You can write your novel anywhere you want!
- If you choose to write in the YWP writing space, you’ll see your word count and badges update in real-time as you type and your novel will be stored on our site. However, we won't store your data or retain your account forever, so please back up your work frequently. This is a good idea no matter what tool you're using.
- If you choose to write somewhere else (Google Docs, your notebook, a series of napkins), then make sure you select the “update my word count manually” option when you create your novel, and visit the site often to update your progress.
Final note: you can always change your mind about where to write later and edit your choice in “Novel Settings”—just click the wrench to the upper right of the novel's title.