Welcome to the NaNoWriMo Guide! NaNoWriMo is an annual event that occurs in November, where participants are challenged to write a 50,000 word first draft novel. Other than the word count, there are no rules as to how the writer accomplishes their goal. NaNoWriMo has occurred since 1999. Up until Spring 2025, an organization supported the event through collected resources and modes of support. Following the collapse of the organization, a grassroots community effort has emerged to continue to support this internationally-popular event: NaNoWriMo 2.0.
In this guide you will find basic information about NaNoWriMo, and many resources that can help you with the various stages of novel writing. This guide was created in 2025 to support Spokane Community College's NaNoWriMo program. Contributors include English Professor Tim Greenup, Faculty Librarians Melinda Martin and Greg Bem, Library Circulation Supervisor Kelsey Mccartney, Tutoring Supervisor Ellie Reiboldt, and Assistant Dean Erin Smith.
If you are interested in participating in NaNoWriMo, or have questions about the guide, email Greg Bem.
Novels are one of the most popular forms of books. According to Grammarly:
A novel is a fictional work of prose that weaves together characters, plots, and settings to create a narrative world, capturing a specific theme or element of the human experience.
The word “novel” comes from the Italian term novella, which originally meant “new” or “news” and referred to short, new stories. Over time, these tales evolved into longer, more complex narratives, giving rise to the modern novel.
Novels are often complex due to their length, featuring multiple characters, a variety of settings, and one or more narratives (stories) that give shape to the plot. Novels, like any story, contain rising and falling action, consistent voice or voices, perspectives, and points of view. Novels can be concrete (literal) or abstract to varying degrees. Along with narrators who can be reliable or unreliable, the novel becomes an exciting picture of a world the author wants to share.
Since 1999, the organization NaNoWriMo was the centerpiece for the international culture event involving the writing of a 50,000+ word manuscript in the month of November. You can learn more about why the organization ended in April 2025 (after so many years) via LitHub. The reality is that the participating in the organization was never a requirement for the event to be held locally around the world; much of the event has grassroots / community-oriented aspects. NaNoWriMo 2.0 is the community-created follow-up to the organization, and is a great place to learn more about what's going on following April 2025.
