TECH: Nanowrimo Notes
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writercises Original Posting Nov. 4, 2017
Hum. Poking at my files, I found one called nano template. Sounded intriguing, so I read it. Aha! Just a short list of things that might be worth thinking about while crunching away in the Nanowrimo word mines. Here's the main ones.
First, consider a logline or premise.. What's the story about? Think about the Hook, compelling image, or killer title.
Second, consider this simple description of a story. A likable character overcomes opposition/conflict through his own efforts to achieve worthwhile goal. Can you pick out or describe these for your story? A likable character, opposition and/or conflict (things in the way!), the efforts of the character, and the worthwhile goal?
Third, which genre is your nanowrimo tale? It doesn't have to be one of these, but sometimes you can use one or more of these as a framework to build on. These are taken from Save the Cat, but you can add your own favorite genres, too. Monster in the house, Golden Fleece, wish fulfillment, dude in wonderland, rite of passage, buddy love, whydunit, fool triumphant, institutionalized, superhero next door. The Golden Fleece is the well-known quest by any other name. Dude in Wonderland? That's an ordinary guy in an extraordinary situation. Oh, and the superhero next door is the extraordinary person in an ordinary situation.
Fourth, pay attention to that main character. What are their goals and motivation? What do they dream about?
Fifth, look at beats. I like a simple structure, basically just 5 big points. Inciting incident, door of no return, complications, door of no return, climax. The 2 door of no return are where the character first commits to the struggle and then takes on the final climactic action. You can use one of the many other plot outlines if you prefer (e.g. 7 beats, Hero's Journey).
Sixth, especially for Nanowrimo boosting word count, think about scenes galore! Give us settings in plenty, with characters in conflict, emotional change, and more conflict (who wants what, and what blocks them). Set pieces? Sure, why not?
There you go. Oh, if you're happily turning out the words about how your hero faced the big bad and fought like never before, keep going! But if you need a little breather, something to help shape the dazzling rainbow of images that you are creating, well, you might find these helpful.
Write, and having written, write some more. To make Nanowrimo 2017 shine!
Hum. Poking at my files, I found one called nano template. Sounded intriguing, so I read it. Aha! Just a short list of things that might be worth thinking about while crunching away in the Nanowrimo word mines. Here's the main ones.
First, consider a logline or premise.. What's the story about? Think about the Hook, compelling image, or killer title.
Second, consider this simple description of a story. A likable character overcomes opposition/conflict through his own efforts to achieve worthwhile goal. Can you pick out or describe these for your story? A likable character, opposition and/or conflict (things in the way!), the efforts of the character, and the worthwhile goal?
Third, which genre is your nanowrimo tale? It doesn't have to be one of these, but sometimes you can use one or more of these as a framework to build on. These are taken from Save the Cat, but you can add your own favorite genres, too. Monster in the house, Golden Fleece, wish fulfillment, dude in wonderland, rite of passage, buddy love, whydunit, fool triumphant, institutionalized, superhero next door. The Golden Fleece is the well-known quest by any other name. Dude in Wonderland? That's an ordinary guy in an extraordinary situation. Oh, and the superhero next door is the extraordinary person in an ordinary situation.
Fourth, pay attention to that main character. What are their goals and motivation? What do they dream about?
Fifth, look at beats. I like a simple structure, basically just 5 big points. Inciting incident, door of no return, complications, door of no return, climax. The 2 door of no return are where the character first commits to the struggle and then takes on the final climactic action. You can use one of the many other plot outlines if you prefer (e.g. 7 beats, Hero's Journey).
Sixth, especially for Nanowrimo boosting word count, think about scenes galore! Give us settings in plenty, with characters in conflict, emotional change, and more conflict (who wants what, and what blocks them). Set pieces? Sure, why not?
There you go. Oh, if you're happily turning out the words about how your hero faced the big bad and fought like never before, keep going! But if you need a little breather, something to help shape the dazzling rainbow of images that you are creating, well, you might find these helpful.
Write, and having written, write some more. To make Nanowrimo 2017 shine!