TECH: One Way to Prepare for Nanowrimo

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting 23 Oct 2013

So, you want to get ready, but you're not quite sure how? Well, if you go over here

http://johndbrown.com/2012/05/generating-story-6-the-story-development-framework/

John Brown has a pretty organized approach to generating a story. It really starts with the development objectives, where he lays out what we're trying to do. Then there's a step-by-step process. Seven, maybe eight steps. So let's go!

Take a look at the development objectives. We need to make the story come alive for use. We need to know the genre, characters, setting, problem, and plot. And we need to make a reader see the story! Simple, right?

Then skip down to Where to start. Here's where the step-by-step process takes off.

First, figure out when you are going to work on this. Lay out your work schedule. And the very first time, think about whatever you already know. What ideas do you have?

Second, what do you want to do? What genre or genres? What kind of story, characters, plots, and settings do you like? In two paragraphs, 200 words, summarize this.

Third, look for some patterns. What are two or three stories kind of like the one you think you would like to write? How big were they? What kind of characters did they have, and what did you like about them? What was the main problem, and what was the plot? Based on thinking about those stories, what do you think your plot would look like?

Fourth, look for the zing! What are some interesting, fun, exciting points you would like to include. Look around on the web, maybe even find some books, and see if you can identify characters, setting, problem, or plot ideas that are exciting to you.

Fifth, compare your zing and ideas. Do you have a story concept yet? Character, setting, goal, opposition?

Sixth, play with characters and problems. Make a list of some possibilities. If you're looking at character ideas, make a list of 10 types of characters commonly associated with the idea you're poking. Then make a list of types not usually associated. Now pick about three characters that you think you would enjoy writing. If you generating problems, do the same kind of thing. List threats, opportunities, and mysteries usually associated with this topic. Then list some problems that are usually associated. Now pick three problems that you think might be fun. Finally, mix-and-match.

Seventh step, make a plot. Think about what kind of problem your character is facing. Write the character's goal in 50 words or less. Make a list of steps that people would normally take to solve that kind of problem. Now make a list of at least 12 obstacles, conflicts, surprises, blockages that the character can run into. Next, figure out what the antagonist is trying to do, and what steps they are going to take to get the hero's way.

At this point you should have a pretty good notion of what you're going to put together. You might want to write a bit to help you explore the character and the setting, maybe like to outline things. In either case, get to work.

Lay out your working time. Then, what do you want to write? What are some similar stories? What can you throw in that's exciting, intriguing, fun? So is there a story between those ideas and the zings? Try mixing up some characters and problems. Now dream about plot, goals, steps toward that goal, and obstacles that are going to make getting there hard. Mix well, and see what bubbles up. Now organize that... and get ready to write!