Feverish writing. Hours of editing. Writer’s block cured with late night bursts of inspiration, draining you of energy. This is National Novel Writing Month.

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is a program where normal people- anyone from a published author to a stay at home mom- tries to write a 50,000 word novel in the space of thirty days. The Office of Letters and Light, the nonprofit behind this event, gives rewards and prizes to the hardworking writers who reach the 50,000 word goal. Some of this year’s prizes include T-shirts and subscriptions to The Sun Magazine, a popular magazine showcasing art.

“Finding the time to write is the hardest,” says Alena Andrews, one of the participating writers. “I have to balance all my schoolwork with a few hours of writing a day.”

Still, some of the novels written in the space are phenomenal. Published novels that started as NaNoWriMo projects include Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and Cinder by Marissa Meyer. For those that fall behind on their word count, the Office of Letters and Light, the nonprofit that runs NaNoWriMo, arranges multiple writer meet ups. The main meet up is the Night of Writing Dangerously, a posh six hour write a thon taking place in San Francisco’s own Julia Morgan Ballroom. Two hundred and fifty writers will gather on the 17th   of November for snacks, writing wars, and critiquing.

While most of the focus is on the writers, NaNoWriMo is also a fundraiser to get young writer’s programs into more schools and areas. This year alone 900,000 dollars have been raised, not counting the large amount devoted to the Night of Writing Dangerously.

For those that feel incapable of finishing 50,000 words, there is Camp NaNoWriMo, the sister program to the standard NaNoWriMo. Camp NaNoWriMo allows you to set your own goal for your writing, whether it be 10,000 words or 100,000.

The next NaNoWriMo online writing camp will occur in January. To give a competative edge to next year’s writers, camps will be going on the entire year through July. The camps are very accpting, and welcome new writers with enthusiasm, and honest critique. Best of all, the entire camp can be done at home in your PJ’s.

NaNoWriMo is an event that gives you focus and a deadline to actually write the idea floating around in your head on paper. Work your way up to the 50,000. Write away. Banish your inner editor. Express your dreams and wishes on paper. You can join the NaNoWriMo programs at National Novel Writing Month and Camp NaNoWriMo. Go write.