As I shared in a column in November, that month is, for many aspiring writers, “NaNoWriMo,” or National Novel Writing Month.

The big idea is to draft a 50,000 word novel starting Nov. 1 and finishing Nov. 30. The novel writing movement’s website is at www.nanowrimo.org.

In the Dayton region, more than 1,650 writers signed up via the NaNoWriMo website to participate; local writers also participated at area “write-ins” at coffee shops and libraries and provided one another with encouragement as well via the group’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NaNoWriMoDayton.

I’ve been eager and curious to hear from some of the participants to learn what the experience was like for them. All the writers who participated in years’ past met or exceeded the 50,000 word goal; the one for whom this was a first time experience came quite close. All of them enthusiastically say they will participate again. Here’s what else they have to share about their experiences:

Amanda Knollman

Occupation: Software developer

From: Beavercreek

Genre: Fantasy

Lessons learned? “How to look at something that seems impossible and think ‘I’ll never be able to do this,’ and then get started anyway. Also, how to be okay with producing imperfect work. There will be time for editing later; it just has to exist first.”

April Sadowski

Occupation: Art director

From: Xenia

Genre: Young adult science fiction

Lessons learned? “As long as you have the desire to complete a goal, you can do it, no matter what life throws at you.”

Ben Nodzak

Occupation: Customer support specialist

From: Piqua

Genre: Science fiction/horror

Lessons learned? “I learned that when I challenge myself I can actually accomplish quite a bit. I have never considered myself a writer, but I wrote my entire novel, start to finish, in 30 days. It may not be the best writing I’ve ever done, but it’s great that I can get a solid outline to a novel out in that amount of time.”

Kai Chivers

Occupation: Artist, writer

From: Beavercreek

Genre: Science fiction

Lessons learned? “That you can do anything you put your mind to.”

Lee Woods

Occupation: Bank employee

From: Dayton area

Genre: Not specified

Lessons learned? “This was my first year participating. I finished the month with 42,352 words. Although I did not accomplish my goal of making the Winner’s Circle [writing 50,000 words], I am very proud of my effort. I feel that I have the makings of a good story. I cannot wait until next year to try again. My strategy will be different since I now have a better respect for the discipline it takes to create a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. “

Meg Overman

Occupation: English adjunct at Edison Community College, municipal liaison for Dayton NaNoWriMo

From: Piqua

Genre: Fantasy

Lessons learned? “This year, I learned that no amount of ‘busy’ makes it impossible to write if you want to write. This is my last semester of my Master’s degree (finishing up in two weeks), I have a toddler, and I started teaching two composition courses in October. Yet, with enough planning and a few very early mornings and late nights, it was possible to write fifty thousand words. I can’t imagine I’ll ever be able to look myself in the eye again when I say there’s not ‘time’ to write.”

Douglas Miller

Occupation: Tutor

From: Dayton area

Genre: Science fiction/fantasty

Lessons learned? “This was my seventh time doing NaNoWriMo, so I thought I really had it figured out. However, I learned a lot about my vanity as well as the importance of planning. Because I didn’t spend as much time as I should have preparing before November, much of what I wrote is going to need very extensive reworking.”

And for writers who need a jumpstart on writing resolutions in the new year, consider taking Word’s Worth Writing Center’s winter courses, both led by novelist Katrina Kittle (“Blessings of the Animals,” “Reasons to Be Happy” and other works):

• “The Next Level: Craft of Fiction II, Or You’ve Got a First Draft. Now What?” This class is for writers with a completed, or partially completed, fiction manuscript. Saturdays, Jan. 12-Feb. 2, 1-3 p.m.

• “Fiction Jumpstart.” For writers of any level. Sundays, Jan. 6-Feb. 3, 2-4 p.m.

Both sessions will meet at the Oakwood Starbucks (conference room), 2424 Far Hills Ave., and require registration to attend; go online to www.wordsworthdayton.com for details and to register.