#writing a novel in November?

[nosebleedclub]

Write out a list of 5-10 scenarios that could make for an interesting story. They don’t have to be developed, they can be just interesting ideas you have in your head.

Example:

- A boy watches his older brother tutoring his best friend on a tennis court and jumps to a conclusion.

- A girl is hiding her mermaid friend in the bathtub during The Search.

- A delayed Amtrak train ride from four different points of view.

- High School, 2013. How a decision picking a dodgeball team during gym class has impacted the present day.

- The boy who everyone called the King of the Swamp grew up to work for a big chemical company.

I came up with these just now! Have fun with it! Basically, these can be good launch points for writing a short story, novel, etc.

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Why Writers Don't Finish Writing Their Stories, and How to Fix It

Hello fellow writers and storytellers,

The journey of writing a story is an exhilarating adventure, but it's not without its share of obstacles. Many of us have embarked on a creative endeavor, only to find ourselves mired in the struggle to finish what we started. In this blog post, I'll unravel the common reasons why writers don't finish their stories and explore practical strategies to overcome these hurdles and reignite the flame of creativity.

The Perils of Unfinished Stories

As writers, we often find ourselves in the throes of unfinished tales, grappling with the intricate web of characters, plots, and themes. There are several reasons why the ink dries up and the story remains untold. Let's shine a light on the familiar adversaries that stand between us and the triumphant completion of our narratives:

1. Lack of Planning:

Some of us brazenly dive into our stories without a clear roadmap, resulting in uncertainty about the direction of the plot and the fate of our characters. The lack of a solid plan can lead us astray, leaving our stories wandering in the wilderness of aimlessness.

2. Self-Doubt and Perfectionism:

Ah, the relentless whispers of self-doubt and the siren call of perfectionism! These twin adversaries can cast a shadow over our creative vision, compelling us to endlessly revise and perfect the early chapters, trapping us in a whirlpool of perpetual edits.

3. Time Management:

Balancing the demands of daily life with the ardor of writing can be akin to walking a tightrope. The struggle to find consistent time for our craft often leaves our stories languishing in prolonged periods of inactivity, longing for the touch of our pen.

4. Writer's Block:

The mighty barrier that even the most intrepid writers encounter. Writer's block can be an insurmountable mountain, leaving us stranded in the valleys of creative drought, unable to breathe life into new ideas and narratives.

5. Lack of Motivation:

The flame that once burned brightly can flicker and wane over time, leaving us adrift in the murky waters of disillusionment. The initial excitement for our stories diminishes, making it arduous to stay committed to the crafting process.

6. Fear of Failure or Success:

The twin specters that haunt many writers' dreams. The apprehension of rejection and the unsettling prospect of life-altering success can tether us to the shores of hesitation, preventing us from reaching the shores of completion.

7. Criticism and Feedback Anxiety:

The looming dread of judgment casts a long shadow over our creative endeavors. The mere thought of receiving criticism or feedback, whether from peers or potential readers, can cast a cloud over our storytelling pursuits.

8. Plotting Challenges:

Crafting a cohesive and engaging plot is akin to navigating a labyrinth without a map. Faced with hurdles in connecting story elements, we may find ourselves lost in a maze of plot holes and unresolved threads.

9. Character Development Struggles:

Breathing life into multi-dimensional, relatable characters is a complex art. The intricate process of character development can become a quagmire, ensnaring us in the challenge of creating personas that drive the story forward. (Part one of Character Development Series)

10. Life Events and Distractions:

Unexpected events in our personal lives can cast ripples on our writing routines, interrupting the flow of our creativity and causing a loss of momentum.

Rallying Against the Odds: Strategies for Success

Now that we've confronted the adversaries that threaten to stall our storytelling odysseys, let's arm ourselves with strategies to conquer these barriers and reignite the flames of our creativity.

Embrace the Power of Planning:

A clear roadmap illuminates the path ahead. Arm yourself with outlines, character sketches, and plot maps to pave the way for your story's journey.

Vanquish Self-Doubt with Action:

Silence the voices of doubt with the power of progress. Embrace the imperfect beauty of your early drafts, knowing that every word brings you closer to the finish line.

