Write Your Damn Novel (formerly How to Win NaNo) is a no-nonsense guide to writing a novel in 30 days. Like it or not November comes every year, but don't you worry — your hosts are here for you! Kristina Horner and Liz Leo are 'writing-50k-words-in-a-month' experts (and lifelong writing friends) with a passion for helping people write their damn novel. Join them each week as they share their personal tips, tricks and other things they've learned over almost two decades of consecutive NaNoWriMo wins.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
We Tried NaNoWriMo on a Cruise
After 20 years of NaNoWriMo, Kristina decided her 20th win deserved a slightly bigger celebration. So last November, she brought six friends (including Liz!) on a cruise,
Oct 7 18 min
Tropes We Love: The Big Twist (It was Earth all along!)
There’s nothing quite like a twist that makes you want to immediately go back and reread the entire story. But what separates a reveal that makes everything click into pl
Oct 2 28 min
Season 8: Here we go again!
We’re back for Season 8! Liz and Kristina catch up on what they’ve been up to since last season, share what’s coming to the podcast this year, and begin the annual tradit
Sep 26 24 min
Falling behind? Here's a pep talk for you!
There are only 4 days left... and things might be looking pretty grim. But THERE IS STILL TIME. Our resident come-back queen, Liz Leo, recorded a special espiode today fo
Nov 27 2025 8 min
When the shine wears off and you still have 45,000 words to go
Okay I'll admit, this episode was supposed to go out a week ago. So pretend every time we talk about the 5k slump, we're actually talking about the... 15k slump
Nov 13 2025 23 min
How to stay focused and block out immediate distractions while writing
November is here! Are you ready? Too bad, we all have to start writing anyway!
In today's episode, your hosts Kristina and Liz discuss how to buckle down and get wo
Nov 1 2025 18 min
100% Writer-approved novel outlining MAD LIBS!
There are only 3 days until NaNoWriMo begins! If you're scrambling like we are, we've got a tool that might help: MAD LIBS!
All joking aside - in today's
Oct 29 2025 21 min
Slow burn romance: why we love it
What exactly makes a romance "slow burn", and why is it having such a moment right now? What makes this trope so appealing? How can you raise the tension and add deliciou
Oct 23 2025 24 min
Interview with our Discord mods (and the creators of Rough Draft Month)!
Not only are today's guests Sara and Lucie two of the amazing minds behind the Rough Draft Month challenge, but they're also our Discord mods!
Join us in toda
Oct 15 2025 43 min
What is NaNo 2.0???
Liz is off cruising the Mediterranean, so this week you get ~ solo Kristina ~ talking about a new website making the rounds that we may have had a hand in...
NaNo2.org i
Oct 9 2025 8 min
Writing Confessions (Featuring listener participation by YOU!)
What's your deepest, darkest writing secret? 👀
This week, your hosts Kristina and Liz tell all, including anonymous submissions from our listeners. Thank you to eve
Oct 1 2025 20 min
The 10k Day: Can you do it? Should you?
To some, the idea of writing 10,000 words in a day is a wild fantasy they may only dream of; to others, it's a standard part of NaNoWriMo. What does it really take t
Sep 24 2025 20 min
Kristina's 20th novel but mostly KPop Demon Hunters
It's time for an update with your hosts! In today's episode, we talk about what we've been working on since last season, what we might do for this year&apo
Sep 18 2025 20 min
Catching up with Write Your Damn Novel!
Hey everyone! Your hosts Kristina and Liz are back for SEASON 7 of Write Your Damn Novel, and we're so excited to jump in with ya'll for 2025. In this first epi
Sep 10 2025 12 min
Tropes we love & tropes we hate
Love 'em or hate 'em, tropes are a major part of narrative storytelling. The important thing is understanding them, so you can either use (or avoid!) them to yo
Nov 30 2024 45 min
Oh no I'm behind on my word count
You know, sometimes it happens. You prepare in whatever way works for you, you carve out time, you buy new fuzzy socks... and you still manage to fall behind.
In today&a
Nov 22 2024 17 min
Writing with a full time job
Listen, we get it. You go to work, and then you come home exhausted. All you want to do is relax, or watch TV, or collapse in bed. How do you prioritize writing when your
Nov 14 2024 25 min
November 2024 Pep Talk + Updates
Generic store-brand November Writing Challenge begins in 2 days! Listen for words of encouragement and an update on the ways your hosts Kristina and Liz will be tackling
Oct 30 2024 13 min
Side characters are people too
How do you make your side characters feel like real people? Do you need side characters? How many should you have? There's so much to consider when developing your c
Oct 25 2024 22 min
Can I write fanfiction in November?
This is something we hear a lot when people are considering what to write in November: does fanfiction count? is it allowed? can I write it?
In today's episode, hos
Oct 17 2024 27 min
Chart trend
Position in the Books chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#101#200AugSepOct
#67
all-time peak
8
days in the top 100 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Write Your Damn Novel: A podcast about writing a book in a month ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 9, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
This podcast has been extremely helpful to me with my writing. They have comprehendible information that doesn't overwhelm me, and it's really fun to listen to. Both of them are super funny and relatable, and I just love listening to their antics and writing stories (they could probably make a podcast just about that).Even though NaNo is not running anymore, the advice, encouragement and support they give is good to help you reach any kind of writing goal that has a deadline(and any kind of writing goal in general). Again these people have help me a lot to start putting my ideas on the page.
Wylie🪿 · Jun 2026
I started listening to this show when I discovered it in September. I had been planning to do nano for almost year at this point, and finding a podcast dedicated to nano was incredibly encouraging! I binge listened to all the episodes (minus like three that were restricted due to parental restrictions). I love the conversation aspect of the podcast. The only problem I have is this: I’m ready for the next episode!
I even went and found Liz and Kristina on the nano website just to see your projects—wow! I can’t believe you’ve won so many times. I lost when I was fourteen and didn’t participate for years. I won this year, and it was the most fun writing project I’ve ever done. Thank you!
You can rest assured I’ll be rewriting my nano project. While I have indie published several novels, this is a book I am going to one day have traditionally published. Thank you again!
Erin Hylands · Dec 2023
If there was ever a segment on a morning show regarding NaNoWriMo there are certain people that should be interviewed. Chris Baty…yes. Grant Faulkner…yes. After Grant…it would be negligent not to interview Liz and Kristina. How to Win Nano is a great podcast that discusses NaNoWriMo in an encouraging way. Their knowledge about NaNoWriMo is so valuable. Liz and Kristian are generous with their time in creating this podcast. It is so nice to have How to Win Nano available for the writing journey. Thank you so much.
GJSNY · Sep 2023
Hi!! It’s my very first NaNoWriMo and I’ve been frantically looking for information to help me be successful. Your episode detailing the hero’s journey totally unlocked the details of my plot and I’m using the diagram you created!! Can’t wait to keep listening ❤️📕
leilajjordan · Nov 2022
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