For twenty-five years, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) inspired millions of writers worldwide to tackle the ambitious goal of writing a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. At its peak, more than 500,000 people participated annually in this challenge. I’ve chronicled my NaNoWriMo efforts several times on this blog.
NaNoWriMo ceased operations as a nonprofit in April 2025 for a variety of reasons, but the spirit of the movement lives on. In fact, a new effort—Novel November—is taking its place this year. So, you can still participate in a worldwide novel writing effort this November.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
The beauty of NaNoWriMo was the encouragement for folks to take their turn at writing a novel. It was never really about the organization itself, but about the challenge, the community, and the commitment. NaNo’s design was simple: right after midnight on November 1, people were to start writing their novel of at least 50,000 words. To accomplish this, people needed to average 1,667 words per day for the thirty days of November. My usual rate is 2,000 – 2,500 words per day, so I was always safe. Internationally, around 11% of people who started the challenge met the 50,000 word goal. But that number didn’t tell the whole story.
Many published authors credit NaNoWriMo with helping them complete their first manuscripts. The challenge structure provided accountability, while the time constraint encouraged writers to push past perfectionism and self-doubt. These benefits didn’t disappear just because the nonprofit organization closed. The camaraderie of knowing you’re part of an international effort of a half million people drew folks in as well, with write-ins and other events scheduled locally throughout the month. These brought writers together and created new connections among them.
Going it Alone
All nine of my novels—four published and the remainder in editing or edited and seeking an agent—were written during NaNoWriMo. And given that the nonprofit is defunct, I had planned to write my next book alone using the NaNoWriMo format, and folks can still do that. Here’s how.
Set A Clear Goal
Writers can commit to writing 50,000 words between November 1st and November 30th. Mark this on your calendar, and announce to friends, family and other writers that you’re taking on the challenge. Declaring intentions publicly shows commitment, and helps writers follow through.
Track Your Progress
My tracking system was simply a listing of the date, words written that day, and total words written. You can place this information within a spreadsheet or in a journal. Keeping track your progress keeps you accountable, and helps you set reasonable goals to catch up if you fall behind.
Plan Ahead
The traditional rules allowed for outlining and character development before November begins, but discouraged starting the actual manuscript early. This approach allowed writers to enter the month with direction while preserving the spontaneity and discovery that makes the challenge exciting.
I should probably note that for many Novembers, I wrote my novel prior to November, partly because I was so excited to get started. This branded me as a NaNoWriMo rebel—a moniker I wore with pride. And while the general NaNo rules would have “disqualified” me, the point of the month was to impose as few rules as possible, encouraging everyone to write and create.
Finding Community and Support
While the official NaNoWriMo forums and website are gone, the writing community remains vibrant and supportive. Writers have several alternatives to connect with each other. The newest, and the one I sense will hold the NaNo banner the highest is Novel November, a new initiative of Prowriting Aid. Writers can also look for online writing communities
Another newer initiative is MyWriteClub, a tracking platform that encourages writers to set goals, track their progress, and share their results widely. TrackBear, on the other hand, allows writers to track their editing progress as well. I’ve not used either MyWriteClub nor TrackBear, but for people who want a tool that encourages their accountability, they are well-regarded.
Writers can also form their own local or virtual writing group. Groups can meet regularly—even if just via video chat—to share progress, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate milestones. Many venues, including coffee shops, libraries, and bookstores often welcome small writing groups. The fellowship of fellow writers struggling toward the same goal can often make the difference between giving up and pushing through. Social media platforms offer another avenue for connection. Many writers use hashtags like #NaNoWriMo, #AmWriting, or #WritingCommunity to share their progress and find encouragement.
Even if You Don’t “Win”
Don’t assume that only writers who reach the 50,000 word threshold benefit from this writing challenge. Writing daily builds discipline and helps establish sustainable writing habits. Pushing through writer’s block and self-doubt teaches resilience. Perhaps most importantly, writers will have a substantial draft—however rough—to work with come December. And yes—the draft will be incredibly rough. But as many have told me, “you can’t edit a blank page.” At least with a rough draft, you’ve got something to work with.
With a challenge lasting only a month, writers can’t craft perfect sentences and flow from the get-go. But the freedom of the November challenge often results in more creative, authentic work than what might result from a more labored, self-conscious process.
It’s Your Turn
The closure of the NaNoWriMo nonprofit is undoubtedly a loss for the writing community, but it didn’t signal the end of November novel writing. We all still own the challenge. This November, commit to the goal, track your progress, find or create a community, and give yourself the gift of a completed first draft. Whether you’re a first-time novelist or a veteran of many NaNos, get started. Your novel is waiting to be written.
