A November Writing Challenge You Can Finish (With a Prompt Wheel)
This is a 30 day writing challenge. If you want to write every day in November but don’t want to write a 50,000 word novel then this is for you. Every day spin the prompt wheel, write for 5, 10 or 20 minutes and record your progress on a simple tracker. You’ll have around 30 pieces of writing by the end!
By Malik Aiesh Bahadur,
Why a smaller challenge?
The most famous challenge of November is the 50,000 word novel challenge. This has been run by NaNoWriMo which closed in April 2025. There are now alternatives available such as Reedsy’s Novel Sprint, ProWritingAid’s Novel November and the Pathfinder’s Writing Collective 90-day challenge. If you want to write a full novel then these are worth taking a look at. Check out their websites for up-to-date information.
However, writing 50,000 words in a month can be overwhelming and is not the right goal for many people. It’s very easy to give up by day nine if you have a busy schedule with work, study or childcare.
If you set yourself a smaller goal you’ll learn more. This challenge only requires five minutes per day. You won’t complete a novel but you will write thirty times. This is how people become writers.
Choose your level
Pick one level and keep it for the month. You can move up later.
|
Level |
Daily goal |
About how many words in 30 days |
|---|---|---|
|
Starter |
5 minutes, or about 100 words |
3,000 |
|
Standard |
10 minutes, or about 300 words |
9,000 |
|
Stretch |
20 minutes, or about 600 words |
18,000 |
The word counts are rough guides. Time is a better target for most people, because it removes the pressure to count.
Set up your wheels
This plan uses the 5 wheels from Writing Prompt Wheel: 100 Original Story Starters. Each of the lists should be added to the Spin Wheel. If you need some guidance on how to create your Spin Wheel, then take a look at how to make a Spin Wheel in 60 seconds. However, you can create your own lists too.
Turn on the remove option so you go through all the options before repeating any.
The 30-day plan
The month has a shape. Each week has a theme, so you practice one part of storytelling at a time, and the last days are for finishing and sharing.
|
Days |
Theme |
What to spin |
What to write |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nov 1 to 7 |
Characters |
Character and Object |
A short scene or a sketch of the character. Show who they are by what they do |
|
Nov 8 to 14 |
Settings |
Setting and Opening Line |
A scene that makes the place feel real. Use the opening line to begin |
|
Nov 15 to 21 |
Problems |
Character, Setting and Problem |
A very short story with a beginning, a problem and an ending |
|
Nov 22 to 28 |
Putting it together |
All five wheels, rerolling any one |
Choose your favorite piece so far and continue it, or write a new story |
|
Nov 29 and 30 |
Finish and share |
None |
Pick your three best pieces and read one aloud to someone |
Take one rest day a week. Choose it in advance so it does not become an excuse. Sundays work well, since November 1 falls on a Sunday this year.
A daily routine
The routine takes the time you chose.
- Spin (1 minute). Spin the day's wheels.
- Think (1 minute). Ask what the character wants and what is in the way.
- Write (your time). Write without stopping and without fixing. If you cannot think of a word, write a gap and move on.
- Log (30 seconds). Record the day on your tracker.
A tiny warm-up helps. Some writers like to stand and stretch first. If you need ideas, 30 two-minute brain breaks has quick options.
The tracker
Copy this into a notebook or a spreadsheet.
|
Day |
Date |
Wheel results |
Time or words |
Done? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Nov 1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
Nov 2 |
|
|
|
|
... |
... |
|
|
|
|
30 |
Nov 30 |
|
|
|
Seeing a row of ticks is a strong motivator, and it costs nothing.
Rules that make it stick
Tell someone. A goal said out loud to another person is harder to drop. Send a message to a friend, or post in a group.
Never miss twice. If you miss a day, fine. Write the next day. One missed day is a slip. Two in a row starts a new habit of not writing.
Do not edit. Fixing yesterday's work is the quickest way to stall. The editing happens in December.
Lower the bar on bad days. If you have no energy, write three sentences. A tiny win keeps the chain alive.
Reward yourself. Make a small wheel of rewards, such as a favorite coffee, an episode of a show or a walk, and spin it every Sunday.
The slump wheel
Around day 12 to 16, most people hit a wall. The prompts feel stale, and the plan feels like a chore. Keep a rescue wheel for those days.
- Write only dialogue between two characters
- Write the ending first
- Tell the same scene from the object's point of view
- Write a letter from your character to someone they miss
- Change the setting to somewhere surprising
- Write for five minutes, and stop on time
- Rewrite yesterday's best sentence three different ways
- Spin all five wheels and use every result, however odd
Spin it when you feel stuck. It is a good reason to keep going and a safer one than quitting.
A classroom or family version
This is great for kids and classes.
Use this at the beginning of your class by doing a ten minute write. Spin the prompt and everyone will have the same starting sentence. Keep a class chart on the wall and colour in a square for each day you do it. Once a week use the names wheel to select 2 or 3 children to share. 12 Fair Participation Routines will show you how. Only use first names. (See student privacy and name pickers.)
At home everyone can spin a prompt at the table after dinner and write for five minutes. Everyone reads one sentence. This is a great way to finish the day and to get to know what your children are thinking.
What to do in December
A month of writing leaves a pile of drafts. Do three things with it.
- Reread everything. Mark the pieces that surprised you.
- Choose your best three. Pick the ones with the strongest voice or idea.
- Revise one. Fix the opening, cut anything you do not need and polish the ending. Then share it with someone.
If you loved the habit, keep going. Even three days a week is a good rhythm.
Starting late
If you read this after November 1, begin today. The plan does not need a perfect start. Count your own day one, and run 30 days from there.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good November writing challenge?
One you can complete. If a 50,000-word novel feels too big, try 10 minutes a day with a prompt wheel.
Is NaNoWriMo still running?
The organization shut down in April 2025. Several other challenges have taken its place, and you can also run your own.
How much should I write each day?
Choose a level you can keep: 5, 10 or 20 minutes. Time works better than word counts for most people.
What if I miss a day?
Write the next day. The key is not to miss two days in a row.
Can I do this with my class or family?
Yes. Spin the prompt together, write for ten minutes and share one sentence each.
Do I need to write a novel?
No. This plan produces about 30 short pieces. You can build one into a longer story if you want.
Try it
Open the Spin Wheel, paste in the character list from the prompt wheel article and spin your first prompt. For ready-made lists and more wheel ideas, browse the templates.
