Tag Archives: nanowrimo

30 in 30 : Day One – Where to begin?

Posted in 30 in 30, Writing Exercises by

Let’s get a little different with this 30 day challenge. At the end, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a collection or an almost finished something? If you aren’t writing a novel you could put together a collection of short stories, poems or essays. Whatever you decide to do make sure you are really stretching your creativity.

So… it is day one. Where shall we begin?

I like to begin with a character. Create a scene or a poem that describes your fictional (or real) character. Consider this the first impression that you WANT your readers to get. Play up all the highlights. You are basically selling your character to the reader.

Go for it!

To outline or not to outline… #NaNoWriMo Prep

Posted in NaNoWriMo, On Writing by

So if you are participating in NaNoWriMo (and you really should) you might be wondering if you should outline your project or not.

Honestly, it is entirely up to you. There is no right or wrong way to do this.

If you have an idea and things that you really want to include you may want to do an outline or a checklist to make sure that you don’t forget anything. If you are just winging it, don’t worry about it.

I do a little of both. I hate outlines. They make me feel trapped. However, I do use them along with lists in limited ways. I have outlined what I am thinking when I don’t want to forget things. I hardly ever stick to it exactly. Mostly I just let the story take me where it wants to go.

If you aren’t sure what to do then try it out and see if you like it. If you don’t, trash it and try something else.

November is almost here!

Are you ready for NaNoWriMo 2014?

Posted in NaNoWriMo by

Have you started thinking about your project for National Novel Writing Month?

(If you don’t know what I am talking about you should check out the NaNoWriMo Website.)

50,000 words in 30 days can be daunting… especially if you have no clue what you are going to be writing about. Now is the time to really start focusing in on a vague idea of where you want to start. It is perfectly okay to let the story go wherever it wants to go. In fact I find that to be the way with the most fun.

I have begun to develop two characters and a general idea of where I want to start. I tend to start most of my writing with a character.

You can start with a situation, a character, a setting, or even a simple object. You can take a writing prompt and see how far you can take it.

The key is to find that starting point so you are ready to go November 1st.

NaNoWriMo prompts – 29/30 & 30/30

Posted in 2013 NaNoWriMo 30/30 by

29/30

Attempt to describe a color to someone who has been blind their entire life.

 

30/30

What does true happiness look like to you or your character? Truly take some time to allow to the reader to feel what you feel.

 

Happy Writing!

NaNoWriMo prompts – 27/30 & 28/30

Posted in 2013 NaNoWriMo 30/30 by

27/30

Make a list of 5 to 10 things you dislike/hate about yourself (or your character hates about themselves).

Now write a love note, poem, or story honoring those things and how they make you (or your character) unique.

 

28/30

Write about a smile, and how thankful you are for it. Write about more than one if you are so moved. If you are a fiction writer, write about a smile that changes your character’s life or outlook.

 

Happy Writing!

NaNoWriMo prompt – 26/30

Posted in 2013 NaNoWriMo 30/30 by

You, or your character, just got a chance to play 20 questions with anyone (dead, alive, famous, or infamous). What are you asking?

 

Happy Writing!

NaNoWriMo prompt – 25/30

Posted in 2013 NaNoWriMo 30/30 by

Write a 25 word, 25 line, 25 stanza, 25 paragraph, or 25 page piece on the art and/or act of falling in love.

Happy writing!

NaNoWriMo prompt – 24/30

Posted in 2013 NaNoWriMo 30/30 by

Take something old and make it new again.

Go in your stash of old writing. Take an old piece and give it life again.

 

Happy Writing!

NaNoWriMo prompt – 23/30

Posted in 2013 NaNoWriMo 30/30 by

What is your spirit animal? Or what is your character’s spirit animal? Which animal best represents you?

Happy writing!

NaNoWriMo prompt – 21/30

Posted in 2013 NaNoWriMo 30/30 by

Micromoments are six word stories or poems. Take ten minutes and create as many as you can to describe you story, longer poem, or essay. Then leave them alone for a while. Come back no less than an hour later and see where some of them take you.

 

Happy Writing!