Writing.Com 101

WdC Writing Season

Welcome to WdC Writing Season!
 

Every November, writers around the world challenge themselves to take on ambitious writing goals during National Novel Writing Month. That tradition has inspired countless writers to finally begin the novel they've always dreamed of writing while proving just how powerful it can be when an entire community writes together.

That idea changed the writing world.

It also inspired us to ask a simple question...
What if writers had time to prepare before the challenge even began?

That's how WdC Writing Season was born.

Instead of beginning the journey in November, Writing Season begins in September with Fun Run, continues through Base Camp in October, and culminates with Marathon in November. Over the course of three months, you'll build a writing habit, strengthen your skills, prepare your project, and then put it all into action during November. Along the way, you'll have a place to write, save your work, celebrate milestones, encourage fellow writers, and connect with a supportive writing community every step of the way.

While National Novel Writing Month traditionally focused on novels, Writing Season welcomes writers pursuing both fiction and nonfiction writing goals. Whether you're writing a novel, memoir, family history, essay collection, short story collection, poetry collection, or another ambitious work, you'll find a path designed to help you succeed.

Whether your dream is to write your first novel, finish the book you've been thinking about for years, tackle a nonfiction project, or simply build a lasting writing habit, Writing Season is designed to help you succeed.

Writing Season isn't a competition against other writers. It's about setting your own goals, celebrating your progress, encouraging one another, and discovering what you're capable of accomplishing alongside a community of writers on the same journey.

No matter your experience level, everyone is welcome.

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How WdC Writing Season Works

WdC Writing Season takes place over three months, with a different event each month.

Each event has its own purpose, goals, and rewards.

You can participate in one event, two events, or all three. It's entirely up to you.

Registration opens before each event and remains available throughout the month, so you're welcome to join even if you've gotten a late start.

WdC Writing Season at a Glance

September: Fun Run (Build a writing habit.)

October: Base Camp (Strengthen your skills and prepare your project.)

November: Marathon (Focus on your project and write.)

All Season Long: Cheer Crew (Encourage and support fellow writers.)

Complete all three Writing Season events in the same year to earn the Triple Crown, one of Writing.Com's highest seasonal achievements.

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September: "Fun Run" 

Fun Run is all about building a writing habit.

Choose either a 5K or 10K writing goal, then write throughout the month at your own pace.

Daily writing prompts are available if you need inspiration, but you're always free to write whatever you'd like. Write directly in the event OR copy/paste your writing into the Fun Run from another item or your computer.

Whether you're writing a blog, novel, memoir, poem, or something entirely your own, every word brings you one step closer to your goal.

Learn more: "Fun Run" 

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October: "Base Camp" 

Base Camp shifts the focus from word counts to strengthening your skills and preparing for the project you'll tackle in November.

Throughout October, you'll complete 27 guided tasks, choosing the fiction or nonfiction version that best supports the project you're preparing for November. Four Rest Days give you room to catch up or take a break.

Tasks help you brainstorm, research, develop, organize, and prepare your project. You can save writing or notes along the way, but submitting writing is never required.

There are no word count goals during Base Camp, just opportunities to grow as a writer.

Learn more: "Base Camp" 

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November: "Marathon" 

Marathon is your chance to finally put everything together.

Choose the writing goal that's right for you (25K, 50K, 75K, or 100K) and spend the month making real progress on your own project.

Optional daily writing prompts are available in the community if you need inspiration, but there are no required tasks. November is all about focusing on your own project.

Simply write what you want, when you want, and watch your progress grow throughout the month. Write directly in the event OR copy/paste your writing into the Marathon from another item or your computer.

Learn more: "Marathon" 

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All Season: "Cheer Crew" 

Cheer Crew is for members who enjoy encouraging others. You can join the Cheer Crew whether you're participating in the writing events or simply want to support fellow writers throughout the season. You can write and cheer at the same time!

Leave cheers, celebrate milestones, and help motivate writers throughout the season.

Sometimes a few encouraging words can make all the difference.

Learn more: "Cheer Crew" 

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Participate Your Way

WdC Writing Season is designed to be flexible.

You can:

  Join one event or all three.
  Write at your own pace.
  Join late and still participate.
  Choose the goals that fit you.
  Follow the daily prompts or simply Free Write.

This is your writing journey. There isn't one "right" way to experience Writing Season. Set goals that work for you, write at your own pace, encourage others, and enjoy the journey together.

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Recognition Along the Way

Throughout Writing Season, you'll find Merit Badges, Portfolio Awardicons, milestones, and special recognition for your accomplishments.

As you participate throughout WdC Writing Season, you may earn:

  Merit Badges
  Portfolio Awardicons
  Milestone celebrations
  Completion recognition
  Special season awards

Each event explains its own awards and how they're earned.

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Triple Crown

Members who complete Fun Run, Base Camp, and Marathon during the same Writing Season earn the prestigious Triple Crown portfolio awardicon.

In addition to receiving each event's Merit Badges and Portfolio Awardicons, Triple Crown finishers earn an exclusive Triple Crown Merit Badge and Portfolio Awardicon recognizing their accomplishment across the entire season.

It's one of the highest honors offered during WdC Writing Season and celebrates the dedication required to complete the full three-month journey.

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Writing Season Tags

Want to link directly to your Writing Season page or someone else's? Writing Season has its own set of tags you can use throughout Writing.Com.

{season:username}
Creates a linked title for the member's Writing Season page.
         "The StoryMistress's Writing Season" 

{s-season:username}
Creates a simple text link to the member's Writing Season page.
         The StoryMistress's Writing Season

{bib-season:username}
Creates a larger Writing Season block showing the member's profile image and registration information for Fun Run, Base Camp, and Marathon.
         

{b-season:username}
Creates a simple text link to the member's Writing Season page.
         The StoryMistress's Writing SeasonFun Run: 3,674 of 5,000 words · Base Camp: Registered · Marathon: 25K goal

Replace username with the member's Writing.Com username.

When using the editor, you can also type or click the @ symbol and then type season to see the available Writing Season tag options.

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Welcome to the Starting Line

One of the best parts of Writing.Com has always been our community, and WdC Writing Season is a chance to experience that community at its very best.

Writers encourage one another, celebrate milestones together, and discover just how much they can accomplish when an entire community writes together.

Whether you're joining us for one event or all three, we're glad you're here.

We can't wait to see what you create. Welcome to the starting line!

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Explore More:

Fun Run
Base Camp
Marathon
Cheer Crew