Mastering the Art of Time:

Carve out sacred writing time in your schedule. Whether it’s ten minutes or two hours, every moment dedicated to your craft is a step forward.

Conquering Writer's Block:

Embrace the freedom of imperfection. Write, even if the words feel like scattered puzzle pieces. The act of writing can unravel the most stubborn knots of writer's block.

Reigniting the Flame of Motivation:

Seek inspiration in the wonders of the world. Reconnect with the heart of your story, rediscovering the passion that set your creative spirit ablaze.

Reshaping Fear into Fuel:

Embrace the uncertainty as an integral part of the creative journey. Embrace the lessons within rejection and prepare for the winds of change that success may bring.

Navigating the Realm of Criticism:

Embrace feedback as a catalyst for growth. Constructive criticism is a powerful ally, shaping your story into a work of art that resonates with readers.

Weaving the Threads of Plot:

Connect the dots with fresh eyes. Step back and survey the tapestry of your plot, seeking innovative solutions to bridge the gaps and untangle the knots.

Breathing Life into Characters:

Engage with your characters as if they were old friends. Dive into their depths, unraveling their quirks, fears, and dreams, and watch as they breathe life into your story.

Navigating Life's Tempests:

Embrace the ebb and flow of life. Every pause in your writing journey is a chance to gather new experiences and perspectives, enriching your storytelling tapestry.

The Ever-Resting Pen: Harnessing the Power Within

Fellow writers, the journey of completing a story is filled with peaks and valleys, each offering us the opportunity to sharpen our resolve and unleash our creative potential. As we stand at the crossroads, staring at the canvas of unfinished tales, let's rally against the odds, armed with the power of purpose, passion, and perseverance.

Let the ink flow once more, breathing life into tales left untold, and watch as your stories triumphantly reach their long-awaited conclusion. You possess the power to conquer the adversaries that stand in your way, and within you lies the essence of untold narratives waiting to unfurl onto the page.

Here's to the journey that lies ahead, the stories waiting to be written, and the unyielding spirit of creativity that thrives within each of us.

Warm regards and unwavering encouragement, Ren T.

[the-bar-sinister]

There is no story that you are "not a skilled enough writer" to write.

If you have a story you want to write , write it, even if you're worried about not doing it justice.

A first draft does not have to be perfect.

Your writing can always be improved later.

Your writing will never improve unless you actually write.

The worst kind of story is the kind that never gets written at all.

[phantomkinoc13]

WRITE NOVEMBER!

Because nanowrimo decided to allow AI bullshit this year, we’re saying fuck ‘em, and doing our own november writing prompts!

November is still national (novel) writing month, but we say NO AI IN ART OR WRITING!! Join us saying No to ai in writing with No-AI-November, and do WRITE NOVEMBER this year, instead!

HOW IT WORKS: You can write as you normally would, set word count goals, work on your novel, your fanfics, or just writing scenes you want to write throughout November. You can optionally choose from the list of weekly themes, or daily prompts as you’d like, for inspiration.

REBLOG THIS POST, & USE THE TAGS: ‘write November’ ‘novel November’ or ‘no-ai-November’ as well as any other writing tags you feel appropriate.

Feel free to use either of the images above, when posting writing. Use this post or make your own to post your writing goals, and any work you want to share!

Let’s Write! ✍🏼 💻

[novella-november]

Someone told me a prompt for anyone who would like to practice writing during Novella November, but doesn't have the energy or idea to come up with an original story to write:

Find a Public Domain movie on this wiki page you like, and novelize it after you've watched it at least once :D

You can practice your writing by just novelizing the scenes as you go through the second time, its really good practice for dialogue and descriptions!

This is actually how I started my very first creative writing lol.

When I was like, twelve I think I really liked this one show and wanted to be able to "watch it in my head" while I was at school, so I had a little notebook and I just kept rewatching the first episode in the new season, novelizing it before I even knew that was a *thing*

So, if you want to practice your writing this November but don't want to deal with the pressure of coming up with your own completely original idea.... try *Novelization* November ! :D

The best part is, these movies are Public Domain, which means you can do anything you want with them! If you like the movie but you want to make some changes to the plot or characters, you can freely do whatever you want with it, because it belongs to no-one and everyone :)

[laurachouettepoetry]

October creeps into the room

through faint grey light

that stopped dancing on the windowsill

since July left.

