NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, takes place in November and challenges budding authors to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days, with online forums and communities to support them and let them commiserate over plot problems like finding a good ending. Morgenstern wrote "The Night Circus" as part of NaNoWriMo. The only other big commercial success to come out of NaNoWriMo so far? Publishing juggernaut "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen.