How Do You Balance Writing and Well-Being During NaNoWriMo?

Episode 207 · November 1, 2023 · 30 minutes

A note about this episode

I recorded this episode in 2023, when ChatGPT was still new. The tools have changed a lot since then, so treat the specific examples as a snapshot. The bigger idea still holds: protect your well-being while you write, and lighten your load where you can.

Summary

A month-long writing challenge brings ambition, creativity, and, inevitably, a bit of stress. In this episode, I talk about how to keep writing without burning out, and how to look after yourself while you do it.

I cover the most common challenges writers run into during a November sprint, including burnout, stress, and letting your health slide. Then I share two kinds of support: using a tool like ChatGPT to lighten parts of the writing process, and manifestation practices that help you stay grounded and focused.

If you're taking on a writing challenge this year, this episode will help you plan for the pressure before it hits.

What you'll learn

Why burnout and stress show up during a writing challenge, and how to spot them early
How a tool like ChatGPT can lighten your load, from brainstorming to getting past a stuck spot, so you have time left over for rest
Manifestation practices for staying grounded, including visualization, affirmations, and gratitude journaling
How daily rituals and routines can protect your writing time and your self-care

Update for 2026

NaNoWriMo shut down in 2025, but writing sprints are still going strong. Read NaNoWriMo Is Gone: Your Best Options for November 2026 for what's replaced it and how to plan a sprint that works for you.

Keep listening and reading

Want the full plan?

The Rapid Release Roadmap walks through a six-week sprint and a pace of about four books a year, so you can write consistently without wearing yourself out. For classes on topics like AI tools and manifestation, the Library Pass opens all 23 masterclasses for a one-time $97.

Frequently asked questions

How do you avoid burnout during NaNoWriMo?
Plan for it. Set a realistic goal, build self-care into your daily routine, and use tools that lighten your workload so writing doesn't take over everything else.

Can ChatGPT help with a writing challenge?
It can help with things like brainstorming and getting unstuck. I talk about it in this episode, which I recorded in 2023, so tools and best practices have changed since.

Is there still a NaNoWriMo?
No. The nonprofit closed in 2025, but other groups run November writing challenges.

Listen to the podcast

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