NaNoWriMo Worksheets

NaNoWriMo is the acronym for National Novel Writing Month. This is a creative writing challenge that takes place each November. The goal of the challenge is to write a 50,000-word novel over the course of the month. This average about 1,700 words per day of the month. This contest was created by Chris Baty in 1999 for writers in the San Francisco area. It has since grown into international organization that just a million of writers look forward to every year. These worksheets will help students celebrate this program for young writers and it will hopeful encourage them to possible participate in NaNoWriMo in the future.

NaNoWriMo Worksheets:

The Rules - This helps you understand the parameters of the challenge and plan for your own work.

Planner - Fill in the dates for November. Then plan out what you need to do each day and the milestones you need to hit (introducing characters, plot points, midpoint, climax, etc.) in order to complete you novel on time next month.

Beginning, Middle, End - This allows you pick apart your entire body of work.

Planning Character Arcs - This is a really fun way to plan the movements and events that surrond your individual characters.

Character Planner - This can allow you to track multiple characters through a work.

30 Day Planner - This will allow you to track the movement of your work.

Scenes/Settings Planner - This can have a very significant impact on how your story is perceived by your audience.

Plot Twists - This can help you pinpoint where to place something with your overall work.

Story in 9 Sentences - This is a great technique to help you dive into your writing.

Novel Planner - We look at the fundamentals and what needs to be expanded on and worked up.

Beat Sheet - Draft the main beats of your story with the help of this worksheet.

3 Act Plot Planner - We sum up for you the important things that you need to be asking yourself.

Today, Tomorrow - When you begin and finish your work each day, this should be the first and last thing you do.

Word Count Tracker - To help you stay on task.

Hero's Journey Planner - Make sure that your hero is doing everything you want them to.

What Is NaNoWriMo?

The acronym NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. It is an annual event where budding authors and seasoned professionals race against time to write a 50,000-word novel (or the first 50,000 words of a novel you can finish later) between November 1st and 30th.


How Does it Work?


During NaNoWriMo, writers write an average of 1650 - 1700 words per day for the month of November. They can type the work directly into the NaNoWriMo website, or as soon as they’ve hit the 50,000-word mark, they can upload their creation to the NaNoWriMo website. Upon verification of the word count, they win the challenge. The successful authors receive banners and certificates, and should they choose, they can purchase the winner’s T-shirts from the store.


How Did it Begin?


NaNoWriMo came into existence when a writer Chris Baty from the San Francisco area initiated this in 1999 as a challenge between friends. It quickly grew to 21 writers in the first year alone. The idea has since grown to the extent that in 2021, the number of active participants in this international writing marathon crossed 800,000! Registered now as a nonprofit organization, NaNoWriMo has since branched into other programs, including Camp NaNoWriMo and Young Writers Program.


What Are the Rules?


NaNoWriMo has straightforward rules. The challenge officially begins at midnight local time on November 1st. As soon as they’re given the sign, the writers start working on a novel. It could be an entirely new one or a rewrite attempt of an old one.


They must finish the goal of writing 50,000 words before the month ends. You’re allowed, in fact, encouraged to plan and create an outline of the story you’re going to write. What you’re not allowed to do is to continue writing a novel that was already a work-in-progress. Many writers do break the rules, but honestly, if they finish a book at the end of 30 days, they do not care how they did it.


The winners attempt an average of about 1700 words. Not only do they go on to finish the first draft of a brand-new book, but also the satisfaction of pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and rising to the challenge to beat is unmatched.


Why Should Anyone Participate in It?


NaNoWriMo is perfect for people who lack inspiration or the time to start writing. Also, the people who started to write but couldn’t find the time to continue the story are perfect contestants for this challenge. Writers who got frustrated from the ridiculously long time it took them to finish their first book and everyone else who may take it upon themselves to jump at the chance of competing in a ridiculous challenge that claims to get their novel finished in just 30 days!


The median salary for a novelist is in the high $60,000. So a lucrative career could be waiting to be awakened in you and this may be just the spark that you needed.


Whatever your reasons for attempting this challenge may be, there are bound to be some writers who would have precisely the same reasons as you to start NaNoWriMo!


Conclusion


The most significant advantages of joining this challenge are:


1. You get an inspiration to sit down, block external thoughts, and get working.


2. Writing so many words at such a fast pace works nicely to improve your work quality.


3. As it is a joint event, no one feels alone in their struggles, and even go ahead and take tips from the whole community!


If you plan to take up the challenge, we hope to see you and join you in NaNoWriMo!