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Post by Craig on Sept 20, 2008 19:01:45 GMT -5
NaNoWriMo is approaching! ^_^ I'm really excited. Last year my story totally bombed, but I've learned a lot since then. I feel like a completely different person. I really think I can do it this year. I have no idea what I want my story to be about, but I'm going to make a commitment this year. I want to complete NaNoWriMo.*excited* And now... time to let my organization and formatting side loose! [glow=ffcc11,1,300]Summary[/glow] I was really inspired by trains. So, my idea is to have this one long train rail running through the country (or wherever this will take place). I also wanted to have multiple characters and explore relationships and stuff, so my connection between these people will most likely be that they travel from one place to another on the train. From there, things are a little less clear. I know that I want a local newspaper to be important, and I also want one or two groups people to be searching for certain pieces of information. My current plan is that the information will be five or so words /phrases that will have some sort of magic effect, possibly that of resurrection from the dead. I'm not sure if I like this idea or not, so it's likely to change, but we'll see. My new plan is that the words, when spoken together in order, will cast a spell that renders the speaker immortal. If spoken again, the person will die immediately. [glow=ffcc11,1,300]Progress[/glow] 9.22.08- came up with the basic concept and started the brainstorming process 10.31.08- scrapped original idea and started scrambling 11.1.08- wrote first few words 11.2.08- solidified basic idea 11.4.08- further developed idea and hit a stride in writing 11.30.08 4:48 PM- WON NANOWRIMO |
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Post by Clocky: Activity is a Thing on Sept 20, 2008 19:08:40 GMT -5
Edit: waitasecond, is this sorta like the collaboration threads, minus the collaboration part? [> >;]
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Post by Craig on Sept 22, 2008 9:03:19 GMT -5
Edit: waitasecond, is this sorta like the collaboration threads, minus the collaboration part? [> >;] No, you're definitely allowed to post, don't worry. xD These boards are for the NaNo authors to write down their thoughts and keep everything organized. They're also for posting excerpts and discussing the stories, whether it's your own or someone else's. ^_^ |
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Post by Craig on Oct 31, 2008 21:20:50 GMT -5
*sigh*
This is tough. I honestly thought I'd be done with the series I'm writing for the Neopian Times before November, but it just hasn't happened. I'm eight-and-a-half parts done, and I love the story, and I really want to finish it soon.
But I also really, really want to do NaNoWriMo.
And I'm worried I won't have time for both.
*sigh* I've got a couple hours until November starts. Maybe I can figure something out.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2008 0:14:22 GMT -5
You could include the words you put into your NT story as part of your word count tally for NaNo if you wanted.
Or...you could scramble. Amazing things happen in NaNoLand. Trust me. ~_^
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Post by Craig on Nov 1, 2008 18:37:20 GMT -5
You could include the words you put into your NT story as part of your word count tally for NaNo if you wanted. Or...you could scramble. Amazing things happen in NaNoLand. Trust me. ~_^ Wolf!!! Have I just seen a ghost? Yeah, I think "scramble" is going to be the word of the day. I spent just about all day today brainstorming for NaNo (since I hadn't at all previously) and now I'm getting the inklings of an idea. There are some serious holes that need filling, though, before I can even start thinking characters, settings, etc. Hopefully I can get that sorted out tonight. When I get my momentum, I can come up with ideas pretty quickly... *crosses fingers* |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2008 19:04:56 GMT -5
You could include the words you put into your NT story as part of your word count tally for NaNo if you wanted. Or...you could scramble. Amazing things happen in NaNoLand. Trust me. ~_^ Wolf!!! Have I just seen a ghost? Yeah, I think "scramble" is going to be the word of the day. I spent just about all day today brainstorming for NaNo (since I hadn't at all previously) and now I'm getting the inklings of an idea. There are some serious holes that need filling, though, before I can even start thinking characters, settings, etc. Hopefully I can get that sorted out tonight. When I get my momentum, I can come up with ideas pretty quickly... *crosses fingers* *glances around slowly* ...Maybe? That seems to be your Achilles' heel, Craig, you've just got to have the whole idea before writing. Maybe it's just because having the WHOLE idea and nothing BUT the idea kills my inspiration that I'm saying this, but I think you should just take what you've got and run with it. It'll come together. :) |
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Post by Craig on Nov 1, 2008 20:40:59 GMT -5
Wolf!!! Have I just seen a ghost? Yeah, I think "scramble" is going to be the word of the day. I spent just about all day today brainstorming for NaNo (since I hadn't at all previously) and now I'm getting the inklings of an idea. There are some serious holes that need filling, though, before I can even start thinking characters, settings, etc. Hopefully I can get that sorted out tonight. When I get my momentum, I can come up with ideas pretty quickly... *crosses fingers* *glances around slowly* ...Maybe? That seems to be your Achilles' heel, Craig, you've just got to have the whole idea before writing. Maybe it's just because having the WHOLE idea and nothing BUT the idea kills my inspiration that I'm saying this, but I think you should just take what you've got and run with it. It'll come together. :) You couldn't be more right. I simply can't sit down to write unless I have most of the plot figured out in my head. For me, it works pretty well most of the time. For example, I'm working on a huge series in Shenkuu right now, and it kept building and building on itself in my mind as I thought about it, before I wrote a word. And then even more as I wrote the first few parts. If I'd just gotten the premise and started writing, it would have taken a totally different direction, and wouldn't have been nearly as good as I feel it is now. But with NaNoWriMo, it's different. I don't have time to build the plot entirely in my head first. And I don't have time to go back and edit, which is the most integral part of my story-writing process on Neopets. I edit my NT stories about 12 times or more, in a method I don't want to go over at the moment. :P I'm stuck. I have my premise for this year's NaNo, but I know that if I took more time to consider it I could probably change and improve it. But I really want to just start writing and let the story form itself. Only trouble is, that strategy has never resulted in a completed story for me. It's a risk. ... >_< I need to figure this out. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2008 23:23:05 GMT -5
