Fingers fly across the keys and words skitter onto the screen as students try their hardest to reach 50,000 words in only one month. Stamina, endurance and creativity are all put to the test during the month of November.

Nov. 1 ushered in the beginning of National Novel Writing Month, better known by the creators and participants of the event as NaNoWriMo.

The goal is to write 50,000 words in one month, equivalent to a 175-page novel, according to the NaNoWriMo Web site. That is roughly 1,667 words a day. There is no prize for winning or completing the 50,000 word minimum within the 30-day time limit, just the satisfaction of writing a novel in one month.

This year, as NaNoWriMo celebrates its 10th anniversary, students are invited to “Celebrate Literary [Abandonment]” with them. From its conception, founder Chris Baty has remained true to his vision to bring the writer out of anyone and everyone.

During the past 10 years a small gathering of 21 friends has grown to more than 100,000 participants worldwide.

Students must write the novel themselves, complete 50,000 words during the month of November and the story must be fiction.

“In NaNoWriMo, it’s all about creativity and not about content,” said senior Ilana Barnes. “You don’t have to show your novel to anyone if you don’t want to, though many NaNoWriMo novelists have edited their novels and published them later.”

That joy felt by students who have completed the challenge, or at least attempted in the past, prompted the formation of the Hydrophobic Ducks, the UW’s creative writing club.

“We take get our mascot from a dig at the University of Oregon mascot which was not allowed out at rainy games,” Barnes said.

To accomplish the impossible and encourage others along the way, said Barnes, is why Hydrophobic Ducks was created.

This year, President Tomilyn Rupert expects record numbers. The Hydrophobic Ducks’ Facebook group has grown to more than 55 members and the e-mail list is even longer.

The more the merrier, said Rupert.

“It’s nice to have the camaraderie and has made me a better writer,” she said.

The novels written during November range from sci-fi to mystery. Even some romance novels are written.

Rupert, a three-time novelist, prefers to outline her plot and characters prior to writing. This year her book will be a science fiction story set in the future.

“My novel is as yet largely undetermined,” wrote group member Morgan Wegner in an e-mail. “Part of the fun of NaNoWriMo is not knowing how the story is going to turn out. You just keep typing until you hit 50,000 words.”

Reach reporter Karleen Scharer at

news@dailyuw.com.