The calendar has turned, the "New Year, New Me" gym memberships are in full swing, but for us Wattpadders, that can only mean one thing: it's time to start that story you've been dreaming about.
Whether you have a folder full of "Chapter 1" drafts or you're waiting for that perfect spark of inspiration, February officially kicks off the writing season here at Wattpad. Two of the community's biggest traditions are returning, and they both kick off on February 1st!
The Open Novella Contest (ONC): From Prompt to Publication
For those who crave a bit more structure and don't necessarily have that perfect idea waiting in the wings, the Open Novella Contest is for you! A Wattpad staple, it's for those writers who have sat at their computer staring at a blank screen. We'll give you a massive list of prompts designed to get those fingers moving.
What it is: A multi-month contest where writers choose one of several official prompts and develop it into a novella (typically 20,000 to 40,000 words) through a series of timed milestones.
The Milestones: You start small! You only need 2,000 words to pass the first round. As the contest progresses, you grow your story alongside hundreds of other writers.
The Perks: Not only does it help you finish a story in a manageable timeframe, but it's also a fantastic way to get your work seen by the community and the contest's dedicated team of judges. You'll also have a completed story ready to go for Watty's season!
The 30-Day Writing Challenge (30DC): Building the Habit
If your New Year's resolution was to finally write with some consistency, the 30-Day Challenge is your best friend. This challenge isn't about writing a masterpiece or finishing a 100,000-word epic: it's about the practice of showing up for your story every single day.
What it is: A Wattpad ambassador-led initiative where writers commit to writing every day for the month of February.
The Goal: To build a sustainable writing habit and overcome the dreaded "writer's block" by focusing on progress over perfection.
Why we love it: There's no pressure to meet a specific word count. Whether you write 50 words or 5,000, you're winning as long as you're typing. It's the perfect way to get those creative gears turning after a long hiatus. AND it's the perfect challenge to get cracking to enter in the Wattys 2026.
Why February 1st is the Magic Date
You might be wondering: Why start in February? On Wattpad, February 1st is the day the Open Novella Contest prompts are officially revealed AND a fresh 30-Day Challenge kicks off. There is a specific kind of magic in the air when the entire community is hitting "Publish" on a new first chapter at the exact same time.
Starting a new story can be intimidating, but it's a lot easier when you know thousands of other authors are in the same boat, fuelled by caffeine and the shared excitement of a fresh plot.
Are you ready for a New Year and a New Story? Or are you looking for a teeny bit more help?
Our Creator Portal is jam-packed with resources and tips on how to write on Wattpad. We've also partnered up with ProWritingAid on their new Novel Beginnings competition — keep your eye out for more details, because one writer will take home $50,000!
In the meantime, the Open Novella prompts are coming, the community is waiting, and your characters are ready to be brought to life. February 1st is just around the corner. 2026 is your year: whether you're finishing a story for the first time or finishing your 10th, this is the perfect moment to dive into the 30DC or find your spark in an ONC prompt. Remember, Wattys 2026 is just around the corner!
Tell us in the comments about t story you're working on right now!
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