Want to finally write that novel?

Do it this November with NaNoWriMo!

If, like me, you’ve long dreamt of writing a novel and have never quite managed to get around to it — now is the time! November marks National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo as it is more commonly known.

NaNoWriMo began in 1999 after founder Chris Baty and his friends decided they “wanted to write novels for the same dumb reasons twentysomethings start bands”. — Wikiwrimo

The challenge was set at 50,000 words and 21 people (including Chris Baty) took part that year. In 2022, the challenge attracted 413,295 participants, including 85,000 students and educators in the Young Writers Program. You can find out more about NaNoWriMo here. In short, the objective is to write a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November.

For months, years even, I have toyed with ideas and written scraps here and there but through self-doubt, lack of belief in my story, lack of time, or other excuses, I haven’t seen it through. So what’s different now?

I like a challenge.

I like the idea that I have committed to doing it in those 30 days.

It will keep me disciplined.

After 30 days, am I going to have a masterpiece? Absolutely not. But, I will have most of my first novel written. The average novel is around 80,000 words so there will definitely be work to do after NaNoWriMo, but I will have a solid foundation.

Are you in a similar position? You want to write a novel but have let excuses trip you up?

Give NaNoWriMo a go.

And if you’re already doing it, how’s it going?