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8 Days of Word, Plot, Character and Theme Challenges
RJBlain
Posted: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 3:57 PM
Joined: 3/13/2011
Posts: 222


Since I am an ML for my region as a part of NaNo, I create a variety of different writing challenges every day. Some silly, some serious, they're rigged to fit in most genres. I thought I would share just in case someone wanted a variety of... interesting.... things to write about.

Day One ::

Word Challenge 

Word: Abhor.
Definition: : to regard with extreme repugnance : loathe
Example: Monica abhorred the lustful stares of the young men that frequented the bar where she worked.

Plot Challenge:
Mention or use an arranged marriage in your novel.

Character Challenge:
Show your character encountering and dealing with a food they really hate in a formal social setting.

Theme Challenge:
Include a romance element in your writing!

Day Two ::

Word Challenge

Word: Tenacious (You may also use any form of the word, including tenacity)
Definition: a : not easily pulled apart : cohesive 
b : tending to adhere or cling especially to another substance 
Example: The tenacious mud clung to Melissa's boots, splattered all over her legs, and slowed her efforts to cross the mire.

Plot Challenge:

Include the death of a distant relative or acquaintance.

Character Challenge:

Have a character throw a _justified_ temper tantrum.

Theme Challenge:

Introduce an element of redemption / salvation to your story.

Day Three ::

Word Challenge

Word: Pariah
Definition: one that is despised or rejected : outcast
Example: Living in the slums gave Henna gave her a thirst for wealth and the surname Pariah.

Plot Challenge:

Relative betrays main character for wealth or power.

Character Challenge:

Main Character does something so idiotic that the rest of his or her companions stare, mock, laugh or otherwise make-fun of the character for their 'oopsy!' (This can include things like a character showing off at dancing and tripping over his or her own feet, them saying they're good at this and making a total farce of themselves, etcetc)

Theme Challenge:

Include a mystical element to your writing. In contemporary fiction, this could include a character with strange superstitions (even if they aren't real), in fantasy, it could be legends and lore of the world, but something mystical to _those_ characters. (Normality does not mystical make.)

Day Four ::

Word Challenge

Word: Traverse
Definition: Travel across or through
Example: Traversing the dark forest, Amber came upon a dying unicorn, but could do nothing to save it.

Plot Challenge:

Include a character with plot-critical information. Too bad they're dead. Main character must find a way to learn the secret this character had. (Sneaking through their possessions for a diary, seances... anything goes.)

Character Challenge:

Have a character (major or minor) have to give up something important to them. (A necklace to buy food for a starving family, a cherished toy or memento, etc)

Theme Challenge:

Include an element of horror in your writing.

Day Five ::

Word Challenge:

Word: Tumultuous
Definition: 
Making a loud, confused noise; uproarious.
Excited, confused, or disorderly.

The audience broke into tumultuous applause, the actors and actresses grinning at the sound of their definitive success.

Plot Challenge:

Characters go to Walmart and get attacked in the tools or arts & crafts section. (In fantasy realms, have it be the regular market. Yes, if you're writing a world that has a store similar to walmart, you must use that type of store! If it is on earth, it must be a walmart! Even if your characters end up traveling to a different country to make it happen!)

Theme Challenge:

Include a moment of melancholy involving photographs.

Character Challenge: 

Introduce a piece of technology or magic that your character has no idea how to use but has to make it look like they know how to use it.

Bonus Challenge: (Worth x3)

Include a Kayak that performs Witchcraft. (Yes, the kayak performs the witchcraft. Not a magical Kayak.)

 

Day Six ::

Word Challenge ::

Word: Serendipity
Definition: The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way
Example: It was serendipitous that the large rock that Samantha stumbled over was a large rock made of gold.

Theme Challenge ::

Include a theme of karma (you get what you dish out) in your story.

Character Challenge ::

Have a character make a mistake in regards to a close friend that runs risk of ruining their relationship. The character is not brave enough to apologize, resulting in a split in friendship. Character should have to do something special to redeem him or herself.

Plot Challenge ::

Include an element of mystery to your novel.

 

Day Seven ::

Word Challenge ::

Word: Defenestration
Definition: The act of throwing something (or someone) from a window.
Example: "Sir, it seems as though the victim died due to defenestration. More accurately, he died when he landed on the spiked fence below the three story window," Dominic said to his Chief after pretending to sort through his papers. 

Theme Challenge ::

Include a situation where a character commits an 'irredeemable' crime -- and seeks redemption anyway.

Plot Challenge ::

One of your characters has their most prized possession stolen from them, and they resort to violence to get it back.

Character Challenge ::

Have a character develop a phobia to slugs.

 

Day Eight ::

Word Challenge ::

Word: Spleen
Definitions: 

An abdominal organ involved in the production and removal of blood cells in most vertebrates and forming part of the immune system.
Bad temper; spite: "he could vent his spleen on the institutions that had duped him".

ML Note: I first saw spleen as a synonym for hatred. This baffled me. Upon further research, I found the above reference to the word spleen.

I... I... spleen. SPLEEN.

Character Challenge:

Kill a major character in your book. They're dead, Jim! Bonus points if you reference their spleen in the death scene.

Theme Challenge:

Angst. Lots and lots of angst. And spleens. Spleens of hatred, matched with the spoon of angst. Bonus points if a character is poked in the stomach with a spoon and s/he cries out, "my spleen!"

Plot Challenge:

Include a plot sequence in which a major or minor character develops a war cry of, "For spleen!"

This post has been brought to you by the word "Spleen."


Marcie
Posted: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 7:02 PM
Joined: 3/13/2011
Posts: 102


Wow! You're the most prepared ML I've ever come across.
RJBlain
Posted: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 8:12 PM
Joined: 3/13/2011
Posts: 222


I have you fooled, Marcie!!!

I come up with these off the cuff every night or early morning

That said, I want everyone in my region to have a good chance of making 50k, so I try to give them everything they need to do it.
 

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