🕯️ NaNoWriMo: Writing Through Grief, One Word at a Time

Geri Watson
Nov 3, 2025
2 min read

November brings falling leaves, early dusks—and for many, a quiet ache. It also brings NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, a global invitation to write 50,000 words in 30 days. But for those navigating grief, this challenge can feel less like a sprint and more like a pilgrimage.

At Orion’s Legacy, we believe writing is more than a creative act—it’s a way to honor, to remember, and to heal. NaNoWriMo offers a sacred space to explore the stories that grief leaves behind.

🌿 Why NaNoWriMo Can Be a Gentle Companion in Grief

A Place to Speak the Unspeakable: Grief often silences us. Writing gives it voice. Whether through fiction, memoir, or letters to those we've lost, NaNoWriMo becomes a container for truth.
Structure in the Chaos: When life feels unmoored, a daily writing practice can offer rhythm and refuge.
Connection Without Pressure: You’re not alone. Thousands of writers are showing up to the page—some joyful, some broken, all brave.

✨ How to Approach NaNoWriMo When You're Grieving

Redefine Success: Your goal might not be 50,000 words. It might be one page of honesty. One paragraph of memory. One sentence that lets you breathe.
Write What Hurts, Write What Heals: Your story doesn’t have to be polished. It just has to be yours. Let the page hold your sorrow, your love, your longing.
Create Rituals of Care: Light a candle for your loved one. Play their favorite song. Let writing become a way to visit them.
Honor Your Pace: Some days, the words won’t come. That’s okay. Grief is not linear, and neither is creativity.