The Naked Novelist Challenge?!

What's a naked novelist? Just a writer, writing stories, and publishing books.

And that writer's motto this year: keep it funnnnn!

Because if my writing career isn't fun, then what's the point? There are heaps of jobs that aren't fun. They're lower risk, often easier, and they pay better. But creating worlds? Meeting new characters, and then handing them puzzles and nudging them into harrowing scenarios?

Heh. Now that's fun.

Know what's also fun? Dogs in the snow. Always worth including in a post, regardless of the actual topic.

And to make sure I stay on track, I designed a little game for myself. For the time being, I've named it the Naked Novelist Challenge. It's a way to prod me into sharing more of the writing process online.

UPDATE: A few other people are using that title and the results are...unsavoury. I'm calling it The Common Novelist.

A couple of day into this, I had a thought: this would be more fun if other writers joined in. So, consider this an invite: I'm hoping to add a partner or three to the mix. Comrades, co-conspirators. (But also... friendly competitors, affable contestants. It's all a game, after all.)

Is that you?

I'm looking for other experienced, career-minded writers who want to help each other stay focused and disciplined about the craft and the business.

Wanna chat about it? Great! Drop me a line or join this private facebook group.

No? It's all good. Maybe just grab a bucket of popcorn and follow the ride.

Okay, so what's this 'naked novelist' title about?

The idea is about sharing. Giving peeks behind the curtain. "Writers' secrets: exposed!" Something like that.

I've shared parts of the writing process in the past, but it's been a struggle to keep it interesting without spoiling the story I'm working on.

I mean, really, most of a writer's day is repetitive: tap at a keyboard, stare out the window for a while. Tap at a keyboard, make a squinty, thoughtful face at the page. Tap at a keyboard, go lean on the kitchen counter while chomping a banana and making the same squinty, thoughtful face.

Not exactly the most compelling material for Instagram posts.

See? This is the auto-suggested stock photo. How thrilling.

And, with that in mind, the Naked Novelist series was born. Stay tuned. EDIT: Nope. It's the Common Novelist now.