September often feels like a fresh start. The shift from summer to fall brings structure, back-to-school energy, and renewed focus. Many writers ride that wave of momentum into big September goals—outlining projects, starting new drafts, or reviving habits after a slower summer. But what happens when September ends? How do you carry that energy forward into October, a month that brings shorter days, busier schedules, and the looming excitement of NaNoWriMo on the horizon?
Here’s how you can smoothly transition your writing goals from September into October without losing momentum.
1. Reflect Before You Reset
Before setting brand-new goals, pause and reflect on September:
- What goals did you meet or exceed?
- Which ones did you struggle with?
- What writing habits or routines worked well?
- What derailed you?
This reflection isn’t about judgment—it’s about gathering insight. Sometimes the goals you didn’t meet reveal more than the ones you did. Maybe your daily word count goal was too ambitious, but your consistency improved overall. That’s progress worth carrying into October.
2. Adjust Your Pace for Seasonal Energy
October often feels busier than September. The daylight shifts, holiday season prep begins, and your energy may dip. Instead of fighting against it, adjust your writing pace to align with the season:
- Try shorter, focused writing sprints (20–30 minutes).
- Shift from big word-count goals to smaller, consistent habits.
- Embrace cozy writing rituals—candles, tea, and autumn playlists can make sessions more inviting.
3. Build a Bridge Toward November
For many writers, October is “Preptober,” the preparation month for NaNoWriMo. Even if you don’t plan to do NaNo, you can use this time to strengthen your foundation:
- Outline or refine your story ideas.
- Build character sheets or worldbuilding notes.
- Finish smaller projects to clear the deck for November’s big push.
Think of October as a transition month—a bridge between September’s structure and November’s intensity.
4. Keep Momentum With Fresh Challenges
Sometimes, what you need is a creative twist to stay engaged. Here are a few writing challenges to try in October:
- Genre Swap: Write in a genre you didn’t touch in September.
- Autumn Theme: Write a story or poem inspired by seasonal imagery (leaves, harvest, fog, full moons).
- Flash Fiction Friday: Dedicate one day a week to a 500-word story.
- Character Deep-Dive: Pick one character from your work-in-progress and write a new scene from their perspective.
5. Create Flexible but Clear Goals
Set specific but realistic writing goals for October. Examples:
- “Write 3 short stories by Halloween.”
- “Revise 2 chapters of my novel.”
- “Spend 10 minutes a day freewriting.”
- “Draft my NaNoWriMo outline by October 31st.”
Your goals should reflect both what’s realistic and what excites you. Flexibility is key: adjust as the month unfolds, rather than clinging to goals that no longer serve you.
Writing Prompts to Kick Off October
Here are a few prompts to spark your transition into the new month:
- A character discovers something hidden during the autumn harvest.
- The first cold night of October brings an unexpected visitor.
- Write a scene where two characters argue under a tree with falling leaves.
- A journal entry from someone preparing for a challenge (NaNoWriMo or otherwise).
- A magical object only appears when the fog rolls in during October.
Final Thoughts
The transition from September to October is about more than setting new goals—it’s about carrying forward what worked, letting go of what didn’t, and aligning your writing life with the season. Whether you’re prepping for NaNoWriMo or simply staying consistent, October can be a powerful month of growth if you approach it with intention and flexibility.
Happy Writing ^_^
Sara's Writing Sanctuary 