How NaNoWriMo Has Benefited Me

We are coming toward the end of NaNoWriMo, short for National Novel Writing Month.

It normally happens in November, but there are other versions that are hosted throughout the year. The idea is to write at least 1,667 words a day so that at the end of the month, a writer would have 50,000 words, which could be a  complete or partial novel.

Although it was created for novel writing, people who sign up can complete any type of writing project, not just novels. Also, they don’t have to write a new project. They can also edit a manuscript they are working on, and the same concept applies. By editing at least 1,667 words per day, they would have edited at least 50,000 words by the end of the month.

I have done both. The first time I signed up for NaNoWriMo, which was in November of 2020, I finished the first draft of a book that I still haven’t completed. The tentative title is The Tarot Life. Other writing priorities have gotten in the way, so I have “parked” the project, but I will come back to it later.

The second time I participated in NaNoWriMo was during the “camp” version that happens in April, and I did it in 2021. I edited the novel that I just published, Lonely Dove.

This year, I have a partially written manuscript. I am tentatively calling the book, The Box, but I am not too hot on the title. It’s a holding title because the story starts when the protagonist, Naina, has a box delivered outside of her apartment and she doesn’t know who sent the box to her. That incident creates changes in her safe and quiet life. At the start of NaNoWriMo, I had 30,565 words, and by now, I have over 67,000 words.

I have been able to keep up with at l,667 words per day. On some days I write more and on other days I do the absolute minimum. But on average I have kept up with the expected pace and that keeps me feeling motivated. It has been a great opportunity to keep myself on track and continue writing.

According to Writer’s Digest article “Expectations Versus Reality: 10 Truths You Should Know About NaNoWriMo” written by Grant Faulkner, three million writers have participated in NaNoWriMo over the past twenty years. The camp version occurs every April and July, but really, you can participate in NaNoWriMo at any time of the year because there are always activities happening on the platform.

I know I am not alone because I have a few other writing friends who are doing NaNoWriMo, and it has been motivating and inspirational to see their updates and progress. Writing is a solitary endeavor and it helps me feel connected to know that others are writing alongside me.

If you have it in you to write a book, any type of book, I encourage you to participate.