No-Word-Count November
A different kind of writing challenge for those who feel overwhelmed
The month of November is fast approaching. (Two days away, to be exact—what?) Every year, many novelists see this month as a chance to come together with other writers to keep themselves accountable as they fast-draft 50,000 words of a novel (or more).
The organization that founded this idea shut down earlier this year, but the November tradition prevails. I don’t know about you, but the only time I’ve ever succeeded in writing that many words in four weeks was during a strenuous deadline. It was not enjoyable. It was not inspiring. It made me feel more like a frantic procrastinator than an accomplished writer.
The truth is that I am a slow writer. I prefer to say I’m a savory writer, but that makes me sound more like something edible than a writer who takes time with her words, so we’ll stick with slow (as reluctant as I am to admit it). I’ve always envied my friends who could write fast. They let the mess flow, knowing they can edit later.
But that’s not me. Oh, I’ve tried. I’ve even taken a course on fast drafting. While I came away with golden nuggets of advice from that course, nuggets I’ve carried with me into my own writing process, I have found that "just getting the messy draft done” doesn’t seem to work for me.
I truly wish that it did, but over the years, I’ve learned to embrace my personal process rather than despise it. And my process adapts and evolves a little with each book I write. I learn new techniques and implement them, and I find new tools to add to my overflowing box of resources.
One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the speed at which I write. And thus, the idea of writing 50,000 words in a few short weeks (one of which involves a major holiday, mind you) is downright overwhelming. Really, it’s the camaraderie that takes place during November that I love. That High School Musical feeling of “we’re all in this together.” It’s sitting beside my just-put-up Christmas tree while I write. (Yes, it goes up on November 1st. But don’t worry, we don’t decorate it until Thanksgiving. ;) It’s that sense of community and tradition.
But beyond all of that, what I love most about November as National Novel Writing Month is that it’s a time when I choose to put my story first.
I can think way back to the first year I heard about this tradition. I remember how good accountability and encouragement were for my writer soul. So, I thought to myself . . . what if there was a way to both keep that tradition and take the pressure off at the same time?
It was with this very question that the idea for No-Word-Count November was born.
One full month, 30 days, with your word-count view turned off. A month to choose your story, every day, regardless of word count. A month to reflect, brainstorm, pray, and, most of all, give your story to the Lord.
What does choosing your story every day look like?
Before you tell me that a challenge to write every day feels just as overwhelming as writing 50,000 words in a month, I would absolutely agree with you. But I didn’t say, “Write every day.” I said, “Choose your story every day.”
A month to choose your story, every day, regardless of word count.
A month to reflect, brainstorm, pray, and, most of all, give your story to the Lord.
Choosing your story is about more than putting words on the page. Choosing your story can look like timed writing sprints, prayer, brainstorming, rereading the last chapter you wrote, working on a character profile, researching your setting, and a host of other tasks that put your novel first. You may not add many words to the page, and that’s the beauty of this challenge: You don’t have to!
However many words you write or don’t write, choosing your story every day in November is meant to take the pressure off and encourage you to put your focus where it really matters—on the Lord and the story He has called you to write.
Are you up for the challenge? Everyone is invited to participate, but only paid Substack subscribers get the extra perks!
If you’re a paid Substack subscriber . . .
I’ve created some bonus perks just for you. Join the challenge in November and you’ll gain access to:
🕯️ Weekly Write By Candlelight Zoom Invitation—A time when we can come together to choose our stories, encourage one another, and participate in writing sprints.
✍️ No-Word-Count November PDF Journal—Includes a coloring calendar with selected Scriptures for each day of November, as well as journal pages intended for reflection and daily focus.
💬 Private Chat here on Substack—A place we can meet and share about our stories, our struggles, and lift one another up with encouraging words.
Are you ready? Keep scrolling for links to everything you’ll need below the paywall. ⬇️ I can’t wait to get started!
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