What is Novel Quest?

This week, we are diving into What is Novel Quest, How to’s (for QGs) Rules for how to reserve space at your local library, Prompts and more.

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Aug 13, 2024

Writing Quests is a writing community that strives to connect writers with writing challenges to foster a continued flow of words for your preferred genre.

What is Novel Quest?

Novel Quest is a free, annual, motivational challenge where writers complete a novel-writing-or-editing goal (e.g., 50,000 words) in thirty days. There are regional in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, as well as virtual badges to help participants stay motivated while having fun in the process of achieving their goals. To help, Writing Quest also supplies a Google Sheets Tracker where writers can track their individual goals, and those who have opted in can see how others are doing and cheer them on!

This November, Writing Quest will host their first-ever Novel Quest. If you are interested in becoming a Quest Guide for your local writing community, please email info@writingquests.org.

Volunteer Spotlight- Coral Sands

Writing

I've been writing my whole life, but stumbled across NaNoWriMo back in 2016. I was too nervous to even try the challenge because I was so afraid of failure. In 2016, I gave NaNoWriMo a shot and won. I found not only a community but the motivation to write a little bit every day. I volunteered to be an ML in 2017 to help others who were like me. While I don't have anything officially published, some of my work is on Wattpad and I have a lot of Works in Progress that I am slowly finishing. I hope to publish within the next five years.

Hobbies

I volunteer at a local animal rescue because I am a huge animal advocate. I currently foster rabbits, but I have fostered all types of animals, from fish to ferrets. I also work with 10 different rabbit rescues through my business, which keeps me busy!

Self-Promo

My writing group is The Rabbit Writing Retreat. I stream on Twitch and Youtube every two weeks during the offseason and every week during the onseason.

WQ Work

I am the head of Writing Quests’ Marketing & Branding team and am one of the volunteers helping with the website.

Personal Quest

My quest would probably be Preptober-esk. I love going over how to start a new story, starting at the idea stage and finishing draft zero.

How to volunteer/contribute

We have three different ways to get involved:

Quest Guides- The people who host the Writing Quests are called Quest Guides. They help creatives through the process of setting goals, prepping for the quests, and providing encouragement during the event. Click on Get Involved> The Framework to get started.

Participants- Anyone can participate, even if you are not a writer. Visit our website to find a participating group near you.

Volunteers- Writing Quests is an all-volunteer organization. If you want to volunteer, please email info@writingquests.org and let us know your experience and if applicable, what you want to help with.

We actively need people with technical skills in website design/coding (our writingquests.org site is created with Hugo) and web application design/development (e.g., using Vue.js to create our rules generator or Laravel to work on a web-based progress tracker).

How to reserve space at your local library

So you’re a Writing Quests Guide planning a challenge month. One of the best ways to build a community is to have in-person events. One of the best places to have them is at your local public library. Here are a few things to keep in mind when scheduling events.

Libraries plan things out in advance….way out in advance. If you’re hoping to hold an in-person event in November, now is the time to approach your local library.

The first step is to make sure your library card is up-to-date, or sign up for a library card if you don’t have one. Policies vary across different library systems as to whether or not you need to have a library card in order to reserve a room. But, by far, I have seen more library systems that require it than don’t. It’s free to sign up, and it will give you access to all of the library’s resources. These are great to check out while you’re planning. There are cool things that will enhance your experience.

Next, go to your library’s website and see if they have their policy for reserving rooms listed. The policy will tell you if there is a charge to meet there. Some libraries charge, some do not and some might waive the fee under certain circumstances. This will vary based on the policy of your local library. Once you decide you would like to reserve space, follow the policy to the letter.

Check to see if there is a fee for use.
Make sure you request a space that is adequate for your needs.
Make sure to request it enough days in advance.
Finally, make sure to plan your time when a lot of people in your area can come to be a part of your group.

As a bonus tip, I suggest printing out the form and turning it in at the circulation desk. The “Circ Desk,” as it’s known in library circles, is typically the beating heart of the library. These kind people can usually help, and if they can’t, they know which person in the library can. Librarians love to help out and are typically beautiful, inspiring spaces to hold meetings. But they can be popular, so doing your homework in advance will be helpful to you.

Now a prompt: Describe your favorite Summer Olympics sporting event to someone who has never seen it before.

Upcoming events

Due to the amazing Alpha Testers, we have some changes to make to our Framework, so our Beta Testing has been moved to September.

In October, we will start prepping for November’s Novel Quest, a fun writing challenge run by Writing Quests. We will release templates for the challenge and include social media banners for writing groups and participants. More information to come as we get closer to the month.

Coming September:

Sep 1: Beta Testing Starts

Coming October:

Oct 1: Preptober for November’s Novel Quest Starts

Oct 15: Midpoint Touch Base

Coming November:

Nov 1: Novel Quest Begins!