You Wrote 50,000 Words—Now What? What to Do After National Novel Writing Month Ends

You did it—you wrote a book (or at least a big start of one) in thirty days! That’s huge. You set a goal and kept showing up when many would have called it quits. Seriously, stop and let it sink in: You finished National Novel Writing Month.

Even though the original NaNoWriMo nonprofit no longer exists, the spirit of the challenge is very much alive. Writers around the world continue to tackle the November goal of 50,000 words through communities like Dabble, Reedsy, and other unofficial groups. By finishing your draft, you’ve joined this global community of determined writers who’ve taken action on their best story ideas.

Now, you might be asking yourself, “What comes next?” Every November, thousands of writers face the same question after reaching “The End.” After 30 days of nearly nonstop writing, it’s time to slow down, step back, and decide how to move your hard-earned draft forward.

So let’s turn the page to your next chapter: how to move your manuscript forward confidently, calmly, and strategically.

1. Take a well-earned break

You just finished a creative marathon. And like any marathoner, the best thing you can do after crossing the finish line is to recover.

Give yourself permission to rest. Take a week—or even a few—to step away from your manuscript. Reset your brain. Celebrate your hard work. Catch up on reading, walking, or sleeping. Tell people you finished a book! Even if your manuscript is still in progress, you deserve a break.

And know this: Taking a break isn’t lazy—it’s essential. When you distance yourself from your story for a while, you’ll gain the clarity to see it with fresh eyes later. You’ll start noticing where the pacing might drag, where the drama builds, and where your characters still have more to say.

When you come back, you’ll be ready to approach your manuscript as both its creator and its reader.

2. Reflect on what you learned

Once you have a draft, it’s tempting to want to start editing immediately—resist that urge. Right now, your story is still finding its shape. Instead of fixing it line by line, start by reflecting.

Think of this stage as a creative debrief. Ask yourself: 

• What surprised me as I wrote?
• Which parts felt easy, and which felt like a struggle?
• What did I learn about my writing process?

These questions help you understand yourself as a writer. National Novel Writing Month is as much a crash course in creative habits as it is in storytelling. Maybe you learned that you write best early in the morning or that you hit your stride after 1,000 words. Maybe you discovered that plotting ahead saves you stress or that spontaneity fuels your imagination. Whatever it may be, reflect on those lessons.

3. Reconnect with your story’s “Why”

Now that the pressure of the word count is gone, return to the reasons you started this story in the first place.

Why did you write it? Was it to tell a story you couldn’t stop thinking about? To prove you could finish something big? To share a message or emotion that matters to you?

Revisiting that purpose is what turns revision from drudgery into discovery. As you edit, you’ll make choices that bring your story closer to that original spark.

Try writing down a single sentence that captures your book’s heart. Keep it visible as you revise to guide you when you’re unsure whether to cut, expand, or rewrite.

4. Read your draft like a reader

Once you’re ready to return, start by reading your draft from beginning to end—without editing. Yes, that’s hard, but the goal is to read it like your readers will.

As you read, take notes on what feels strong and what feels off. Where does the story flow? Where do you lose interest? Are your characters consistent? Is your pacing too fast or too slow?

Resist the temptation to fix every typo or awkward line. That’s called line editing, and it’ll come later. For now, focus on bigger-picture elements like structure and story—what works, what doesn’t, and what needs more clarity or depth.

Finally, resist the temptation to be too self-critical. Remember the celebration we mentioned earlier? You’re still in that phase, too.

5. Get professional feedback before you edit too deeply

After spending a month immersed in your story, it’s nearly impossible to see it objectively. That’s why now is a great time to get a professional perspective.

A manuscript evaluation is an editorial review that gives you high-level feedback on your book’s structure, pacing, characters, and overall narrative flow. This is different from a detailed line edit, which looks closely at grammar and punctuation. Instead, it’s a big-picture guide to help you understand what’s working and what needs refinement.

Many authors find this step to be the most valuable part of the post-National Novel Writing Month process. It saves time, prevents burnout, and helps you make smarter decisions during revision.

And because we love supporting authors through this stage, Elite Authors is giving away five free professional manuscript evaluations to NaNoWriMo participants this month. It’s a chance to get expert guidance on how to take your story from rough draft to ready-to-revise.

Wrap up your National Novel Writing Month journey by entering to win a free manuscript evaluation

6. Build your momentum for the next phase

The hardest part of writing your book is behind you. You’ve proven you can show up for your story, day after day. That’s what makes you a writer. And that momentum doesn’t have to end in November.

Once you’ve taken a reflective pause, set small, achievable goals for the next stage of book editing. Maybe it’s reading through your entire manuscript by a certain date. Maybe it’s outlining your first round of revisions. Or maybe it’s getting a professional manuscript evaluation to give you a clearer roadmap to publishing.

Progress doesn’t have to be dramatic. Just use the same persistence that carried you through National Novel Writing Month to get through revisions and one step closer to having a published book in your hands.

7. Celebrate how far you’ve come

As you dive back into your draft, don’t forget to take another moment to appreciate what you’ve accomplished. Maybe you’ve written 10,000 words or 50,000; either way, you’ve built a foundation to grow from.

And remember, every published author started with a messy first draft and the determination to make it better.

So take your break, plan your next steps, and when you’re ready, we’re here to help you take your story to the next level.

Because finishing National Novel Writing Month isn’t the end, but the beginning.

NaNoWriMo is finished—now it’s time to finish your manuscript strong

National Novel Writing Month may be over, but your writing journey is far from finished. Rest, reflect, and revise—but don’t lose sight of the fact that you’ve already done something remarkable.

When you’re ready to polish that draft, Elite Authors is here to help you find the exact steps you need to take, continue your momentum, and publish with confidence.

Finish your National Novel Writing Month journey strong by entering to win one of five free professional manuscript evaluations.