NaNoWriMo Tips and Tricks: Make the Most of National Novel Writing Month

Writers all around the globe are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the year: National Novel Writing Month! Whether this is your first time participating or your fifteenth, you surely want to make the most of NaNoWriMo. And while excited, perhaps you can’t help but feel a bit nervous at the same time. You’re about to write an entire novel in just one month! Madness, right? 

It’s natural to feel worried about how you can make the most of NaNoWriMo. It’s an intense (and, at times, overwhelming) writing experience. But don’t worry, there are a few ways you can prepare beforehand to ensure you both make the most of NaNoWriMo and enjoy it, too.

What is NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo is a writing event that happens every November. It runs all through the month and brings writers together to participate in an activity that surely sounds like lunacy to every non-writer out there. The goal? Write 50,000 words in a single month. While this isn’t quite the length of an average novel (this will vary depending on genre), it’s still a large chunk of one.

Technically, you ‘win’ by completing the 50,000 words within the allotted 30 days. However, to make the most of NaNoWriMo, it’s important to see it as less of a competition and more of a chance to create great writing habits. That’s part of what makes NaNoWriMo so fun and unique. Everyone in the writing community is invested in each other’s success. This translates into a variety of events across the world—from overnight write-ins to daily word sprints—aimed at inspiring and helping participants succeed, whatever their writing goals. 

How to make the most of NaNoWriMo

Finishing a novel is a big project, not to mention doing so in just one month! These key tips will help you to make the most of NaNoWriMo. 

1. Set a writing schedule

A lot happens very quickly during NaNoWriMo. Hence, you should make the most of it by setting up a writing schedule beforehand. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and a steady daily writing habit can be the difference between feeling like you’re drowning all month and being able to make the most of NaNoWriMo. 

If your aim is to complete 50,000 words by the end of November, you’ll have to write 1,667 words every day. So, look at your schedule for the coming month and set aside time to write. Try to stick to the same daily time slot—not only does consistency make it easier to commit, but it’s also easier for those around you to remember what part of your day is your sacred, do-not-disturb writing time. 

Of course, every writer is different, so be sure to set a schedule that works for you. Some writers are faster than others, while there are writers who might prefer to write more every other day (or on the weekends). However, we recommend trying to write just a little each day, even if you’ve scheduled longer writing sessions on weekends. Leaving too much to do all at once can be overwhelming and may cause you to lose momentum. 

2. Plan your novel

The concept of plotting and outlining a novel can be painful to all the pantsers out there, but if you want to make the most of NaNoWriMo, some outlining is a must. You won’t want to waste valuable writing time trying to figure out where your story should go, or getting stuck in a rut. Even just a rough outline of the main beats of your story can be immensely helpful in keeping your momentum.

If you can, try to do some basic pre-planning for NaNoWriMo. Here are a few prep suggestions to help guide you (and limit writer’s block) during the month of November:  

• Create character sheets for your novel’s main characters and try to do your major world-building beforehand. 
• Take time before November first to work out the major beats of your story so you can get your characters where you need them to be. 
• Plot out beforehand how your characters tackle the climax of your story and what happens directly after. 
• A bare-bones outline of each character’s story-wide arc will be useful in helping you to push through to the finish line at the end of November. 

Keep in mind, you don’t have to stick to an outline just because it’s there. If your story starts to take you in another direction, go with it! The outline is the boost to help get you moving, but you can also make the most of NaNoWriMo by letting the creative flow carry you along in the moment. 

3. Find a community

Don’t write in a bubble if you want to make the most of NaNoWriMo. It’s an incredibly community-centric event. One of the best parts about participating is getting to socialise with and cheer on other writers (and get cheered on, too)! 

NanoWriMo has community options for everyone, whether you love to socialise and write in groups, or are more introverted and like to make friends from afar. First, make sure you set up your profile on the NaNoWriMo website. Through the platform, you can find in-person writing events or participate in virtual ones, and meet and make friends. Not only are these connections invaluable for keeping you motivated, but you’ll form lasting writing friendships for later. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a permanent writing group or your next beta reader through NaNoWriMo! 

4. Set up your dedicated writing space

If you haven’t already, establish a few writing habits now so you can make the most of NaNoWriMo later. One way to do this is to set up a dedicated writing place where you won’t be disturbed during your daily word sprints.

Gather anything that makes you feel productive and motivated. Maybe you can tape inspirational quotes from published NaNoWriMo authors on your wall, or buy that special candle you like and light it every day while you’re writing. Find routines that inspire you and create a space you want to spend time in. The more you like your writing spot, the easier it will be to go there every day to get your words down. 

5. But take into account off days

We live in a world driven by hustle culture, but pushing yourself to be insanely productive all of the time can have very toxic side effects. It’s easy to believe that the only way to make the most of NaNoWriMo is to push yourself to your writing limit every day. BUT the reality is that there will be days where, no matter how strong the coffee is and how much you love your writing space, you will have trouble getting words out. 

Accept this and plan for a few off days during NaNoWriMo. When these inevitably happen, go easy on yourself and take a break! Maybe you’ll be able to make up the words, maybe you won’t. And that’s okay.‘ Winning’ NaNo isn’t just about writing 50,000 words in a month; it’s about developing a steady writing habit that will benefit you for years to come. 

What happens AFTER NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo can be simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating. You’ll certainly come out the other side feeling empowered and having learned a thing or two about yourself as a writer! And in the excitement, you may be tempted to self-publish or even start querying your NaNoWriMo novel immediately. How about this instead? Stop, take a breath, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Then, get down to the business of finishing your first draft because, let’s be honest, 50,000 words is still much too short for a standard full-length novel. 

But penning The End doesn’t mean you’re ready to query or publish just yet. Publishable novels aren’t made in the first draft; they are made in the rewriting and editing process that comes after. Give your book the best chance at success by taking the time to self-edit, giving it to beta readers to critique, or hiring a professional book editor (if possible, all three!). Remember: NaNoWriMo may be a short sprint, but the writing process is a marathon. Longevity over speed is what really matters in the writing world!