Noticing Newbies: September 24, 2025 Issue [#13239]
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 This week: Gearing Up For Writing Sprints
  Edited by: Annette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"Word Sprints work because they shut that internal editor down. When you're trying to write as many words as possible for the next fifteen minutes, you don't have time to stop and think if those words are any good. You don't have time to think at all." ~ Tera Lynn Childs


Letter from the editor

Gearing Up For Writing Sprints


For several years, November was earmarked as the month to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. There was a whole organization, first for the US market only and then international that helped writers with gatherings and emotional support to bust through that magical threshold.

Here on Writing.Com, we have "October Novel Prep ChallengeOpen in new Window.. A group and forum dedicated to making that November noveling successful. Instead of staring out cold on November 1st, this activity gives an additional 31 days ahead of time to plan, plot, layout, eliminate story glitches, get to know characters, and - most of all - forge a bond of writers who meet here on the site to get ahead.

Those who make it through the prep are invited to special sprints. I highly recommend it. Even if there is no goal to write 50,000 words in November, the October Prep as well as the writing sprints are a great way to make some headway in a writing project.

The October Prep helps to organize thoughts.
The November writing sprints give incentives and peer pressure to carve out the time to sit down and put those words to paper or word processing.

In October and November, there is no time like the present to get serious about hammering out a first draft. Anyone who has a novel idea should check out the resources linked below, look them over, and start thinking about those two coming months and why they are going to be the months when you finish your novel.

Will you write a novel this November?


Editor's Picks

FORUM
October Novel Prep Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
A month-long novel-planning challenge. Looking for a NaNoWriMo alternative? Start here!
#1474311 by Brandiwyn🎶Prep starts 10/1! Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
Resurrection Jukebox Open in new Window. (E)
A yearly blogging challenge featuring cover songs and/or dead artists! Runs every October.
#2009876 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
The 7/7 Forum Open in new Window. (18+)
Message Forum to chat and Interact with fellow WDC members 7 days a week
#2312629 by Jellyfish is in Mauritius 🌞 Author IconMail Icon

 
IN & OUT
52 Questions Open in new Window. (ASR)
Contemplation and decision making starting points for all
#2332708 by Stik to My Own Beat Author IconMail Icon

GROUP
The Poet's Place  Open in new Window. (E)
Poets can discuss, review, request reviews, etc. of their unique form of writing.
#1937699 by Dave's trying to catch up Author IconMail Icon

SURVEY
Short Shots: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
#1221635 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

SURVEY
October Novel Prep Contest Rounds Open in new Window. (E)
Four competitive novel prep assignments accompanying the October Novel Prep Challenge
#2134154 by Brandiwyn🎶Prep starts 10/1! Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophy Author IconMail Icon

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
Enter your story of 300 words or less.
#896794 by Arakun the Twisted Raccoon Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
Weekly Goals Open in new Window. (13+)
Motivate yourself to conquer your goals this week! Post on Monday; update us on Friday!
#1949474 by The StoryMistress Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Noticing Newbies newsletter "A Quarter CenturyOpen in new Window.

findingfeet Author Icon wrote: How about aol.com and compuserve.com as early social media sites? I had to check, they are still up. I do believe they had bulletin boards back in the 90s and maybe some chat which might qualify as early 'social media'? Anyway WDC is a superior site. I'm glad you started it and thanks for keeping it going.

--findingfeet

And a recent reply to an older Noticing Newbies newsletter "Leave of AbsenceOpen in new Window.

JL Richter Author Icon wrote: RE: Leave of Absence - As a newbie, I ran into a different problem. Once I had created my account, got involved with the community, and wrote my first few pieces (some of which have won this award or that ribbon), I went on to upgrade my account with a paid subscription (which seemed like the next logical step), and then just ... stopped writing. And honestly, I can't explain the 'why' of it. Not sure if my conundrum is pertinent to your newsletter, but I wonder if I'm the only newbie who experiences this kind of drawback.

*Whale1* *Whale1* *Whale1* *Whale1* *Whale1* *Whale1*


To collect the trinket, reply to this newsletter through the reply box below with a working item, b-item, r-item, or ld-item link to something in your portfolio. Examples are below.



Item link: {item:2316530} Clean and simple.

"Guest Book & Portfolio GuideOpen in new Window.

B-item link: {b-item:2316530} Informative.

FORUM
Guest Book & Portfolio Guide Open in new Window. (E)
Come on inside, find something to read, or say hi.
#2316530 by Annette Author IconMail Icon


R-item link: {r-item:2316530} Includes the item rating.

"Guest Book & Portfolio GuideOpen in new Window. [E]

Ld-item link: {ld-item:2316530} Includes the intro line to be more inviting.

"Guest Book & Portfolio GuideOpen in new Window. E: Come on inside, find something to read, or say hi.


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

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