Preptober: The Legend of the Golden Sock - page 1 - Errands

2 Oct 2026, 12:59

Next month, as writers we celebrate NANO. Writing a book is a monumental task, this is a chance to participate in some prep activities. There will be 4 weeks and 4 sets of challenges. The sock shop will be re-opening for those that participate.

Please create a NEW, unique thread for your writing in the Prep Room. iNPC and Adult accounts are also eligible, we only ask that you do not comment on your other accounts for week 4 (the point is to get the input of others). When you complete a week, post in this thread with a link to your thread.

Form:

Code: Select all

[b]Account Name:[/b]
[b]Week:[/b] 1, 2, 3, or 4
[b]Link:[/b]

The Spark: What Are You Writing?
Oct 1 - Oct 9
This week is about turning "I have an idea" into something resembling a story.

The Elevator Pitch: Describe your story in 50 words or fewer. Then try again in one sentence.
Three Things I Know: Provide three things you absolutely know about your story and three things you haven't figured out yet.
The Promise: Complete the following phrase: "I want this story to make the reader feel ______." Then explain why.
CHALLENGE. Steal This Prompt: Pick one of these 10 elements and incorporate it somehow into your concept.

- A locked door
- An unwanted inheritance
- A lie told at dinner
- Something buried beneath a tree
- An embarrassing lie
- A secret
- Something very very pink
- A monster
- A sport game
- A story within a story

Meet the Cast
Oct 10 - Oct 16
This week shifts entirely to character development.

The Interrogation for each of your main characters (at least 3):

- Who does your character envy?
- What would you never forgive?
- What do you desperately want people to believe about you?
- What secret would destroy your most important relationship?

Want / Need / Fear: Every major character gets three lines:

- Wants: What they consciously pursue.
- Needs: What they actually need, whether they realize it or not.
- Fears: What they're trying to prevent.

Bad Decisions Department: What's the single worst decision your protagonist is likely to make during this story and why will it seem completely reasonable to them at the time?

Build the Story
Oct 17 - Oct 23
Now start creating things that will actually help in November.

The Skeleton: Identify just five moments: Opening Image → First Disaster → Point of No Return → Everything Goes Wrong → Ending.
Twenty Possibilities: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write 20 things that could happen. They don't have to be good. The goal is to get past the obvious ideas.
The Disaster Ladder: Identify one problem your character faces. Then make it worse three times.
Meanwhile...: What is your antagonist, or whatever force opposes your protagonist, doing while the protagonist is busy with Chapter One?

Let's get thoughts!
Oct 24 - Oct 30
A lot of thoughts have been compiled, now it is time to get thoughts from others. Participants have the same task - they need to post in at least 5 other participant's threads and give their thoughts. The thought needs to be substantial, so 3-4 sentences. Not "this is great" but actual, real thought.

Rewards:
Completion of each week's task will result in being granted a Golden Sock. Golden socks can be used at the Golden Sock Exchange

Some stories should never be told...

Leo Noxley

Second year, Quidditch player, Ravenclaw

1 530 207

2 Oct 2026, 14:51

Account Name: Leo Noxley
Week: 1
Link: tbd

LEO NOXLEY ———————— ANNELIES DE VAUCLAIR ———————— NADIRA BAKARI
STA. 6 — EVA. 6 — STR. 7 — WIS. 5 — ARC. 5 — ACC. 8 ———————— METAMORPHMAGUS