Hi friends,

Just this month, a big literary event happened. You may not know about it, but as of this counting, there are about 300+ Filipinos involved in it. This November, the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) happened. NaNoWriMo is a month-long challenge for everyday people who ever wanted to write a novel, a.k.a. the one day novelist. You know, those people who say, “One day, I’m going to write a novel.” NaNoWriMo provides you with that one day. This is a challenge to write 50,000 words in the span of 30 days — approximately 1,667 words per day. This is one of the biggest writing events of the year participated in by 100,000 people of all ages from all over the world.

In case you don’t know (or maybe you haven’t been paying attention), I am the Municipal Liaison (ML) for the Philippines for NaNoWriMo 2007. Being an ML means I was put in charge in encouraging these fine Pinoy novelists for the month of November, as well as organize events for them. These writers have toiled their way to writing a novel this November, and even if some did not reach the 50,000 word mark, they are still considered as winners for the simple fact that they allowed themselves to be challenged by NaNoWriMo this month. This, then, deserves some sort of a victory party. The first ever victory party of the Filipino NaNoWriMo community to celebrate the end of the event, and to celebrate our own personal writing victories.

In connection with this, I, as the Municipal Liaison of the Filipino NaNoWriMo community, would like to ask for some help from any of the readers of my blog. See, although we are starting to be supported by a really great group, we are not funded by anyone. Most of the participants are students, and I am not as filthy rich as I want to. :D So I am asking for your kind help for any kind of prize donations that you may want to give to inspire these novelists. These prizes will be used as a raffle for all the participants who will join the victory party tentatively scheduled on December 8. These prizes could be anything that would inspire a writer to continue writing, such as:

• a journal
• a nice pen
• a writing book/manual — especially a copy of No Plot, No Problem!
• a book written during NaNoWriMo and published
  
• a novel about writing or reading (Jasper Fforde, anyone?)
• any book would do, actually :D
• coffee shop GCs, since writers like having write-a-thon’s at coffee shops
• bookstore GCs
• food – chocolates, potato chips — writers have to eat too
• bookmarks
• anything from The Office of Letters and Light Store (which ships here, I think)

Possible prizes are not limited to that. It could be as simple as a pin or as personal as a handwritten inspirational letter to a participant for NaNo 2008. It does not have to be as expensive as say, tickets to a Van Halen tour, just something a budding novelist could use to inspire him to continue to write. Cash donations will also be accepted, although I’m kind of wary with that. But if you do decide to give that, I assure you that (insert number here) stomachs will be happily filled by December 8.

If you would be kind enough to help me out and continue to inspire these Pinoy writers, kindly post a comment here so I can contact you, or just use the contact form and please put NaNoWriMo 2007 on the subject field so I know it’s about NaNo.

Thank you for reading this post, and I hope to hear from any of you readers (however few you may be) soon. :)

Tina (tinamats)
ML for the Philippines
NaNoWriMo 2007

Disclaimer: This is not an official NaNoWriMo site, nor is this request sponsored by NaNoWriMo. The content has not been reviewed by National Novel Writing Month. For more information on National Novel Writing Month, visit www.nanowrimo.org.