Last Week of #NaNoWriMo 2013; Let's Get This Manuscript Finished

Here we are, the last week of NaNoWriMo! And yes, I know you'd rather go to Paris for the weekend, me too. But we need to get these manuscripts finished, so Paris will have to wait for a little while.

I don't know about you, but my word count isn't looking so great right now, something I want to change by Monday at the latest. To achieve that goal, I'm going to try something brand new: 10,000 words in one day! Yes, 10K, really. I'm all signed up to participate tomorrow 11-23-13 in a fun website writing party hosted by my Twitter friend Milli Thornton at @fearofwriting: 10kdayforwriters.com.

I only learned about Milli's site a couple of days ago, and just in the nick of time. In fact, the discovery was so fortuitous that I'm still reeling from one of those "how did that happen?" moments.

But despite my best intentions to write those 10K words, I also know that if I'm going to stay motivated I'll need some trusty writing prompts. Last night I brainstormed a list of 25; please feel free to borrow, steal, or add to the list by leaving a comment or two. All suggestions will be most welcome!

My 10K Prompt List:

1. Write about my characters' goals: why are they so important?
2. Write back story--lots of back story!
3. Write a character's first memory and make it essential to a present scene.
4. Describe my main character's place of work and how that influences the plot.
5. Various characters' neighbors: what do they really think?
6. Have one of the characters stuck in an elevator--with the villain.
7. A mysterious package arrives: why and what's in it? How does this change everything?
8. A death in the family.
9. An invitation my main character can't refuse.
10. Write about a recurring dream.
11. Phobias--assign one to a secondary character and use it to keep them from helping my main character.
12. Car trouble. At the very worst time possible.
13. Illness. Ditto as above.
14. Somebody witnesses a crime.
15. And then is framed for it!
16. A big lie and the unexpected consequences.
17. Hobbies--pick one and make it important to the plot.
18. An overheard conversation--and what happens because of it.
19. A stolen identity.
20. One of the characters finds (fill in the blank) and is devastated.
21. Something observed in a window.
22. A favorite item is broken. What, why, what happens because of it?
23. A sudden storm.
24. A creepy prophecy--that comes true.
25. The three very worst outcomes that can happen if my characters don't reach their goals, and then have them happen.

So come on, join us on Saturday--I think you can even wear your pajamas all day, just as long as you promise to write.

Tip of the Day: In case you can't sign up for this Saturday's 10K session, be sure to check out 10kdayforwriters.com anyway for one of their future writing sessions; they're held twice a month regardless of NaNoWriMo or similar events. Whichever day you choose, 10K in one day will surely help you reach THE END, a very good place to be.