Have you always wanted to write a novel? Perhaps you’ve been too scared to start, haven’t had time, or stalled after the first few pages? NaNoWriMo can help!
Many things make the NaNoWriMo formula work: community, accountability, creative momentum, etc. If you get the formula right, NaNoWriMo is magic (which is why so many of us in the NaNo-verse cling to it even after the demise of the non-profit).
But, the most important part of the NaNoWriMo formula is the part where you sit your butt in a chair and write, and write, and write, and want to get up, but you don’t. You write some more. You run out of ideas, so you just start to write something random. And maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t. But now you have words on a page that didn’t exist before.
One method to create a consistent writing habit is a word count or progress tracker. It will help you stay accountable, see your progress clearly, and maintain momentum. In other words, it tells you if you are allowed to get up from your chair or if you need to keep writing. Tracking your progress allows you to celebrate small goals throughout the month, and also catch yourself before you fall too far behind.
Progress trackers
You can find a variety of writing/progress trackers on NaNo 2.0’s Writing Tools page. And there are many more out there across the internet!
Not every writer tracks progress the same way. The best system is the one you’ll actually use. Here are three common types and their benefits:
1. Paper Trackers
Paper trackers are simple and satisfying. A notebook, calendar, or printable chart lets you physically write down your daily goal and totals. Many writers enjoy the tactile element of ticking boxes or filling in word counts by hand. It’s also a great option if you want to unplug from screens. Paper trackers can be customized with stickers, colors, or drawings, turning your progress into a creative ritual.
Best for: Writers who love stationery, enjoy visual progress, or find motivation in physically marking milestones.
Two we like: These come from our Young Novelist Challenge workbook, but are useful for any age! The Writing Calendar tracker allows you to pick a time to write and set a daily writing goal.
The Personal Chart of Noveling Progress tracker focuses on percent milestones. This makes your progress easy to visualize.
2. Spreadsheet Trackers
Spreadsheet trackers blend flexibility with precision. You can download premade trackers with automatic totals, progress charts, etc. But these spreadsheets can also often be modified to fit your needs. Many writers enjoy the clear structure and control that spreadsheets offer without the distractions of being online.
Best for: Writers who like data and spreadsheets, want full control over their tracking, or prefer a simple, but powerful system.
Two we like: The NaNo 2.0’s Excel Progress Tracker is an easy-to-use word count tracker that comes in two versions: locked and unlocked. Users can set a custom word count goal and track words over any period, up to one year. The tracker shares some quick statistics like average words per day.
Writing Quest’s Google Sheet Progress Tracker helps you track your progress (words and/or hours) over 30 days. It also allows you to set daily goals and celebrate each day’s success. This is more robust than most spreadsheet trackers, with multiple tabs of information. It is also the only one that I know of that has hidden Easter Eggs–8 total in the latest release! (Hint: Hidden Easter Egg #5 is a haiku that changes based on whether you selected a goal of “Writing," “Editing," or both.)
Note: This tracker should be kept as a Google Doc; downloading it as an Excel file may affect some functionality.
3. Online Trackers
Online trackers offer convenience and community. These tools automatically total your word counts and display your progress with charts or streak markers. Many allow you to track multiple projects, set flexible goals, and adjust metrics from words to hours or tasks. Some even include forums or leaderboards, giving you extra motivation through shared milestones. You can access your data from any device, making it easy to stay on track wherever you write.
Best for: Writers who enjoy digital tools, like accountability, or find motivation in structured systems and shared progress.
One we like: Pacemaker allows you to vary the pace of your challenge. Do you want a steady pace with the same word count goal each day? Or, are you able to write more during the weekdays? Weekends? Start off strong? Or increase your daily word count as the month goes on? Pacemaker lets you adjust the intensity of the challenge with different “strategies.” Plus, it has 40 different metrics: various units of writing, time, weight, distance, etc. So, it is great for whatever your project is.
No matter which system you choose, tracking your progress turns writing from a dream into a habit. Progress trackers aren’t just tools—they are quiet cheerleaders reminding you that every small step moves your story forward. Keep tracking, keep writing, and soon you’ll have more than progress—you’ll have a novel. We look forward to hearing about your progress in November.