A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Start your engines."

We are here, the last day of Preptober. Today, deal with last minute concerns or needs. The party starts at Midnight.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Review everything one last time."

Look over your notes, review your backup plan, check in with your #NaNo buddies. Also, Halloween tomorrow. Do you have candy?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Breathe."

We're almost there and anticipation is growing. Do yourself a favor and take a break today. Feed the well before the madness starts.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Make a plan for backups."

"I save to my hard drive. Everything will be fine." This is an invitation to the universe to prove you wrong. Consider multiple locations.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "What about Thanksgiving?"

If a big family gathering or other event is looming on the horizon in November, consider how this will impact your writing.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Poke at your synopsis."

We make notes at the beginning in a burst of enthusiasm. Time to take another look at what you've written. What needs to be changed or added?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Office supplies!"

Do you have sticky notes? Paper and toner for your printer? Check your supplies so you don't find yourself short. We start a week from today.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Tell those who need to know what you're doing in November."

Sometimes you need to hold the info to avoid the naysayers. But if someone needs to know you'll be tied up, tell them now.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Clean your writing space. No, really."

Clear everything off, scrub the surface down, & put back only what you need. What occupies space on your desk? What is noise and junk?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Look over your existing notes. Any changes? Additions?

Time to pause and look at your notes for the month ahead. How has your vision changed from that first idea?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Identify a writing schedule which will work for you." (Emphasis on the word “you.”)

"Get up a half hour early" much advice says, but that may not work for you. Look at your schedule. Where can you crave out time to write?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "What is your story timeline? How long does the action take?"

You don't need to nail things down, but consider how long the action in your story takes. A month? A year? Several years? Twenty-four hours?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "What are your "big" scenes, the ones you know you need?"

Even if you're a complete pantser, you probably have ideas for scenes. Make notes when inspiration strikes. Saves on frustration in the middle of November.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Make notes about subplots & how they intersect."

Subplots are great, but they shouldn't be afterthoughts. Think about how they intersect as a whole. Do they help drive the story forward?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Think about snacks / hydration for November."

There's planning for mealtime, but also plan for your writing sessions. Consider some healthy snacks & plenty of water to wash things down.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "What holds your antagonist back? Why?"

Are they so focused on their perceived goal they miss things they should be paying attention to? What's their emotional wound? Do they have inept minions?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "What holds your protagonist back? Why?"

There has to be a reason your protagonist can't simply get what they want. Is something external standing in their way? Something within? Both?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Why does your antagonist want what they want?"

Dig a little deeper than, "Rule the world!" and your antagonist will be more well-rounded. They'll be more of an obstacle for your protagonist.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Why does your protagonist want what they want?"

And is it what they really want or is there something else?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Research your must-know facts."

This is a rabbit hole for me, so I try to research what I think I need to know for my story in October. Do you research before or on the fly?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

#Preptober underway #amwriting #outlining #researching #savethecatwritesanovel #floriography #preptober2023

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Cast / describe your characters."

I cast from actors or film characters because it helps jumpstart things. By the end, they have a life of their own. Do you cast your story?

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity

A wooden table seen from above. On the table are some logs cut for firewood in the upper right corner, a grey crocheted scarf in the upper left corner, and a book wrapped in brown paper, tied with twin, and decorated with a small spring of leaves in the lower right corner. In the center are the words, "Do some meal planning for November."

Give some thought to how you're going to fit meals in with your writing, especially if you have limited time.

#Preptober #Preptober2023 #WritingCommunity