With the impact of climate change on rabbits weighing heavily on my mind, I struggled to write at least 1500 words on Day #26 of National Novel Writing Month. Luckily I came upon this handy-dandy pocket-sized book of Monthly Writing Prompts, published by The Loft, as a gift to its members. I found one particular prompt, written by National Book Award-winning author William Alexander, to be just what I needed:
I took this photo of Katherine Paterson, Will Alexander, and Kekla Magoon at the LoonSong Writer’s Retreat in 2016. (used here with their permission)
“Create a monster. Take this as metaphorically as you like. Your monster might be a miserable fourth grade teacher or a beast larger than the moon. Describe what it is, what it does, and what effect it has on the world.
“Now choose a goal. Your monster wants something. All characters want things, of course; they all have objectives, and that helps us write outlines and character arcs.
“But this is different. This is urgent. Monsters are hungry. Give that hunger its due. Describe it. Finally, write a scene in which your monster attempts to achieve its goal.”
After writing 1584 words in response, I think I’ve broken new ground with my story. Time will tell.
I am wearing down and have become terribly eager for this month-long writing marathon to end. Twenty-six days down, only four to go!
(I took this photo of Katherine Paterson, Will Alexander, and Kekla Magoon at the LoonSong Writer’s Retreat in 2016.)
#NaNoWriMo18