NaNoWriMo Day 18 – 2021

We’re over halfway through week three, and it’s crazy to think that there are novels being written all over the world. Last year there were nearly 400,000 participants–that’s the potential of 20 billion words. Granted, the final collective result is probably much less than that because 50k is hard. But still.

NaNoWriMo is about you and your story, but you’re not alone. There are writers everywhere, banding together to celebrate the stories and characters in our heads. So if you’re feeling unmotivated, then don’t just do it for yourself–do it for them. Do it for all the bookworms and daydreamers. Do it for the haters too, because whether you believe it or not, you have a story that is worth telling.

And if you haven’t even started writing yet, it’s never too late to start. The 50k is just one thing to aim for–it’s not the be-all and end-all. The important part is your ideas on the page and it’s never too late to start.

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NaNoWriMo Day 17 – 2021

Not much of an update this morning–still chugging along while listening to my novel’s spotify playlist. I did however, finally get a job, so that’s exciting! Removing the stress of interviews has definitely helped me get more in the writing flow for week three.

But I understand that a lot of you might be struggling this week–anecdotally one the hardest of the four weeks when it comes to motivation. Remember that you got this!

Today’s writing prompt:

Photo by author

Food! Write a scene (or two, or four) where your characters eat something. Describe the food. Is it unique to your world, or an everyday snack? Is it tasty or gross? How does eating it make your character feel–is it the single best moment of their life or just a boring everyday occurrence?

And if you need food inspiration, feel free to check out my food Instagram, full of handmade food and baking!

Happy hump day.

NaNoWriMo Day 16 – 2021

It took until 11pm yesterday to convince myself to work on my novel, but luckily I still made an okay chunk of progress. However, I can happily say I’m enjoying my story a lot more than I was at the beginning! I just had to push through the bad vibes and switch off my inner editor–not easy by any means, but not impossible.

Today’s writing prompt:

Image by DanaTentis from Pixabay 

Something for all you fantasy writers out there. And even if your novel doesn’t involve crumbling stone bridges, take a moment to consider the architecture of your world. What makes it unique? What makes it feel real? How old or new is everything–how has time interacted with the structures of your world?

I hope you’re having a great Tuesday!

NaNoWriMo Day 15 – 2021

We are halfway!

Congratulations to all of you who have made it this far, whether you’re soaring ahead or still struggling in the thousands. No matter what your word count, you are doing amazing and I’m very proud!

Today’s writing prompt:

Write a midpoint in a character’s arc

That ‘aha’ moment when the character finally sees themselves clearly–are they regretful? Are they determined? Have they realised what they have to change? If you’ve already written your main character’s midpoint, think about your other characters–do any of them have a midpoint moment? Is it at the same time as your MC or at a different point in your story?

Enjoy! And don’t forget to celebrate all your hard work so far.

NaNoWriMo Day 14 – 2021

Today’s writing prompt has more of a DIY approach. Try using this random sentence generator to inspire a scene in your story.

It’s also really good to laugh at. My personal favourites from playing with it today were “The wooden spoon couldn’t cut but left emotional scars.” and “At that moment I was the most fearsome weasel in the entire swamp.

Both are bizarre, but make me want to know the story behind them.

Comment some of your favourite randomly generated sentences below!

NaNoWriMo Day 13 – 2021

Sorry for the late prompt today, but here it is! Just having a lazy day after a busy week.

For day 13, here is another photo prompt!

Image by LuisValiente from Pixabay 

What struck me about this photo is it made me think about all the details of a person. Whether that’s clothing, body language, or nuances in their expressions and speech. Everyone is unique, including our characters. Thinking about defining features or differences in how our characters talk and act can make our stories feel more alive.

So today, try to think up some unique features or descriptions of your characters. Or just write a scene about a young girl with laughter in her eyes.

NaNoWriMo Day 12 – 2021

Week 2 is nearly over and the halfway point is within our grasp. Week three is often one of the most challenging of November–the fatigue and over caffeination start to take their toll and the idea well can dry up.

But don’t be discouraged by that. You have a story that is worth telling and you’re doing great no matter what your current word count is. Remember, we’re nearly halfway!

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NaNoWriMo Day 10 & 11 – 2021

Yesterday was very busy, so I decided to prioritise my own writing instead of doing a writing prompt. As per usual, here are two writing prompts to make up for it!

In other news, I’ve been making a Spotify playlist for my nano novel. Lots of fun, spooky classical music if you want to check it out.

Writing prompt day 10:

Your main character’s emotional wound: What is the lie they believe about themselves?

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NaNoWriMo Day 9 – 2021

Hello writers. I’m going to be honest with you–I’m not sure applying for jobs at the same time as writing a novel was the best idea, but here I am. Still unsure if the post-interview adrenaline helps or hinders my plot.

Today, I thought I would give a writing prompt based on the emotional journey of our stories:

Write a letter from your main character at the start of the story to their future self. Then write a letter from you MC at the end of the story, aimed at their past self.

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