The Christian Writer’s Guide to NaNoWriMo: Faith Meets Fiction
November's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is just around the corner! Now is the time to start prepping to write 50,000 words of your faith-based fiction story!
Each November, writers from around the world join a month-long journey of disciplined writing through NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Participants of NaNoWriMo have a singular goal: Write 50,000 words in 30 days. As a Christian writer, this challenge offers you a unique opportunity to intertwine your faith with fiction writing. Will you use your beliefs to inspire, motivate, and shape your storytelling?
In this guide, I’m exploring how you, as a Christian writer, can navigate NaNoWriMo while staying grounded in your faith and writing a story that glorifies God.
6 Steps To Write Faith-Based Fiction During NaNoWriMo
You don’t have to write secular fiction to participate in NaNoWriMo, but you may take a few different steps during Preptober to get ready. Here are six steps you can begin putting into practice this month to prepare for your big writing goal of 50,000 words in the 30 days of November.
1. Pray Before You Plan: Invite God Into Your Writing Process
Before starting a major writing project, seek God’s guidance. Prayer can center you and provide clarity around the story God wants you to tell.
Steps to Start:
Dedicate Your Writing to God: When you pray over your project, ask God to guide your words and help you write for His glory.
Seek Divine Inspiration: Spend time meditating on Scripture and allow verses or biblical themes to influence your writing.
Pray for Endurance and Creativity: Writing 50,000 words in 30 days is a big goal. Pray for the endurance and creativity you’ll need to meet your daily goals.
2. Create a NaNoWriMo Plan with Purpose
NaNoWriMo will feel extra challenging if you don’t have a plan. Take time this month to develop a structured (yet flexible) roadmap to help you stay focused.
Key Elements for Your NaNoWriMo Plan:
Set Daily Writing Goals: Writing 50,000 words in 30 days breaks down to 1,667 words each day. So, you’re going to need to create a writing schedule that works for you.
Use Your Outline as a Guide: If like to be organized, you may be a plotter, so organize your story's structure in advance. If you prefer to write without an outline (a pantser), consider jotting down some key themes or plot points to guide your writing journey.
Incorporate Biblical Themes: Take time to think about how you’ll weave Christian principles into your story. Ask yourself, “How can this story reflect God’s truth?”
3. Stay Accountable: Surround Yourself with a Writing Community
Writing can be a solitary process, but during NaNoWriMo, you have an entire writing community aiming to achieve the same goal you are trying to reach. So, take advantage of the camaraderie.
How to Build Accountability:
Join a Writing Group: Virtual and in-person meet-ups are often scheduled in cities and towns across the U.S. during NaNoWriMo. Find a group near you on the NaNoWriMo website. If you don’t see one near you, consider forming your own writing group.
Check In Regularly: Set up daily or weekly check-ins with writing partners to share progress and encouragement.
Join NaNoWriMo Writing Sprints: Attend virtual writing sprints or discussions hosted by NaNoWriMo. Even if the group isn’t faith-based, you can still participate while holding true to your values.
4. Guard Your Writing Time: Protect Your Priorities
November is a busy month. With family responsibilities, holidays, and work, finding time to write can be challenging. So, it’s important to prioritize writing time while staying mindful of other responsibilities.
Tips for Protecting Your Time:
Schedule Writing in Your Calendar: Treat your writing time as you would any appointment. Block out the specific hours each day that you will solely dedicate to your writing.
Set Boundaries: Before NaNoWriMo starts, let family and friends know about your writing goals for the month. Ask for their support and to respect your writing schedule.
5. Embrace Grace Over Perfection
NaNoWriMo is about progress, not perfection. You will have days when the words effortlessly flow, and you’ll have days when writing feels like a slog. In both cases, rely on God’s grace and trust in the process.
Encouragement for the Journey:
Don’t Get Discouraged by Word Count: If you miss a day of writing or fall behind due to writer’s block, don’t beat yourself up. Ask God for strength to catch up and keep moving forward.
Celebrate Small Wins: Each day you write, even if you don’t reach 1,667 words, is a victory. Reflect on your progress and thank God for each step.
Remember Why You’re Writing: Keep your mission in mind. You’re not only writing for NaNoWriMo but for a greater purpose—to share stories that reflect God’s love and truth.
6. Wrap It All Up: Reflect and Revise
After 30 days of intense writing, you’re going to want to step back and reflect on your journey. Remember, the first draft is only the beginning.
Next Steps Post-NaNoWriMo:
Rest and Recharge: Take a few days (or a week) to rest and reflect on what you’ve written. Pray for clarity as you move into the revision stage.
Begin the Editing Process: Editing is when you’ll refine your story and make it the best it can be. As you revise, consider how the story aligns with biblical values.
Celebrate Your Accomplishment: Whether you reach 50,000 words or not, participating in NaNoWriMo is an achievement! Celebrate what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown as a writer.
Journal Prompts for Christian Writers
Here are some journaling prompts to help you prep for NaNoWriMo. These prompts can help you stay connected to your faith, track your progress, and reflect on your journey.
Prayer for Your Writing Project:
Write out a prayer in which you dedicate your NaNoWriMo project to God. What themes or messages do you hope to convey through your story? How can you glorify God through your writing?
Scripture for Inspiration:
Choose a Bible verse that resonates with you during your writing journey. How does the verse relate to your writing project? Reflect on how God’s Word inspires your work.
NaNoWriMo Schedule:
Outline your daily or weekly writing goals. How will you schedule your writing time to meet the NaNoWriMo challenge of 50,000 words in 30 days? Include a word count tracker to monitor your progress.
Accountability Plan:
List your accountability partners or writing groups. How will you regularly check in with them? How can these partners help you stay on track and encouraged?
Progress Reflection:
As you write each day, jot down a short reflection about how you feel. How did the writing go today? Did you encounter any challenges? What are you thankful for in today’s progress?
End of NaNoWriMo Reflection:
At the end of the month, write about your NaNoWriMo journey as a whole. What did you learn about your writing process? Your faith? Yourself? How do you plan to revise your project going forward?
Final Thoughts
NaNoWriMo offers an exciting opportunity for you to creatively challenge yourself while staying rooted in your faith. By incorporating prayer, Scripture, and a clear plan, you can navigate the month with both spiritual and writing goals in mind. Writing isn’t only about putting words down on paper—it’s also about expressing deeper truths and values God has placed on your heart.
Whether you reach the 50,000-word target or not, your journey as a writer during NaNoWriMo is one that God will honor and use for His purpose.
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