Write A Book For NaNoWriMo With These Creative Writing Prompts

woman in an aqua sweater typing on her computer NaNoWriMo

As much as we love eating turkey on Thanksgiving, there's another reason we love November: National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is a nonprofit organization that offers the tools, community, and encouragement you need to achieve your creative writing goals. The free (!!) site helps you track progress on your work, set milestones to work with, and connect with a variety of other writers.

Writing a book is definitely a weighty task, but it can be easier if you write what you know (that way you're able to dig into the details of your story well), and start reading more (that way you get the hang of the imagery that you like and what both good and bad writing looks like). The NaNoWriMo programs are available year-round, but if you're looking to write a book this month, or you're just looking for some cozy ideas to make future writing more fun, keep reading.


Everything You Need To Know About NaNoWriMo

Image via Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

What Is NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo began as a month-long writing experience through November where you take part with other writers to write 50,000 words of a novel. Now, you can both take part during November and participate in their programs year-round.

Who Has Taken Part In The Program?

Over 400,000 writers participated in the programs in 2021, but there have been a ton of other writers throughout the years as well. Some of the books that started as NaNoWriMo projects include Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Yours could be the next bestseller!

How Do I Participate In NaNoWriMo?

The first step is to sign up (which you can do here) and then you can decide if you want to write at your own independent pace or set a deadline for the end of November. There are prizes and special messages, and when you reach your word-count goal, you're able to access a winner's page full of fun gifts.

When you're writing, it can be tempting to go back and edit, but you don't want to mess with your creative process — wait until you're done before editing! One thing you can do when you're writing and there's a detail you can't think of off the top of your head is add brackets instead. Then when you're done, you can go back and replace the brackets with what should be there.

You can check out our journal prompts for growth and creativity or try some our 30 creative writing prompts, but here are a few that are specifically for fiction. They might only turn into one scene, but they might also inspire a whole other body of work.

NaNoWriMo Creative Writing Prompts:

  1. Write an entire story that takes place within a small amount of time. It's harder than it sounds! Focus on details, inner thoughts, and what your characters are feeling.
  2. Turn your favorite quote or lyric into a story. What makes it your favorite? Is it the words themselves, or how they make you feel?
  3. If you love houseplants, spend a few minutes every day writing about your plant. Is it growing? Is it losing leaves? What does the soil feel like?
  4. Write down everything around you. Focus on all of your senses: what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste. Go into as much detail as you can to make the reader experience everything that you're experiencing.
  5. Take your favorite iconic story and completely rewrite it by switching every trope. Damsel in distress? Make her a skilled assassin who leaves everyone in the dust. Enemies to lovers? Turn it into a lovers-to-enemies arc. Is the main cast a bunch of kids growing up? Add a bunch of superpowers that will make puberty way more complicated.
  6. Turn your favorite season, element, flower, or animal into a human. What would their personality be like? What would their favorite food be? How would they spend their time?
  7. Write a story that takes place in a completely different world. This is a fun way to come up with different economies, cultures, and languages.
  8. Fill a few bowls with paper that says different words (places, foods, names), and draw one from each bowl at random. Write a story with what you pick.
  9. Go on Pinterest or Instagram and save a bunch of images that inspire you. After you have a collection, view them all at once to get a feel for their aesthetic and then write a story based on how it makes you feel.
  10. Turn your latest dream into a story. Whether it was a happy dream or a nightmare, you have the power to adjust what happens!

Ideas To Help You Stay In The Zone While You Write

Slippers

It's important to feel comfortable and cozy while writing when it's cold outside. So grab yourself a pair of slippers or fuzzy socks to keep your toes warm.

A Good Playlist

Music can help you get in the zone or feel a particular emotion that will help you focus in on an aspect of the story that you're creating. Here's our assistant editor Chloe's creative writing playlist, but you can also check out our Spotify for a few different vibes!

Notebooks + Pens

Whether you're jotting down ideas during your writing process or you write down inspiration when you're out and about, every writer needs some good pens and a notebook. You can also grab a planner to have a place to track your plans + progress.

