Important Disclaimer

In 2023, news broke of alleged grooming within the NaNoWriMo forums and the NaNoWriMo board’s failure to protect under-aged writers. Many writers and volunteer forum moderators have since parted ways with the organization. For more information, click here to view indie author Raven Oak’s write-up on the controversy.

I nearly chose to title this article, “How to Win NaNoWriMo,” but I firmly believe that every word we write should be written from a place of joy. That it shouldn’t matter whether we reach arbitrary word count goals so long as we’re satisfied with the effort we give our creative work. 

Of course, the challenge of writing 50,000 words in a month can be an exciting one. Winning NaNoWriMo back in 2014 was the catalyst I needed to begin taking my creative work more seriously, and I’ll never regret the month I spent feverishly chasing 50k. 

Whether or not you’re determined to write half a hundred thousand words this November, let’s talk about how you can set yourself up for a fantastic NaNoWriMo experience. 

Wait, a second. What is NaNoWriMo, exactly?

Short for National Novel Writing Month, this annual event challenges participants to write 50,000 words of fiction in the month of November, an average of 1,667 words per day.  

Every year, over half a million writers worldwide participate in NaNoWriMo, which boasts official online forums, regional write-ins, and prizes for those who “win” by reaching 50k in 30 days.

Should you participate in NaNoWriMo?

While NaNoWriMo is undoubtedly an amazing event, participating in this challenge won’t right for every writer.

With the holidays on the horizon, November can be a tough month to aim for added word count. As I share in this article on the blog, chasing impressive output over consistent input can warp writers’ understanding of the writing process, progress, and success.

If you’re unsure whether NaNoWriMo is right for you, then I encourage you to check out these eight reasons you might enjoy participating. 

Eight tips for making the most of NaNoWriMo…

If you’re determined to take part in this year’s epic writing challenge, then know that I’m excited to cheer you on. The two years I participated in NaNoWriMo were some of the most informative and empowering experiences in my writing life, and I can’t wait for you to experience that same growth. 

If you’re ready to make the most of your NaNoWriMo journey, here are eight tips and tricks I gleaned from my own experience:

Tip #1: Know Your Why

As a writer, you know it’s important to give your characters strong reasons for pursuing their goals. But have you considered your own motivation for taking part in NaNoWriMo? 

You won’t get very far if you’re participating solely because everyone else is doing it. Instead, ask yourself what you hope to gain from the experience.

Would you like to build up your tolerance to resistance or develop a consistent writing habit? Get involved in the online writing community, try out a fun new project, or make serious progress on the latest installment in your series?

Whatever your reason for participating, let your why fuel your NaNoWriMo experience. 

Tip #2: Determine your goal

Though NaNoWriMo officially challenges writers to pen 50,000 words of fiction in the month of November, you don’t have to chase that exact goal to take advantage of this event. 

If you’d rather work on your memoir than write a novel, then go for it. If 30k in 30 days sounds like a more reasonable challenge, then don’t hesitate to make NaNoWriMo your own.

You may not win the official prizes that others will receive for reaching 50k, but you’ll have a much happier and more empowering experience. Write on. 

Tip #3: Make a plan

Just wing it! is not an effective strategy for rocking NaNoWriMo. If you want to use this event to write big or level up your creative practice, then you need to have a game plan in place. 

To formulate an effective strategy for success, ask yourself:

• What do I want to achieve this November?

• How can I set myself up to achieve this goal?

• What obstacles might I encounter during the event?

• How can I plan ahead to overcome these obstacles?

Tip #4: Carve out time and energy

Here’s the thing: Writing is rarely easy. It requires a level of time and energy that many of us rarely have given the busyness of our everyday lives. That’s why making space for creativity before the first of the month begins is key. 

Open your planner or digital calendar, and write down any events you have throughout the month. Consider these and any errands you'll need to run, and try to consolidate them whenever possible. If there are events or tasks you can nix from your schedule, even better. 

Next, establish when you’ll have the free time to write and make sure your family and friends know what you’re doing. Ask them to be mindful of your time this November so you’ll be less likely to face unexpected interruptions.

Finally, find ways to fill your creative well before the event begins, especially if you’re already feeling tapped out. Consider reading more heavily, taking a break from your creative work, or going on a mini-adventure — whatever fills you with the desire to open up the blank page and write.  

Tip #5: Find your support system

Completing a creative challenge is difficult work. Chances are that you'll need a little encouragement along the way, which is why getting involved in the online writing community can be a game-changer.

Social media is always abuzz with writerly conversation this time of year. You can use hashtags like #Preptober and #NaNoWriMo to connect with fellow participants or engage with writers directly in the official NaNoWriMo forums. 

Looking to get involved face-to-face? Why not check out one of the regional NaNoWriMo events taking place throughout the month of November?

Tip #6: Find your pressure points

Your reason for participating in NaNoWriMo isn’t an infallible source of motivation. No matter how much you want to achieve your goal this November, you’ll likely experience a dip in energy and excitement after the initial high of the first few days has worn off. 

If you’ve already established a sustainable writing routine, then you’ll know that consistency and determination trump excitement any day. Writing can be difficult, but you can’t allow difficulty to keep you from picking up the pen. Instead, find ways to introduce a little healthy pressure to your writing life. 

Some writers enjoy maintaining a daily (or otherwise consistent) write chain, rewarding themselves with a “link” each day they put words on the page — and starting their chain from scratch whenever they miss a session.

Other writers use rewards, writing sprints, or session goals to encourage themselves to put their fingers on the keys. If you’re unsure which method is best for you, why not use this month to experiment? You never know which form of healthy pressure might help you power through resistance and write. 

Tip #7: Quit the comparison game

Some writers choose to go above and beyond during NaNoWriMo, doubling or even tripling the 50k challenge in an attempt to one-up their previous year’s word count. But more isn’t always better.

It’s easy to look at other writers’ word counts or story ideas and suddenly find your own lacking. But your creative self-esteem shouldn’t be found in how you compare to other writers, especially considering that no two writers share the same process, writing routine, daily schedule, or literary interests.

Simply put: there is no “right” way to be a writer. What is right is staying true to yourself. 

Rather than comparing your NaNoWriMo experience to others, choose a goal that challenges you in a healthy way, then pursue it with all your heart. Rock your writing life, your way, and you can’t help but have a positive NaNoWriMo experience.

Tip #8: Get in the right headspace

Time, energy, and story issues can certainly hinder our ability to sit down and write. But many writers fail to realize that the beliefs they hold about their skills and stories can radically impact their sense of creative self-worth and success — not to mention the progress they make on their projects.

If you want to achieve your goal this November, first spend some time honing your mindset. What limiting beliefs do you hold about your creative abilities? What doubts and fears do you need to address head on?

Once you’ve identified these negative mindsets, spend some time addressing them. You don’t need to overcome your doubts, fears, and limiting beliefs to rock your NaNoWriMo experience, but you do need to develop strategies to work through them.

Often, the best way to accomplish this is to utilize affirmations. Regardless of whether you believe them, repeating these truths when negative thoughts arise can give you the strength and motivation you need to keep on writing. 

Are you ready to go forth and conquer?

Challenging yourself in any creative capacity is hard work. Chasing big word count goals and other creative milestones requires time, effort, focus, and no small amount of dedication. It’s no wonder many writers face creative roadblocks and resistance throughout their journeys.

Making the most of NaNoWriMo (and your writing life) doesn’t mean performing at your creative peak. You’ll experience ups and downs in your journey no matter what, and that’s okay. When writing gets tough, remember your why, practice your affirmations, and make a game plan for a successful writing session. Then double down and make it happen, my friend. You’ve got this.