Registration has opened for the fourth annual 30 Characters Challenge, the month-long event that encourages writers and artists to create 30 characters in 30 days. That's one new character for every day of November.

Why? As the event's website states, "Because the world needs new characters.  And more importantly, it needs YOUR new characters.  Sometimes all it takes is a little challenge to get those creative juices flowing." According to organizers, more than 1,000 have participated in the challenge since 2009; of those, about 100 were able to complete it.

You can learn all the details, including how to register and where to upload characters, on the challenge's website. You can also browse the gallery of last year's character contributions. Registration ends Oct. 31; the 30 Characters Challenge begins Nov. 1.