NaNoWriMo for Memoir Writers
In fiction writing communities National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo, for short) is a big deal. NaNoWriMo is where fiction writers bond together in a wave of creative energy and commitment to write a full novel. That’s right, fifty thousand words in thirty days!
But if you’re like me, fiction writing isn’t really your thing. You like to write creative nonfiction. Memoir is more your deal (which makes sense, if you’re here!). But you like that creative camaraderie, that collective writing energy generated by thousands of writers coming together to share their stories.
The best part is you can harness that energy in your own writing right now, whether or not you write fiction. If you want to adapt NaNoWriMo to your own writing, follow these simple guidelines.
Set a goal (a do-able one).
When I say “set a goal,” I don’t mean “write a memoir.” While “write a novel” is the tagline of NaNoWriMo, the ways that writers approach that benchmark vary. And certainly some writers can set a big “write my memoir” goal and write like crazy to get there, but writers who usually find me need a different approach. If you want to adapt the NaNoWriMo energy to your writing, I advise that you start small.
If a word count goal sounds up your alley, then set a word count goal (and it doesn’t have to stick to 50K words). You can also consider a time goal, for example, spend thirty minutes writing every day or three hours total writing a week. Pick something that will stretch you without burning you out.
Establish an accountability system.
Accountability as a writer can look several different ways: partnering with a writing group, diving into a habit tracker app, setting a reward system for yourself (books as rewards are my personal favorite), finding a mentor, or working with an editor. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that will actually motivate you. Perhaps setting yourself bookish rewards wouldn’t be too effective, because you’d just buy the books anyway!
If you don’t really know how you’re motivated or what types of accountability will work for you, I recommend taking Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies quiz. This framework is so helpful in understanding how you’re wired and how to set up your accountability for success.
Connect with other writers.
One of the best features of NaNoWriMo is the community! Finding a community of writers can be the best thing to happen to your writing life, regardless of what you’re writing. You can find writing community in several places:
Instagram: dive into a search for memoir writers and you’ll find them aplenty. Search for memoir editors (I’m @charlotte.edits.books!), and listen to the algorithm when it recommends a follow. The fun part of Instagram is that it curates your feed, so tell it what you want! If you want to follow more memoir writers, Instagram will serve them up to you on a silver platter.
Facebook groups: Memoir writing groups are all over Facebook! Take a look around and see what feels good. Some have thousands of members and some have only a few hundred. Test the waters and see what participation could look like for you. (Pro tip: If you hate Facebook because it makes you dislike IRL people too much, unfollow them! This isn’t un-friending them, it’s just un-following them. All this means is that you don’t see their political reposts ever and can focus on the groups you enjoy.)
In-person: This might sound easier than it actually is, but you’ll never know if you don’t look around! Many libraries host writing groups, so I’d advise starting there. Even if your library writing group doesn’t have one specific to memoir writers, it’s worth participating anyway! Finding writers wherever you can is a valuable source of connection, community, and support.
Listen to podcasts: Sometimes finding a group of writers, online or IRL, can be hard (if not impossible). Podcasts are always a great way to stay connected to the writing world, even if you don’t talk to these people face to face. For memoir writing, I can’t help but recommend my own podcast, The Memoir Method Podcast! I deliver short episodes, bookish talk, and practical insights.
Stay consistent.
Reaching a writing goal rarely happens in bright bursts of effort, but rather in small, consistent effort. Thinking small when it comes to writing isn’t a bad thing—it’s a practical tool. Thinking small allows you to dream big, and establishing writing practices that deliver consistency over show-stopping effort are much more likely to stick, prevent burnout, and actually get you to write that memoir.
A consistent writing practice is also flexible and resilient. When you have small rhythms in place, you’ll find it easier to bounce back when life inevitably gets in the way of your writing. If you need help establishing a dependable and consistent writing practice, you’ll want to download my free guide Time to Write. This workbook is free, practical, and will the change the way you think about your writing habits.
Regardless of whether you write your memoir in a month, NaNoWriMo can offer energy and inspiration into your writing life, and I hope you take advantage of it! If you want more on this conversation, be sure to check out episode 9 of the podcast, “NaNoWriMo for Memoir Writers.” And if you want a program that combines all of the elements we talked about here, you’ll want to hop on the waitlist for the Speedway, a 30-day writing accelerator designed to banish your blocks and take you to the finish line.
You’ve got this, writer!
