As I mentioned at the beginning of the month, my local writers’ group is doing our own version of NaNo in October (I’m way behind where I should be!). I’ve been sending out encouragement and challenges every day, usually a word count. But yesterday, Tuesday I sent this:

Well, it’s not the full moon, and it’s not even Friday the 13th. But in honor of its being the 13th of October, make something strange—or weird or scary—happen to one of your characters today. Be as creative as you can be—it doesn’t have to be something that’ll go into the story. But you might be surprised what you’ll learn about your character by putting him or her in a completely off-the-wall situation.

Then share it with the group!

As my “homework,” I shared the following, which was what I happened to be writing at the time:

An hour later, Charlotte returned to the cockpit with the rest of the mids. The smell of so many perspiring bodies in wool uniforms in such a close space nearly made her sick, but she managed to maintain control of her stomach. She endured quite a bit of jostling before a mug and plate were thrust into her hands.

She sat at the Yates End of the table, but when she looked down at the gray muck on her plate, she was uncertain she would be able to eat. She grabbed her mug instead and took a gulp.

Her stomach heaved, and she retched, turning just in time so that the liquid hit the floor instead of the table.

“That is vile.” Coughing, she wiped her mouth on her sleeve, wishing she had water to rinse the foul taste from her mouth.

Everyone around her laughed. “You act as if you’ve never had grog, Lott.” Hamilton pounded her back until her coughs subsided.

Grog. Rum mixed with water and a bit of lime juice to ward off scurvy. She should have remembered—everyone aboard was allotted a certain amount, half served at dinner, half at supper.

Another midshipman picked up her mug and sniffed it. “I don’t think grog is all that’s in here, lads.” He set the mug down on the table and leaned forward, dropping his voice. “Smells like turpentine.”

As you can see, by her second day aboard Audacious disguised as a midshipman, Charlotte has already made some enemies. Well . . . off to write the follow-up to that scene.