PortoWriMo 2025 Guide
A comprehensive guide to participating in Porto's local writing challenge, where writers of all levels come together to write 50,000 words in 30 days.
Purpose of PortoWriMo 2025
PortoWriMo 2025 is a local writing challenge hosted by Just Write Porto, inspired by the international National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) event. The purpose is to provide a structured and supportive environment where writers of all levels can challenge themselves to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days — from November 1 to November 30, 2025.
This guide adapts the Writing Quests Framework to serve as a creative and motivational tool for our community of writers in Porto (and beyond). Together, we'll embark on a shared adventure of creativity, discovery, and storytelling.

THIS IS NOT A WORKSHOP OR CRITIQUE EVENT. At no point during the challenge will your work be submitted or reviewed. This challenge is focused on keeping you writing.
50,000 Words
Your ambitious writing goal for the month
30 Days
November 1-30, 2025
All Levels Welcome
From aspiring to experienced writers
About Just Write Porto
Just Write Porto is a community of writers from around the world who live in or near Porto, Portugal. We host weekly writing sessions, creative workshops, author events, and collaborative challenges. Our goal is to make writing a consistent, joyful, and communal experience. PortoWriMo 2025 is one of our biggest events of the year — a celebration of creativity, discipline, and storytelling.
Stay connected through:
  • Substack Newsletter: PortoWriMo 2025 Substack — This dedicated Substack publication will serve as the central online hub for PortoWriMo 2025. It will include all essential guides, event details, key links, and daily Notes posts filled with inspiration, prompts, and encouragement. Participants can also find updates on local events, highlights from the WhatsApp community, and featured writing resources. The Substack includes a Chat section where writers can stay connected with fellow participants throughout the challenge, exchange ideas, and support each other's progress.
  • Substack Chat: Dedicated space for check-ins, support, and accountability, allowing participants to connect and organize "pop-up" writing sessions. The Substack Chat section keeps writers connected throughout the challenge to exchange ideas and encourage each other's progress.
Key Events
To make this quest even more engaging, we'll be meeting in person to celebrate key milestones:
1
Kick-Off Events
November 1st (Saturday AM) – Zoom Online Morning Kick-Off Meeting: Launch the challenge together with introductions, a tour of online tools, and Q&A. RSVP via our MeetUp page.
November 1st (Saturday PM) – Networking Kick-Off Meeting: Casual MeetUp event at a local cafe to meet fellow PortoWriMo participants. RSVP via our MeetUp page (space is limited).
2
Mid-Month Challenge MeetUp
Mid-November 2025 – A fun, social session to reconnect, share progress, and re-energize your writing momentum.
3
Celebration Event
December 1, 2025 – A special evening to celebrate every participant's achievements and share excerpts from your November writing journey.
Quest Guides
Our Quest Guides are here to help lead the way, providing encouragement, structure, and creative inspiration throughout the month.
Quest Guide Leader
Justin Knepper
Organizer of Just Write Porto and facilitator of PortoWriMo 2025. Justin will oversee the challenge, share weekly guidance through the Substack newsletter, and moderate the WhatsApp group to keep participants motivated and connected.
Quest Guide Ambassadors
Kathy Harms and Becky Higgins
These ambassadors will help support the online community by sharing motivational posts, writing tips, and inspiration across the Substack Newsletter. Their contributions will help maintain momentum, spark creativity, and keep the community connected throughout the challenge.
Objectives & Audience
PortoWriMo 2025 is designed to:
Motivate
Motivate participants to set and achieve an ambitious writing goal.
Encourage
Encourage daily writing habits and creative consistency.
Support
Support participants through community, accountability, and shared enthusiasm.
Celebrate
Celebrate progress and creative exploration over perfection.
This event welcomes:
  • Aspiring novelists looking for structure and community support.
  • Experienced writers eager to commit to a new draft or complete a lingering project.
  • Creative explorers who want to discover the joy of writing daily.
  • Educators, students, and hobbyists who want to challenge themselves creatively.
PortoWriMo Framework Elements
Event Name
Quest Type
Novel Writing
Quest Activity
Write 50,000 words in 30 days
Time Frame
Start Date: November 1, 2025
End Date: November 30, 2025
Suggested Quest Projects
  • Novels or novellas
  • Memoirs or autobiographical fiction
  • Short story collections
  • Any long-form fiction or nonfiction project that meets the word goal
Progress Tracking
Writing 50,000 words can feel daunting — that's why we track progress together.
Ways to Track Your Progress:
1
Word Count Tracker
Use our shared Google Sheet or your own method to log daily progress.
When you first click on the Google Sheet tracker link, it will prompt you to make a copy right away. This ensures the original file stays unchanged and allows you to use your own version as needed.
2
Daily Updates
Check in with the Substack Notes and Chat for accountability, encouragement, and writing sprints.
3
Weekly Newsletter Updates
The Substack newsletter will include milestones, writing tips, pep talks, and spotlights on local participants.
Recommended Milestones
23%
Day 7
11,667 words
47%
Day 14
23,334 words
70%
Day 21
35,001 words
100%
Day 30
50,000 words
Remember: progress over perfection. Even if you don't hit 50K, you'll still have more written than you started with — and that's a win.
Community & Recognition
Community & Connection
PortoWriMo 2025 will thrive on collaboration and community engagement. Participants are encouraged to:
  • Join the Substack Chat for motivation, sprint sessions, and virtual camaraderie.
  • Subscribe to the Substack newsletter for weekly encouragement, resources, and local writing updates.
  • Participate in the Kick-Off Events, Mid-Month Challenge MeetUp, and Celebration Event to connect with fellow writers, share progress, and celebrate success together.
Awards & Recognition
While there will be no badges in this challenge, participants who reach their personal goals (whether 50,000 words or otherwise) will be celebrated in the final PortoWriMo 2025 newsletter and invited to share excerpts during our Celebration Event on December 1, 2025.
Each participant will also receive a digital certificate of completion and a digital badge acknowledging their dedication and creativity.
FAQ & Final Words
Frequently Asked Questions
When does writing start?
Writing begins at 12:00 am on November 1, 2025, and ends at 11:59 pm on November 30, 2025, local time. Join us for the Kick-Off Event on November 1 to start strong!
Do I need to start a new project?
No. You can continue an existing project, but only words written during November count toward your total.
Can I prepare beforehand?
Yes! Outlining, research, and planning before November are encouraged — but no actual drafting until Day 1.
What genres are allowed?
Anything! Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, fantasy, romance, sci-fi, experimental — all genres are welcome.
How do I validate my progress?
You'll take personal responsibility for tracking your progress, celebrating milestones, and noting achievements. Share your updates, accomplishments, and goals with the community through Substack Chat.
Is there a prize for finishing?
The real prize is your finished draft and a thriving community cheering you on. Every participant who commits and contributes will be recognized and celebrated at the December 1 Celebration Event.
Final Words
PortoWriMo 2025 isn't just about writing a novel — it's about forming habits, finding your voice, and being part of a vibrant creative community. Whether you cross the 50,000-word finish line or simply write more than you thought possible, you'll leave November with momentum, inspiration, and a story that's uniquely yours.
Join us. Write boldly. Tell your story.
Subscribe to PortoWriMo 2025 Substack
💬 Join the WhatsApp group (link in welcome email after registration)
🎉 Attend the Kick-Off, Mid-Month MeetUp, and Celebration Events to make the most of your PortoWriMo 2025 journey!