Preparing?

I have two ideas that I'm playing around with. I'm not far on either one, and I don't know if either will be a NaNo novel ... but I'm thinking about it!

Yes, after toying with the idea of writing in other genres, I have decided I am much happier writing historical fiction of one sub-genre or another. I like the idea of having a time period in which to anchor my plot and characters. It does put relatively strict parameters on me, but within that structure I can concentrate on the characters rather than the world-building.

So, now I need to decide on a time period and place: ancient Rome? early medieval Britain? Regency England? (some of my favorites).

I've been tossing around an idea as well. Glad to see I'm not the only one!

I've got my idea, started researching, as well as trying to outline the basics. Two characters have started to appear, but I think this may be my attempt at a large cast book.

I've gone back to an old genre for me: Speculative Fiction. Got to see what happens this year.

All this while working toward getting my first series of short stories ready for publication. Almost put Nano research in the story! Different concepts entirely. Eep.

I suppose having a general idea of characters and where I want them to end up would be considered preparation. I need to outline my idea and read some books on writing and some books written in the style I want for myself. November IS just around the corner.

November is astonishingly close. Time to start emotionally preparing family and friends for the harsh reality to come...

I have no plot/characters/etc yet, but I'm trying to prepare in other ways. My mom already bugs me about how much time I spend on the computer, and during NaNo I will of course be spending a lot of time on here, so I'm trying to cut down on my internet usage and get used to not spending hours on certain sites every night. Instead I'll be spending that time writing.

I only realized a couple of days ago about how CLOSE November is! At this time, I am completely unprepared

Yikes! I'm not close to being ready too... just have an idea, but nothing else. It'll be my first year as an ML also, so lots of stuff to do... trying not to freak out... hahaha.

Oh, good for you, dk! I have a hard time remembering to brush my teeth before bed during NaNo to ever consider being an ML. I do help organize write-ins in So.Cal. tho, or at least have done the past two years. And I cheerlead a lot, mostly when I am so far behind I wonder if I should even bother to try to finish my NaNo novel. Then all that cheerleading gets me revved up again, so it's not only about being altruistic. ;-b

I join every year and then fall down about day 3. I started working on novel around March/April and have put it aside for a while. As the deadline is fast approaching I think I will spend October creating a detailed outline so that this year I can actually contribute to the process.

I know you don't have to have one in order to participate but for me I think I really need the structure or else my idea just kind of stalls.

#11 -- That's what I've done the past two years (fall down at about Day 3, that is) . . . maybe I should follow your example and write an outline.

#12 I've resisted it for years but I've finally realised there is a reason why every creative writing course, and nearly every successful author I know suggests using one. We always think we know what is the best way forward for our writing but if you find yourself not ever getting anywhere then perhaps it's time to reflect on all that well ignored advice :D

In August I had an idea come to me and I didn't want to lose it so I wrote it down. Basic plot, some stuff about the main characters. I don't want to do too much outlining before November though. The week or two before November I think I'll bring up what I wrote again and think more about it, but I don't want to think about it a lot now and not be excited about it when I can actually write it.

And at least with a bare bones outline, you can jump ahead in your story & write a new scene if you get stuck or have writer's block... because everyone knows there's no time for writer's block during NaNo!!!

#10 -- Thanks! Organizing write-ins takes a lot of time and energy too, so I'm sure your ML loves you for that! :) I'm hoping to find some kind souls like yourself who are willing to come alongside and help with a few things here and there. We'll see! And it's true, there's nothing like cheering on others to help motivate you to work on your own novel!!!

I wrote a paragraph description and character sketches (about a paragraph each) for 2 MCs. I should really do a real outline, but I just seem to start writing when I try to, and I want to follow the rules and have it all be written in November.

I've got a full plot but I haven't written an outline yet. I'm terrible at outlines! I have started organizing a soundtrack. I have found certain songs which help me jump into the right mindset. I'll probably procrastinate on that outline until the very last second.

15,16,17

As I am one of those who never does anything the right way I decided to give it a try this time. Did some research online and found some good suggestions for creating a comprehensive outline and at the moment I am following those.