Long Walks

Walks will get your blood pumping, and the change of scenery can help inspire you. It's also helpful to be away from your computer (especially if you work from home), but feel free to bring some music with you. One of our favorite things to do is to go on a solo weekend writing retreat to visit a town we've never been to before and still get some work done.

Snacks

We're talking potato chips, dark chocolate, or a variety of healthy snacks. We'll take it all, especially when you coordinate your snacks with the time of day.

Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo? Let us know in the comments if you have any advice, and check out our email newsletter for more creativity tips and inspiration!

Featured image via Liza Summer/Pexels

Just when we thought we'd had enough thriller books on our shelves, we caught wind of a new The Girl with Dragon Tattoo book! Ever since we saw Rooney Mara expertly portray Lisbeth Salander in the 2011 film (not to mention the page-turner book itself), we've been hooked on this series. Originally written by Stieg Larsson, each tale followsLisbeth's journey as a hacker who has more depth than meets the eye.

Now she's back for more perilous adventure that may have even more damning consequences! Here's what we know.

Scroll down for all the sweet details about the new Girl With the Dragon Tattoo book!

What's the name of the new 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' book?

Penguin Random House

PEOPLE revealed the final book in this series is called The Girl with Ice In Her Veins. Based on the prior titles in the series, it's on par with the mysterious and thrilling aspect found in each plot.

What is 'The Girl with Ice In Her Veins' about? 

The Girl with Ice In Her Veins takes Lisbeth Salander on yet another deadly adventure in Sweden.

Plagued by bitter coldness and snow, the town of Gasskas is facing unprecedented times. In addition to dealing with frigid temperatures, those in the community are angered at the carelessness of a corporation that only cares about having access to area's resources. Before long, an explosion sets off a chain reaction and someone turns up dead...

The only reason Lisbeth returns to Gasskas is because her colleague Plague has been snatched away and her young niece Svala has been left in her care with no explanation. However, Lisbeth isn't going alone because Mikael Blomkvist will be with her.

As they work to interpret what's happening in the chilly town, Svala disappears which makes Lisbeth's mission more personal than before.

When does 'The Girl with Ice In Her Veins' come out?

Amazon

The Girl with Ice In Her Veins will be on shelves September 2!

What else do we know about 'The Girl with Ice In Her Veins'?

PEOPLEshared a snippet of the book, and it's clear from the onset that something's not right. The conversation between Lisbeth and the hacker Plague seems tense, yet filled with remnants of care. But that's not what's unsettling. It's the fact Lisbeth can tell Plague doesn't sound like himself even as she fights a viral cold. Check it out for yourself!

How many books are in the 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' series?

Amazon

There are 8 total books in the series.

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It Ends With Us drama is seemingly never-ending, from the back-and-forth accusations of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to the multi-million dollar lawsuits. As the feud continues to escalate, the legal situations evolve daily — and now a judge just paused Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against the New York Times. Here's what's happening in this highly complex legal battle, and what it all means for the lawsuit in general.

Scroll to find out what this pause means for Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit...

On January 16, 2025, Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicists, and the New York Times. By January 30, Blake and Ryan quickly filed to dismissthe suit with a single sentence: "The Lively-Reynolds Parties intend to move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ complaint."

According to Deadline, the New York Times also filed its own motion to dismiss the case on February 28, 2025. The media company wrote, "The Wayfarer Parties’ FAC tells a one-sided tale that has garnered plenty of headlines, but The Times does not belong in this dispute."

Now, a judge is seemingly siding with The Times by at least granting a pause on discovery for the lawsuit, according to E! News. Reporting from E! states that a motion was filed to "temporarily halt parties from having to exchange information or documents." Judge Lewis J. Liman granted the motion to pause, explaining that the media outlet has "substantial grounds" and "a strong showing that its motion to dismiss is likely to succeed on the merits."

Despite the Baldoni team's claims that this new window substantially shortens their time for discovery, Judge Liman maintained that "the burden of discovery is not measured only by the number of pages." And if we know anything about Baldoni's team? It's that they love to release lots and lots and lots of documents.

