Preparing for NaNoWriMo and Research

For the month of November, prompts will reflect ways in which I keep myself writing for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). This will be my third year to participate, and I recommend the experience for anyone who dreams of writing a novel but hasn't. I'm currently researching geography and cultures and drafting a rough sketch of my next fantasy world.

Today's prompt: Research

Research a part of the world you know little about. Choose an interesting tidbit and expand it into a paragraph (fictional or not).

Donna
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Lights Out

Write a scene that requires "lights out."

A few ideas to get your imagination churning:

children's bedtime

war time

power outage

Donna
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Lunch at the Diner

In today's fast-paced society many small mom and pop restaurants continue to dissapear. Capture a slice of lice 20-40 years ago in a local diner. Paint a warm atmosphere. Show colors, dialog, smells and sounds. While you're at it, let's see what's on the menu.

Donna
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Shy

Create a shy character and place him or her in a new job. This is the first day. Show them making their first "friend" or "enemy."

Donna
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Story Starters: Coffee, Newspater and Dog Next Door

Use the ingredients listed below to mix up a new short story:

Cup of coffee, newspaper, the dog next door and just for fun add something wet.

Donna
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You're Getting Drowsy

In an effort to show and not tell, for today's prompt strive to show a character getting drowsy.

How do they feel?

What do they think?

What physical reactions do they SHOW?

Do they fight it? If so how? Why?

Donna
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Out Of This World

Do you believe in life out there beyond our planet? Do you know some people who act like they're from another planet?

Your prompt today is to write about someone from another planet whether they are or not.

Donna
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The Search

Write a scene about searching for something lost. Make it something as lighthearted as a misplaced love note, as frustrating as car keys, or as serious as a missing pet. Show emotion through actions and reactions, inner monolog and dialog.

Donna
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Children's Games

Describe children playing a game. Include dialog that represents conflict.

Donna
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Story Starters: Bootcamp

Start a story ith the following sentence:

Cold wind whistled through the barracks at the end of my first day at bootcamp.

Donna
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Thankfulness

Design a scene showing thankfulness without saying the words thank you.

Donna
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Fair Experience

Write a scene from a visit to the fairgrounds for a carnival or other event like apple fest, taste of the town or best of the bands. Incorporate smells wafting from food booths, 4H projects, or vendor booths. Narrow the focus to one or two characters.

Donna
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Exercise Ball

Various exercise contraptions litter spare rooms, garages and the like. Any one of these make for a fun story, but today's prompt is the exercise ball. They come in various sizes and strength and require an air pump or compressor to blow them up--not too much of course.

Create a scene where the character used an exercise ball (even if it isn't to exercise).

Donna
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A Word - From A Word A Day

I receive A Word A Day by email. Today's word:

This week's theme: words that aren't what they appear to be.
slaver (SLAV-vuhr, SLAY-vuhr) verb tr., intr.

1. To slobber or drool; to smear with saliva.

2. To fawn.

noun

Saliva dripping from the mouth.

[Probably from Old Norse slafra (to slobber).]
Today's word in Visual Thesaurus: http://visualthesaurus.com/?w1=slaver

Use this word in a holiday story. It's that time of year. Halloween is just around the corner, as well and Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Donna
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Life Of a Baseball

At this time of year when baseball fans crowd before TV screens to see who makes it to the World Series, think about a story from the Baseball's POV. What does it feel? What does it hope for? What does it smell? How about taste? And for the conclusion--where does it end up by the end of the game?

Donna
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School Days

Write about school. Present, past or future.

What was worn? Do students own books? Are students grouped by age, grade, sex or gift areas? What about students who struggle to learn? Is there one teacher or more? Do students catch a bus, walk or something else? Is the school heated or air conditioned? Does it have windows?

These questions are prompts, not limitations. I'd love to see what you have to write on this one. If you'd like to let others take a look, post your entry in the comments.

Donna
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Square Peg in a Round Hole

Create a gifted character that just doesn't fit within the circumstances of today's world. Consider some of these challenges:

Technology (VCR, DVD, computer, fixing a car or some other mechanical device, setting the clock, making coffee, using a new appliance)

Manner of dress

Society's behavior

Or, if the muse struck with a unique idea run with it.

Donna
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Mmmm Delicious

Describe your favorite dish. Include taste, smell, sight and the sense of hearing.

Donna
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Always Prepared

It's a motto, but not many people are as prepared as they hope to be. Create a scene where your character realizes she/he is not prepared.

Donna
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The dog, Squirrel and the Red Pen

Write a short story including these three items:

dog

Squirrel

red pen

Donna
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Like Riding A Bike

Some things you never forget--but it doesn't mean you don't get a bit rusty. Create an older adult character doing something they did long ago. Something they were good at. It can be anything from childhood or teen years. Before you start, ask why they want to do it. Are they proving something? To whom?

Donna
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It Wasn't Funny At theTime

High stress situations can escalate as tiny events add up to an explosive crescendo or emotional meltdown. As bad as these situations seem to be, have you ever found yourself laughing after the fact as you sit around the table sipping a cup of coffee?

Write about one of these situations.

Donna
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