Being haunted by silence

makes the air grow weary

and faintly colder.

I hear the noise of people

walking in solitude,

thinking to themselves about others—

sitting alone in between their steps.

Company of ghosts on lonely eves,

threading through the rustling of leaves.

I can write down what haunts me,

yet I cannot read the ones who do.

October.

- Laura Chouette

[yournovembernovel]

yournovembernovel is a blog for those who want to write 50k words in November (with an option for other word count goals!), unassociated with any organization they don’t trust or agree with. Submit your novel-writing intentions here!

[nepthrene]

i'm trying to find an alternative writing community to do nanowrimo with this year, separate from the "official" website - but every post i'm seeing on here is by people who don't like the 30 day 50k challenge?

i'm specifically looking for writing buddies or a group to join

does anyone know a better way or place to try and find people?

please help

[disasterbuck]

that band chat

buddie | 3k by @veronae-buddie and @disasterbuck

After a night out ends too early, Eddie drunk texts Buck to tell him about his genius new idea...

read on ao3

taglist:

@dluoser @taketheplanspinitsideways @loudenthusiastic @wallywise @mxrcjqckspnchqsc

@therosesaredying @stillfuckingtired @classtrialguru @smolfunpenguin @blackdragonofthenights

@awesome-igi @natnuszsstuff @olliesrants @crazyfangirlallert @delirium1995

@brah3280 @meanceclosetohell @anythingeverythingallofthetime @sunflower-eddiediaz

@darkrose6578 @veronae-buddie @steadfastsaturnsrings @inell

@spicyrottingbrains @gnoeltop @idealuk @donationwayne @lemotmo

@smilingbuckley @realpersonwithrealfeelings @superlock-in-the-tardis @strxwbereee

@idontknowwhatimdoing777 @ashleigh2658 @mari-lwyd-fannibal-blog @mineyneedsmoney

@spotsandsocks @unlifeira @pirrusstuff @buddiedaydreamer911

@littlevampireprincessuniverse @misshiss727 @i-put-the-star-in-bastard @hermioneindisguise @dangerpronebuddie

@specialbrownieeater @blue-winged-boy @bucks-daddy-issues @lightningmcqueer8

@moira112 @lalawitheca @queerweewoo @monsterrae1

Let me know if you'd like to be added or removed 💕

[stardustemotions]

It was November--the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul.

— L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

[badwolf-gallagher88]

Day 11 - Scared

He had once been told there was no fear that could not be vanquished. One could hold a sword in their hand, and defeat one’s foes. One could grasp a parchment and banish the unread and ignorant. Why, one could even mutter a few words and bring about the downfall of an enemy.

Those were the words Elrond Peredhel had believed as the leaves of Lindon began to fall. He had stood beneath the golden bows of the trees of Valinor, and had caught the greying leaves between his fingers. Deftly he had turned them, hoping to see a sign of recovery. Instead all he had seen was poison. Creeping, reaching, blood red and dangerous.

Yet, even then he had not been without hope. He had not been truely scared, simply determined. Desperate, but determined. A solution would be found.

And a solution had been. But the rings…

Oh, the rings had left him scared.

He sat under those very same trees now, watching the way their leaves tousled each other in the breeze. Water ran nearby, the stream splashing and gurgling - nature’s rhythms always continuous. Yet, Elrond could not shake the feeling something was desperately wrong. 

From the path to his right, High King Gil-Galad approached. He looked weary - older even - or as much like those two things as an immortal being could look. He was distracted, staring into the middle distance.

Elrond stood hurriedly. “High King,” he trailed off, as Gil-Galad became level with him.

The High King did not greet him, but said simply “I fear there is something unnatural at play.”

The younger elf nodded, returning to his seat. Gil-Galad continued.

“The rings, this ring, has shown me worlds I fear to come to pass. I do not doubt its truth, yet the truth it shows me leaves me uneasy.”

Elrond nodded again. He did not trust his words before the High King. The rings left Gil-Galad uneasy, yet nothing could persuade him to give them up. Elrond was frustrated by the endless cycles they treaded. He would warn Galadriel, she would not take him at his word. Gil-Galad was more tolerant, yet ultimately favoured Galadriel’s choice. The rings had restored their lives - the rings could do no wrong.

