 For Authors: October 01, 2025 Issue [#13373] |
This week: Time to Prep for Novel Writing Edited by: Dawn Embers  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
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
For Authors Newsletter by Dawn
As a novel writer, this is a helpful month because it holds the challenge that helps prepare for NaNoWriMo. This is an activity that I've taken part in often during my 20 years on the site and one that is very helpful, whether you actually write the novel right away or just get some notes down for later. |
While November has been known for novel writing due to the previously well known site (National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo), there is another activity that is WDC focused and held in October. That is October Novel Prep Challenge, which is an activity that has been hosted every years for many many years for people to prepare to write a novel in November. "October Novel Prep Challenge" [13+] It's hard to miss in the writing community is that around this time because start talking about writing novels and getting ready for the challenge. Having an activity specific for that task is very helpful.
I remember that when I first started trying to write a whole novel, National Novel Writing Month was also still new. My first attempt or two were fails with only writing maybe 12,000 words at most. Then again, the first draft for Tattle Tell was only about 20,000 words. The rewritten version is 70k, so much better but the event did help get me to finish drafts and start the process. However, it wasn't until the first year when I took part in Battywyn🎶Prep!  's activity that I managed to write a whole 50,000 words in one month. The novel still needs a rewrite many years later but it was in part due to having everything prepared from the challenge that I was able to finish a 50k draft.
Over the years, I've taken part in the challenge but not every time. I have been able to write 50,000 words or more on a novel during November without the help of prep ahead of time. At least once, I prepared novels during the challenge but wrote something else during the novel writing month. That means that it is possible to write a novel without preparing ahead of time but that doesn't mean the challenge itself isn't helpful.
Another element that helps is the fact that it's a community driven activity. There are forums to comment about different challenges, ones to sprint when actually writing, different coaches posting about specific topics to give some advice and even contest rounds where a person can compete with their assignment for a particular day. It's a WDC specific activity that helps pull people together much like September has the WDC birthday bash. And one doesn't need to plan a novel. While that is the main focus, there are activities and conversations that can go for collections of stories/poems or different types of writing, such as nonfiction and memoirs.
Even if you don't take part in the challenge, some of the activities might come in handy for getting to know details within a world or a story. You can access the calendar to see some of the activities or challenges that might help you prepare a story. This is something you can borrow and use throughout the year too, not just in October. "2025 Prep Calendar" [E]
And if you don't plan to write novels or prefer poetry, perhaps you can spend October entering different contests on the site. Make sure to check out some of the links in the Editor's Picks section. Contests will still have rounds and people will still be hoping to get reviews. There is always something to do here on the site, whether it's October Prep Month or any other month.
Are you going to take part in the challenge? Who is ready to start writing? |
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
Are you going to prepare some type of writing item in October? Are you taking part in October Novel Prep Challenge?
Starting Point
This is the first exercise from "2025 Prep Calendar" [E] and something you can use whether it's a novel or a short story. You could even use "what if" to create an idea for a poem. And as the owner of a contest based off the question, what if, I'm a fan. I suggest trying it out and see what you get.
"In this exercise, imagine your story and your main character(s). Who is(are) the character(s)? What happens to them, and why is it a problem? (If it's not a problem, it's just life, not a story."
Try to spend 15 to 30 minutes on the questions if you can by using the questions as a starting point and going out from there. You can make a list of 'what if' options for the one idea or start writing out a general outline or just paragraph that discusses the ideas you create. It is something you can use later to spark ideas or to be used as a building off point. It doesn't have to be an actual story or poem itself. Have fun and create whatever comes to mind.
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
