Autumn is arguably the most wonderful time of year for writers, and not just because it’s the perfect season for snuggling under the covers with a book or snagging new pens during back to school sales. It’s because NaNoWriMo comes around in the autumn.
Recently, when WA founder Racquel Henry and I attended the OCLS Lit Expo, I talked to several writers who hadn’t heard of NaNoWriMo, and I thought that was such a shame! It’s such a great learning experience—one that I think every writer should try to tackle at least once.
So, if you’re new to the world of NaNo, allow us introduce you to your new obsession!
What is NaNoWriMo?
National Novel Writing Month—abbreviated to NaNoWriMo—is a challenge to write 50,000 words of a brand new novel during the 30 days of November. That means participants (”Wrimos”) need to write at least 1,667 words a day to keep pace. To participate, all any writer needs to do is sign up through their website and announce their novel on the site, then return to the site to log their words.
The event is run by a non-profit organization of the same name that supports local initiatives to spark creativity and love for the written word in writers young and young at heart.
Over the years it’s been around, NaNoWriMo has spawned a warm and welcoming community across its forums and social media platforms. Everyone is ready and willing to share tips, tricks, hacks, resources, prompts, and even dares to push each other to victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I win?
Successfully writing 50,000 words in 30 days gets you a neat certificate and usually some extra discounts. You’ll also have a first draft of a novel, and that’s nothing to sneeze at! It’s a major accomplishment that few ever achieve.
What happens if I lose?
If a writer doesn’t reach 50,000 words before November 30th is over, it’s technically “losing,” but there is no loss from WA’s perspective. You will have penned so many more words than you would have without challenging yourself. You’ll learn so much about who you are as a writer and where your limits are. That’s something to be proud of!
Does it have to be 50,000 words of a brand new novel during November?
Well, not necessarily. You can be a #NaNoRebel and decide to take on multiple projects adding up to 50K, or give yourself a different daily word count. But, generally speaking, that’s the goal you’re “supposed” to shoot for during NaNoWriMo
If you’re interested in more flexibility, you’ll love the Camp NaNoWriMo sessions! They happen in April and July, and the goal is completely up to you!
What is Preptober?
A portmanteau of “prep” and “October,” Preptober is the nickname for the month before NaNoWriMo, when writers do everything in their power to get themselves ready to write in November. That could include, but is not limited to:
- Alerting friends and family that you’ll be busy writing in November
- Working towards increasing your daily word count
- Perfecting your writing ritual
- Establishing your characters and your setting
- Deciding on a direction for the plot, or full-on outlining
- Gathering sources of inspiration to refer to throughout November
Does WA have any advice or resources for Wrimos?
Of course, we do! We have an entire page dedicated to our NaNoWriMo resources, and we’re always adding something new. Check it out!
Okay, I’m going to do it! What are my next steps?
After you’ve signed up through the site and announced your novel, you’re going to want to download the official NaNo flair to post on your socials, then sign up for our newsletter to get your free November Novel Planner and a NaNoWriMo calendar, compete with daily word count targets!
Good luck, Wrimo, and happy writing!
