National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo, or just NaNo for short) is an international writing event that takes place every year in November. The challenge is simple, write a novel in a month, or, more specifically, write 50,000 words in a month. It might not actually be a whole novel, but, at an average of 1,667 words a day, it is still quite a challenge.

Why do we do this? Because it challenges us to actually get some of the writing done that we never quite get around to! Because it’s a great way to encourage yourself and other writers! Because you can make friends and share great stories! Most of all, because it’s a challenge and it’s fun!

Well, this year, a bunch of us in the South Pacific, including our writing group, the Silicon Pens, are taking part in NaNo and we’d like you to give it a go too!

What do you need to know to take part?

Not a lot. You should sign up on the NaNoWriMo website, and then, if you want to talk to the rest of us about it, join us in the NaNo Hangout channel in the regional Discord server, chat about it on the RMB or post about it on the dedicated forum thread.

Oh yeah, and you need an idea, but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be epic, original or even all that good, the important thing is that you have something you can start writing. We’ll help with ideas, encouragement, writing prompts, writing sprints and whatever else we can think of to throw your way throughout the month.

So, why not give it a go? They say everyone has a novel inside them. Why not see if you can’t uncover yours this November?

And here's a list of writing prompts to help you, updated daily (ish)!