What is planned for November's Novel Quest?

This week, we are diving into What is planned for November's Novel Quest?, How to find places for in person events, and more.

Coral Sands

Jessica

Melanie

, and 2 others

Oct 29, 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.

November’s Novel Quest

We are just days away from November’s Novel Quest and are excited about all the events we have scheduled. For those who don’t know, 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 achieving their goals.

To help, Writing Quest also supplies a Google Sheets Tracker where writers can track their individual goals. Those who have opted in can see how others are doing and cheer them on! Watch our tutorial on the Tracker Here.

Meet Zee Lacson, a best-selling author of YA novels. Her widely loved YA Woolgathering Trilogy follows the journey of a young woman, Lodon Evans, and the hazel-eyed boy, Ethan, she is destined to love. Her magical journey from California into the past and the future is an enchanting tale of love and the power of the mind to create in ways none of us understand.

Following the conclusion of this series, Zee wrote Twice Removed, a book about her Filipino culture and the experiences some immigrants have in their new world. Beautifully written, Zee takes her readers on a journey that will expand their horizons.

Zee is an avid volunteer, having led writing groups, and is a past president of Grayslake Arts Alliance. In her capacity as president, she joined Writing Quests' very own Melanie Francisco and a third former NaNo ML to create Grayslake AuthorFest, the largest outdoor literary festival in Lake County, IL. Catch her on Writing Quests' YouTube Channel on November 1.

Meet Catrina aka TheLadyWrites: Author of more than 60 books across multiple pen names, mother to amazing creators, and support resource and team leader of the Write Team. The Write Team is a team of streaming writers dedicated to being resources to the community around us. She can be found on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, and elsewhere as TheLadyWrites and InExhaustible.Media. She is working to upload her 60+ books to Ream starting 2025 to make sure you check her out there and she’ll be live streaming on our Official Youtube Channel on November 03 from 11am-1pm central time!

Carson Long is a lifelong reader, author, teacher, and creator. Following unexpected layoffs in the tech industry, Carson decided to bet on himself and launch his YouTube channel, Writing Theory. The gamble paid off as he quickly attracted 10k subscribers and built a passionate, international community of storytellers. Writing Theory dives into the art of storytelling and offers narrative insights, honest truths about the writing life, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in for a blend of storytelling content and Carson's goofy humor and you're guaranteed to learn something and leave with a smile.

In August, Carson released his debut novel: Starlight Farm's Kennel for Talking Dogs. This cozy fantasy story is a great weekend read for lovers of slice-of-life, found family, and (of course) talking dogs! You can follow the entire writing process of this book on the Writing Theory YouTube channel and see everything from the first idea, to first word, to editing, and to publishing. If you ever wondered how to write a book, Carson can take you every step of the way.

Carson also manages a Community Discord server with over 350 international writers. You can join the discord for free and share your writing for feedback, participate in recurring Writing Challenges, share writing tips and resources, and hang out with like-minded writers!

If you like the Writing Theory brand of story breakdowns, Carson also offers Book Coaching and Developmental Editing services to help you make your stories as strong as possible. These sessions are personalized, one-on-one meetings to bring all the analysis, visual graphics, and comparisons that Carson uses in his YouTube videos to your very own story. Find more information at www.writingtheory.com/coaching

Catch him Live Nov 7 at 6:30pm on our Youtube Channel!

Volunteer Spotlight- Janna Willard (karalianne)

WQ: What is your writing background?

JW: I've been telling stories all my life and was involved with NaNoWriMo starting in 2002. I have self-published some short stories and a novella, and am working on a non-fiction book about ADHD. I did most of the coursework to get a certificate in publishing--one credit left, but I don't know if I'll finish it. I also write music and self-publish that.

WQ: What are your hobbies when not writing?

JW: Crochet, knitting, cross stitch, I play the Sims 4.

WQ: Time for your shameless plug. Promote anything you'd like including your writing group.

JW: Everything I've self-published (music and stories etc.) can be found at either Sheet Music Plus (https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/explore?q=Janna+Willard&lang=null) (for my musical compositions) or on Books2Read (https://books2read.com/ap/8Vzmy8/Janna-Willard) (for my stories and books).

WQ: What do you do to contribute to Writing Quests?

JW: I do some of the administrative behind-the-scenes work like documentation, archives, and policies & procedures development.

WQ: What is your Quest?

JW: To become that which I was created to be. (https://hermiting.blogspot.com/)

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 find spaces for write-ins and workshops

By NewMexicoKid and DameBecka

Whenever you come close to the month you are doing the challenge in, it is always good to book your spaces in advance. This helps alleviate one of the stressors connected to being a Quest Guide. Finding spaces for your in-person events can be daunting for a new Quest Guide. We are usually operating without a budget. So what can you do?

You might meet at a coffee house; this could work for a write-in but most coffee houses are perhaps too quiet for a big workshop. Contact the owner/manager and politely ask if you can use their space.
You might meet at a restaurant during their slow hours. Not all restaurants will say yes, but some will if you are targeting a slow time they are fairly empty. Contact the restaurant (at a non-busy time) and talk with the manager/owner. The advantage of this approach is you can probably reserve a table.
- For example, the MLs in NY were able to use the back room of Denny’s during a Sunday evening slot.
You could meet at a library if they have spaces conducive to a write-in. The best approach, however, is to call and arrange a meeting with a librarian responsible for Library Programs. See if you can get the Library to sponsor your group. This could have several advantages.
- Libraries are always on the look-out for good, inexpensive programming. You can offer to provide writing-related workshops and organize and facilitate write-ins. Libraries can provide you, through their sponsorship, spaces for these programs and marketing to reach participants. It is a win-win relationship.
Local bookstores or resale stores are also a great location if they have tables you can sit at. Again reach out to the manager/owner and ask permission.
- MLs in NY have used Barnes & Nobles and our local resale book stores. Often the latter are happy to host if they have the space since it is an advertisement for their business. Plus they are into writing as much as we are!
There are also other spaces. I remember a NaNo ML who arranged a write-in at the Parthenon in Nashville, TN; just imagine what it must have been like to write in that space! Be imaginative and brave in calling around town. See who has spaces that might be desirable for your events and see what you might offer them (e.g., business, publicity, a chance to help out the writing community, free programming, etc).

Here are some final tips. Whenever you patron an establishment that sells food, it is proper etiquette to encourage (not force) your members to purchase at least one product if they can. There is also the extra stressor of having an unknown number of participants converging on a spot and trying to find enough tablespaces for a write-in. There are venues that cost money, and while they can be used, the cost usually would come out of your pocket. Sometimes a business gets a new manager and they are unfortunately unwelcoming. In this case, we found a few years later when they were gone we were welcome back.

Upcoming events

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.

More information to come on the exciting special Featured Authors during November’s Novel Quest!

Coming November:

Our current schedule of Virtual Live Write-Ins: