Jerrie Whiteley

From reading the Web site dedicated to this endeavor, I guess a lot of this writing is fueled by caffeine and loud music. I don't know that such a regime would create a novel I would care to read, but I bet it lets more than a handful of folks start their way down the winding path that leads to publication.

In fact, the Website lists more than 30 books that have made it from NaNoWriMo projects to publishing houses and readers around the world.

The process is as easy as it sounds -- and if you think it sounds easy you might want to give it a second thought. All you have to do is write a 50,000 word novel by Nov. 30. You upload your novel to the Website to "win," but the actual prize comes in knowing you have created a substantial piece of fiction. No one ever actually reads the novels uploaded to the site, so you can remain your only critic or submit your handy work to family and friends for their entertainment.

A press release from the folks behind NaNoWriMo says that more than 120,000 people took part in the event last year. Just think of the family and friends around the world who marveled at, or scoffed at, the resulting fiction.

"The 50,000-word challenge is a wonderful way of opening up your imagination and unleashing your creative potential like nothing else," said NaNoWriMo Founder Chris Baty. "When you write for quantity instead of quality, you end up getting both. Also, it's a great excuse for not doing the dishes for a month," he said in a press release.

Wordsmiths who are ready to take on the challenge can find more information at the Web site www.NaNoWriMo.org.

Happy birthday Thursday to Bobby Thompson, Jackie Allen, Rev. Paul Wheelus, Jean Perkins Simpson, Sharon Moore, Natalie Foster and Dr. Rob Windom, all of Sherman; Rev. Stanley Bernard Brown, Dortha Holt, Timothy Miller, Marthella Crain and Stephanie Matthews, all of Denison; Joyce Womack Hobby of Wylie; Carol Jones of Oklahoma; Mark Lucas of Arizona; and sisters, Michelle Burpo and Marrissa Burpo, both of Bonham.

Happy anniversary Thursday to E.H. and Nancy Smathers of Denison, 60 years; Marvin and Nancy Adams of Collinsville, 49 years.