November blog

Challenge Yourself this month

Usually at this time of the year, thousands of people worldwide are getting stuck into their challenge of writing 50,000 words in the month of November.

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) has been encouraging writers for 25 years. Sadly, it is no more.

NaNoWriMo began back in 1999 when an American student, Chris Baty, encouraged 20 friends to write a novel in just a month. The following year, there were 140 participants; in 2022, more than 413,000 people took part.

NaNoWriMo was always free to participants who, if they completed the 50,000 words, had their work verified and then could download a winner’s plaque.

Here’s mine from 2008!

Over the years, the organisation grew, to include a website, a young writers’ programme, local and on-line get-togethers and merchandise.

Why no more?

  • They got into financial difficulties.
  • There were complaints about child safety on the NaNoWriMo sites, plus a complaint about a moderator grooming young participants, and
  • The organisation’s stance on AI did not go down well with members and sponsors.

So, what had initially been a great idea to get people writing closed down on March 31st 2025.

But there is GOOD NEWS!

If you still feel you’d like a challenge to get you writing throughout November, there are alternatives. Just look up the suggestions below on your search engine and you’ll find all the encouragement you might need!

  • Reedsy Novel Sprint
  • Novel November (via ProWriting Aid)
  • AutoCrit Novel 90 (90 days rather than 30)
  • StoryADay

You don’t have to join a formal challenge to boost your writing this month. Here are some more ideas:

  1. Set your own word target. It certainly doesn’t have to be 1666 words a day! Anything will do. A writing friend of mine set herself the target of 200 words a day and it developed into a lovely story.
  2. Set a time target eg 15 minutes a day, or 30 or an hour – depending on your circumstances.
  3. Meet up with a writing buddy to write for perhaps half an hour or an hour; or get-together on zoom at a certain time to chat about your progress.
  4. Set yourself weekly targets and then celebrate when they are accomplished.
  5. Join a writing group. Quite often they encourage members to write something for each meeting.
  6. Be kind to yourself and don’t stick to November. Plan your next project and set monthly targets.

I know quite a few writers who say they can’t possibly stick to a regular writing regime: they can only write when the mood, or the muse, takes them. If that’s you, I would suggest just trying a routine for a week. You never know, it might just work!

Happy Writing.

Linda

ps I had a bit of rant back in September when I was really disappointed in the early writings of one of my favourite authors. I’ve learnt my lesson and always look at the year of publication now!

But another favourite author has delighted me this month – the historical novelist Philippa Gregory. Her latest book is
Boleyn Traitor.

Every time I start reading one of her historical novels, I just wish I could write like her. But the research alone would take me the next fifty years! If you like reading about Henry VIII and his wives, then do give this one a go. It’s an intriguing character-led story about Jane Boleyn, sister-in-law to Ann Boleyn, who served five of Henry’s wives. A fascinating read.