What is NaNoWriMo? National Novel Writing Month takes place each November. Writers from around the world amp up to complete a full novel in thirty days.

The Goal for NaNoWriMo

 The goal for NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in thirty days. Say what? You heard it right. This is a tremendous exercise in pushing your inner critic away, writing consistently, and completing something in a short period of time.

AND it’s more than doable. Thousands of people participate every year and finish their book using the inspiration and community surrounding National Novel Writing Month.

The NaNoWriMo Community

NaNoWriMo.org is a non-profit that gives “structure, community, and encouragement” to writers during the month of November. It’s free to sign up, keep track of your progress, and connect to other writers who are also working on their book. Different cities host events at local libraries and coffee shops where writers can meet up for free and write in the same space for support. You might even make a few friends while you’re at it.

Quantity Over Quality

This is about writing fast, not writing to perfection. While some people might scoff at the idea, I think it’s simply brilliant. Quantity produces quality over time when it comes to writing. I find that a lot of writers obsess over the same book or script for far too long – outlining, re-outlining, rewriting the same 15 pages – without making progress. We have a tendency to get far too far inside our heads. The desire for perfection isn’t a bad thing, but when it inhibits your progress or growth, it gets in the way of ‘going for it.’

NaNoWriMo is a chance to let loose. Give yourself permission to write terribly. And in that wave of freedom, you might actually find you’re thriving. At the end of the month, no matter what it looks like, you’ve completed something. And it didn’t take you two years, it didn’t even take you two months. It took you one. One month of dedication. Get inspired by what you’re capable of doing.

NaNoWriMo for Screenwriters

Consider partaking in NaNoWriMo to write your screenplay. Use the community as a chance to connect with other writers and get inspired to finish your script.

And hey, this may be a good opportunity to try your hand at a book. There’s so much crossover nowadays that your novel could be the basis for a series or a feature film. When you’re done with your book, you’ll have intellectual property.

Should I write a book?

If you’re asking yourself if you should write a book, the answer is yes. Go for it!