3 Writing Challenges to Try This Fall
Plus, last call on Book Proposal Boot Camp
Looking for some writing inspo as we get cozy for fall? I got you!
While the following writing challenges are book-focused, anyone can participate, whether you’re writing a book proposal or need some fresh ideas.
Let Yourself Write Bad
If you’ve taken my writing classes, you know I say, “Let yourself write bad1” a lot. My book and card deck would not exist if I didn’t let myself write badly. I’ve written tens of thousands of words that will never be seen by anyone else because that’s just part of the writing process.
Challenge: Set a timer for 10 minutes and just write. Seriously. That’s it. Sometimes I start a writing session by typing The sky is blue repeatedly. Then I spruce up that sentence to The big cloudy sky is blue to The sky is blue, like the shirt I wore on X day, which leads me to actually write something useful.
Read Your Comps
Comp titles are essential to your book proposal because they show agents and editors how to position your book in the ever-expanding publishing market. Identifying your comp titles can also help you understand your book concept by noticing what makes your voice or premise unique.
Challenge: Go to a bookstore (yes, an actual IRL bookstore!), then spend time at the shelf(ves) you envision your future book to live on. Notice what these books have in common with your book. Notice how your book is different.
Join My Next Cohort
Book Proposal Boot Camp (October 22nd-November 19th, 7-9 EST)
This 6-week virtual intensive meets for two hours a week. Each class is structured so students can focus on one aspect of a book proposal at a time rather than feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing at once. Weekly sessions end with a 20-minute Q&A where students can ask about publishing, proposals, finding an agent, preorder campaigns, author publicity, and book marketing.
Guest Speakers:
Leigh Stein, publishing expert and author of 5+ books, including the brilliant satirical novel, Self-Care
Jordyn Taylor, author of 6+ books and former executive digital editor of Men’s Health
XO,
Tawny
Writing advice from Ruth Danon in a 2015 writing class I attended
Nana’s page has blown up!