November is National Novel Writers Month – or NaNoWriMo.  During November writers from all over the world sit down and try to crank out 50,000 words on whatever they are working on.  Some pants it, some plan it.  Some  some breeze through.  Everyone has a great time.  Everyone gets words on the page.

Yes, I can hear you say.  But they are writing Novels.  Well technically 50,000 words is a Novella but let’s not quibble.

You are, of course, correct.  Most of these writers are writing books.  But not all of them.

Can Bloggers do NaNoWriMo?

Of course!  The whole idea behind NaNoWriMo is to get into the habit of writing.  Just think.  50,000 words :

• 25 x 2,000-word blog posts
• 50 x 1,000-word blog posts
• 100 x 500-word blog posts
• 166 x 300 – word blog posts

You get the idea right?

Think of the nice little bank of drafted blog posts you would end up with.  If you are a once a week poster, you could have 2 years worth of drafted posts!

Other content creation ideas

• 2 x 25,000 word e-books
• 5 x 10,000 word-ebooks
•  3 months worth of weekly emails for your list
• The course outlines you have been putting off
• Draft Facebook posts
• Your business plan
• Scripts for your Podcasts

How does NaNoWriMo work?

To participate in NaNoWriMo you register on their site here:  You set up a profile and say what your work is about.  How much you put in there is entirely up to you.  Some people do a whole synopsis of what their epic tale will be.  Some people struggle to even put in a title (usually me).

In order to “win”  you need to put your 50,00o words into their handy counter on the site.  It checks to ensure things like – you haven’t just repeated the same sentence 20,000 times.  Once the count is , you WIN!  and can print off a lovely certificate and get some badges you can flash around on Social Media.

There are also hashtags on Instagram.  Facebook pages.  Most Cities have Leaders to encourage everyone.  There are meet-ups.  Whatever works for you.

I have also set up a special Group on Facebook – particularly for non-novelists participating in NaNoWriMo.  You can join us by signing up below.  It’s totally FREE!

Why participate?

I have done NaNoWriMo for a number of years and the greatest benefit I have found is establishing the habit of writing every day.  If creating content of any kind is your goal and you are struggling to be consistent, this will absolutely help.  I know consistency is a challenge for me and doing this each year just helps me get back on track again.

It is hard work, don’t get me wrong.  One year I had a migraine for several days and that was really hard.  But I wrote every single day.  One day I managed 20 words.  One sentence.  That was it.  But I did it.

I also found the online camaraderie to be really helpful.  Blogging and online business can be a bit isolating so it’s nice to be in something with a bunch of other people who have the same struggle as you.  It’s even better when they are fellow bloggers so you really are all in it together.

I can’t do 50,000 words

50,000 words sound like a lot.  It IS a lot.  You need to break it down. it is:

• 1,667 per day
• 12,500 per week (actually less because there are 4.5 weeks in November)

Here’s the thing.  You can set smaller goal.  That’s ok too. You won’t get the fancy certificate but so what?  Set a goal you feel you can achieve.  Getting 50,000 word does feel like a real accomplishment because it is a big honking, scary number.  And you won’t know until you try.  I have failed and I have succeeded.  The point is, I made the effort.

What if I am not after Word Count?

I’ve got you covered.  My Bloggers for NaNoWriMo group is designed for bloggers and other content creators to participate. Best of all it’s FREE!

If your goal is not a word count one, you just let us know what it is:

• Writing each day
• a recipe a day
• an email a day
• a song a day
• a journal entry a day
• a drawing a day

Whatever works for you.  If it is a word count but 50,000 is too much for you, then set one that is a stretch but doable.  I’ve had all types of creative people from Bloggers to Uni students writing their Thesis.  The idea is to set a goal and achieve it.

We will cheer you on and we will keep your feet to the fire.

Considering it?

NaNoWriMo starts on 1 November.  Even if you just set a small regular goal it is worth doing.   Come and join the group (see below) so you aren’t alone.  I will be posting tips and tricks based on my own experience and the experiences of others.  We might even have a guest or two.

I’ll also provide my handy word count spreadsheet that I have used each year to track my progress. If you have a particular goal let me know what it is and I’ll see what I can come up with for you.  Come along, we’d love to have you!

You can Sign up Here: