top of page
Writer's pictureSarah

How to Win NaNoWriMo: Wisdom from Winners

Updated: Nov 2

*Update 2024: I am not affiliated with NaNoWriMo and no longer support it formally as an organization in light of its recent policy updates. This article is written to support writers seeking to write a novel in one month, whether as part NaNo, on their own, or with another writing organization."


It’s the last week of October, and hundreds of thousands of writers around the world are gearing up for one of the most significant writing events of the year: National Novel Writing Month. Writing 50,000 words in one month is no small feat, and writers will need all the help they can get to push through and win. Whether you’re a seasoned Wrimo or a newbie trying it out for the first time, I’ve compiled a collection of stories, tips, and strategies from past NaNoWriMo winners to help you win this awesome event!

An overhead view of people running a race on a street.

How Can NaNoWriMo Change You as a Writer?

Successful Wrimos know that NaNo is not just about the words on the page—it’s about how putting in the long hours of committed writing affects your growth as a writer. It can even change the trajectory of your writing career. Here’s what a couple of past winners have to say:


Brian Y: NaNo really helped me build a daily habit that helped me turn pro.


Andrea G. 18 years ago, I knew nothing about creative writing. I came up with a 10 sentence outline of my story and took off, fingers typing, on November 1st. It was a good practice novel. . . . I’ve finally learned enough about craft to contemplate [another] novel. But it [was] NaNoWriMo that launched me, so I think it was a worthwhile pursuit.


There is some debate about whether NaNoWriMo is actually a worthwhile event. But many successful books, such as Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and Persistence of Memory by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, started out as NaNoWriMo projects. If you’re serious about writing, participating in NaNoWriMo is a great way to deepen your commitment to your craft, find a strong writing rhythm, and get your story out of your head and onto the page.


How Can You Hit Your NaNoWriMo Word Count Goals?

1,666 words per day. That’s nothing to sneeze at. And getting off track by even one or two days can put a serious wrench in your progress. Here are a few ideas from seasoned Wrimos to help you hit your daily word count:


Karen K: Writing in sprints can be helpful! 30-min sprints are my favorite. . . . Plan realistically around [the] Thanksgiving holiday. I take into account that that whole week will be less productive for me, and I should plan on loading my work more heavily into the rest of November.


Amy N: Don’t go back and edit. Keep going.


Dedicated Wrimos know that hitting their word count goals means being realistic about what is possible for them to achieve on any given day—particularly around Thanksgiving, as Karen notes. And backtracking to edit what you’ve already written is a surefire way to keep you from hitting 50k. Whenever you’re tempted to fix something, remember what Anne Lamott says about first drafts and keep going!


How Can You Cope When NaNoWriMo Gets Hard?

Showing up and writing an average of 1,666 words each day, especially if you’re not used to writing that much, can really drain your physical and creative energy. Here are a few tricks to recharge and find your mojo again:


Karen K: Recording my goals and keeping track daily is great motivation for me. Last year, I . . . kept track on [a] spreadsheet. Game-changer. It helps to see my progress and see that I am accomplishing something, especially when I'm feeling discouraged.


Andrea G: Anytime I stalled out, I [wrote] about the weather, had a character dream whatever I dreamed or saw whatever I saw in my neighborhood, or I moved on to the next point on my outline.


Amy N: If you get stuck, change your font color and write a note about what you need to insert at that point, and then keep going.


Along with these great tips to keep pushing through, I also recommend that you change up your writing routine when you lose your rhythm. Write somewhere different. Try writing at a restaurant or a library or a park. Change the music you typically listen to while you write. Write at a different time of day. If you typically write alone, join a local NaNo meetup.


How Can You Keep Going When You Feel Like Quitting NaNoWriMo?

One week you’re on fire, and the next you realize that you hate sitting at the computer for hours every day. You feel certain that your manuscript is a pile of crap. Each word is like a tooth-pulling. You’re this close to quitting.


Every writer is bound to hit a doldrum phase like this at some point during NaNo. Here’s one winner’s advice to push through when you feel like giving up:


Karen K: Set a goal that works for YOU! We want NaNo to be a stretch, but we also need to keep in mind our personal strengths and limitations. NaNo doesn't have to be about the singular goal of a 50k novel! . . . Let go of perfection and have fun. NaNo is a great time to have fun and let your characters have a mind of their own. Let your imagination go crazy and make it PLAY!


NaNo doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all event. While you won’t be able to get a winner’s certificate at the end if you fall short of 50,000 words, you can still win this month on your own terms. If hitting 50k isn’t in the cards, pivot and create another writing goal for yourself and stick to it.


I love Karen’s reminder that NaNo is not just about the winner’s certificate at the end: it’s about creativity, imagination, fun. It’s about prioritizing these things because they help us create a full, rich life.


I’ll also add my own two cents here: When you’re tempted to quit, remember your “why.” Remember the reasons you wanted to do NaNo in the first place. Remember the dedication you had to that goal when you first signed up for the challenge. Perhaps that came from a deeper part of you—a part that wants to do something hard because you know that doing hard things is a sure path to growth. Hold on to that, and let that move you forward.


Wrapping Up

With that, I wish you the best of luck as you finish preparing for a successful NaNoWriMo! If you have any tips, stories, or strategies to add, drop it in the comments!


Happy writing, Wrimos!


5 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page