Judge Liman continued his decision by stating that Baldoni's team will be able to ask for the "extent of discovery" they need if the courts ultimately deny The Times' request. Still, he explained that "The Court intends to address the motion to dismiss promptly after it is fully submitted.”

A spokesperson for the New York Times told E! News, "We appreciate the court’s decision today, which recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake here. The court has stopped Mr. Baldoni from burdening The Times with discovery requests in a case that should never have been brought against."

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I think we all know Gone Girl, the incredible murder mystery that first took the world by storm in when it came out 2012, and again when it was made into a movie in 2014. We were on the collective edge of our seats during this movie, wondering what was going to happen next. The story was a huge success, with the film winning a Golden Globe and the book earning a coveted NYT #1 Best Seller spot — but did you know that Gillian Flynn wrote 3 other phenomenal mystery and thrillerbooks? These reads are sure to keep you up all night, hanging in suspense for what will unravel on the next page. You'll definitely want to add these to your TBR list immediately!

Which of Gillian Flynn's books have been adapted for the screen?

Amazon

Like mentioned before, Gone Girl, was a mega-hit on the shelves and in the box office when it was adapted to screen with Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. But it's not the only best-seller of Gillian Flynn's to be adapted for the screen. Her book, Sharp Objects, was also made into a TV show with Amy Adams.

Sharp Objects was actually Flynn's debut novel that she published in 2006, but it wasn't made into a series until 2018. Her second book, Dark Places, got the movie treatment in 2015 starring Charlize Theron by A24, but now it's currently being turned into an HBO show where Flynn will be the co-creator, writer, and co-show runner. The Grownup, a short story Flynn wrote, has been rumored to be adapted into a movie for some time now, but nothing has moved into production just yet!

Find All Gillian Flynn Books Here!

Amazon

Gone Girl

The most notorious book by Flynn is Gone Girl. It's a mysterious thriller that tells the story of Nick and Amy Dunne, who are to the outside world, a happily married couple of 5 years. That is, until Amy suddenly disappears without a trace, and Nick becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance. His old "golden boy" image is soon going out the door as he parades lies and suspicious behavior to the public, leaving the whole town wondering if he really was capable of murder. Inside the house, Nick finds Amy's diary which has him discovering that maybe Amy wasn't the perfect girl he thought she was.... and maybe there was a darker side to her that he hadn't yet experienced. The real question is: Who are these two people, and did they ever really know each other?

Amazon

Sharp Objects

In this daunting mystery, a reporter name Camille leaves a visit from the psych hospital to go straight into a new assignment on writing about the murders of two young girls. The only problem? It's in her home town which she left years ago. Now Camille must face her insanely neurotic mother who she hasn't spoken to in years, and her very young half-sister. She soon discovers that these murders will be harder to crack than she thought, and first she must unravel her own past traumas to solve this mystery. Will she be able to crack the case, or will her past demons come to haunt her? Read this suspenseful mystery to find out!

Amazon

Dark Places

In this twisted mystery, Flynn writes about a woman named Libby Day who was seven when her sisters and mother were killed. She famously testified that it was her 15 year old brother who committed the killings. Fast forward 25 years later, Libby is approached by a local club that's investigating the crimes that went down on that disturbing day — they think her brother is innocent, and want to free him. Meanwhile Libby is trying to turn her tragedy into some cash, so she charges them for her services (or rather, information). But soon, a mysterious event, leads her right back to where she started...on the run from a killer.

Amazon

The Grownup

This short story is a thrilling psychological mystery that tells the story of a con artist who decides to pose as a fortune teller for money — only to get entangled in one of her clients' gripping mysteries. The client believes that her son is possessed and her house is haunted. This con artist is in for a ride with this suspicious case.

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All images via Amazon.

Letting more than a decade pass without updates can quickly leave a home feeling outdated. That was the case for this Pasadena home, which remained frozen in the '80s and ’90s — until Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn of the celebrity-loved design firm House of Rolison stepped in to beautifully renovate and reimagine it. Their goal? To lean into the home's French-country architecture and transform the dated and dysfunctional space into a modern, light-filled space with moody vibes, vintage pieces, and luxury materials.

See the before and after of this French-inspired Pasadena renovation!

