November is an Invitation, Not a Deadline

What if the most valuable thing you accomplish this November isn't hitting a word-count goal, but discovering the habits that will help you finish your manuscript? November has long been a special month for writers. Writing sprints, ambitious goals, and a community of storytellers coming together to make progress on their projects. But does participating mean you have to write 50,000 words in 30 days? Not necessarily. In this episode of Habits of a Writer, we're looking at November writing challenges a little differently. As I prepare to publish my third novel, That Night on the Bridge, and begin drafting my next manuscript, I'm thinking about what it means to set writing goals that actually support the season we're in. I'm also sharing what past November writing challenges taught me about my creative hours, recovering from missed writing sessions, and why the habits we develop can be more valuable than the final word count. Because November isn't a competition to prove you're a writer. It's an opportunity to make room for the work. In This Episode • Why November writing challenges create such a special sense of community. • How to set realistic writing goals without comparing your progress to someone else's. • Why 50,000 words isn't the only measure of a successful November. • What writing challenges can teach you about your most productive creative hours. • How to recover when you miss a scheduled writing day. • Three ways to approach November based on your current writing season. • Why the habits you carry into December matter just as much as what you accomplish in November. Three Ways to Make November Your Own Drafting November: Focus on getting words on the page. Track your word count, writing sessions, or time spent drafting your next story. Finishing November: Return to an existing manuscript. Complete revisions, resolve plot problems, work through beta-reader feedback, or prepare your book for its next stage. Building November: Focus on creating a sustainable writing life. Develop your writing schedule, research publishing options, prepare a book launch, or connect with other writers. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. Choose the goal that supports where you are right now. Habit of the Wee: Make a November Promise Ask yourself: What does my writing need from me for the rest of November? Whatever you choose, write it down and make room for it on your calendar. And if you miss a day or two, don't give up on the entire month. Return to your promise and keep going. The goal isn't to have a perfect November. The goal is to enter December having moved your story forward. If you're new here, welcome to Habits of a Writer! I'm Portia Leivette, novelist and indie author, and every other Tuesday we talk about writing habits, storytelling, and building a sustainable writing life. If this episode encouraged you to approach November with a fresh perspective, be sure to like, follow, or subscribe. And share it with another writer who could use a reminder that their writing journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's. I'd love to hear from you: Are you having a Drafting November, a Finishing November, or a Building November? Tell me in the comments! Find your voice. Write your story. — Portia Leivette