Unleash your inner author 
November being National Novel Writing Month, this might be the year you'll want to try your hand at your own work of art. If so, NaNoWriMo can get you started on the road to authorship. There's just one catch - you have to write your book in a month.
As the website explains, NaNoWriMo participants begin writing Nov. 1, with the goal of completing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30. Along the way, writers interact with a network of like-minded scribes and are able to access some inspirational resources, as well as tips and strategies to help them along.
For those who would love to write their own book but are waiting until their pesky part- or full-time jobs aren't in the way, you may be comforted (or horrified) by the fact that fairly few writers are able to rely solely on their craft for income, these days. As Emily St. John Mandel (newly nominated for the National Book Award for her novel Station Eleven) explained in a 2009 essay, many writers out there go to work and then come home and do some more (on their novels).
So you can too!
And lest you think - No, I can't! Not in a month, at least....take heart! Fyodor Dostoyevsky started The Gambler on Oct. 4, 1866, and handed it in by his November deadline with hours to spare after his publisher ordered him to do so or lose the rights to his works for nine years.
No pressure, then. Or at least not as much as Dostoyevsky had.
Good luck to all!
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
Mrs. Reese's fourth-grade class visited the library as well as the Friends' Used Book Shop during a field trip Thursday.
Tuesday: Textile Tuesdays meet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall. Sewing machines are available for those who don't have their own! The Teen Creative Writing Club will have a Steampunk Session and Tea at 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Toddler Story Times are offered at 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The Kids' Chess Club meets at 6 p.m.
Thursday: The adult Knit and Crochet Club will meet at 6:30 p.m.
Steampunk session to include writing, tea
Reading is a writer's best teacher (as any successful writer will tell you), so for those who enjoy steampunk-themed novels like Boneshaker, by Cherie Priest or the Leviathan trilogy by Scott Westerfeld, Tuesday's Teen Creative Writing session is for you.
The meeting will focus on steampunk-themed writing, a subgenre that blends science fiction and fantasy.
To help set the mood, a Victorian  tea party will accompany the session, which will run from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Participants are also welcome to dress the part in steampunk-style costumes. Call the library for more information or to register - 895-3707.
Quilters' meetings move to Tuesdays!
The Quilters' Circle has changed its meeting date to the third Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. The next meetings will be held Nov. 18 and Dec. 16 On meeting dates we hope to demonstrate special techniques as well as share ideas and do community projects.
The group is currently working on handmade quilted place mats for the food pantry and pillowcases for those in need. They have also completed a quilt to be donated to anyone who has suffered a loss from a fire or other life-changing event. The group is also in the process of completing a quilted bedspread as a donation to the Shawangunk Historical Society, which will raffle it off to support their efforts.
Textile Tuesday is held weekly in the community room of Town Hall, unless the space is being used for elections or other meetings. During this time, the quilters gather along with knitters, crocheters, paper artisans and others and share their handwork. This is a wonderful space to work on projects and meet new people. The library has two sewing machines onsite, as well.
For more information, contact Carolyn Thorenz at 895-3707 or cthorenz@rcls.org.
 - Carolyn Thorenz
Food for Fines returns next month 
If you've racked up the overdue fees and have been procrastinating about paying your tab, hold out til next month and you might not have to pay anything.
The annual Food for Fines program will run from Nov 1 through the 15, giving patrons the opportunity to clear their accounts by bringing in donations for the local food pantry. One food item per fine is required. Donations needed include juice, stuffing, instant potatoes, packaged cookies, and other items. A full list of suggested donations will be available soon.
Stay tuned for more details!
Take a look at our new book drop!
The library's talented handyman, Joe Germana, has crafted a homemade indoor book drop in an effort to keep more precious counter space free around the circulation desk.
As you come through the front entrance, the book drop is to your right, built into the circ desk itself.
Thanks to Joe for all his hard work!
 
OrangeREADS project kicks off with 5K
Louis Zamperini trains for the Olympics.
This year's Orange Library Association's OrangeREADS project features Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. The book is a nonfiction account of the life of Louis Zamperini, Olympic runner, WWII fighter pilot, and POW camp survivor.
How fitting, then, that OrangeREADS will hold their first-ever Run the Runway 5K Run and Walk at Orange County Airport in Montgomery to kick off the project!
Runners, walkers, or those interested in becoming vendors or volunteers can visit the Run the Runway website for applications and forms. The race takes place Sunday, Oct. 26, starting at 9 a.m. for runners and 9:30 for walkers.
The OrangeREADS project is an opportunity for all of Orange County to read and explore the same book. The county's 17 participating libraries will host book discussions, art exhibits, lectures, and more as a means of expanding on the themes touched on in Hillenbrand's bestseller.
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