“You feel it too,” the High King murmured, coming to sit beside Elrond. “Despite your mistrust of the rings.”

Again he nodded, mistrusting his tongue.

Yes, he felt it too. He felt the way in which the edges of the world had blurred; the way in which darkness crept in from the edges. It reached and clutched at their hearts, just as the blood-red poison had leached the gold from Lindon’s trees. He had seen the way Galadriel had let the darkness touch her. He had seen how besotted she was, and he had seen how Sauron’s facade was as enchanting as his persona. The rings had guaranteed their survival, yet they had guaranteed the presence of that darkness. What had once been snow lit and ivory, now turned a swirling marble of grey, the edges tinged with black.

Elrond and Gil-Galad sat side by side, silent.

Elrond felt the darkness crash like a wave against him. And in that moment, he realised something else.

He was utterly terrified. 

[uaravsh]

"I had two longings and one was fighting the other. I wanted to be loved and wanted to be always alone."

- Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea

[pharawee]

—I ask just one thing, don't harm yourself. —So instead we help each other and hurt other people?

7 DAYS BEFORE VALENTINE · 7วันก่อนวาเลนไทน์ · 22 November 2023

[tea-and-typewriter]

Writing Month Goals

So, this year for November I'll be participating in an assortment of writing challenges. Like so many others, I'm migrating away from NaNoWriMo after having participated on and off for the last 6 years. I want to share the challenges I'll be following and my personal goals in case you're also looking for options.

My overall writing goal is to write 75k words by December 31. This means I'd like to write 37.5k words in November. I'll be working on my Project Cafe Crime, and you can follow me for updates, writing sprints, and more.

There are three main challenges I'll be interacting with:

The first is @roughdraftmonth. This challenge focuses on writing a novel rough draft by the end of November. They have a few different options for word count goals, including a "set your own" style goal. They seem to be one of the more streamlined challenges I've found.

The second is @novella-november. They're focused on writing a 30k novella by the end of November, but the creator says all word counts and project types (poetry, novels, etc.) are welcome. I like the flexibility of this one.

The last challenge I'll be following is @yournovembernovel. They're focused on the popular 50k in a month format, but they do have the option to choose your own goal. This one seems to be more casual and community focused which I enjoy.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, and good luck on your writing!

[magicalgirlmascot]

Sometimes a chapter being "done" means less "I have finished writing everything that I wanted to for this chapter" and more "I am sick of looking at this and will come back to it in the next draft"

[the-bar-sinister]

Bramble back at it again asking for advice

How do y'all handle all the writing? I'm fairly certain you've mentioned chronic pain before, so...

I write best as a desk, because my brain needs a "station" for certain tasks. This works great...until my back starts hurting so bad I wanna cry. Do y'all struggle with similar?

If you do, any tips? I really really wanna get a 1,500 words/day writing month in this November, but I'm really struggling to figure out how to do that when I can barely get 900 words without struggling because of my back.

Hey pal. Yeah, that sucks, that sucks *a lot*, and it's something that we struggle with, too.. I wish I had some good tips for you, but we actually have a lot of bad habits.

Our "writing station" is the couch, with the footrest up and two pillows behind our back. We stay away from the arm rest because having our elbow lifted makes our shoulder pain worse.

we have a series of cold packs that we keep in the freezer, and we ice our shoulder frequently. We also have a hot water bottle that we keep filled to keep us warm.

We often write with a pair of pressure/arthritis gloves which help with blood flow.

and honestly, we push ourselves too hard. We often ignore low grade pain and treat it with ice and aspirin until it's so bad that we have a flare and can't work any more, and then we take a week or so off writing. I don't think you should do that, specifically.

I think my best advice is to push yourself, but also take care of yourself.

get up frequently and stretch in between writing sessions

do 15 minute word sprints where you write as much as possible, then get up and stretch and walk around (we do this one a lot)

pamper yourself with ice packs and cozy blankets and a pillow behind your shoulders

don't beat yourself up if you can't achieve all the goals you set.

I hope some of this is useful-- I wish I had more helpful tips to share!