Drafting Fast…
For many writers in Oregon, November is a month made for writing. It’s rainy, but not too cold. The leaves are changing. Summer is fading. There is a chill in the air, but sweaters to be worn and scarves at hand. Yet, it’s not just the weather that keeps writers at their desks: November is National Novel Writing Month, when writers try to write an entire novel in a month. That’s 50,000 words total. Every day, they sit down and write at least 1,667 words. That seems nearly impossible, doesn’t it? How do they do it? One word at a time. They keep on going without stopping. They draft FAST. They don’t spell-check, or research, or make things pretty; they get the story down. As they write, they try not to get in their own way. As author Maren Anderson says, in November, you wear your writer hat, and keep your editor hat in the closet. First drafts are for big ideas and letting yourself go wild on the page. Editing is for later. Right now, write now! You can give drafting a try this November. Here’s a few writing prompts to get you started.
Writing Prompts
- Thankful
We have talked a lot about what our characters want and need — but what are they thankful for? Take a second and drop down into your character. Have them write a quick gratitude text to someone they are grateful for, like to a teacher or a best friend. Keep it short for now, but if you find yourself really getting into the writing, turn it into an email. When you finish, take a moment to consider — would your character hit send? Why? Or why not? The decision to send that text reveals a lot about who they are.
… - The inevitability of puddles
There is a giant puddle on the sidewalk outside your door. Write a fast poem about splashing in the puddle — for good or bad! Are you happy? Are you frustrated? Write it down. Don’t worry about the rhythm and the rhyme. Just say what you want to say in the way you want to say it. The edits can come later.
… - Stories
What stories does your family tell over and over? What stories do you tell about your own childhood? Take a moment to look at the bigger picture. What do these stories say about who you are NOW, and who you want to be? If you could tell the story of yourself, what story is missing? Write that story today.