THE BEFORE

Courtesy of House of Rolison

Prior to the renovation, the home was stuck in the past with a lime green exterior and a late 80s/early 90s design aesthetic, including dated flooring, cramped rooms, wall-to-wall carpeting, bulky kitchen cabinets and granite (granite!) countertops. Drumroll on the after....

THE AFTER

Gavin Cater

I'm in awe of this transformation. Amanda and Taylor enhanced the home’s original features, including the floor-to-ceiling windows, slate roof with beautifully patinated gutters and accents, and kept original lighting fixtures while adding a fresh coat of paint and modern landscaping. Gorgeous!

THE BEFORE: ENTRY AND LIVING ROOM

Courtesy of House of Rolison

Before diving into the renovation, take a look at the original living area and entryway. The space feels not just overdone, but also cold and uninviting. The bulky staircases (plural) dominate the entry, while the divider adds nothing to the warmth or flow of the space. The furniture feels stuck in another era, and that tiny rug? A total eyesore!

THE AFTER: LIVING AREA

Gavin Cater

The entry now is stunning, designed to make a statement with one staircase removed to create a charming seating nook and a more open, inviting flow into the cozy living space. The home now has 20-foot ceilings, an elegant formal living room topped with custom-stained cedar paneling, and a bespoke bar area showcasing beautifully restored red oak cabinetry.

Gavin Cater

Elegant furnishings with modern silhouettes and warm, earthy tones instantly elevate the home's aesthetic. The restored fireplace adds warmth and character to the room, while a well-proportioned rug enhances the cozy, inviting space.

THE BEFORE: KITCHEN

Courtesy of House of Rolison

My eyes! This kitchen is a time capsule of outdated design, from the heavy granite countertops to the awkward circular layout that feels cramped and closed off.

Gavin Cater

"We opened up the kitchen to create a much more spacious and functional layout," says Taylor. "One of the key changes was expanding the kitchen’s visual space by installing double islands to create more prep space and an inviting area for family to gather."

Gavin Cater

They also removed a wall that separated the kitchen from the dining area, which not only opened up the space but also allowed natural light to flood in from both sides of the house. "The wood and paint-grade cabinetry allowed for contrast, and served as the perfect canvas for Calacatta Viola marble and absolute black slabs. The matte black hardware we used throughout the cabinetry and railings added a modern touch," adds Amanda.

Gavin Cater

Amanda and Taylor revamped the '90s kitchen into a chic and design-forward space by adding a moody breakfast nook for the family to gather. Find more banquette inspiration here!

Gavin Cater

Another challenge was optimizing the natural light — some rooms had very little natural light while others had plenty, so they introduced skylights where it was lacking. "We maximized the layout, lighting, and use of space while adding crucial design factors to make the property stand out," says Taylor.

Gavin Cater

Striking a balance between light and dark, the dining room features a rich brown and black palette that enhances its moody, earthy aesthetic while beautifully framing the outdoor views.

Gavin Cater

"The defining highlight for us is how we were able to preserve the home’s original charm while modernizing it to meet the physical and aesthetic needs of a modern family," says Amanda. The design duo kept the architectural integrity intact, but enhanced the functionality and warmth.

Gavin Cater

Taylor and Amanda restored the fireplace to its original brick, "but not how you might think," says Taylor. "We went through multiple processes to come to the final product. First attempting to remove paint, then micro cementing the fireplace, and at the very end we wanted to have the warmth and beauty of used brick. So we had to source used brick to satisfy the color and size needs for our room and proceeded to install."

Gavin Cater

Marble and matte black hardware was also used in the bathrooms, creating a cohesive and luxurious feel throughout the home.

Gavin Cater

"We chose natural materials like warm oak wood, used brick, and natural stones to blend with the moldings and historic feel of the home," says Amanda. The soft goods complement these harder materials with natural linens and vintage style rugs.

Gavin Cater

Touches of nature are woven throughout the home, subtly appearing in the artwork and décor.

Gavin Cater

The adorable kids room is a clean canvas with neutral decor and a rich amber-colored rug.

