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Post by Jenny (Reffy) on Oct 7, 2010 5:24:01 GMT -5
Its that time of year again! Time to start planning for .... National Novel Writing Month!The challenge starts on Nov 1st. It is to write 50,000 words before the month is over (Told you its really stupid and really crazy)! Lets get some crazy writing going on. LET THE PLOT BUNNIES LOOSE, MR GIBBS! Happy hunting, Authors! www.nanowrimo.org/
How NaNoWriMo Works (in Ten Easy Steps)
1) Sign up for the event by clicking the "Sign up Now" link at the top of the site. It's right at the tip of the runner's pencil.
2) Read the ginormous email our noveling robots send you. It will have "Love" in the subject line.
3) Log into your account and use the links on the My NaNoWriMo page to set your time zone, affiliate yourself with a region, and tell us a little bit about yourself.
4) Begin procrastinating by reading through all the great advice and funny stories in the forums. Post some stories and questions of your own. Get excited. Get nervous. Try to rope someone else into doing this with you. Eat lots of chocolate and stockpile noveling rewards.
5) On November 1, begin writing your novel. Your goal is to write a 50,000-word novel by midnight, local time, on November 30th. You write on your own computer, using whatever software you prefer.
6) This is not as scary as it sounds.
7) Starting November 1, you can update your word count in that box at the top of the site, and post excerpts of your work for others to read. Watch your word count accumulate and your story take shape. Feel a little giddy.
8) Write with other NaNoWriMo participants in your area. Write by yourself. Write. Write. Write.
9) If you write 50,000 words of fiction by midnight, local time, November 30th, you can upload your novel for official verification, and be added to our hallowed Winner’s Page and receive a handsome winner’s certificate and web badge. We'll post step-by-step instructions on how to scramble and upload your novel starting in mid-November.
10) Win or lose, you rock for even trying.
ps. I know your probably really excited about this ... but do not start writing until Nov 1st! Writing Buddy Usernames:Reffent Matteo DiGiovanni PACrivellaro Waldy Bloodeye Drall Jordan9 NotAliceInHerWonderland JRERowland Evern Lilam Djackal TheHollow Igraine Wolfeh_da_Wolf41 AniThari |
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Post by Jenny (Reffy) on Oct 7, 2010 5:35:58 GMT -5
First off: Who's with me!!! (Writing buddy "Reffent"!)
Secondly: Damn my ever-changing plans/mind!
Last year I wanted to write a sequel to "Bel-Gonows: The Child" (I even laid the groundwork for another novel with the first novel: "Bel-Gonows: Ancients"). However, when I tried to edit "Bel-Gonows: The Child" I discovered it was pretty -bleh- especially the latter part of the novel. The writing quality dropped insanely and the plot changed itself as my characters did what they wanted to do. I think that rewriting "Bel-Gonows: The Child" is the only option now, and not editing ... which obviously puts writing the sequel on pause!
Then I have Qwibeth, my project. I thought about maybe writing a bunch of short stories and one long one (equalling to 50k), which would be a lot of fun. I already have bunches of ideas for it. This, however, means a lot of finger-work this month laying out rules, magic, more races, plants, religions - etc. Rather short amount of time but entirely possible.
Unfortunately this morning YET ANOTHER idea popped into my head. I have been planning (for a long time now) on restarting "Alonzo Asa" again - setting him in England and darker this time around. It occurred to me this morning that I could write his story for NaNo! The framework is mostly there, the idea, the direction, and most of the ending. It is entirely possible that I could make him the novel.
So the options are a bit nuts. Plot bunnies have ran away with me! HALP!
- Rewrite "Bel-Gonows: The Child" and start "Bel-Gonows: Ancients"
- Do the Qwibeth project and write the shorts I have been sitting on.
- ALONZO!
Anybody else struggling with plot bunnies or which direction to go?
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Post by James on Oct 7, 2010 5:39:28 GMT -5
Once again, I'll be using it as an excuse to get really into Phantoms. This year, from the 4th onwards I'll have no work or university and therefore I should be able to give it a good try. So Phantoms will be really getting off the ground hopefully.
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Post by Jenny (Reffy) on Oct 7, 2010 5:53:39 GMT -5
Woohoo Agro! :} Looking forward to snippets from Phantoms!
Still stuck here on which direction to go in. Bel-Gonows will not be allowed to die. I love Alonzo but its very dark, which is a challenge for me to write. Qwibeth is my whimsical land.
All three would be fun! *Begins tearing out hair!* Hehe
("Bel-Gonows: The Child" would probably change a lot with the second write too)
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Post by James on Oct 7, 2010 5:57:47 GMT -5
I'd go with Alonzo. While I remember having a few comments on his story, I have the memory of liking it overall as a well-crafted piece.
I just have to make sure I don't get distracted. Phantom is planned, it's ready, it's the foundation for a whole host of other ideas. If I can get it done the floodgates are open. However after rewatching some Digimon and rereading A Knight of the Word, I had a children/teen book idea pop up. A area I never really have tried to write to.
But no. Phantoms! Vincent Spencer, Lawrence Addison and DCI Collingwood must be written alongside other already established characters!
