Join free workshops to prepare for Novel Quest Writing Challenge

Every year, people dream of writing a novel. No matter where you are in your journey to complete your story, Novel Quest is an annual November challenge where you can set a writing goal (e.g., 60,000 words, edit your 1st draft) to complete in a single month, all with the support of your fellow writers.

This is the first year of Novel Quest, and was developed by writing leaders from various parts of Illinois.

Novel Quest offers participants a supportive community of writers and dedicated writing time (offered in person by volunteers and on Zoom, Google Meet, YouTube, Twitch, and Discord). It also offers free workshops in October in preparation for the challenge kicking off Nov. 1.

The Writing Journey (writingjourney.org) is presenting three interactive writing workshops in partnership with the Nichols Library in Naperville. These workshops, while aimed at all writers, should be helpful to those participating in Novel Quest in November. Novel Quest is a free event designed to help motivate writers to complete their draft novel in 30 days in November.

• “How to Use Tropes in Your Writing,” an interactive workshop, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Naperville’s Nichols Library co-working space (lower level).

Ever wonder how writers craft such memorable stories? Come learn one of the sharpest tools in our creative arsenals: Tropes! In this workshop, learn about the use and pitfalls of tropes, how writers use them to engage with their readers, and how you can make them sing in your own work. They will break into teams for group discussions about the tropes in media, and work individually on how to implement them in works-in-progress. Bring nothing but ideas and, maybe, a pencil!

Join Robby Badgley (rargona.bsky.social), author of “Sweet Tea & Necromancy,” for this writer’s workshop, one of three workshops presented by the Writing Journey leading up to the November Novel Quest event (write your draft novel in 30 days in November). This event will be offered in a hybrid fashion to in-person attendees and virtual attendees (register to receive the Zoom link).

• “Planning, Pantsing, and Plantsing: Writing Tips for a Spectrum of Styles” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in Naperville’s Nichols Library co-working space (lower level).

Many writers like to self-identify as ‘planners’ or ‘pantsers’, but most fall somewhere in between. But how does one write a novel if there isn’t one right way to do it? This workshop will cover a myriad writing styles and preferences, as well as tips and tricks to prepping for a big writing project. Show up ready to share your strengths and roadblocks, and leave with a road map for building a customized tool kit that works best for you.

Join Katie Lazicki, contributing author in “Journey to Adventure,” for this writer’s workshop.

This event will be offered in a hybrid fashion to in-person attendees and virtual attendees (register to receive the Zoom link).

• Story Wall Party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at Naperville’s Nichols Library co-working space (lower level).

Story Wall Party — a brainstorming session for your November novel (or other writing project). Only have some of what you need for the November Novel Quest challenge? Let your fellow writing challenge participants serve as a sounding board to generate new plot twists, ask inspiring questions, and help you get ready for November!

Join Sam McAdams, author of the hilarious “Barnyard Heroes” series of novels, for this highly interactive workshop.

This event will be offered in a hybrid fashion to in-person attendees and virtual attendees (register to receive the Zoom link).

• Novel Quest Kick-off (virtual-only) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

Have a relaxed, highly interactive discussion about Novel Quest, what to expect, the events that are available in November, and share how you have been preparing, the questions you might have, the tips you might like more information on.

This event will be offered to virtual attendees (register to receive the Zoom link).

For more information, visit naperwrimo.org or novelquest.substack.com.