It’s almost October, which means it’s almost November, which means that a bunch of writers around the world are about to take part in the ritual of setting a goal to write fifty thousand words in one month. NaNo excitement!
Given all this writerly energy in the air, this is also a great time of year to try and get back into a regular writing practice, if possible (sometimes it really, really isn’t). If that’s something you’re interested in, allow me to tempt you with the Daily Writing Exercises email series.
Practice and warm-ups are fundamental to every artistic discipline, writing included. Doing short writing exercises or prompts can help kick your brain into creative gear without pressure and keep your writing muscles limber on days when you don’t have the time or energy to work on your work in progress. They’re especially useful for writers in a slump or who constantly feel blocked due to stress, uncertainty, or just not wanting to write due to to the state of the world.
There are a ton of us. You’re not alone.
You’re welcome to sign up for this whether you’re participating in NaNoWriMo or not. The exercises and prompts are useful if you’re about to start a piece of fiction, are looking for inspiration, or are in the middle of a project.
Interested? Excellent. You can sign up for Part 1 (October), Part 2 (November), or both for a discount (until the end of September).
Part 1 – Preptober
Starting October 1 you’ll get a short writing exercise/prompt via email every day for a month. The first few are generative and may produce story seeds you can choose to grow. Then you’ll have the opportunity to play around with voice, point of view, dialogue, and other aspects of craft without pressure. The last set will help you get to know your characters better and dig into details of your setting, whether you’re growing those story seeds or gearing up for your NaNo project.
Part 2 – NaNoWriMo
Starting November 1 you’ll get a different set of writing exercises via email every day for a month. The November exercises will all relate directly to your work in progress, diving into the characters, the world, and the plot in ways that will help you keep moving forward.
Parts 1 and 2 cost $45 each. If you sign up for both by September 29 you’ll only pay $70. Grants are available for those who can’t afford this fee.
Click Here To Register
Grants
I’m offering grants to writers who cannot afford the registration fee. Please Note: I define financial need broadly, from those who absolutely can’t pay to those who may have the money but can’t set it aside for developing their writing. Don’t self reject!
To apply, fill out this form. You’ll be asked to provide a personal statement (up to 500 words) and a statement of financial need (300 words).
Application Deadline: September 29.
FAQ
Do I have to be doing NaNo to take this course?
Nope! If you just want a month or two of writing exercises/prompts that will help you with your novel or get you into a regular writing practice, this series is for you.
What are the technical requirements?
Just an email account.
Can I donate so more people get grants?
Yes! And you’d be the absolute best for doing so. Click here to donate via PayPal. You can pay to cover the full grant price or just part of one. Any amount donated is appreciated.