Rainstorms are becoming a more regular occurrence, leaves litter the ground and most people are screaming about midterms. Fall has arrived, bringing with it an abundance of creative challenges to shine a light as we head into the darkest months of the year.
One such annual challenge is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, which encourages people of all ages across the world to write a 50,000-word novel in the November’s 30 days.
Lex Miller | Argonaut
For some, the goal is not to write a large manuscript, but to instead get their creative juices flowing and get into the habit of writing every day.
As a way to prepare for November, I will be providing a series of prompts once a week, as well as journaling about my own efforts to prepare for NaNoWriMo. I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I do.
Prompt Series No. 1
- Brainstorm 10 random adjectives. Write a short story of at least 100 words using these words.
- Write at least a page based off of this phrase: “They blew the layers of dust off of the old tome …”
- What is your favorite memory? Write a page in which a character experiences something similar but change at least three aspects of the event.
- Write a letter in which a character admits something to someone they wish they had admitted earlier (perhaps the character who would have read the letter has since died or cut off contact with the character writing the letter).
- Describe your ideal story setting in less than 75 words
- What is your character’s most precious belonging? Why is it precious to them? How did they obtain it?
- Write a journal entry from your character. Describe their habits and the course of their typical day.
Inspiration and Updates from an Aspiring Author
October has just begun, but that is no excuse to not start preparing for NaNoWriMo. Last month, the official NaNo Facebook posted a daily challenge set to help participants prepare for November, so I’ve started doing that and brainstorming possible story ideas.
My favorite way to come up with story ideas is to lie down and close my eyes while listening to music. Plotlines will knit themselves together and characters will appear out of nowhere, dragging me into their narratives.
I also find inspiration walking through campus alone, enjoying the scenery and eavesdropping in the Idaho Commons, as well as people watching in downtown Moscow, Idaho. There are plenty of ways to get prepared to write a story.
When I come up with an idea, I jot it down in my messy planner or make a nearly illegible note somewhere on my phone. I don’t always remember to come back to them, but they are always helpful when I do.
This year, I think I will write a fantasy story about a girl who gets lost in the woods and end up leaving as a witch. The remainder of the story will center on her return to modern life with this knowledge of magical power. I haven’t nailed down any of the details, and although, this description is rough and may change, it’s a start.