Author: Matthew BrownPage 6 of 25
Matthew is a writer, web dev, and geek from Kent (UK). He is the founder and current chair of Thanet Creative as well as head geek for Author Buzz. His ambitions include seeing a film or TV series based on something he wrote. Matt is also responsible for fixing stuff on AuthorBuzz.co.uk when it breaks.
In the lead-up to your characters trying to get whatever it is they want, have them talk about why they are doing what they are doing. Have them…
We dare you to dress in your favourite cosplay outfit and then go to a café to write your 1.667 words.
Introduce a new character who slowly gets closer to the main characters before it becomes clear to them that the writer is writing a comedy with your characters…
Start a chapter with at least two characters calling a taxi/cab. Follow the conversation and activities they engage in trying to pass the time. Every time they call…
Have a character explain in great detail to another character why they value a childhood toy so much. Have them derail the plot slightly by going back to…
Today, try to dictate your scene while doing vigorous exercise. For example, jumping jacks.
A character with a secret crush on your protagonist finally admits how they feel in a most dramatic way. Unfortunately, this is the worst possible timing and the…
We dare you to introduce a talking animal that only some characters can hear.
Bring the plot to a screeching halt while your characters debate the correct way to place the toilet roll on the holder.
Here is a collection of writing dares from earlier NaNoWriMos. We have a growing archive of writing dares. How many of these writing dares can you take today?
An innocent social media post results in accusations, drama, and all sorts of trouble for your characters. The entire plot grinds to a halt while they try to…
Pick a pair of central characters to have strong feelings for each other. They never admit it to their crush but drive the protagonist (main character) absolutely spare…
Here is a suggestion to help you pad out your NaNoWriMo word count. Have your characters debate when it is too early to put up Christmas decorations. Give…
Try this at the top of your next scene. It should help you guide readers through a character doing something that is “out of character” or against their…
I’m on a mission to locate all the dare threads. Today, I browsed the NaNoWriMo science fiction dare thread. No spoilers here – go enjoy the thread.
Do you love coffee? This character does. Give one of your characters an obsession with coffee or coffee beans
We dare you to give one of your characters an imaginary friend to argue with. Bonus points if the imaginary friend moves the plot forward they turn out…
Grab yourself a 20-sided dice (or a handful of regular dice) and get ready to randomly generate plot ideas. Here are some other tables you could roll on
Ask a friend if you can sit in their dusty attic or loft space and write your 1667 words. Refuse to explain why you want to do this….
All of your characters shall be given names based on the roads and streets where you live. Extra points if you set your story near where you live…
With NaNoWriMo just around the corner, it seems like the ideal time to present you with some exciting prompts to give you ideas for your NaNo Novel. Here…
Grand Elder Tashmin is a character I cooked up for HFY-style prompts. Here is a collection of Grand Elder Tashmin prompts we posted on Tumblr.
See how many unexpected places you can have a pumpkin show up within your story.