“No plot? No problem!”
Just write! The goal is to finish.
NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, a global challenge held every November where participants aim to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days.
- Word Goal: 50,000 words
- Dates: November 1–30
- Tagline: “The world needs your novel.”
- Official site: https://nanowrimo.org
History
- Founded: 1999 by Chris Baty
- Started with: 21 friends in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Now: Over 500,000 participants annually from around the world
The goal was (and still is) to encourage people to stop dreaming about writing a novel and actually start writing one.
How It Works:
- Sign Up: Create a free account on NaNoWriMo.org
- Create a Project: Give your novel a title, genre, and synopsis.
- Track Progress: Log your word count daily throughout November.
- Hit 50,000 Words: If you do, you “win”! You get a certificate and digital badges.
Why Participate?
- Builds a daily writing habit
- Beats writer’s block
- Provides a supportive writing community
- Pushes you to finish a first draft — not perfect, just done
- Offers structure with a deadline
Tools & Resources
- Writing Tracker: Update your word count and see progress graphs
- Community Forums: Ask questions, share progress, find writing buddies
- Pep Talks: Motivational messages from published authors
- Local Regions: Join groups in your city for virtual or in-person write-ins
- Young Writers Program: A kid-friendly version with adjustable goals
Writing Tips for NaNoWriMo Success
- Plan Ahead (or Not): Decide if you’re a plotter (planner) or pantser (improviser).
- Daily Goal: 1,667 words per day = 50,000 in 30 days.
- Don’t Edit: First drafts are meant to be messy. Focus on progress, not perfection.
- Use Timers: Try writing sprints (e.g., 25 minutes of focused writing).
- Stay Consistent: Writing daily builds momentum and keeps the story fresh.
Then what?
- Edit Your Novel: December is for revising and expanding.
- Publish (Optional): Many use their draft as the base for a publishable novel.
- Camp NaNoWriMo: A more flexible version held in April and July for other writing goals.
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer