• Announcing National Pony Writing Month 2017!

    Twilight's already preparing her next shipfic. Are you?

    November is just around the corner! So what does that mean? It’s time for another harrowing journey into our chaotic imaginations with National Pony Writing Month!


    The Goal: 50,000 words
    The Time: 30 days (From 12:00 AM November 1st to 11:59 PM November 30th)
    The Reward: Eternal Glory* (and more!)

    That's right, folks! The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days, starting November 1, 2017!

    NaPoWriMo authors will delve into the depths of their imagination, pulling out grand adventures, exciting thrillers, heartwarming romances, hysterical comedies, terrifying horrors and so much more. With the My Little Pony Movie now behind us and the end of Season 7 approaching, we have a wealth of new characters, ideas and lands to explore.


    These brave souls will be the vanguard of the content that will tide over this community during the deserts of the hiatus! You can be a part of that!


    Don’t let that 50K word count scare you. 50K is the goal, but as in all things, it’s about the journey. You can set your personal goal to be higher or lower! The real goal of NaPoWriMo is to write something you wouldn’t have otherwise (with ponies).



    What Can I Write?


    Believe it or not, you don’t have to start a brand new novel—though you can if you want to! You want to do 5 10,000 word short stories? Knock yourself out. If you’re rewriting a story from scratch (and not just editing it), then go for it. If you’re continuing a story you’ve already been working on for months, that counts too, as long as the word count you're using is stuff you've written during this coming November!


    Everything is fair game, as long as the words are part of the story! (meaning no counting blog posts, outlines, etc.)


    However, since you will be mentioned on EqD, here are the general guidelines:
    • Only fanfiction or poetry will be accepted.
    • The story must be SFW and within EqD’s Submission Guidelines (this would be an E or T rating on FimFiction). No clop, gore or similar. Human and anthro are fine.
    • You can only count words that you’ve written starting at 12:00 AM on November 1. Nothing written before can count.



    How Do I Participate?


    Send an email to [email protected] by November 1 with the following information:
    • Author Name - Your Goal - Your Story Title
      • Example: Novel-Idea - 75K Words - Wavelength Theorems and Chaos Theory
    • Your Discord Name and ID to access the EqD NaPoWriMo Channel, but make sure you've joined the EqD Discord Chat first!
      • Example: AprilSprings#4750


    You must send the email to be considered as a participant in NaPoWriMo. Comments will not be accepted as valid entries (though you’re welcome to declare your intent for the world to see!)


    When it’s time to submit your win, make your story is in either Google Docs or on FimFiction. They don’t have to be public, but if you want it to count for the final result post, you’ll need to provide a password or another way in so we can verify your word count.



    What Sort of Resources Will I Get?


    Every week, I’ll be writing an EqD post will go up with tips and tricks from experienced authors from all over the fandom (and beyond)!


    We’ll also have a dedicated Discord Channel for NaPoWriMo authors to chat about ideas, brainstorm and generally commiserate on the cruelty of the blank page. Please make sure to email [email protected] with your Discord information so you can get added!


    In this channel, I’ll be posting daily writing quotes from famous authors, pictures of cute ponies writing things and other stuff to help spur your imagination!



    What Should I Do To Get Ready?


    I encourage every single participant to go to www.nanowrimo.org and register your story! There, you’ll find special deals (including a special NaNoWriMo demo of Scrivener, the awesome writing program I use!), inspirational podcasts, plus more incredible resources!


    Just participating in NaNoWriMo gives you awesome deals on some really cool things and passing the 50K mark gets you even more cool stuff!


    In addition, I strongly recommend you start listening to www.writingexcuses.com. This is one of (if not the) best writing podcasts in the world. Hosted by New York Times best-selling authors like Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells and Mary Robinette Kowal, it’s “fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry and we’re not that smart.”


    Seriously, folks. I won a global writing contest from what I learned in this podcast.


    Finally, get started now! Though the words you write now won’t count for your NaPoWriMo total, you can use this time to outline, plan or even just start! For me, the biggest tip I can give is make writing a daily experience to make it a habit.



    Who’s Behind This Madness?


    This year, Novel-Idea will be taking the helm for NaPoWriMo. I’m going for my eighth consecutive win in NaNoWriMo this year. I’ve helped numerous writing events, including supporting NaPoWriMo 2016 and Camp NaNoWriMo 2017. I've been writing original fiction and fanfiction for over fifteen years. I’m a huge fan of NaNoWriMo and living proof that anyone can do it.



    Anything Else?


    Yeah! Remember, this is going to be a challenge, but it’s fun, too! Most importantly, you won’t be alone. Thousands across the world will be doing NaNoWriMo and I’ve already been contacted by other groups doing their own versions of NaPoWriMo! You can do this.

    If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments! If you feel like donating to a potential prize pool, contact [email protected].


    I can’t wait to see what you guys have cooked up for us. I’ll be keeping an eye on the comments here. Have a great rest of the month and I’ll see you all bright and early in November!


    -Novel-Idea


    *Eternal Glory subject to change. Void where prohibited. Blog author’s version of Eternal Glory may be different than user’s expectations. Equestria Daily and/or the author of this post is not responsible for any misuse, misconception, abuse or egomaniacal raving caused by Eternal Glory. Equestria Daily is not available to convert Eternal Glory into #horsefame points. Stop reading this and go write something.