Hard to believe, but it's true: we're in the final stretch of 2025's Year-End Marathon. If my calculations are correct, this should put par at 24 days or 24 590 words, depending on your pledge type. Any way you look at it, that's a lot. If you're on par or ahead of the curve, congrats, you're amazing. If you've fallen behind, that's okay, too. You're trying and that also makes you amazing. Yes, even those who feel (rightly or wrongly) there is no way you can meet your pledge. Abuela is proud of all of you!

So as we enter this final stretch, how are things going? If you've hit your goal, are you going to keep going? If you haven't, do you have any strategies you intend to use to carve out writing time during this busy time of year? What can we do to help you, ahem, get your words out?

For myself, after (accidentally) hitting my goal in the first week of the month, I've let myself shift gears a bit to work on revising and rewriting, while also being very aware that the last half of this month was likely to be Very Tiring. Banking so many words in November definitely helped take the pressure off, but I'm going to keep at it for at least another week. For one thing, I've got some dangling ends I'd like to get settled before the new year!

Whether you're soaring ahead or trailing behind, the fact that you've tried at all is awesome. Writing is hard work! Writing in December is even harder! No matter how things have gone over the course of this marathon, I hope you've found it useful. And if you feel up for an even bigger challenge, pledging for 2026 is open! Pledging unlocks the full GYWO experience starting January 1st, so if you think you'd like to join us, we'd be happy to have you.

Whatever your holidays this busy season, we wish you the best. May your heart be full, your mind at peace, and your favorite beverage at the exactly right temperature.