November Writing Challenges

And what I’m working on this upcoming month!

Hello, friends! It’s almost November—my favorite month and the one where I probably do the most writing. In fact, it’s when a lot of writers do their most writing. You might have already guessed where I’m going with this: today, we’re talking about writing challenges.

In November, many writers sit down at their keyboard and try to write every day. Their goals range from big to small. I’ve had friends work on everything from screenplays to the end of their novels. The last two years, I’ve been working on my first draft of my novel!

I’ve been so fortunate to be part of a wonderful online writing community for the past three years that does an annual November writing challenge. In our challenge, we either set a goal for a daily word count or a goal for a specific length of time spent writing every day. In the two years I’ve done the challenge, I’ve picked the time option, just because huge word counts intimidate me. But that doesn’t stop me from tracking the words I do write!

Last year, out of my own sheer will, I ended up writing 7,911 words, and this year, I’m aiming for 10,000! Of course, I’m not going to stress it if I don’t reach my goal, but I’m hopeful I can do it! (I’ll keep you guys updated with my word count during my November Round Up!) 

Some Realistic Honesty:

I’ve never written a whole novel in a month. I’m a slow writer; I marinate in the words that I choose. Maybe a scene comes slowly to me, word by word, action by action, description by description. Once in a while, it comes faster.

I have friends who can write large amounts of a novel in a month, but simply put: I don’t write that way. Some of the scenes I wrote for my novel last November will likely get cut during the revision process, but this year, I could add some scenes that might make it into the published version!

During this year's November challenge, I'll be focusing on my second draft of my first novel. Right now, my edits are still going slowly, like a seed sprouting a little more day by day. But I enjoy the process. I want my book to be the best it can be, no matter how long it takes.

Closing Remarks: 

Tell me how you feel about writing challenges! Do you write with friends or work alone? Do you track time or word count…or both? And, finally, are you working on your first draft or a draft after that? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments!

I’ll see y’all next week! Thanks for reading, and keep on being kind! 💖

Would you like more writing resources? Check out My Writing Compilation Post!

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