Plus, Google-funded Wi-Fi benches in Dix Park.
 
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Today’s Forecast

64º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:38 a.m. | Sunset 6:17 p.m.
 

📚 Write this one down

Raleigh is the write city for National Novel Writing Month
Redbud Writing Project is one of many local resources to start on the Great American Novel in Raleigh. | Photo via Redbud Writing Project
Perhaps there’s the next Jane Austen scribbling away right now by J.C. Raulston Arboretum, an F. Scott Fitzgerald in Five Points, or an Orwell in Historic Oakwood. Maybe it’s you, or you’ve always had thoughts that it could be you.

This month, you can make those thoughts a reality. November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and we’re here to tell you that you can do it. Just take some of these ideas and come December, you’ll be able to say you’re a novelist.

Act 1: The Set Up

NaNoWriMo is a nonprofit organization that promotes creative writing around the world. Its flagship program encourages bibliophiles to attempt to write a 50,000-word manuscript during the month of November — and plenty of well-known authors have taken the challenge.

If you need inspiration right from home, check out 10 of Raleigh’s most well-known authors, including humorist David Sedaris and historical fiction writer Nancy Peacock.

Act 2: Confrontation

Now, there’s rising action. There’s confrontation. Where do you go to write this novel of yours and how do you keep yourself motivated to finish it?

Wake County Public Libraries | Libraries like writers. Visit one of the library’s 23 locations in the county, or 10 in Raleigh, find yourself a cozy spot, check out some of their writing resources, and start cracking on your tome. Attend Oberlin Regional Library’s NaNoWriMo Write In on Friday, Nov. 10 for extra support from local November novel writers.

Redbud Writing Project | This writers collective gives authors the tools to write a variety of genres with seasoned instructors throughout the Triangle.

Night School Bar | Take one of many online or in-person college-level classes at this Durham bar-meets-education center to work with other writers or learn about subjects related to your craft.

Meetup | There are others like you out there. Join groups like Triangle Writers, Read! Write! Publish!, and plenty more for support and advice on your novel-writing journey.

Act 3: Resolution

Now, there’s a climax. There’s the denouement (a book nerdy word for resolution).

You’ve finished the Great American Novel. Get yourself a latte at Blackbird Books & Coffee and browse the bookshelves knowing that, perhaps, your work will be there sometime soon.
 
Events
Friday, Nov. 3
  • Scrap Paper Shakespeare | Friday, Nov. 3 | 7-9 p.m. | Incendiary Brewing Taproom, 612 W. Morgan St., Raleigh | $20-$25 | Watch an abridged version of Shakespeare’s Henriad tetralogy all while enjoying an Incendiary Brewing bev.
  • Diwali Celebration | Friday, Nov. 3 | 6:30-8 p.m. | West Regional Library, 4000 Louis Stephens Dr., Cary | Free | Celebrate the Festival of Lights with art, crafts, music, henna, and rangoli.
Saturday, Nov. 4
  • Embroidered Wonderlands | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 1-4 p.m. | Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., Raleigh | $60 | Create intricate art using embroidery, stitching, and beading led by teaching artist Patrizia Ferreira — this class is for adults.
  • Bowstring’s Fall Fest | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 1-6 p.m. | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh | Free | Hang out at this local spot for a day of live music, food + bev, local vendors, and plenty more fun for the family.
  • Holiday Harvest Market | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | South Garner High School, 8228 Hebron Church Rd., Garner | Free | Support South Garner High School’s PTSA and shop from local crafters, vendors, food trucks, and student organizations.
Sunday, Nov. 5
  • Picture Frame Planter Workshop | Sunday, Nov. 5 | 6-7 p.m. | Hartwell, 620 W. South St., Raleigh | $52 | Get your hands dirty and create a unique planter using a picture frame with Urban Pothos.
  • Neptunes Comedy November: Zak Toscani | Sunday, Nov. 5 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Neptunes Parlour, 14 W. Martin St., Raleigh | $12-$20 | Laugh with this LA-based comedian focused on originality and vulnerability.
Monday, Nov. 6
  • “Cooking with class” Pasta Making 101 | Monday, Nov. 6 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co., 131 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | $75 | Learn how to make linguine, pappardelle, or spaghetti and try Italian wines + bites along the way.
Plan your weekend
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Sesonal

