What is NaNoWriMo? How This Fun Challenge Can Kickstart Your Novel
As a writer, you’ve probably come across the term NaNoWriMo in writing groups or online communities. But what exactly is NaNoWriMo, and why do so many writers talk about it? In this post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about NaNoWriMo, exploring what makes this exciting challenge so popular and how it can be the perfect way to kickstart your novel.
What is NaNoWriMo?
NaNoWriMo, short for National Novel Writing Month, is an annual free challenge where writers aim to draft 50,000 words of a novel between November 1 and November 30.
Every November, writers from around the world come together for this one-of-a-kind online challenge of writing an entire novel in just 30 days. This ambitious event, known as National Novel Writing Month—or simply NaNoWriMo—has become a huge phenomenon, in the writing world, helping thousands of people start (and often finish!) the novels they’ve dreamed of writing. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a seasoned writer looking for that extra kick to finish a novel or start their next book, or someone who simply wants to jump into the creative process, NaNoWriMo is the perfect mix of fun and motivation to help get your novel started.
The challenge is simple yet can be life-changingly powerful: Write a book or at least 50,000 words during the month of November. This averages out to about 1667 words per day. This super cool challenge may be the kick you need to get a rough draft out of your head on paper and actually start writing your book.
The beauty of NaNoWriMo is that it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress and developing the habit of writing consistently. Don’t stress over quality—you can always revise and polish later. This challenge is all about planting yourself in that chair and letting the words fly onto the page no matter how messy.
Founded in 1999 by writer Chris Baty as a fun project among friends, NaNoWriMo has exploded into a global event among writers that draws hundreds of thousands of participants each year. It has evolved into a vibrant, supportive community where writers from all walks of life come together to cheer each other on as they chase the dream of writing a novel.
The Rules of NaNoWriMo
Each November, participants strive to produce 50,000 words in just 30 days. The challenge kicks off at midnight on November 1 and wraps up at 11:59 PM on November 30, giving writers a full 30 days to achieve their goal. Anyone who achieves the goal of writing their book or at least 50,000 words during the challenge is a winner!
NaNoWriMo winners can look forward to some fun rewards to celebrate writing their novel. From fun digital badges and certificates, to NaNoWriMo T-shirts. But the real treasure is walking away with a shiny new draft of your novel and the exhilarating sense of accomplishment that you actually wrote a book. Out of those who express a desire to write, only about 1% to 3% actually complete and publish their work, making your achievement even more remarkable!
While the guidelines are clear, they aren’t rigidly enforced—ultimately, the only person affected by any “rule-bending” is the writer themselves. Here’s a quick overview of the key rules:
1. New Project: The primary goal is to start a brand-new novel. While some writers choose to continue existing works, the challenge is designed for fresh stories.
2 . Word Count Target: The goal is to produce a minimum of 50,000 words during November, averaging approximately 1,667 words per day. This daily target helps writers maintain momentum throughout the month.
3. Writing Window: The writing period runs from November 1 to November 30. Any writing done prior to this timeframe does not count, but you can use outlines and notes created before the challenge.
4. Write with Intention: The writing must be coherent and not simply a jumble of words. Quality may not be the primary focus during this challenge, but your narrative should still make sense.
5. Solo Authorship: Each participant must write their own 50,000 words. If you are collaborating with another writer, both authors need to produce 50,000 words each for their own projects. Co-writing can complicate the challenge, so it's generally not recommended.
6. Age Requirement: To take part in NaNoWriMo, you must be at least 13 years old. For those under 17, the Young Writers Program offers resources and support specifically designed for younger participants. https://ywp.nanowrimo.org/
7. Rewards for Completion: Everyone who reaches the 50,000-word milestone by the end of November is recognized as a winner! Winners can download certificates and digital badges, and they have the option to purchase a winner's T-shirt as a keepsake.
Why You Should Dive into NaNoWriMo This November
1. Kickstart Your Writing Journey
NaNoWriMo serves as the ideal launchpad for your writing journey. With a clear goal of 50,000 words in just 30 days, it provides the motivation and structure you need to get started. This challenge forces you to sit down, turn off your inner editor, and simply write. You’ll find yourself making progress that might have felt impossible before, allowing you to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) without hesitation.
2. Become Part of a Thriving Community
One of the most rewarding aspects of NaNoWriMo is the vibrant community of writers that comes together each November. You’ll connect with fellow participants from all sorts of writing backgrounds, sharing your passion and enthusiasm for storytelling. This camaraderie creates a supportive environment where you can exchange ideas, seek advice, and celebrate each other’s successes. By turning the solitary struggle of writing into a collective event. Many authors make lifelong writing friends and can even meet other authors in their own local area that they can link up with and meet in person. It is a great way to connect with other authors instead of just going at things as a lone duck.
3. Break Free from Writer’s Block
By pushing you to write without worrying about perfection, NaNoWriMo may be the antidote to a writing slump. This challenge encourages you to simply get words on the page. The act of writing so much and so quickly can reignite your passion for writing and help you get unstuck from writer's block, even if it feels chaotic at times. You'll have the opportunity to play around with fresh ideas, unexpected plot twists, and rich character developments, all while laying down the groundwork for your novel. This creative freedom can ignite a spark of inspiration, helping you break through barriers and uncover your unique voice as a writer. So, if you’re stuck in a rut, NaNoWriMo could be just the boost you need to get back into the groove of writing!
4. Set and Achieve Your Writing Goals
NaNoWriMo is designed to help you set and crush your writing goals, with the ultimate aim of reaching 50,000 words by the end of the month. This challenge can give you a huge motivational boost and that satisfying sense of accomplishment of actually doing what you set out to do. Instead of just dreaming about writing a book someday this challenge can help you complete your goal of writing a book. This achievement will show you that you are a person of action who actually works on making your dreams a reality and will boost your motivation to keep writing long after November ends!
You may like our other blog post NaNoWriMo: How to Write a 50k Word Novel in 30 Days.
And our other blog post How to Prep for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
How Do I Sign Up For NaNoWriMo?
Getting started with NaNoWriMo is easy! Simply visit the official NaNoWriMo website and hit the “Sign Up” button.
From there, you’ll be guided to a registration page where you’ll need to provide your email address, create a secure password, and choose a unique username. Once you’ve completed these simple steps, you’ll be part of the NaNoWriMo community and ready to take on the challenge!
Next, you'll be directed to a page with a green “Join with a New Novel” button. Click on it to start filling out the details of your NaNoWriMo project.
Next, you will be asked what the title of your new novel will be. Don’t worry if you haven’t settled on a title yet—you can always go back and update that later. This step is all about laying the foundation for your novel and getting your writing journey officially underway!
To add and edit additional details and settings about your project, click on the settings gear wheel icon in the top right-hand corner.
Now that you have your project all set up, you can track your writing progress by clicking the green "Update" button.
Once you’ve entered your details, simply update your progress and keep tracking your journey throughout the challenge and earn different achievements along the way!
NaNoWriMo is an unforgettable experience, filled with creativity, growth, and the thrill of completing a major writing goal. Whether or not you reach 50,000 words, the dedication and enthusiasm you bring to your project will make you a stronger writer. So if you’ve ever dreamed of writing a novel, there’s no better time to start than now!
Happy writing, and may your November be filled with words, inspiration, and the joy of storytelling!
If you have any questions or would like to leave a comment below, we would love to hear from you!
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Samantha Panzera is an adventurous travel blogger, graphic designer, and multi-media business entrepreneur who uses the experience she’s gained over the years to teach aspiring writers the skills they need to build an author platform and take their careers to the next level.