Been good so far. At first it seems like hard work especially when trying to boil an entire novel down into a paragraph or even a sentence but once you do it actually makes perfect sense.

I often hear writers say they don't want to write an outline because they will get bored with their own story or they don't want to know what happens next. I think this is exactly why a lot of us fall down. As the author we should basically know from chapter to chapter what is supposed to happen next or else you run the risk of getting stuck on a plot point or having to go back and change too much and overwhelming yourself.

I think any tool that will help you NOT self sabotage your work is worth investigating and using to the best of your ability.

Started mine a week and half earlier then I intended but I hope the outcome proves the hard graft.

I'm gearing up and excited about the possibility of a process that will help me write, rather than thinking about writing, talking about writing, planning to write, researching, reading, and doing anything other than actually writing.

I have two ideas, one which I really like (and my wife also does) but which I think I'm going to have difficulty expanding much beyond "an idea", and another which is coming out of my 30 days of worldbuilding exercises which would be a lot of fun to write. I hope that I'll be able to pull the two together into my 2009 nano.

Also, I got my copy of No Plot, No Problem in the mail today!!

..... I have a few characters that randomly popped into my head today. No plot, no backstory, no idea who the heck they are. They are just... there.

Which *never* happens to me, I always have fairly good control with my characters and create them as I go... this is new. *pokes them cautiously*

17--I get a great deal of my inspiration from music. I find a song or even an entire album that invokes emotion in me and figure out where it can fit into my story. Then I listen to that song just before writing. I haven't started listening for my music yet but I guess it's time to get to it. :)

I have about four chapters outlined and a vague idea of the plot line beyond that.

31 days to go!

I am taking the advice here and writing an honest to goodness outline. Feels weird, but I think I'll be very happy come the second week of November that I have it.

MY birthday is on November 1st so I am hoping that is a good sign for my novel writing for the rest of the month. I am doing research and an outline this month in hopes of writing all the stuff that fills in the blanks. I have never done this before, I am more likely to write short stories for submission to literary mags...at least I hope for them to be published. I think having the support of LT friends will make a huge difference in motivation and the chance of the novel being completed. The worse that can happen is that I will get a good deal written on a subject I have had in mind for years. This idea has haunted me for so long, I obviously need to make a real attempt at completing it in some form, be it short story or novel.

I always go window shopping to help me prepare. Sometimes just looking at new books, technology, food, clothes, toys, music, etc. helps me come up with ideas. All these ideas go straight into the moleskine, then into my digital notebook, which then becomes part of my writing for nanowrimo.

I also keep my two writing programs up at all times (circus ponies notebook and ulysses), just in case I want to add sticky notes and thoughts into my digital references.

I'll set up my outline in a couple of days -- and since I'm the kind of person that likes to make successive drafts in order to actually clean up and direct my stories, my outlines are kinda skimpy -- like one word / phrase ideas for sections.

If you're a more 'organic' writer like me (like to just 'write' and see what comes out), an outline that has just a simple phrase like, "get MC to major city" can be really helpful when you get stuck. Of course, if you like to outline every detail, my kind of outlines would drive you bonkers. ;)

I also make a bunch of playlists, add reminders to my calender, and set up my 'rewards'. (I like saying things like, if I make X words by this date, I get a new book! or things like that to help spur along the writing madness.) I also buy either a special tea or a special coffee to celebrate the start of another nanowrimo year!

Oh, and I also pick up a bunch of goodies from the Nanowrimo store. :)

November is too close! EEEEK!

I have been hit by all kinds of odd work and strange things -- including a problem with my right eye again -- but I'm hoping to have one more outline done before November 1. Unfortuantely, I also have two newsletters (one almost completed), the next issue of Vision: A Resource for Writers to put together, updates for Forward Motion...

EEEEK I say!

I came up with a story idea today! I think I know the basic bones of the first part of it, anyway, including the mfc's name! Wowsers. I'm so...surprised.

Oh, zette, I almost forgot ~ hope your eye is better soon. Good luck with all your projects!

Hope everyone's health improves before November gets here. I'm finishing healing a sprained wrist and a sprained shoulder...