Remember, remember, the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent to blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catch’d with a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the King!
Every November, the scent of woodsmoke lingers in the air as a reminder that this is the season of bonfires. Long before we had electric light or central heating, people gathered around open flames to share warmth, food, and stories. Even now, there’s something about a fire that pulls us closer, both to one another and to ourselves.
The History Beneath the Flames
The most famous of these fires, at least in the English-speaking world, belongs to Guy Fawkes Night, or Bonfire Night, celebrated on November 5th. In 1605, Guy Fawkes and a group of conspirators attempted to blow up the English Parliament in what became known as the Gunpowder Plot. Their plan failed, and Fawkes was caught guarding the explosives beneath the House of Lords. In the aftermath, Londoners lit bonfires to celebrate the king’s safety, and the tradition took root.
Over the centuries, Bonfire Night evolved, losing much of its political edge and becoming more about community gatherings, fireworks, and the comforting ritual of standing in the glow of shared light on a dark autumn night. But the deeper symbolism remains. Bonfires mark transformation: the burning away of what’s old, the illumination of what’s hidden, the warmth of hope in the cold.
Firelight and the Creative Heart
For readers and writers, bonfires speak to something even more timeless. Every story begins with a spark such as a flicker of emotion, an image, a question that won’t let us go. Writing that story is like tending a fire in that it takes patience, attention, and courage to keep it alive. Some days, the flame burns bright; others, it smolders beneath the ash. But when we nurture it, it grows strong enough to warm us—and others—through the long dark nights.
And just as communities once gathered to tell stories around the fire, we still gather around books. Each story we read or write is its own small bonfire, a light that keeps loneliness and fear at bay. Stories remind us that even in uncertain times, the human spirit burns bright.
Tending Your Creative Fire During Rough Draft Challenge Month
So as the days grow shorter, think of your creative work—whatever form it takes—as your own bonfire.
- Feed it with inspiration. Read something that sparks wonder or courage.
- Protect it from the wind of doubt. Don’t let criticism or comparison snuff it out.
- Share its warmth. Let your stories, your words, your light reach others who might need it.
November is not just a month to write 50,000 words of a new draft, or try to finish an old project. It’s a month of reflection, a time when the world seems to tilt toward darkness… and yet, we still light fires. Maybe that’s why bonfires feel so powerful to writers and readers alike. They remind us that creativity is an act of defiance against the cold. That even the smallest spark, tended with care, can light up the night.
