It doesn't matter if your story is different

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, October 2019; written by Michelle Lampton.

Let me tell you the story of a story. It doesn't start as a famous story. It doesn't start as a bestselling story. It doesn't start as the literary passion of a well-respected author, or the careful planning of an experienced writer.

Let me tell you the story of a story. It doesn't start as the same story. It doesn't start as an exciting story. It doesn't start as a driven project, or a year taken as a sabbatical.

But first, let's talk about the story“The Night Circus.”

Every November, there's a crazy, hair-brained challenge called National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short) run by a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging writing literacy among all ages and across all backgrounds. The goal of NaNoWriMo is typically, "50,000 Words, 30 Days, Your Novel." (Although, NaNoWriMo gladly accepts "rebels," those who want to join in the ready-made, month-long writing community but who might not be writing fiction, or might be aiming for something less than the seemingly daunting 50,000 words.) It’s comforting to know that no one cares if you don't finish, except for maybe you. Instead, it's about community and finding things about yourself as a writer.

As of this year, NaNoWriMo has been going for twenty years, and this will be the third year the Ketchikan Public Library is acting as an official "Come In Write" location for the event.

But, I promised you a story. Erin Morgenstern started out like so many NaNoWriMo participants: She just liked to write. It wasn't her job. It wasn't her educational background. She signed on to the NaNoWriMo adventure one year for fun.

That was 2003. She the 50,000 word goal. But it was an enjoyable experience for her and helped her grow her writing skills, and she tried again in 2004. That time, she hit the word count goal. Nothing came of it, but again, it was fun and also helped her grow as a writer. So, in 2005, she started a new story. But, woe was her! Part way through November, she got bored with her story. Instead of giving up, on a lark, she decided to write her characters a trip to the circus.

Something happened. The story grew interesting. She didn't finish her story that year. But she came back to it again for NaNoWriMos 2006 and 2007. Over that time, it developed it into a story worth reading, and Erin matured into an author worth buying. In 2011, “The Night Circus” was published by Doubleday as part of its Fantasy catalog. It went on to become a bestseller.

So is that the story I wanted to tell you? Erin's story? “The Night Circus'” story? No, it wasn't.

It's your story.

Because NaNoWriMo provides the motivation and community not just to explore the story that lives inside of you, but to explore the story that is your growth as a writer. Your interest or destiny might not be to write a novel, or become published and famous like Erin Morgenstern. (Though, it might!) But easily, it could include spending intimate time with the creative part of your soul.

No one is a writer. Until, one day, they write.

The Library's National Novel Writing Month "Come Write In" communal writing sessions will be Wednesdays, November 6, 13, and 20, and Tuesday, November 26, from 4pm-7pm. And, on November 23rd, we'll have a potluck evening of games and fun, also from 4pm until 7pm(ish).