7 free tools for your November novel
Writing 50,000 words in a month is easier with the right tools. We checked each of these ourselves. One of them is ours, and we put it last.
These seven are free to use. Where a tool has paid extras, we say so. We have no deal with the others and are not paid to list them. Details change, so check each site before you sign up.
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1
Novel November
A free 30-day challenge, November 1 to 30, with daily sprints and more than 150 live workshops. Word counts can be logged from Word, Scrivener or Google Docs, or by hand.
Free foreverFree account to joinNov 1 to 30Visit Novel November -
2
Reedsy Studio
Write and format a whole book in your browser. Core writing and formatting are free with a free Reedsy account. Writing stats and advanced outlining are paid extras.
Core writing is freeFree accountStats and outlining are paidVisit Reedsy Studio -
3
Reedsy plot generator
Stuck on structure? It builds a plot in acts, using 3-act, 5-act, Save the Cat, Hero's Journey or 7-point structure. Lock the acts you like and regenerate the rest.
Free generatorFive story structuresTry the plot generator -
4
FocusWriter
A distraction-free word processor with daily word goals. The interface hides away until you move the mouse to the edge of the screen.
Free and open sourceWindows and LinuxDaily goalsVisit FocusWriter -
5
Google Docs
Write anywhere, on any device. Novel November can log your count from it, so your word processor and your challenge stay in step.
Free with a Google accountAny deviceOpen Google Docs -
6
Your phone's timer
Write for 25 minutes, rest for 5, repeat. Sprints beat staring at a blank page, and the timer is already in your pocket.
FreeAlready on your phone25 on, 5 off -
Ours, and we say so
7
Novel Grove
Log your words, plan Preptober and watch a forest grow with every word you write. It works in your browser, saves everything on your own device, and needs no account.
Free in your browserNo accountOptional Plus upgrade
Logos belong to their owners and appear here only to identify each tool.
Good to know
Questions
How many words a day is 50,000 in November?
About 1,667 a day, because 50,000 divided by 30 days is 1,667.
Is NaNoWriMo still running?
The nonprofit that ran it closed on March 31, 2025. Writers still take on 50,000 words in November, and tools like these keep the challenge going.
Which of these need an account?
Novel November, Reedsy and Google Docs need a free account. FocusWriter, your phone's timer and Novel Grove don't.
Why is Novel Grove on its own list?
Because it's a tool for the same job. We placed it last and labelled it, so you can see exactly where it fits and judge for yourself.
Pick one. Write the first 1,667.
Every word you log grows a tree.