I completed NaNo the year before Brandiwyn🎶 started this challenge. It was tough, and I felt unprepared, and it didn't help that I had only written one novel before. This challenge is very focused to getting ready to write the novel, whether it be 50k or not.

If you're curious about all those people who don't do the challenge before beginning NaNo, some run amok during November. (Not that this is a failsafe, but it helps!) Some change novels, some put in random words to make the count, and many simply stop writing. If your novel happens to be longer than 50k and you don't finish in November, you might want to try just to keep going as if you were still NaNoing to finish it. It's hard to finish those things later.

We're all happy to answer questions and there are several of us with a lot of experience through NaNo - and we're all willing to share! Good luck and may you find the words.