To all of you who have done NaNoWriMo in the past, or have thought about it seriously, I'm sending heartfelt pleadings for insights. I'd love to participate, have wanted to since I first heard about it, but always seem to be in the middle of a project at the beginning of November. This year I might have a shot at putting everything else aside for the month of November and getting into the game. Since there is a whole month, almost, until the opening bell rings, it seems like the perfect time to ask if all you experienced and knowledgeable folks out there would be willing to share what you've learned about what works best for you :-)
I do realize it is different for different types of writers. I've heard, for example, two starkly different approaches to previous NaNoWriMos. One, from a dedicated outliner, was that the best way by far is to do a detailed, scene-by-scene outline of the entire book you want to write before November, so that you know the story inside out. Then, you will never have writer's block in the process, and will be able to easily assess the worthiness of any unexpected ideas that might crop up along the way about character or plot development. This writer's objective is to actually write a whole, finished, quality first draft of a novel during NaNoWriMo.
The other approach came from someone who's never met an outline he likes, and is more into the fun and excitement of the writing process. His idea is to pick a subject and a protagonist that are broadly defined and free flowing, so that you can just write about the protag getting into a particular situation or situations and let the reactions and dramas and characters develop from there. His objective is also to write something that can be turned into a fine first draft, maybe just not by the end of November.
I'm in awe of both of these approaches, but my gut is telling me my style is somewhere in between. Some outlining, some free flow.
What works for you? Do you get stuck in tangents if you don't know where you're going before you begin? Do you get stuck in the doldrums if it's all laid out ahead of time? Any insights from your experiences would be most appreciated! Thanks.
~ Linda
Hi, Linda,
ReplyDeleteI've done NaNo three times so far, and having something of an outline works a lot better for me than not having a clue where I'm going.
If I start writing blind, I get panicky when I can't meet the 1667 words each day. Also, the month usually goes by in a blur and I can't remember anything else but trying to stay ahead of the word count each day. Working with a plan guarantees some people of mind for someone like me.
It's a fun challenge, but not for the faint hearted. Based on my commitments, last year I had to quit at 12,000 words. Hated to do it, but because of what I had on my plate, I had to be sensible.
Hope you have fun if you decide to go for it.
I am somewhere in between. I know my main theme, setting and characters. I know what the trigger is to set actions in motion. Then I write and don't stop. I write whatever comes into my head. If I get stuck I say to myself, "just write something down now." NaNoWriMo isn't about writing the perfect book. It's about getting your word count. Fix it later. I usually edit as I go, which means it takes me years to write a book. If it wasn't for NaNoWriMo, I might not ever finish it.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about doing it for the first time this year and am also trying to figure out how to get ready. Part of my problem is that I outline and then write and then outline some more and then write a little. I've decided to outline all the way though for my NaNo book, and I'm excited to see how it works out.
ReplyDeleteSo far for NaNo, I've prepared a general outline, two character sketches and a setting sketch.
But it is really hard to do all the planning without any writing. I mean--how do you figure out the voice without plopping down some words?
Yes, J.L., it's that panicky feeling I want to avoid! I'm envisioning myself like a runner before a big race, bouncing from foot to foot, wagging my head back and forth to loosen up my neck and shoulders. If I know how my muscles will feel through the race, because I've prepared for it, I can relax and run and not be thrown by their whims.But no race is fully predictable.
ReplyDeleteSuch an excellent point, Phyllis, about finishing books. I edit as I go, too, and am hoping NaNoWriMo will free me from that compulsion.
ReplyDeleteLove that, Heidi! How DO you figure out voice without writing some of it? I've noticed that people look at you funny if you walk around talking to the voices in your head. :-) Much better to quietly write it--then they think you're a genius.
ReplyDeleteI'm an inbetweenie too. I outline to know enough about the main events and how it ends, but pants the scenes. It's enough uncertainty to still be surprised as I write, but gives me the structure I need so I know where I'm going. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Linda,
ReplyDeleteI'm sort of in the middle too. Although I rarely outline to begin with, I generally know the big conflict of the story and my narrator.
