It's not NaNo - writing challenge creation discussion [update!]

The Chatters
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So, we have no more NaNoWriMo. No more excitement to build up to.

I noticed after it was announced it would shut down, other people were trying to create their own thing. At least on IG, and some people on YouTube. Idk if that lasted or worked. A lot of it was hasty.

This year, I really want to do a November thing because there are some projects that are stretching on for far too long, and I really benefit from that intensity of November while knowing other people around the world are doing the same thing.

It’s nice and motivating. But I don’t want to host a NaNoWriMo. That’s too much.

Previous Thoughts

I came up with the Wordcount Dragon Challenge

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So, I haven’t posted this on IG yet.

There was a year when NaNo called the 50k words, a 50k word dragon, and ever since then, I’ve been calling my novels or wordcounts as dragons that I, as the writer knight, have to defeat, or come close to. It just makes it a lot less intimidating and also fun for me.

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I’m still thinking about how to do this. I don’t want people to feel pressured to do a daily update. You can, if you want, but weekly is enough. My thought for IG is to get some writers to be like, idk, Word Mages, or something, and initiate the weekly progress posts on their accounts.

I haven’t thought about if there would be some kind of badge of honor given to people who did reach their goal. Some graphic. Or maybe there doesn’t have to be anything because everyone who tried is a winner? The finished or nearly-finished draft is your prize. Or do people want something? :stuck_out_tongue:

Also, what about milestones? Do people like celebrating milestones and getting badges? Do people like to answer questions about their story while they are intensely writing about it? Sometimes yes? Sometimes no?

Also, if I were to do something about celebrating milestones or asking questions, Idk if I could do this alone. See, that’s why I thought about Word Mages. Maybe four or five people for the challenge on IG, and a few people for the challenge on Wacky, or maybe I just keep it all on IG and we could still do it on Wacky but less intense? Idk.

But I don’t want to make this so overly complex either. That’s why I thought about just weekly updates and people can talk about it daily or whatever if they want. It just won’t be a must. Word Mages would only be people who help me with the challenge on IG, and for Wacky, well, we would just talk about our stories like we usually do.

If I do it, I’ll make a thread on Wacky for the challenge, and of course, I’ll be talking about it on my IG account but only when I feel like it.

Any thoughts?

Update here! (Sept. 18, 2025)

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Sarra Cannon has the Rough Draft Challenge.

But I typically don’t do things like that because I just don’t vibe with it.

Though I hope things go well for you in making this.

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I know, it’s so sad! In just over two weeks it would normally be Preptober, but this year there’s nothing to look forward to. ˓(ˊᘩˋ⋆)

I’ve heard of people starting things on YouTube and whatnot, but nothing short of the NaNo experience will work for me. I loved the badges and the stats, posting book covers and excerpts, making playlists and mood boards, adding progress bars to my blog, etc.

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It was so cool to go into a Starbucks or Panera Bread and see everyone typing away on their laptops. Now everyone’s just staring at their phones like normal. (╯︵╰,)

That’s a great idea about the dragon thing you’re doing, though! I’m not on Instagram anymore, but if you make a NaNo thread here I’ll participate. Any month is fine with me. I need an extra push to move forward on this wip that seems to be standing still now. I’m lucky if I write five sentences a day. (♯^.^ღ)

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I do like this idea-it could take off as long as it doesn’t become a business!

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Churro has the Mood Writing Challenge. I write when I feel like it :ragejoy:

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There’s several groups trying to fill in the gaps left behind. I’d join if you get it set up, out of principle.

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Thanks :blush:

NaNo has never been for everyone, but the sentiment? the goal? is just to be intensely motivated to write for a month. I hope some people would like to join.

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Should I make badges? I could. I’ve made stickers for Wattpad covers.

I’ll be making a Wordra thread (Wordcount Dragon = Wordra). You can post the cover and mood boards there :wink:

It’s just all really something I decided to do, and then thought hey, why not get other people to do it, too. So, if you’re interested in joining me, that’s awesome :grin:

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It won’t be a business XD No way. Too much work.

It’ll be like ONC.

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I do that, too XD

But sometimes I just need a one-month intensity type of thing

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Would love to have you!

It won’t be as big as ONC. But maybe it could become something that people can look forward to each year.

That would be nice :blush:

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I’m sure people would love any chance they get to talk about their WIPs on IG lol. Which reminds me I’ve been meaning to do follow Wacky people on Insta, I now have a dedicated writing/reading account, it’s i.see.stories

If you wanna share your accounts I’ll follow you back!

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My account just so happens to be in the graphics posted above :stuck_out_tongue:

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fair enough :joy:

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Would it be okay to make a Wordra thread here and allow people to post covers, mood boards, or talk about playlists, or issues they’ve come across in working on their story, etc.? Should it be in the Writing category, or can it be in Chatters?

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Go for it! I think Chatters is probably fine, keeping it more open-ended.

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Awesome :blush: Got it

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This is a cool idea! I’m doing my own thing this year too, lol, Story Craft (October is prep month with weekly check-ins and prompts and goodies, November is the main event with write-ins and stuff like rewards).

I think you have a very cool idea going! From what I’ve seen in other servers people do like badges and stuff, as well as yapping about their own stories. Good luck with it!

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Thanks :blush:

Good luck with yours’!

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Update! It’s now called Word Dragon Challenge or Wordra.

I got collaborators on IG!

So, there’s going to be two prompt accounts and a few other Supporters.

The two prompt accounts will be providing prompts to answer during the event. Supporters will be initiating weekly progress updates and talking about the event in their posts during the event.

Basically, you can do a novel-in-a-month, or edit consistently. The keyword is consistently. Writing consistently for the entire month is the goal rather than having the pressure of a word count goal. You can set up a word count goal if you want, but you don’t have to.

Going to set up a thread here in October, so those of you who prep can prep and chat :wink:

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