NaPoWriMo 2026 Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Homer Potvin
- Start date
Thanks, you too! I decided I should go for continuity but on some days I probably wrote stanzas rather than full poems. It's like when some of you were participating in the November novel writing challenge (NWT) and it was important to write/post daily.
Woof
Active Member
The first year I did it I was all about numbers but in subsequent years I think the greatest value in it is how it forces your brain to spend more time in a poetic space, learn and try new things, and to push yourself to try when you would have otherwise given yourself a pass, which often results in excellent drafts.
I have to say I am edging near to the limit of my capacity and a little burn-out though, so will definitely need a breather before coming back to anything! My brain is still itching with a couple of the prompts I haven't used as well so I'm hoping I can get something drafted on those too before I stop.
It is a lot, but it's been brilliant having so many people to share it with. I feel a lot more inspired like this and LOVE reading other people's work as we progress.
Yeah it was fun to try new things and learn about different poetic forms, like a crash introductory course in poetry.
And I think some of the participants were writing according to prompts written in other places, I think there were a lot of NaPo websites and participants involved, possibly around the world.
Woof
Active Member
It's definitely global now, and it's an excellent time to be reminded of how and what great and glorious things the internet can facilitate with good intentions
One year, elsewhere, a group of us got together and created our own list of prompts before the start. Some people contributed ideas they'd always wanted to work on or try and others their absolute favourite styles. Still optional, but it was fun to share ideas. Maybe we can try that next year if we can be organised enough
I would love to participate in NaPoWriMo 2027 and see how much we've all improved (if I have enough time next year)Maybe we can try that next year if we can be organised enough
I found a lot of value in that, too, especially in the beginning. Maybe next year I can keep up.
I've really enjoyed that aspect. It would have been mighty lonely (and boring) going it alone. There's such a wide variety in everyone's poems and everything is short enough to read daily, which is nice.
That sounds fun! And it sounds like you've just volunteered to organise itOne year, elsewhere, a group of us got together and created our own list of prompts before the start. Some people contributed ideas they'd always wanted to work on or try and others their absolute favourite styles. Still optional, but it was fun to share ideas. Maybe we can try that next year if we can be organised enough
audreyhowitt
Member
@RiddleyWalker --your poem to Ocean today is stunning--
Woof
Active Member
Woof
Active Member
defaux
May contain traces of purple
Active Member
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Thank you all for tolerating me here in the sandpit. I must confess, what began as somewhat of a lark, an experiment, turned into something much more. This month has sent me down an unexpectedly introspective path, many of these pieces coming from somewhere deeper than anticipated.
That said it has been enlightening, and I have enjoyed sharing and reading everyone's work. Thank you @Woof for raising this initially, and @Tallyfire for posting the daily prompts. And to everyone for your encouragement - and congratulations for sticking it out!
It feels appropriate to make my final post a reflection on my journey for the month, which also reflects a hyper-compressed version of my journey with writing as a whole. This too has come out differently than I anticipated.
The mode that my brain has been in almost constantly for the last 30 days, producing verse even when I tried not to, may prove hard to shift out of again.
That said it has been enlightening, and I have enjoyed sharing and reading everyone's work. Thank you @Woof for raising this initially, and @Tallyfire for posting the daily prompts. And to everyone for your encouragement - and congratulations for sticking it out!
It feels appropriate to make my final post a reflection on my journey for the month, which also reflects a hyper-compressed version of my journey with writing as a whole. This too has come out differently than I anticipated.
April 30th:
In his poem, “Angels,” Russell Edson speaks of these spiritual warrior-messenger-guardians as if they were a type of endangered animal. Brief as it is, the poem is disorienting in its use of flattened diction, odd similes, and elliptical statements. Today, try writing your own poem that discusses a real or mythical being or profession (demons, firefighters, demonic firefighters) with the same sort of musing yet dispassionate tone.
In his poem, “Angels,” Russell Edson speaks of these spiritual warrior-messenger-guardians as if they were a type of endangered animal. Brief as it is, the poem is disorienting in its use of flattened diction, odd similes, and elliptical statements. Today, try writing your own poem that discusses a real or mythical being or profession (demons, firefighters, demonic firefighters) with the same sort of musing yet dispassionate tone.
Woof
Active Member
Would have liked to go out with a bang but it felt like a bit of a whimper. I think I’ve reached my limit for prompts, and this last one felt like the prompt itself was a poem from another prompt.
I’m still wrestling with tardigrades and cormorant ballads though, the ghosts of the two prompts I couldn’t even draft and fear I won’t now…. May be for the best. The tardigrade one in particular was turning into a science project
Bit sad to finish though. This has been fun
I’m still wrestling with tardigrades and cormorant ballads though, the ghosts of the two prompts I couldn’t even draft and fear I won’t now…. May be for the best. The tardigrade one in particular was turning into a science project
Bit sad to finish though. This has been fun
