For the month of November, the Mattapoisett Library is hosting a Writer-in-Residence nook for those working on their novels, memoirs, screenplays and any other writing project.

Library Director Susan Pizzolato came up with the idea and, with the help of patron and Mattapoisett resident Noi Sabal, set up a cozy workspace in the reading room.

“I wanted to make a comfortable place for writers to get started on a project,” Pizzolato said.

The two chose November to coincide with National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo, an initiative that helps people write a complete novel draft in a month. The NaNoWriMo website provides information on mapping out a novel, how many words to write a day and even a free month of Scrivener – a word processing program that acts as a computer-based writer’s studio.

Participation in NaNoWriMo is not necessary to use the Writer-in-Residence area, and patrons of all ages are encouraged to use the space for their writing project, said Pizzolato.

A wooden desk is set up with all the tools needed to be productive – a laptop, pens and loose leaf paper, books and magazines on writing, writing prompts and a window for those requisite moments of staring off into space. Pizzolato said people who use the laptop can also buy a $5 thumb drive from the library to save their work or email it to themselves.

Joining in the NaNoWriMo fun, Pizzolato is working on a novel for the first time this November. Sabal also has a project in the works. She is using the desk to continue her comedic screenplay, “The Man Date”, about a CEO and his soon-to-be brother-in-law who are trapped in a cabin during an epic snowstorm.

Sabal said the Writer-in-Residence desk has been a way to retreat from common distractions.

“When you’re at home, everything can get in the way – the kids, the pet, the laundry. Here I can just focus on writing,” she said.

Each writer who uses the area is encouraged to post a note on a cork board about their current project, their last project and a tip for others who come to hammer out a few pages.

Sabal’s tip came to her after having writer’s block for a month. She printed out her script, got out a red pen and started editing.

“It became a symbol of power and creative freedom for me,” said Sabal. “Just write something, and you can always undo it.”

A photo of Sabal’s red pen with the word "freedom" under it will be posted above the desk as a reminder for others, and as an encouragement to keep plugging away at their craft.

Writers are also invited to a mid-November celebration in the reading room on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. where they can discuss their projects.