Let the holiday sales begin
A snow-topped cottage with a star and dripping string lights hanging.
Top your house with a star and string lights decoration. | Photo via Amazon
Ready to dive into holiday decorating? Grab great finds while they’re still on sale:
Browse more holiday decor
News Notes
Travel
  • Icelandair will expand its RDU service with year-round daily service to the popular travel destination. This route previously ran seasonally May through October, four days a week. Now, Raleighites will be able to visit the Land of Fire and Ice any time of year with convenient daily flights.
Civic
  • Early voting is underway in multiple Wake County municipalities with election day next Tuesday, Nov. 7. Check important voter information online, like your voter registration status and your polling location.
Cause
  • Find out if you’re a life-saving match at Wye Hill’s Be The Match event tomorrow, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Be The Match connects those in need to donors for blood stem cell and bone marrow transplants; grab your swab kit to see if you’re a match for someone at 201 S. Boylan Ave.
Closing
Seasonal
  • It’s almost time to set the clocks back. Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 5. Many states, including NC, have made moves to address time change, but for now, look forward to that extra hour of sleep.
Festival
  • Starting today, travel the world without leaving Raleigh at the International Festival today, Nov. 3 through Sunday, Nov. 5 at the State Fairgrounds Expo Center. Try food, watch performances, and shop from over 30 different cultures at this unique festival.
Biz
  • Small Business Saturday is just around the corner — Nov. 25, to be exact. What local businesses will you be supporting + which local deals should we check out? Let us know and we may feature your recommendation in an upcoming newsletter.
Finance
  • This five-star-rated card offers not one, not six, but 21 months of 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers — giving you nearly two years to save big. (All with no annual fee, to boot.) Learn more and apply.*
Eat
  • Whether you’re warding off a cold or just in the mood for some comfort food, it doesn’t get much more classic than chicken noodle soup. This homemade version is ready in just 35 minutes.*
Beauty
  • Breast implants are a popular option for women struggling with self esteem due to unsymmetrical or volume-lost breasts. Dr. Hughes’ free Guide to Breast Augmentation shares everything you need to know about one of Synergy Face + Body’s most popular procedures.*
 
Tech

💻 Work from home the park

Dix Park to install Wi-Fi-enabled benches through Google partnership
A rendering of a bench with a Wi-Fi "umbrella" over the seat
Six of these will pop up in Dix Park in 2024 thanks to a grant from Google. | Rendering provided by Aerolina
Dix Park Conservancy received a $100,000 grant from Google to install six Wi-Fi-enabled benches in the historic park. These benches will provide free internet connection to the community near existing amenities like the dog park and two picnic areas.

“The Wi-Fi benches will allow visitors to more fully engage with the park’s many attractions, learn about its history, and discover how to be part of our future development,” said Janet Cowell, CEO of Dix Park Conservancy, in a press release. “It aligns perfectly with our mission to create a transformative public space that enriches the quality of life for everyone in our community.”

In addition to providing connectivity to Raleigh residents, the benches will also serve to measure attendance and usage data for future program planning + Wi-Fi services.

The city and Dix Park Conservancy anticipates the benches to be installed and ready for connection by early 2024.
The Buy

The Buy 11.03.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A party host gift for your weekend plans (do we spy a puzzle?).
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The Wrap
 
Allie Remhof.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Allie
From the editor
I did an abridged version of NaNoWriMo in high school and had so much fun doing it. Even if you’re not an experienced writer, it gives you a lot of practice. As a local newsletter editor, I love to tap Raleigh’s coffee shops for writing inspiration, especially Black & White Coffee Roasters and Heirloom.
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