Challenge National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) 2023 | November Word Race - You did it!

It's getting colder and creeping up on the end of the year, which means it's almost time for that mad dash to write as many words as possible! It's . . .

​

What is NaNoWriMo?​

At its most basic definition, National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo, aka NaNo) is a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November. (That's only 1,667 words a day!) Many people don't even write a novel, they are rebels and write short stories, or work on an old project! You'll be doing it along with hundreds of thousands of other crazy people, so don't worry about being alone in your insanity!

NaNo is not about writing the next best seller (though it has been known to happen) or writing the perfect story, it's all about the writing. Repeat after me: "It's all about the writing." The goal is to get it all out there, get your ideas down and don't worry about editing, grammar, or plot holes - those are things that can be taken care of once the writing is done. This is a rough (sometimes very rough) draft. I'll say it again: it's all about the writing.

If you decide to take on the challenge, I promise you this: you will write some utter crap, so go ahead and turn your inner editor off now or it's going to be a long month. But in writing impetuously, you may find that giving yourself the freedom to just write - and write without worry - results in some truly amazing prose!

How do I participate?​

You go to the NaNo website and sign up. Then, starting at midnight November 1st (and no sooner!) write your heart out! You can write in a notebook, on your computer, heck, you could write on your walls, just as long as you don't write the same word over and over again!

Don't forget to check out the official NaNo FAQ.

I've signed up, what do I do now?​

Well, you can start outlining your story, make your characters, do some research, but remember, no actual writing until November 1st! Any words written before November 1st (in your time zone) don't count toward the word count. If your more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer you can check out the forums at the official NaNo site and discuss pretty much anything with your fellow Wrimos and discuss the process here with your fellow JCers.

​

I know my muse won't cooperate, so why should I even try?​

Do you really know that? Really?

Give it a shot! Even if you only write a few hundred words, that's more than you had at the start of November! Maybe other people cheering you on will help inspire the muse to keep it going! Remember, it's not really about the word count, it's about the writing!

What do I get if I win?​

Absolutely nothing!!

But you do get the satisfaction of knowing you wrote 50,000 words in 30 days! We know for some people that's nothing, but for most people, that's incredible! And you have the start to a novel, or an epic fic, or several stories that are ready to be edited and posted!

Also, the NaNo people make some shiny web badges so you can show off to the internet how awesome you are! There are also a few companies that give you discounts or something free when you win so I guess technically you could win something!

If you've read this far and decided this isn't for you, just remember you'll never make it if you don't even attempt it. Many, many people don't make it to 50,000 words but there's still a lot of adventure and fun along the way!

Still not convinced? Tried it before and it's not for you? Feel free to keep tabs on this thread and cheer on those who are participating. We will take all the cheering (and caffeine) we can get!

So, you've decided to tackle the challenge?​

Awesome! Welcome aboard! We should have a lot of fun! If you plan on participating, post here and we'll add you to the list of participants. As the month goes on, make sure to tell us your word counts so we can cheer you on and update the list! If you have a different name on the NaNo site, let us know so we can friend you.

Okay, you've explained NaNoWriMo, but what's this about a November Word Race?​

For those of us mere mortals who think that 50,000 words is just a bit too much, we are also continuing with our tradition of a November Word Race for 2023. The rules for the Word Race are very simple: set your own goal for the month of November and then try your best to meet that goal!

To sign up, post that you intend to participate and what your goal is; be it a daily word count, a weekly word count, or an overall word count goal for the month!

The same as with NaNo, don't start counting your words until November 1st at midnight in your own time zone. Counting your words stops at midnight November 30th in your own timezone, as well.

Every few days (or every day, even!) let us know how you are doing. Please post your new words and your total words for the month. If you are doing a daily or weekly goal, you can certainly tell us how that's going, as well!

If you need a little motivation, you can ask for that too! We'll be here cheering each other on for the month. Together, there's no word count we can't reach!

​

 

Index of Intrepid Writers

• amidalachick | Goal: 3,000 words
• Chyntuck | Goal: 3,000 words; Total: 817 words
• DarthIshtar | Goal 1: 40,000 words (original work); Total: 8,192 words
  • Goal 2: 20,000 words (fan fiction); Total: 4,200 words
• devilinthedetails | Goal: 5,000 words; Total: 11,537 words
• earlybird-obi-wan | Goal: 10,000 words; Total: 10,805 words
• Findswoman | Goal: 5,000 words; Total: 6,395 words
• Gabri_Jade | Goal: 30,000 words; Progress: 10,071 words
• JediMaster_Jen | Goal: 5,000 words; Progress: 554 words
• Kahara | Goal: 5,000 words; Total: 228 words
• Mechalich | Goal: 50,000 words; Total: 50,000 words
• Mira_Jade | Goal: 30,000 words; Total: 23,742 words
• Pandora | Goal: 7,000 words; Progress: 2,678 words
• Raissa Baiard | Goal: 3,000 words; Progress: 375 words
• Seldes_Katne | Goal: 4,000 words; Total: 4,114 words
• study888 | Goal: 100,000 words; Total: 352 words
• Thumper09 | Goal: 5,000 words; Total: 7,650 words
• Ultramassive_Ubersue | Goal: 50,000 words; Progress: 4,336 words
• ViariSkywalker | Goal: 15,000 words; Total: 6,586 words

 

Index of Champions

• devilinthedetails | Goal: 5,000 words; Total: 11,537 words
• earlybird-obi-wan | Goal: 10,000 words; Total: 10,805 words
• Findswoman | Goal: 5,000 words; Total: 6,395 words
• Mechalich | Goal: 50,000 words; Total: 50,000 words
• Seldes_Katne | Goal: 4,000 words; Total: 4,114 words

 

Very excited for this since it will provide an excellent motivation for me to chip away at some of the WIP's I have neglected recently

Thanks for hosting as always, @Mira_Jade

I would like to set a goal of 5000 words for my November Word Race please.

 

Woot! I've got you all signed up, @devilinthedetails!

As for myself, I am going to see if I can keep my current writing mojo going strong with a goal of 30,000 words! 1k words a day shouldn't be too hard, right?

. . . right? ( )

 

YAY! I look forward to this challenge every year—it’s the most motivating month in Fanfic! Thank you so much for hosting once again, @Mira_Jade.

I'll sign up for my usual-ish goal of 5000 words, please and thank you!

 

Yay, I'm so happy to hear it! And it's my pleasure to host this event, as always!

You are officially signed up!

 

Yaaaaas, this is the thread where we reach for the impossible! After all . . . you never know.

You're officially in the index.

 

Aw yeah, that's what we like to hear.

Adding you to the list!

 

Perfect! You got it.

 

What an awesome goal! I'm adding it to the index now.

 

You've come to the right place for revitalizing DRL-zapped muses! You're in the index now, and I wish you the best of luck with both your goal and DRL-ness in general.

 

&

That's what we like to see! You've both been added to the list.

 

Yay! @Mechalich, @Seldes_Katne, and @Thumper09 - you've all been added to the index.