Books guide

Prepare for a month-long novel-writing challenge

Plan your story, schedule and support in October so you can write a full first draft during a November novel-writing month without burning out.

Estimated time: 2–4 hours spread over OctoberUpdated: 28 September 2026

Use this guide if you want to join a novel-writing month in November, alone or with a local writing group. Have a notebook or document for planning and your calendar for the next six weeks.

Step by step

  1. Set a realistic word goal

    Many challenges aim for a short novel's worth of words in a month, but you can set your own target. Divide it by the days you can actually write, not all thirty, to find a daily figure. A goal you can keep beats an impressive one you abandon.

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