NaNoWriMo: November is National Novel Writing Month

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), an event set up to help aspiring writers finish a novel, or most of a novel, during the month of November.

The event begins on November 1, when participants begin working on the goal of completing a 50,000-word manuscript by the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on November 30. The event is set up for anyone whop has ever thought about writing a novel.

To participate, aspiring novelists simply need to sign up for the website. There are in-person events open to writers, though they are optional. A user dashboard helps participants fill out a profile, say hello to other writers and add writing buddies if desired.

"Giving your work a title or brief synopsis gets you 225 percent more pumped for November, according to the website. "It's a fact."

Once it hits midnight on November 1, start writing, using any method to track your work that is beneficial to you and your writing process.

"Word-processing program, notebook, typewriter, stone slab: they all work," the web site states. During the process, the word count can be updated at any time, whether on a daily basis or a few times a week.

Once you hit 50,000 words, the text can be pasted into the word count validator, and the website will declare you an official NaNoWriMo winner, making you eligible for prizes.

National Novel Writing Month was established in 1999. In 2012, 341,375 people participated. The writers come from many different backgrounds, including actors, auto mechanics and English teachers.

The event extends throughout social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and Pinterest.

"We believe in making this a more creative world, and we'd love your help getting there," the web site reads. Novels that have been published after beginning during NaNoWriMo include "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen, "The Night Circus" by Erin Morganstern and "The Darwin Elevator" by Jason Hough.

National Novel Writing Month is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that also runs the Young Writers Program, the Come Write In program and Camp NaNoWriMo.