And tangents happen, but you steer them back on track and keep going. For me NANO isn't about writing the "best" novel, it's about writing for my complete and total enjoyment.
I also generally edit as I go (which kills my crit partners) but with NANO it's really just about pounding out the story.
If you get stuck try this website: writeordie.com it's great for "making" you write. Especially if you're like me and get distracted by the internet.
Thanks, Lydia. I think I might need lots of good luck! I like the way inbetweenies think, though :-)
ReplyDeleteHeh, Gretchen. Me? Distracted by the internet? What a concept. Thank you so much for that website. I will definitely check that out. And oh, that 'writing for complete and total enjoyment' sounds like heaven!
ReplyDeleteI did a recent blog post on this. But the trick for me is to have the following done in advance - my outline, my character descriptions, my world descriptions, plot defined and my set writing times. It's do or die writing where if you get stuck you write thru that block. Write in the am and pm and NO looking back.
ReplyDeleteLinda, this sounds like fun... but what is: NaNoWriMo? For those of us new to the game... can you tell me the rules? I know you just write every day... but how much? 7 days per week? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love nano and am looking forward to doing it again this year. Last year I tried and wanted to, but was in the middle of a tough revision and had to give in to that. This year it looks more plausible. I don't like outlining for nano. I probably will do a beat sheet (Blake Snyder), but if I'm stuck my motto is just keep writing whatever comes out. Throw new things at the characters and see what happens. You can always edit later. I love that free creativity nano invokes.
ReplyDeleteWow, LM, you sound like the dedicated outliner I spoke with. He was very compelling, too. Like you, crystal clear on what is needed. I love the do or die, write in the AM and PM and no looking back parts!
ReplyDeleteKarlene, it does sound like fun, doesn't it? 50,000 words in 30 days is the goal. You decide what you want to write. You set your own schedule, whether it's daily, only on weekends, whatever. (If it's daily, it's 1,667 words/day, for example) Nationally participated in by whoever wants to. Not sure if there's an official place to talk to other participants along the way and share thoughts and progress. There must be, though.
ReplyDeleteYay, Lisa, you get to participate this year! Love your motto. Is it okay if I borrow it?
ReplyDeleteI've never done an official NaNoWriMo, but I've hit that goal before when I've been inspired. But I'm not at all good at outlining--just a few main plot points and the rest is all pantsing.
ReplyDeleteI did Nano last year and you're right, I did a little planning and a little pantsing too. I like having a general idea of main characters and story line before I start. I'm not one of those people that can take a concept and just run. But I've found that too much plotting takes away the spontaneity of writing on the fly. You may know where you're headed, but sometimes not knowing exactly how to get there the first time is the fun part.
ReplyDeleteMy advice if you get stuck? The same thing my entire Nano group last year would say anytime someone said "I'm stuck".... BLOW SOMETHING UP! This can be done literally or metaphorically. Essentially throw a major event into the story, whether you think you'll keep it or not, and force your characters to react. It will keep you writing and get you through, plus you may come up with new characters or sub plots you hadn't thought of the first time around!
Best of luck!!
Julie, I am impressed! That is no easy feat, especially doing it on your own. Five gold stars!! :-)
ReplyDeletequidforquill, that is fantastic advice. The biggest obstacle I imagine when I think of NaNoWriMo is being stuck. That's what makes outlining sound good, but like you, I find detailed outlining a creativity killer. But blowing something up? I can do that! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda,
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed that you want to do this. I, myself, have never did this, but I did write the first draft of my second novel in six weeks.
I didn't outline. I never have. I just went with the flow once I had the idea. I think it depends on how detailed the story is and HOW MANY CHARACTERS.
I wrote in very few. I think that could help a lot. If you keep the cast on the smaller end, you can concentrate on the actual plot. Character building and relationships will be limited, so the can be fleshed out in wonderful detail.
I hope that helps. Good luck! I KNOW you can accomplish this task.
You did a complete draft in six weeks? That is SO FAST. Thanks for the tip--not too many characters for NaNo. That makes sense Michael. Focus on plot, with only a couple of characters actually fleshed out. . .thanks!
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