Every November, writers worldwide flock to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), eager to “win” by cranking out 50,000 words in just 30 days. It sounds exciting, right? But here’s the truth: NaNoWriMo’s fast-and-furious approach to writing is doing more harm than good. It’s not helping writers grow; it’s feeding a culture of burnout, and, let’s be blunt, it’s pushing people to churn out garbage just for the sake of a word count. If you’re serious about writing and actually want to create something of lasting quality, NaNoWriMo might just be the worst thing you could do.

Let’s start with what I call “the race to nowhere.” NaNoWriMo is obsessed with speed, but quality writing isn’t just about hitting a word count. Writing isn’t a quick toss of the ball in the backyard; it’s more like a leisurely trail hike with your best four-legged friend. It’s a time to breathe, to explore, to really look around and savor each moment. But NaNoWriMo’s breakneck pace is a recipe for filler content. Instead of crafting something thoughtful and unique, writers end up with pages of fluff. And sure, you might hit that magical 50,000 mark, but is it something you’re proud of? NaNoWriMo doesn’t foster creativity; it feeds a frantic need to “win” at all costs.

And let’s talk about the emotional rollercoaster NaNoWriMo puts writers on. Writing is intense work that takes real heart—and sometimes, digging that deep every day wears you down. NaNoWriMo quickly stops being fun and starts feeling like an uphill grind that leaves writers running on empty. Instead of nurturing a lasting passion for storytelling, it often leads to burnout, disappointment, and even a sense of failure. This pace might work for a one-off challenge, but it doesn’t nurture the mental resilience and creative joy you need to be a writer for the long haul.

Then there’s the “finish-line myth.” NaNoWriMo makes writers think that as long as they hit 50,000 words, they’ve got a novel. But racing through a draft is like trying to train a puppy in a day—you might get somewhere, but it’s nowhere near ready. Writing isn’t just slapping words on a page; it’s refining, editing, reworking—it’s a process. The “win” mentality gives people a sense of accomplishment for a raw, unfinished draft, only to leave them wondering why it feels unpolished and daunting when they come back to it. Quality work deserves patience, and this approach overlooks that entirely.

Writing a book is a journey—a long one. You don’t finish it in a month any more than you’d expect to raise a puppy in a day. That’s why I started the Word Warriors Writers Accountability Group. It’s a community for writers who care about their craft and want to avoid the hype that’s all about speed and no substance. Word Warriors is for those in it for the long haul, who want to reach their goals without sacrificing their well-being. It’s about setting realistic goals, checking in, and having a crew to lean on when things get tough. My Doberman George always reminded me to take things at a healthy pace; he taught me the value of loyalty, patience, and doing things right. And that’s exactly what Word Warriors is about: supporting each other to make steady progress, keeping our creative fires burning without burning out.

So, if you’re serious about writing—and about not losing your mind in the process—maybe skip NaNoWriMo this year. Join a community that gets it, that knows real writing is about more than just speed. Let’s create work we’re proud of, at a pace that respects both the art of storytelling and the well-being of the storyteller.