Several months ago I had this funny epiphany… I really like writing challenges. Challenges are really effective for me for some reason. Things like National Novel Writing Month and when I did weeklong goals for the new year. I don’t know if it’s because of the natural deadline that comes with it or it’s a good burst of dopamine when I win. I’m not a competitive person AT ALL. But I guess with myself I am? I don’t know.

So I thought, hey. I really should use this to further my writing. Just as an extra motivation. And I also noticed that month long challenges were really the most beneficial to myself. It’s a long enough time to get a serious amount done, but not so long that I get bored and want to give up.

And that’s how I came up with an annual schedule that I’m really REALLY excited about! I started piloting it last year and so far it’s going really well! Here are my challenges for each month, if you’re looking for motivation for yourself as well!

JANUARY – “Januwrimo” or “NaNoFinMo”

Kind of funny to start with the end, but I think it’s important. During the traditional NaNo, 50k typically doesn’t finish a standard novel, which is more around 80k. So, I would love to go ahead and do that after the holidays. Kick off the year with a 30k challenge and a finished draft. Um, yes please!

FEBRUARY – “Flash February”

It’s a short month for some short fiction! I have a bunch of short stories floating around in my mind and this is a perfect time to get those out. I could either chose to do something similar to The Ray Bradbury challenge (write one short story a week) or I could opt to comprise poems or flash fiction as well.

MARCH – “Spring Edit Blitz”  

Rather than a word goal, this could be a time goal, or a “to-do list of goals” centralized SOLELY on editing. This could be re-working an outline, writing a second or third draft, line edits. Anything.

APRIL & MAY – “Camp NaNoWriMo” / “NaNoSloMo”

“NaNoSloMo” is a challenge that I invented. It’s basically taking the traditional NaNo challenge, but instead of 50k in a single month, you give yourself two months to finish 50k. (25,000 words per month). As I mentioned earlier, I know the one-month challenge is very effective for me because I don’t get “bored” knowing that I change goals at the end of the month. So even though I like the idea of NaNoSloMo, I’m nervous to see how it might go for me this year.  

JUNE – “Summer Break”

In June, I take a break off of writing and focus solely on reading.

JULY – NaNoFreeMo

I’ve been doing this for a few years now and I love it. Every July for Camp NaNo I do a NaNoFreeMo (another NaNo challenge I made up). I set an achievable but challenging word goal (usually 20-40k) BUT I can write whatever I want. There are no rules. I can journal. I can write random scenes from projects that I haven’t even started. I can write ‘bla, bla, bla, bla’ a hundred times if I want to. It’s a total free for all based on how I happen to feel that day. No thinking of publishing, readers, industry trends, NONE OF IT. No one ever has to read what you write during NaNoFreeMo. I can write whatever thing I want to during July. And it’s so great.

AUGUST – “Summer Edit Blitz”

Back to the grind. Same as the spring edit blitz. Trying to get things ready for the following month.

SEPTEMBER – “Sendtember”

This is the month where I start submitting things. Usually, it’s a good month for agents and such as they’re also coming back from their summer breaks. I don’t have to send to lit agents though. I can send short stories or articles WHATEVER. But I must send something. Or as much as I have ready during the month of September.

OCTOBER – “Preptober”

Prepping for NaNo, obviously. But doesn’t have to be that exclusively. I think it would be really great to have a few outlines prepared for the following year if possible. And if that’s not really possible, I also feel like this is a good time to prep for Holidays as well as writing.

NOVEMBER – “NaNoWriMo”

National Novel Writing Month. 50k words in the month of November. I highly recommend this if you are just now stumbling onto monthly challenges or are looking for a way to further your book. It’s just a whole lot of fun!

DECEMBER – “Winter Break”

I’ve worked hard all year. It’s time for another writing break (with reading assignments).

When I had all the challenges written out, I sat back, looked at it and… felt GREAT. Like if a boss had handed me this annual work schedule, I would feel that boss was being very reasonable and kind but also productive. I was my best own boss!

If you end up trying any of these or have any other tips and ideas for months, please leave a comment as I would be really curious to see what other authors do as well!