NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, has for decades encouraged creative writers ages 13 and up to write novels, challenging them to finish 50,000 words of a novel within 30 days starting November 1. Many schools and public and higher ed libraries participate in this program every year, getting involved in NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program or setting aside designated rooms as distraction-free zones for authors who need them. 

But, there’s another way they can help: by providing resources that authors can use for inspiration or for writing advice. Infobase has many resources NaNoWriMo participants can use to fight writer’s block, polish their writing, get inspiration, and more.

Learn How to Write a Novel with eBooks from Credo Reference

Credo Reference for public and higher education libraries and Credo Source for K–12 schools and districts include reference titles that writers can turn to for writing advice, including Novelista: Anyone Can Write a Novel. Yes, Even You. from John Murray Learning. Novelista is a friendly, straight-talking writing guide for people who want to write a novel but don’t know how to begin. It guides authors at all writing levels through the process and orients them toward the goal of publication. 

The Credo platforms are a great place to brainstorm ideas. Writers feeling blocked can use the Mind Map to explore related ideas on any topic.

Study Great Fiction with Bloom’s Literature

What makes a great novel great? In order to find out, it helps to study the classics, and Bloom’s Literature is the place to start when researching great literature. Find a wide range of reference essays and scholarly criticism examining great authors and their works, including ones from Facts On File’s extensive collection, acclaimed writing from literary scholar Harold Bloom, and thousands of essays by other major critics. 

For a look into the creative process, Bloom’s Literature also features thousands of author interviews and profiles from Publishers Weekly covering everyone from the latest literary prizewinners to major young-adult novelists to important best sellers, poets, noted nonfiction writers, and many more. Bloom’s also features more than 250 podcasts of Publishers Weekly Radio featuring audio interviews with famous authors, allowing writers to hear authors speak about their works in their own voices. 

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Subscribers: log into Bloom’s Literature, Credo Reference, or Credo Source and start using this content today!

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Watch Videos on Writing and Authorship

Authors suffering from writer’s block can find the inspiration to overcome it by hearing notable authors discuss their experiences and the stories behind great written works. The award-winning Learn360 for K–12 schools and districts, Classroom Video On Demand for secondary schools, Access Video On Demand for public libraries, and Films On Demand for colleges and universities are great places for writers to start. Here are just some of the videos they’ll find. (Titles appear on all four platforms unless otherwise noted.)

• The Novel (Academy Media; Item #204697; available on Films On Demand)
• Creative Process: The Writers’ Workshop (ClickView Pty Limited; Item #129192; available worldwide except Australia/New Zealand)
• Writing Narratives (ClickView Pty Limited; Item #47568; available worldwide except Australia/New Zealand)
• American Writers on Writing (NewsHour Productions; Item #37580; available in the U.S., Canada, and Asia on Classroom Video, Access Video, and Films On Demand)
• Writing Lessons series (TV Ontario; Item #36027; available in the U.S. on Classroom Video, Access Video, and Films On Demand)
• Brave New Worlds: The Science Fiction Phenomenon (NBD Television Limited; Item #6870; available in the U.S. and Canada on Classroom Video, Access Video, and Films On Demand)
• Literature Kids series (Wonderscape®; Item #143995)
• Literature Classics series (Makematic; Item #285508)
• The Write Stuff series (Film Ideas; Item #76930; available in the U.S. and Canada on Learn360)
• Literacy Skills & Standards series (Makematic; Item #290878; available on Learn360, Access Video, and Films On Demand)
• Writing for Different Genres (ClickView Pty Limited; Item #129324; available worldwide except Australia/New Zealand)

For even more titles on language and literature, check out our blog on Summer Reading programs. 

Also, K–12 educators looking for content to share with students participating in NaNoWriMo should turn to Learn360’s Literature Topic Center, which brings together a variety of short videos on great authors and their works to offer inspiration. 

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Subscribers: log into Learn360, Classroom Video On Demand, Access Video On Demand, or Films On Demand today to start watching!

Not a subscriber? Take a FREE trial!

See also:

• Writer’s Reference Center provides users with a convenient one-stop location for all of the tools necessary to write effectively, covering the fundamentals of quality writing and putting a wealth of vocabulary-building dictionaries at users’ fingertips. Learn more. 
• FREE infographic: Celebrate the Groundbreaking Voices of Classic Women Authors
• FREE webinar: Using Bloom’s Literature to Study Classic Diverse Authors
• Complement Your Summer Reading Programs with Video and More
• 10 Curious and Unusual Reference eBooks You Can Add to Credo
• What Your Students Are Searching for in 2024

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