How to Write a Novel in 30 Days

Have you ever heard the phrase "NaNoWriMo" uttered? It sounds like a ridiculous word, but it is actually an acronym for a very powerful community and event called National Novel Writing Month. NaNorWriMo is a non-profit organization that encourages writers to try to write a complete first draft of a 50,000 word novel within 30 days during the month of November. But can it be done? How can someone really write a novel in 30 days?

Well, I'll tell you the truth: I have yet to master it. I've tried NaNoWriMo twice, and did not win. More on that later. It is possible to write a novel in a short amount of time. My record was 3 months. But many have done it less time. So, how to write a novel in 30 days? The first step is planning.

 How to Write a Novel in 30 Days:

Plan Ahead

 If you are not naturally a planner or outliner when you write, this part may be challenging. However, you can make a plan that works for your brain and writing style. For example, someone who is not a big planner could sit down and pick a genre, a POV, and name the main characters and see where it takes them. Someone who plans a little might come up with a story idea and a general goal for the novel. Another writer who is big into outlining may spend a month mapping out their characters, the plot line and plot twists, and come up with some titles. There is no right way to do it, which means there is no wrong way either. But planning ahead somewhat will help you get to the end of the month with more words than fewer. And remember, you don't have to write in chronological order and there is no magic number to hit before a literary agent finds you. So don't worry about writing a good novel, and don't worry about the publishing industry...for now.

Make Writing Time

 This step goes along with planning ahead. The only way to make time to write is to make time to write. Whether you're writing for fun before or after your day job or hoping this will jumpstart your writing career, you have to make time to write. With NaNoWriMo, the end goal is a 50,000 word first draft, and if you write every day that comes out to about 1,667 words per day for 30 days in a row.

 One way to set yourself up for success with writing is to block out time for it. Don't plan to do it after work if you know you're going to be too tired or if you have plans with friends. Don't think you'll write on the weekends without carving out the time because it is so easy to say yes to someone's birthday party or celebration dinner and suddenly your writing time is gone.

 You may have to say no to things for the month you're writing, but that's ok. Making time to write is you prioritizing your story, your voice, and your dream. If you're not sure how long you should write each day, either carve out 2 hours or sit down to write about 2,000 words and see how long it takes you. Every writing process is different, and as you go through the month you'll notice that each writing session is different too. The good thing is that you can make adjustments as you learn what works for you.

 Don't be afraid to tell your friends and family what you're working on, especially if you're going to have to sit out from a few events throughout the month to make sure you have enough time to write. This allows your loved ones to be included in your goal and they can encourage you and cheer you on—it's going to be hard, but you can do it!

Set Goals

Writing goals are really important. With NaNoWriMo and the 50K word end-goal, the daily goal becomes 1,667 words per day. If you want to write a longer manuscript, you can do what I call "writing math" and divide the total word count by the number of days you're giving yourself to write. I like making writing trackers to visualize my progress, and I know some writers print out a calendar and write their word count on each day. Whatever works for you is what will work best.

 The best way to build a writing habit is with consistency, and having clear, concrete, and manageable goals will help get you there. Another way to both make time for your writing and reach those goals is to do writing sprints. You can do this on your own (or invite a friend!) and all you need is a timer. I use my phone timer, but if you tend to check your phone while it's out near you, use a different one. Once you have your timer the next steps are to set it for 25 minutes, and then write without stopping. Don't look at your phone, don't get up to get a snack, don't check your email. Just write. Even if it's "I don't know what to write" over and over again until your brain decides it wants to write something else. Once your timer goes off, take a break. Do this every day, or a few times in a row, and you might find that you're writing in record time and enjoying the 25 minutes.

Prep Your Space

The number one way to prep your writing space is to put distractions away. When it comes to time constraints, we all know how easy it is for time to just slip away. Some of us thrive with deadlines, and some of us don't. This is a self-imposed deadline but it still counts. So, when you're about to sit down to write: get a glass of water and tea or coffee or your favorite beverage, make sure your writing implements are sharpened or charged, and put your phone away. Cut the internet if you have to! You've spent a lot of time preparing physically and emotionally for this challenge, so let yourself write unimpeded.

Accept the Truth

 One very important thing to do while you write your novel in 30 days is to accept the truth: this will be bad. This draft will very much be a rough draft. You will not be a published author from this first unpolished draft. That's OK! That's the beauty of the 30-day deadline. You get to get messy. Letting yourself do creative writing is beautiful and cool and scary and wonderful. Whether you've been writing for a little time or a long time you're still a writer and you're still exploring. So accepting the truth that 1) this is a rough draft and 2) you are a writer no matter what the outcome of this project is will be vital to your journey.

 It also helps to know that some days you'll have an amazing writing day and exceed your word count goal and other days you'll limp along and barely hit your goal. You'll feel like you gave it your best work and end up with a slew of very rough chapters. That's normal, and that's part of the process!

Listen to Your Needs

 Writing an entire novel in 30 days will be hard. Your biggest challenge might be making time for your writing and listening to your needs. For those of us with full time jobs, and/or families, to take care of, it can be really hard to maintain the pace of writing 1600+ words a day. Our brains get tired. Our creativity fuse burns out. It's OK to take breaks. It's OK to stop completely.

 I've tried NaNoWriMo twice. Both times I didn't really plan much, and both times I was working full time. I found that the combination of zero planning and 40+ hour workweeks led to a fast start and a fast decline. With my most recent try at NaNoWriMo in 2019 I think I made it 5 days in a row before I completely burned to a crisp because I was working a full-time job and a part-time job and both of those involved heavy reading and writing. I needed a break. For as much hard work as you do, you need just as much time resting and recharging. For some people, they're able to recharge after a good night's sleep. For those of us who don't sleep well, we may need more breaks or differnt ways to rest.

 All of that is OK! Because we are human, and we are learning. My takeaway from NaNoWriMo was the reminder that I really love to write creatively and get messy with it, that I need more rest than I realized, and I did start a novel I really like and hope/plan to get back to one day!

Embrace Your Community 

Finally, one of my top tips for writing a novel in 30 days is to embrace your writing community. Those early mornings at the kitchen table can get lonely. It helps to know your fellow writers are fighting the same fight. If you don't have a solid writing community, join one! Or create one! Come say hi to me on social media, join the message boards of NaNoWriMo and the local groups they support, or talk to a friend who enjoys writing as much as you do. There are so many ways to connect with other writers and the best thing is that it's not a competition, it's a cheer-group. you don't have to compare yourself to other writers because we all have stories to tell and we're all going to tell them differently.

Good luck with your 30-day challenge. You can do it!