Every week in November, we will release a set of writing prompts to keep you inspired all the way through National Novel Writing Month along with questions and suggestions for how to use them in your manuscript.
For more, download our FREE Digital Novel Planner to help you stay focused and track your word count this NaNoWriMo.
To keep up with all things Writer’s Atelier, join our mailing list and follow us on Instagram!
November 1: Allow
- What does your character or (your character’s setting) not allow for them(selves)? How does that affect how prepared your character is for what’s in front of them?
- Tell or hint at what type of allowances your character makes—or doesn’t make—for others.
- When was the last time your character did something that was not allowed?
November 2: Brace
- Does your character brace themselves for what’s to come, or do they dive right in?
- What kinds of braces—or supports—does your character have in their life? Which aren’t there anymore, and which will fall away as your story goes on?
- Did or does your character have braces?
- Stretch this prompt to include the words embrace and bracelet.
- Is physical touch a common way to show affection in the world you invented? Is your character embraced by society or those around them?
- Is jewelry common in your world? Does your character wear a bracelet or some other piece of jewelry?
November 3: Curiosity
- How does your characters’ curiosity—or lack thereof—shape how they view the world? How others view them?
- What is your character curious about that no one else notices?
- What makes your character a curiosity where they are?
November 4: Depth
- How is your character “deeper” than people give them credit for?
- Speaking of surface, have the depths of the ocean and the heights of the sky in your world been explored? By whom? What’s been found, and what could be relevant to your character?
- Use this as an anti-prompt: write about a character looking deep into another’s eyes without using the word depths?
November 5: Energy
- What kind of energy or vibes does your character give off? How do they affect the space they’re in and the people they’re around?
- Is there an otherworldly or supernatural energy encountered in your story?
- What drains your character’s energy in this story? How do they get their energy back?
November 6: Fragment
- What is fragmented or broken about your character?
- Are those fragments of glass on the ground? Why are they there?
- How does an overheard fragment of a sentence change everything?
November 7: Guard
- What does your character guard about themselves from others? Or, what does them being “on guard” when they meet someone new look like?
- What’s guarding what your character wants or needs to succeed?
- Who guards or protects your character?
Bonus Prompt: Rock
- Does your character enjoy rock music?
- How does your character rock boats in their world—or do they avoid doing so?
- Some rocks—like jewels or meteorites—make excellent MacGuffins. Can you add a rock of significance to your story?
- Rocks are also common things found on the ground that are easily missed. Take this as a reminder to add rich details to your descriptions.
- Who is your character’s rock during the story? If they don’t have one, how does that affect them?
