It's November 2, which means National Novel Writing Month will be over in 29 days. Ready to give up the 50,000-word challenge?

Don't, because there are some local groups that may help you get cranking as you try to hammer out a book in just 30 29 days.

National Novel Writing Month's been around since 1999, and calls upon worldwide amateur writers to pen a 175-page book from scratch by midnight, November 30. Last year boasted 165,000 participants, with 30,000 authors successfully meeting the goal.

So you need help? We have a few suggestions after the jump ...

One is the NaNoWriMo Write-In at Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, 8034 North 19th Avenue. Taking place daily from 4 to 7 p.m. through November 30, the bookstore is offering a space (and free wi-fi) for stuck scribes to brainstorm and to write. Check this out for more info.

The other is a Phoenix-area virtual support group, offered through the official National Novel Writing Month website. The online posse offers discussion topics and a series of goal-meeting deadlines. More info can be found here.

• Literary