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Post by Matteo ((Taed)) on Oct 7, 2010 7:16:01 GMT -5
I think I'm going to sign up officially this year, and also change my strategy. Last year I wanted to work only on a novel-length piece, as that is NaNo's main goal. But I kept stalling and losing interest in it, so I ended up writing no more than a few thousand words. This year I'm going to -try- working on a novel, but if I get blocked I'm just going to shift gears and do a bunch of short stories instead. That way I'm still writing the full amount, even if I'm not -technically- writing a novel.
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Post by Jenny (Reffy) on Oct 7, 2010 7:50:44 GMT -5
... but if I get blocked I'm just going to shift gears and do a bunch of short stories instead. That way I'm still writing the full amount, even if I'm not -technically- writing a novel. My thoughts exactly :] with Qwibeth :] |
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Post by Jenny (Reffy) on Oct 7, 2010 12:54:21 GMT -5
Think I have committed to writing Alonzo Asa. Had a couple of ideas today and I'm definitely feeling it!
I also want to keep Qwibeth as my playground (not work) and rewriting Bel-Gonows would just be a drag for me.
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Post by Matteo ((Taed)) on Oct 7, 2010 13:12:04 GMT -5
Allons-y Alonzo.
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Post by Jenny (Reffy) on Oct 7, 2010 13:18:00 GMT -5
Actually really excited now that I have decided and want to get started right away! Must wait until November >.< The ideas are flowing and the most recent one is going to be really difficult but awesome to write about! *Squeee!* DrJackal is joining us this year (username: Djackal). I've seen a snippet already  and it is going to be really good! What are you going to be writing, Taed? The Sci-fi you started? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2010 13:20:02 GMT -5
I'll try again. Last year I only got 5k or so, and didn't like most of what I had...
This year, I do have a concept in mind, though. It's been banging around in my head for awhile.
But, alas, that's all I have; a concept. Still not so sure what kind of setting it would be (though I'm thinking a sort of low-fantasy might suit it the best.)
Also, I'm officially signing up as well. I didn't last year; maybe chatting to others and lurking forums and stuff will keep me going.
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Post by Matteo ((Taed)) on Oct 7, 2010 13:30:37 GMT -5
What are you going to be writing, Taed? The Sci-fi you started? Yeah, I think I'll just pick up where I left off last year. I haven't added much to it since then, honesty. Nothing that was any good, anyway. |
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Post by Jenny (Reffy) on Oct 7, 2010 13:36:35 GMT -5
OOoooooooo YAY Taed! I was hoping you would add more to that Sci-Fi story when I saw you were going to try NaNo again. I liked the premise that you presented last year. This year, I do have a concept in mind, though. It's been banging around in my head for awhile. But, alas, that's all I have; a concept. Still not so sure what kind of setting it would be (though I'm thinking a sort of low-fantasy might suit it the best.) Also, I'm officially signing up as well. I didn't last year; maybe chatting to others and lurking forums and stuff will keep me going. YAY! Add me as writing buddy What is the concept? |
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Post by Matteo ((Taed)) on Oct 7, 2010 13:47:14 GMT -5
Username: Matteo DiGiovanni. I know, I'm creative as hell |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2010 14:03:03 GMT -5
Adding everyone on here that's posted a name thus far. If anyone wants to add me, I'm Jordan9.
My concept, thus far, is inspired by C S Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters" which were essentially letters between Screwtape and his "nephew" Wormwood. Both were demons (in the Judeo-Christian sense, with some artistic license on Lewis' part.) Also, I'm influenced by Paradise Lost, which is about the Fall of Man from multiple perspectives (but mostly Satan's.) It isn't a revolutionary concept, writing from the perspective of the "bad-guy" but it does pique my interest.
Essentially, I want to write about the beginning of Time in Judeo-Christian theology, but from Satan's perspective... His thoughts when God creates Man, when Man falls, when God becomes Man and dies for all Humanity; etc. BUT, the caveat is, I would much rather do this with metaphor and allegory than, y'know, literally.
So, my preliminary plan is to set the novel in an Edenic, low-fantasy kingdom. There will be a King (God) and his sons (Lucifer and Michael.) The kingdom is prosperous, beautiful, etc. etc. Perfect. The subjects (representing the angels) are virtuous and kind and good.
Then some scraggly, ship-wrecked refugees show up (representing Humanity.) The King decrees that these flea-bitten, scared folk should be allowed to stay. "Lucifer" is perplexed, but doesn't offer any sort of argument... Until the refugees start breaking the laws of the Kingdom...
Alternatively, I was also thinking of going a sci-fi route. Same concept, but three scientists (representing God, Lucifer, and Michael) create life (microscopic life or robotic or something.)
The major inspiration, though, that I would like to capture, comes from the "Screwtape Letters," wherein Screwtape refers to Humanity as "abominations" and "amphibians" being comprised of soul and flesh. As opposed to just soul (angels, demons, etc.) or just flesh (animals). His revulsion kind of intrigued me, and I'd like to explore that more; the idea of a confused Lucifer-archetype completely baffled and mortified at the mercy and patience that the God-archetype shows to the refugees/microorganisms/robots.
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and it is going to be really good!
