It’s that time of year again! November is quickly become THE month for creative challenges, with #30Characters being the one ComixTribe will be running this year. If you’re interested in pushing yourself creatively this Fall, strongly consider joining the 80+ creators who have already registered.

Here are the details:

The Challenge: Create 30 new characters in 30 days- one for every day of the month of November.

Why: Because the world still needs new characters.

When: Starting November 1st, 2011.

Where: At 30Characters.com.

How to Register: Simply sign up here with your name and email address to be added to the 30 Characters 2011 Challengers Roster.

Returning Challengers: If you participated in the 30 Characters Challenge last year and would like to take part again this year, send an email to tylerjamescomics@gmail.com confirming participation.

Stay Connected and Spread the Word:

– Follow the hashtag #30characters on Twitter for the latest information on the 30 Characters Challenge!

– Like the 30 Characters Challenge Facebook page!

– Keep an eye on your inbox for weekly 30 Characters Challenge updates!

– Grab one or more of the approved 30 Characters Challenge Banners, and post on your website. Or better yet, create your own!

Top Five Most Asked Questions About #30Characters

1. I’m “just a writer.” Can I still participate?

Of course! Writers are encouraged to participate, too. Write a prose character sketch, a fictional diary entry, or a short vignette featuring a new character you’ve created. Or take a page from creators like Ian Struckoff, and partner with some artists friends to have them bring your new characters to life!

2. Do I get to keep the rights to the characters I create?

Of course you do, silly. Your characters are yours alone, you retain all copyrights to everything you create here.

3. How do I protect my ideas? What if I post something and someone steals it and makes a bazillion dollars?

Your work is copyright you the moment you create it. Posting on 30Characters creates a public record of your creations that may actually help you defend your ownership. However, ideas are not copywritable, only the execution thereof is. Is there a chance someone will see something you write, and be inspired to go off and create something very similar and make millions off it? Certainly. Of course, wouldn’t it be easier if you just beat them to the punch? : )

Ideas that spread, win. Ideas can’t spread when they’re held tight to the vest. What I’ve found is the challenge is a good way to put out some early ideas, to see what resonates with people, and to build interest in what you might be doing next. For example, THE RED TEN hasn’t come out yet, but the interest it generated from people during last year’s #30Characters got me pumped to actually work on the book…and has people more keen on checking it out when it comes out.

But again, that’s my take. If you’re not comfortable with putting your stuff out there, that’s fine too. Check out the 30Characters site, talk to some past participants, and see what they have to say about the event.

4.) Do I have to put in one new character every day? What if I fall behind? What if I want to get ahead?

The challenge is to create 30 characters in 30 days. Period. Technically, you could create all 30 on November 30, and have completed the challenge. Shoot for one a day, but playing catchup or getting ahead of schedule is perfectly fine. Note, that this challenge is NO SMALL FEAT. Historically, only about 30% of challengers are able to finish all 30 in 30. But 100% have fun trying.

5.) Can I also post my characters on my own blog?

Of course! They’re yours. You can post them on your websites, blogs, facebook pages, flicker accounts, and refrigerators.

Still have questions about the Challenge? Be sure to read our full FAQ, for everything you could possibly want to know about #30Characters.

Get ready to create!

The 30 Characters Challenge is an annual challenge brought to you by :