I never got to dissect a frog in biology class, so I'll have to suffice to dissect this instead. :) I'm working on a huge series in Shenkuu right now, and it kept building and building on itself in my mind as I thought about it, before I wrote a word. And then even more as I wrote the first few parts. If I'd just gotten the premise and started writing, it would have taken a totally different direction, and wouldn't have been nearly as good as I feel it is now. Reread the second sentence--"even more as I wrote the first few parts." Now, I ask candidly, do you have viable proof that the story wouldn't have been nearly as good as it is now if you hadn't planned it so thoroughly? Chances are, you don't, so don't hold yourself back now believing you can't write something good without ample planning beforehand. Because, Craig, I've read enough of your work to know that you're a skilled enough writer you can write something good, even with no planning at all. But you can go back and edit! Just not till the story's finished. :P Part of the glory of NaNoWriMo is that no one expects the story to be perfect the first go around. In fact, most people probably think their first draft will end up pretty badly. Sure, we all enter with hopes of grandeur, but I think we all know a bit better than that that we don't always get what we want. But we can edit, edit, edit as soon as November is over--and if you edit your story twelve times, all the more power to you! See, Craig, this is self-destructive. You're underestimating yourself, taking your talent for less than what it really is. There's something special about NaNoWriMo, and that's that you're not alone. Everywhere around the world, every second of the day thanks to time differences, people are writing, novelling together. The collective inspiration and creativity inherent at this time of the year is phenomenal. Just let go and let out your story. It'll all come together, I assure you. And if planning really could have improved it, well, you'll have all the time in the world to plan revisions afterwards, so why not jump in now and enjoy the ride? I know you can do this, Craig. There's no doubt in my mind that you'll be among the winners this year. :) |
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Post by Craig on Nov 2, 2008 21:54:19 GMT -5
Wolf-- that really helped. ^_^ I finally got my idea down. I have to figure out characters and stuff, but I have my concept. I doubt anyone really cares much, but I think I'll edit my first post and write a bit about it.  Of course, I'm sure some things will change as I write. But that's ok with me! *gasp* |
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Post by Craig on Nov 4, 2008 20:22:58 GMT -5
I'm feeling really good about this story right now.
My main character, Grant Stevens, is very easy to write. That's crucial for me. In my non-Neopets writing, I've often had trouble because my main characters are unnatural or hard to write. Not this time.
I'm also able to leave most of my inhibitions behind and let the story flow. I haven't hit a rough spot yet. Of course, I'm paused a plot point that I need to figure out right now, but I'm confident that things will continue to move forward.
I doubt anybody is reading this (I think the threads are more for documenting/journaling purposes) so I won't bother to type any more of the plot here yet. But it's going well. Mostly setting/character development, but I'm working forward.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2008 2:32:02 GMT -5
That's great news, Craig! ^_^ Glad I was able to help out a bit. :)
And, yeah, I do agree these threads are more for self-expression than socialising, but in the past, they've been a nice social network of inspiration and encouragement none the less. I find I'm not using my own thread for many new posts this year, though, since my sister is doing NaNo, too, this time, so I've talked with her instead. >.<
I still update my posts, though. Too neurotic not to. >.>
And I really like bragging with my best one-liners. Shame no one seems to read them...
Now I'm just rambling. Please ignore. Have fun noveling, Craig!
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Post by Craig on Nov 6, 2008 23:50:15 GMT -5
*continues diary-esque format*
Wow, I'm really happy with what I just wrote. There isn't a lot of plot in my story so far, but the characters are developing wonderfully. Better than any human characters I think I've ever done. This is huge for me. I'm really proud, right now.
Generally (have I already said this?) I have problems making my main characters realistic, casual, likable, etc. This time, I like my characters, they're deep but I don't have to write emotional monologue, and they act naturally but also uniquely. I hope I can keep this up.
Word count still behind, but maybe tomorrow I'll make more progress.
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Post by Craig on Nov 15, 2008 23:27:03 GMT -5
Thought I should post and mention that things are going well. ^_^ I'm still about 3,000 words behind the daily goal, but I feel like I can catch up if I keep the pace I'm at.
I'm enjoying this story. It's taken some turns I didn't expect, and most of the stuff up there in the summary post is inaccurate. I've developed some new characters that I really like, and I've thrown all planned fantasy aspects out the window -- my story is now officially realistic fiction.
The plot is going great. I still need a big driving force to appear, and I hope I can think of it soon. An event in the story is approaching, and I feel like that's where things really need to pick up. Let's hope they do.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2008 3:22:44 GMT -5
Sounds awesome, Craig!
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Of course, I'm sure some things will change as I write. But that's ok with me! *gasp*