TECH: Nanowrimo? Get set?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting 29 October 2011

I know Nanowrimo actually doesn't start for a couple of days. Still, I think it's fair to do some preparation. For example, you may want to think about how you're going to do your writing. Personally, I set up a folder for Nanowrimo 2011. One thing that's in it is a spreadsheet. Yes, I know that Nanowrimo provides a tracking facility, so that you can put in your daily word count and see the graphs they make up. But... I find it worthwhile to keep my own. I've actually done it as a Google spreadsheet, so it's available to me anywhere there is a browser.

There's a public copy available over here if you'd like to get your own copy. I'm pretty sure it's set up to allow you to grab a copy -- let me know if it isn't?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlXxRgbVerJHdDViM0psNkdzU2t5b3p6T2JoREdlb0E&hl=en_US

Depending on your writing style, you might want to do some thinking or even outlining. Think about questions like these:

1. Who hurts? This helps you figure out your characters.
2. What can go wrong? This helps you with plot.
3. Who's going to pay, and what will they pay? That's often the driver for the climax.

I actually got those from someone who suggested that was enough. Pretty clearly they're mostly going to write by the seat of their pants.

There is the old four points from the definition of a story:

1. A likable character
2. Overcomes Opposition and conflict
3. By his or her own efforts
4. To achieve a worthwhile goal

Pick a character, set them up with opposition and conflict, have them work to achieve a worthwhile goal. Simple, right?

I often use the 10 questions from Barry Longyear's Science Fiction Writer's Workshop 1. I group them this way:

Background

1. Where are we? (Setting)
2. Who is involved? (Characters, strengths, flaws)
3. Where are they headed? (Goals, motives)
4. What stops or blocks them? (Obstacles)
5. What are they going to do about it? (Plans to overcome problems)

Story

6. What hook(s) or bait for the reader will I use? (Where will it start) What story question do I pose for the reader?
7. What backfill is needed? (Background that needs to be filled in)
8. What build up do I want? (Scenes)
9. What is the climax?

- How does the character change? (Overcome weakness, etc.)
- How is the plot resolved? (Problems overcome and goals achieved)
- What answer does the reader get to the story question?

Higher level

10. What purpose, moral, or theme am I writing about?

Another useful list of points that I have used is:

1. What is the main character's self-concept?
2. What is a significant event that threatens that self-concept?
3. What is the moment of change to start with?
4. What intentions or goals does the character have?
5. What do they plan to do?
6. When, where, and how are you going to answer the story question?

I have to admit, I think that last one is interesting because they didn't mention the story question before that. I suppose in order to answer it, you have to figure out what is.

I've also got a little table, where I've put down various notes about the three act format. For example, act one usually starts with a hook, or inciting incident. Someone suggested that this needs to present the character, the problem, and the crucible -- why are they sticking around to face this problem? Sometimes this is one of the problems with bad horror -- someone or something is killing everyone around this lake. So why doesn't the hero just leave? The other end of act one is the first doorway of no return. This is where the hero makes the commitment to deal with the problem. Fairly often, before that they might turn away. But once they take this step...

Act two begins. Act II is conflicts and complications. Struggles, actions, worry and hope, and getting the hero locked in. The end of act two is the second doorway of no return. This is where the hero gets up, decides they're going to take one more swing at it, and frequently has realized what is going to take and decided to do it.

Act three is the climax. This is where we get our resolution. Everything gets tied up, and we see what it all means.

What about you? Do you have some idea who your characters are, what the main plot is all about, what the problem is? What about the general genre? Are you on your marks? Ready?