Hard to believe we’re almost in November. Halloween is just around the corner, and then, bang, it’s Christmas. But in between, there’s NaNoWriMo – the fun month when writers make the ‘sane’ decision to write at least 50,000 words during the month of November.
This year I’ve put my hand up again to join in on the fun, but I’ve joined the Entangled Publishing Boot Camp for NaNoWriMo. Basically a week before the event begins, a handful of talented and wonderful editors are helping participants polish their synopsis before the race begins.
So for the past week, I’ve been nutting out the following for a brand new story:
- 1 page synopsis (plus summary of book 2 and 3 – since these are novellas)
- Elevator pitch
- Primary tropes
- For the two main characters: goal, motivation and conflict
- Inciting incident
Last year, I followed an outline, but it wasn’t as tight as it should have been. This time round, I’m going to be more prepared. Can you tell I’m not a pantser:)
Today I took the day off and shopped, baked and planted some new tomatoes in the garden. Over the weekend, I will flesh out the ‘black moment’ in the story, get to know my characters better, and break up the synopsis into chapters. So, I guess I’m going to be as ready as I can be…
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? If yes, are you outlining or letting it happen during the event?
Good luck NaNo! I’m doing RevNaNo this year.
I’m a total pantser. On my next book I’m going to try (sigh) an outline.
Woohoo! Good luck! Can’t wait to see what it all turns out like!!!
And yay for yummy fresh garden tomatoes. :0)
Love garden tomatoes:)
Kudos to anyone who takes on NaNo. I’m one of them who always seems to have an excuse. Shame on me. This November I’m going to try and finish last year’s WIP. This year I’m going to do it. … okay, maybe I’ll have it done before spring. Scratch that. [squaring shoulders]. I’m aiming for New Years.
Good luck with finishing your WIP
Wow, you sound really ready for NaNo. I’m impressed. I’ve never Nano’d but I admire those who have. Best of luck to you!
Many thanks
I’m not a pantser either. If I ever do NaNo, I’m going to do some heavy preparation beforehand.
Good luck.
Thanks.
Good luck with Nano! I’m not doing it myself this year, as I’m trying to finish ediitng my YA. But I’ll be cheering you on!
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
Best of luck with your editing… I’ll be doing a bit of that too
I didn’t know the editors were doing this!!! Cool idea.
I’m not participating. I’m still editing the current draft of my WIP and I haven’t started planning my next project. I’ve got a few ideas brainstormed for the story (I know what it’s about at least), but I’ve been busy with the research, which has to be finished first. I’m going to spend November working on both of these things. Which is pretty much the same deal that happens every year when NaNo rolls around.
Best of luck:)
I don’t intend to be doing Nano. But, I do plan on doing a lot of writing as I have a book that needs working on. But as I get closer to Thanksgiving, I will put it on the back burner as I will need to visit mom and dad for a week, take up dinner, etc.
Sometimes you just have to put writing aside for real life..:) Best of luck with your writing.
I’m not doing NaNo, but will be working hard to get my next novel done. So, I guess I’m sort of doing it.
It could be like side-nano
You see, the problem is that my pre-made plot outlines are like battle plans–they never survive long in the real action. I get better ideas and make changes as I go. Which is fun from an artistic perspective, but not so much from a practical one.
That happens to me all the time, but without them I wouldn’t know how to start…:)
Good luck Tania! I hope you do well
Me too:)
Not doing Nano. But I would definitely plot some if I were. Good luck!
Thanks.
I’m in this year–though I’m cheating a bit, and writing 50k (or more
) on a project I set aside for months to concentrate on revision.
I’m a huge pantser, and look at the first draft more like a messy outline than a manuscript, but I do have about forty or so scene cards to get me through. That, and I know the climax, along with the black moment and the ending. Not a happy one this time, but one that makes my point, and hopefully catapults my readers into the next book of the trilogy.
W can cheer each other on!
Scene cards sound like a very good idea…
Heh, “sane” decision. I’m excited about your NaNo story. Have you heard anything back yet about your synopsis? I’m excited, but I need to finish 1302 first. I have to do some big time writing this morning while the boy is in preschool.
Got my first lot of feedback and I’m making some tweaks and adjustments… I’m thinking I should just jump in now and expand into chapters…
I have my first – three word – sentence, and a man in a coma. That’s all I need… Doesn’t sound like a lot, does it? Umm…
I’m very impressed if that’s all you need… so wish i was the same.
I’ll be editing my third book in November, so not participating. But like you, I have to be prepared. Heck, I spent longer on the outline for my latest manuscript than I did writing it!
That’s a good sign you know… I’ve heard a lot of well known authors do that too.
I love all the planning! Good luck this week and in November. I won’t be officially involved, but I do hope to start my new novel and I’ll be writing furiously—that’s the plan at least.
Best of luck…