Not all dragons are big, fierce creatures needing to be slain. Some of the smaller ones are able to be tamed. Though they can be rather awkward to handle, a bit like an interrupting pet parrot or an exceptionally stubborn feline.
What I mean to say is that dragons are perfectly manageable if you know how to handle them. I’m still learning how to handle them. And daily life doesn’t always help on that front, as you’ll soon see for yourself.
A fun fantasy writing crawl for all would-be authors; featuring daily challenges, word sprints and writing prompts. It will be posted in parts so keep your eyes peeled on the forum site for updates.
Preptober - pick a pet to accompany you on your author’s journey (story idea, plans to avoid writers block, self-care treats, additional goals).
Pet:
Earth Dragon – for fans of fantasy worldbuilding
Air Dragon – for the soft-hearted romantics (humorous misadventures may or may not be included)
Fire Dragon – for fans of fast-paced action adventures
Water Dragon – for insightful literary fiction authors
Spirit Dragon – for fans of spine-tingling mystery/thriller/horror stories
Worst Character Trait and How to Avoid:
A. Stubborn – sticking with an idea is a positive skill but don’t write yourself into a corner. Try using ‘what if’ questions to find alternatives.
B. Flighty – sticking with an idea is a positive skill! You could try using dice, a coin, or a game scenario to take the choice out of your hands so you can just run with it.
C. Impatient – as long as you reach the end of your story you can do it whatever bite size pieces suit you. Start slow, try a paragraph or scene first before attempting a full chapter.
D. Overthinker – the no edit rule may be heavily enforced but it’s hard not to backslide into over analyzing previously written or upcoming scenes. While other authors are setting high writing goals set yourself much lower ones, to be spread out across multiple scenes to make up your daily numbers.
E. Emotional – some days are great, other times you just want to trash everything you’ve ever written. Keep going and it will all work out in the end. Use writing prompts and word count goals to make yourself put words onto paper and be sure to use your self-care treats for your efforts.
Likes:
A. Snacks and naps
B. A frothy bubble bath/mini spa session
C. A film night
D. Some nice new stationary
E. Scented candles
Bonus Points:
For every book you prep for in your fantasy series.
For organizing your own writing group during NaNoWriMo.
For not becoming a recluse and managing to maintain an active social life in the month of November.
For ending with a fully drafted novel that only needs editing.
For being an unstoppable force of nature and completing well over 50k.
Day One – Write the first sentence/scene/chapter of your story. If your writing meets any of the following criteria you also have to do the additional challenge(s).
If your story begins with:
Prologue – your dragon wakes you up, as always, but this time it’s well past the alarm – do a twenty-minute word sprint to catch up on the homework you were hoping to complete before breakfast.
Surprising Stranger – your dragon really doesn’t respect your personal space – complain loudly about annoying pets to the next nearest family member then write a scene of dialogue featuring two or more characters.
Country in Turmoil – your dragons aren’t getting along at all today, separate them into different rooms and write two additional scenes.
Interruption of a Character’s Regular Routine – take your restless dragon for an early morning walk, if you reach a thousand words today reward yourself with a self-care treat.
Prophecy – your dragon has an uncanny ability to predict your mood, keep a diary of the following week and discover when your most productive writing hours are.
Just as you’re about to leave for school a mysterious letter appears through your letterbox. Strange, you didn’t think the postman ever delivered this early. You open the envelope to find a flyer advertising the next dragon quest challenge - a grueling contest of mental skills and physical agility – and an anonymous note admiring your skills. Before you have a chance to consider it your dad is pushing you out the door towards the bus stop. You crowd on with all the other children and get a seat beside your best friend, the crumpled flyer still in your hand.
Day Two – come up with fifty key words for your story and write at least a sentence for each of them. If you’re struggling, use your chosen dragon to assist you.
Earth – You must include at least one important artifact needed to complete your character’s quest. You should include a brief visual description of the artifact and the strange incident that occurred when your character first encountered it.
Air – One of your key words should be the name of a character. If your romance also has a fantasy element you should also give them their own title.
Fire – Change the pace of your story but writing about an unusual method of transport.
Water – At least one of your sentences should include significant weather and how this affects your characters actions in that scene.
Spirit – Use one of your sentences to foreshadow something in the future of your story.
All day at school you struggle to concentrate, daydreaming and drumming your pencil impatiently against the top of the desk, and your favourite teacher has no choice but to give you your first lunchtime detention. As soon as you get home you rush upstairs to your room, ignoring your rumbling tummy and the snack cupboard that usually calls to you. Surrounding your bed, on every available surface of wall space, are posters of past dragon quest challenge champions – the heroes and legends that have dominated your children’s cartoons and colouring books since infancy. Now just fourteen you finally have a chance of becoming one of them. All you need to do is win.
