NaPoWriMo 2026 Discussion Thread

[Socks Fox]

I have an entire saga based on a word I found randomly while dusting dictionaries at work. Lollop.

 

[Pik]

It's something I ocassionally hear the actors say, to give them a buzzword or catchword or Schlagwort so they remember the text. This is not an acting challenge though.

 

[Tallyfire]

Well, here's the early bird prompt:

Start by reading Katie Naughton’s poem, “Debt Ritual: Oysters.” Now, write your own poem in which you refer to a specific writer or artist (or work of literature/art) and make a declarative statement about want or desire. Set the poem in a particular, people-filled place, like a restaurant, bus station, museum, school, etc.

It's very specific. I was picturing single words and phrases for each day. If all the prompts are like this, I'll probably just take them very loosely as inspiration.

 

[Pik]

I read the poem and will probably use the part of the prompt about locations and people-filled places, it reminds me of how screenplays are written.

 

[Pik]

And I like the first and last line of Naughton's poem, "it isn't exactly right to want what money has" and the beginning of sentence not in capital letters, as if there are no beginnings or endings.

 

[defaux]

Well, here's the early bird prompt:

Start by reading Katie Naughton’s poem, “Debt Ritual: Oysters.” Now, write your own poem in which you refer to a specific writer or artist (or work of literature/art) and make a declarative statement about want or desire. Set the poem in a particular, people-filled place, like a restaurant, bus station, museum, school, etc.

It's very specific. I was picturing single words and phrases for each day. If all the prompts are like this, I'll probably just take them very loosely as inspiration.

That's a heckuva prompt... are they giving you so much to consider as options?

Think I'd rather go with...

Lollop

 

[Woof]

It is a very heavy prompt to begin on and also wildly vague at the same time. Desires, crowded spaces... not something I'd normally consider willingly for my words. Will have to let it percolate a little longer.

And I like the first and last line of Naughton's poem, "it isn't exactly right to want what money has" and the beginning of sentence not in capital letters, as if there are no beginnings or endings.

There's a nice symmetry in it in what they want and what it costs and that slight feeling of confusion, I think, about whether it is really their own desires they're feeding. Some of the line breaks are a little too much work for me though without a little punctuation too.

 

[Socks Fox]

This is exactly why I hate prompts. It is the I was going to do the thing and then you told me to do the thing, so now I'm not going to do the thing simply out of spite.

 

[Tallyfire]

That's a heckuva prompt... are they giving you so much to consider as options?

I think I'll just save my creative energies for tomorrow.

This is exactly why I hate prompts. It is the I was going to do the thing and then you told me to do the thing, so now I'm not going to do the thing simply out of spite.

So... you had already been planning to write a poem set in a people-filled location and referring to a specific writer/artist/piece of art?

 

[Riddley Walker]

Just remember that using prompts is optional. There's no rule around using a prompt. On the other hand you can let the prompt take you anywhere. It might just he one sentence or even one word. Don't get caught up in trying to satisfy an arbitrary demand.

 

[Socks Fox]

I think I'll just save my creative energies for tomorrow.


So... you had already been planning to write a poem set in a people-filled location and referring to a specific writer/artist/piece of art?

Do not take things quite so literally, more on abstract principle. You were going to do the dishes, then someone say, 'Do the dishes.' You were already going to do that and now you're being told to? Nope. Not doing it now even if it means starving because there are no small spoons.

Prompts are okay for practice or a competition, but for something as massive as NaPoem, it sucks all the joy out of the creative endeavor.

The first year I did NaPoem, one of the people running it tried to force all participants to use a prompt rubric. It was awful. I said forget it and did my own thing after day three because the prompt species you had to use iambic pentameter about items on your desk. That was all you could write about.

Sorry but that isn't how my creative brain works. I'll write a poem, no problem, but that is a stupid topic.