I used to boast that I “won” National Novel Writing Month every time I attempted it — eleven years in a row. In some ways, I needed that yearly drive to write a book. But now that the nonprofit that held the event is gone — and rightfully so — I’m able to look back on those years and realize the concept of writing 50,000 words in 30 days is absolutely silly.
This year, I’m reflecting a lot on what made the concept of NaNoWriMo so appealing to me. And I’m also not writing a book. It’s not just freeing — it’s also healing. And I hope my own reflections can inspire you to look back and recognize the value of your past work, no matter where you’ve ended up since.
Why I Don’t Regret My NaNoWriMo Years
I may be in the minority here, but I learned plenty of important lessons — about writing and otherwise — from my years participating in this 50,000-word writing sprint. I practiced discipline. I learned how to write quickly. Possibly the most essential takeaway I got from these experiences was discovering my own systems for breaking up a big project into small, more easily digestible pieces.
But I also learned that while I can write quickly and finish projects in less time … I don’t necessarily always need, or want, to. I’m still undoing plenty of bad habits from those years — like writing extra words, from all those hours trying to boost word count, when far less can suffice. I don’t have regrets. But I’m very glad, for many reasons, it’s all behind me.
This Month, I’m Not Writing for Fun
Not out of punishment, or because I don’t technically have time … but instead because I simply don’t need to. I spent the back half of 2025 writing a book, and a good portion of this year editing and revising that book. I’ve also written a short story, which you may or may not get to read sometime soon.
I have a lot of ongoing projects, some of which I’m hoping to wind down within the next few months. I love to write, and I always will. I’m likely never going to stop writing for fun. But I deserve a break. We don’t need to earn our rest, but I’d say I very much have nonetheless.
Our Best Writing Comes Out of Our Downtime
I’m a better writer when I haven’t really written for a while. My best fiction is born out of my writing hiatuses. I don’t ever get down on myself for going long stretches without “fun” writing anymore. Because at this point in my career, I’m confident that when I’m ready to write a story, I’ll find the time and energy to do it. Pushing myself to do it when I don’t have to, or want to, only hurts my art.
You might be the same, whether you’re aware of it or not. There are always going to be times we have to put a little pressure on ourselves to practice our craft and get our work done. But it’s okay to not feel the weight of that pressure all the time. In fact, it’s probably best, for all of us, in the long-term.
