NaNoWriMo, an annual event founded in 1999 by Chris Baty and some of his friends, has grown to be a global event that is participated in by hundreds of thousands of people. It is also a United States-based nonprofit organization that promotes creative writing worldwide.

NaNoWriMo is a time to write one’s first draft, write as much as one can, connect with communities of writers both locally and online and make time for writing during the month of November. Participants all have their own plans that are specific to them to prepare for NaNoWriMo, and although some say that involves creating an outline for their novel, others believe that no degree of preparation is needed for their novels-to-be. Participants can set their own pace in writing their novel, but the goal is to reach a 50,000 total word count before midnight on the last day of November.

Many people mistake NaNoWriMo as an event that only happens in November, however, there is much more to it than people realize. As explained in a Writer’s Digest article, “NaNoWriMo isn’t just a November thing–it’s a worldwide community of people who are passionate about creative writing and the change it can bring about in people’s lives.” NaNoWriMo is a year-round nonprofit organization that funds programs to support creative writing and literacy in all ages and backgrounds around the world.

Many successful authors got started on writing their bestselling books during NaNoWriMo, such as Marissa Meyer, author of the Cinder tetralogy, a series made up of four books, and Erin Morgenstern, author of The Night Circus, which became published in more than a dozen languages. Just knowing that there are authors thriving today from their work because they participated in NaNoWriMo gives inspiration to aspiring writers to continue their unfinished novels and works in progress.

Defined in a Writer’s Digest article, “the spectrum of writing experience among NaNoWriMo participants varies widely, but our programs provide the tools, resources, and community to help writers at any stage or level of familiarity and education tell the stories they want to tell.” No matter who someone is or where they are from, NaNoWriMo provides resources for them, encouraging a world of passionate readers and writers.

“I think the most important thing is just consistency, and I feel like it really helps people become better at writing because they’re consistent with it,” stated Emily Lough, a senior at Briar Woods. “I think it’s better to be consistent with writing and grow from that than try to be perfect,” she concluded.