Gavin Cater

The outdoors is just as stunning. The pair upgraded the pool tile to a cle rust brown tile to modernize and warm up the pool. "We take landscaping our homes very seriously, so when it came to this home we had to go all out," says Amanda. Grass, olive trees, ficus, vines and more create a serene environment for years to come.

Gavin Cater

"The idea was to create a connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape — bringing the outside in," adds Taylor. "The seamless integration of indoor-outdoor living and the design of the kitchen as the heart of the home really stand out."

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The Whole Foods hot bar is a buffet of delicious possibilities. It’s truly packed with fresh, flavorful dishes that make grabbing a quick meal feel like a total treat! From perfectly-seasoned roasted veggies to indulgent comfort foods like meatloaf and cornbread, you’re never missing out on good eats when you stop by the Whole Foods hot bar. If you’re wondering which options are worth piling onto your plate, these 10 picks are the best of the best!

Scroll on to discover the 10 best finds at the Whole Foods hot bar for a tasty on-the-go meal!

Kaboompics / PEXELS

1. Rotisserie Chicken

Whole Foods’ rotisserie chicken is a staple you simply need to try. It’s juicy, flavorful, and perfectly-seasoned every single time! Some Whole Foods locations even give you a choice between lemon herb or garlic variations that add delicious depth of flavor. Plus, rotisserie chicken is always versatile – you can eat it on its own, shred it into salads, or pair it with any of the hot bar sides for a balanced, high-protein meal.

Foodie Factor / PEXELS

2. Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato Basil Soup is superior when it comes to comfort food, and Whole Foods’ recipe is no exception! It never fails to be rich, velvety, and packed with the perfect balance of sweetness from the tomatoes and freshness from the basil. It’s a fan-favorite because it pairs beautifully with everything from grilled cheese to pasta.

Public Domain Pictures / PEXELS

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

These aren’t the bland, mushy veggies you avoided as a kid. Whole Foods roasts their Brussels sprouts to crispy perfection, oftentimes serving them up with garlic, a balsamic glaze, or some Parmesan cheese! If you’re looking for nutritious, yet flavorful options from the Whole Foods hot bar, you’ve just gotta scoop up some of these sprouts and witness the magic for yourself.

FOX / PEXELS

4. Grilled Salmon

Whole Foods’ grilled salmon is a standout item on the hot bar because of its buttery texture and slightly-smoky char. It pairs exceptionally well with the aforementioned Brussels sprouts or even a grain-based side like quinoa!

Angela Khebou / PEXELS

5. Mac & Cheese

Whole Foods fans go nuts for their Mac & Cheese. It’s nothing but rich, creamy, and of course, loaded with cheese. It’s ooey and gooey, but typically, the top layer boasts a slight crispiness from baking. Yum. It makes the ultimate comfort food for picky kids and hungry adults alike!

Whole Foods

6. Classic Meatloaf

Don't knock meatloaf – especially Whole Foods’ meatloaf from the hot bar. This home-style dish is made with high-quality beef, flavorful seasonings, and a tangy tomato glaze that keeps you going back for more. And more! Shoppers love it so much because it brings back that nostalgia for a hearty, homemade dinner.

Whole Foods

7. Chicken Tikka Masala

This ready-to-eat Tikka Masala is so delicious. The chicken is always tender and absorbs the spicy sauce beautifully, making it a perfect dish when served over basmati rice. It’s a great way to enjoy Indian flavors without having to visit a restaurant (and pay restaurant prices).

Nadja M / PEXELS

8. Fried Rice

Whole Foods’ fried rice can’t be beat. Often made with fresh vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a touch of soy sauce for umami depth, it's a great side to scoop up for lunch or dinner.

Nano Erdozain / PEXELS

9. Baked Ziti

This comforting mix of al dente pasta, rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and ricotta for extra creaminess is one of the best items on Whole Foods’ hot bar. Cheese lovers, make way!

Valeria Boltneva / PEXELS

10. Nashville Hot Chicken

For those who can’t resist a little heat, the Nashville hot chicken at Whole Foods delivers a perfect balance of spice and crunch. Each bite is also slightly-sweet, so you’re going to get a balanced meal every time you stop by.

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