Each year on Nov. 1 about half a million writers from all over the world converge on the internet and at local Write-In locations to work toward the goal of creating a 50,000 word novel by 11:59 PM on Nov. 30. That's a novel about the size of Catcher in the Rye.
Even as the Pandemic raged in 2020, NaNoWriMo had:
- 383,064 participants, including 97,439 students and educators in the Young Writers Program, started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work actors, and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists.
- 906 volunteer Municipal Liaisons guided 671 regions on six continents.
- 448 libraries, bookstores, and community centers opened their doors to novelists through the Come Write In program. (Down from 1200 due to Covid)
- 71,832 Campers tackled a writing project—novel or not—at Camp NaNoWriMo.
- In past surveys, 86% of respondents said that NaNoWriMo helped them learn what they can accomplish when determined. 89% of respondents said that NaNoWriMo made them more excited about writing and 87% of student participants in our Young Writers Program said that it made them more confident writers.
- Hundreds of NaNoWriMo novels have been traditionally published. They include Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants, Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, Hugh Howey’s Wool, Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, Jason Hough’s The Darwin Elevator, Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Elizabeth Acevedo's With the Fire on High, and Julie Murphy's Side Effects May Vary.
- Each year, authors offer mentorship to our participants through pep talks. Past author mentors have included Gene Luen Yang, Roxane Gay, John Green, N. K. Jemisin, Andy Weir, Veronica Roth, Ann Lamott, and Brandon Sanderson.
Become a Participant
To get started in NaNoWriMo, use this Step by Step Guide:- Fill out a Profile so other writers with similar interests can find you.
- Brainstorm a story for your Novel with Flagstaff Writers Connection.
- Announce your Novel to the world. This will help you stay the course when things get tough.
- Plan the plot for your Novel with NaNoWriMo, or NaNo Prep or C. Alex Smith. Or don't. Pantsers welcome!
- Select Flagstaff AZ as you home region.
Each region has Liaisons who schedule meet and greets and writing sessions which usually take place at coffee houses or bookstores. Our incredible Liason is Lydia Gates. You can talk to other Flagstaff authors participating in NaNoWriMo at Flagstaff Forum. These Write-In sessions encourage writers to collaborate and share ideas. If you’re not into the idea of writing in public, the NaNoWriMo website also has numerous message boards so you can talk to writers from all over the world. - Come November, WRITE! And earn Badges for reaching milestones.
- Get help when you get stuck. The encouragement that you receive is unparalleled. The website even e-mails inspirational quotes and messages to your WriMo inbox daily.
- Update your word count until you get to 50,000 words or more.
- About 13% of participants "win" and get to 50,000 words. Claim your Win by pasting the full text of the novel into the NaNo word counter. Winners can also claim prizes. You can even get 20% off on Scrivener for winning!
- NaNoWriMo also hooks you up with people who can help you find out what to do with your novel once it’s been completed. FWC is also planning to start a series of revision workshops this Jan.
More
from
- #NaNoPrep Tweet-chat: Got questions or advice on how to prepare for NaNoWriMo? Jump into our convo on Twitter!
- 3 Ways to Plan Your Novel — Watch our short YouTube video for three different methods you can use to plot your story!
- Content Cathedral Story Development Series — In-depth look at how to plan a story.
- How to Create a Morning Writing Routine — Over on our blog, author Benjamin Spall shares some key ways to get yourself writing first thing in the morning.
- Write or Die
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