday 7th

November, in case you didn’t know, is National Novel Writing Month during which thousands of people the world over try and and write 50,000 words over the course of 30 days.

Various Belfast Writers’ Group members have attempted this over the years – some with more success than others – and this year we’re trying again.

For 2017’s NaNoWriMo there will be weekly ‘write ins’ in which you can come along for two hours each week to meet up with fellow wrimos, discuss how your project is going and, well, write.

I’ve put up a Facebook event for Week One already, which you can find here. For future updates, please follow our Facebook page.