NaNoWriMo 101

Hi Reader,

It’s that time of year again—November is just around the corner, which means one thing in the writing world: NaNoWriMo! For the uninitiated, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, a wild, caffeine-fueled sprint where writers across the globe challenge themselves to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Yeah, you heard that right. It's like a marathon, but with word counts and deadlines. And victory dances!

Why Writers Love NaNoWriMo

For many writers, NaNoWriMo is a gateway to unleashing creativity and breaking through blocks. It gives people structure and goals to start writing their first (or fiftieth) novel. It’s not about perfection but creating momentum. Many novelists get their start during NaNoWriMo and go on to full time writing careers. Others begin a novel every year in November.

This is a true writing sprint, with the only focus on getting words on the page. Screenwriters call this step the vomit draft. For novelists, the focus of NaNoWriMo is to write without that inner critic. Write as fast and as long without stopping to rewrite.

NaNoWriMo is the perfect time to write that story you've always wanted to tell or turn one of your screenplays into a novel. If you're a screenwriter who isn't interested in writing fiction, use the time to get out a vomit draft of your next project. (A 120 page screenplay has approximately 20,000 words.)

Another plus, NaNoWriMo is a community-powered event. You get to share your wins, struggles, and possibly existential dread with other writers who understand. Think of it as summer camp, but with more typing and fewer mosquitoes. Thousands of people write novels in November. There are lively discussions on social media. Groups get together and write every day, either in person or online. It is cool knowing you are not the only one plodding at your keyboard.

The NaNoWriMo How-To Guide

October is Prep Month

To set yourself up for success in November, spend October planning your story. If you are a hardcore plotter, outline away! If you are more of a pantser, think in broad strokes about your story.

Here are some things everyone should focus on in October, so they're not caught staring at a blinking cursor.

Your characters’ backstory
Your characters’ goals, motivation, and conflict (GMC)
Who is your antagonist?
Are you going to have a single or multiple point of views (POV)? (One or multiple characters telling the story.)
Who is/are your POV characters?
What genre is your story? What are the genre conventions you should include?
What are some or all of your act breaks? (Use your genre conventions for inspiration.)
Build your world.
What are the universal fantasies in your story?

To help you prep for NaNoWriMo, I'm holding two free online office hours this month. I will talk for 15 minutes and then take questions about prepping or any other subject.

The first one will be Thursday October 10th 6:00 PM PST. The subject will be writing compelling characters.

Please sign up for Writing Compelling Characters here.

The second will be Thursday October 24th 6:00 PM PST about writing point of view.

Set Manageable Daily Goals

The magic number to hit 50K is 1,667 words a day. But hey, life happens. Give yourself some flexibility by writing more on weekends or your “good days,” so the odd off-day doesn’t derail you.

When do you write best? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Schedule your writing time for the month when you are the most creative.

Consider giving up television and social media for the month to give you more time to write. Let your friends and family know your writing goals and that you will not be as available.

Tip: Use the Pomodoro Technique for focused writing sprints.

Make Write First, Edit Later Your Mantra

NaNoWriMo isn’t about crafting a Pulitzer-worthy piece. It’s about getting the words on the page and building your writing habit. That annoying inner editor whispering about grammar? Silence it! You can fix plot holes, clunky dialogue, and character inconsistencies after November.

Your draft might be a hot mess. It’s okay! In fact, it’s supposed to be. That’s what revisions are for. If your story takes weird twists, let it. If you switch point-of-view halfway through, roll with it. The freedom of NaNo is exhilarating. Embracing it will lead you to unexpected creative breakthroughs.

Tip: If you find yourself stuck, write silly filler. Have your character argue with their cat, insert a dramatic sword fight (even if you're writing a contemporary rom-com), or just write [Something interesting happens here] and move on.

Tip: Use [brackets] to write notes to yourself about things you’re going to come back and fix. When you’re editing, you can search for the brackets.

Tip: If you’re feeling stuck, go on a “plot walk”. Sometimes a brisk stroll is all it takes to get those ideas flowing again!

Join the NaNo Community

One of the best parts of NaNoWriMo is that you don’t have to go it alone! There are:

· Forums to chat with other participants.

· Write-ins (virtual or IRL) to motivate you with the collective energy of other writers tapping away.

· Social Media (X, Discord, etc.) full of encouragement, funny memes, and people who understand why you’re both excited and slightly terrified.

Tip: Make a NaNo buddy or two and do word sprints together, either in person or online. Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like a little friendly competition.

Would you be interested in having a weekly online writing sprint in November?

Yes

Self-Care Is Key

Design your writing space to be comfortable and inspirational. Make sure you have a supportive chair to keep your back strong.

Tip: Make a mood board for your project and put it over your desk.

Writing for 30 days straight can be a mental and physical challenge. So:

· Take stretch breaks (your neck and back will thank you).

· Drink lots of water (words need hydration, too).

· Get sleep (no one writes well on zero energy).

It’s All About Progress

Remember, every word you write is a step forward. Whether or not you hit 50,000 words, NaNoWriMo is a chance to push yourself, explore your creativity, and remind yourself that you’re capable of incredible things. No one expects you to walk away with a perfect novel, but everyone can walk away with more words than they started with—and a sense of accomplishment.