As the start of NaNo 2007 gets ever closer, I'm curious: how are you preparing for this year's event? Outlines? Character sketches? Schedules? Self-imposed deadlines?
This year I've done very little preparation. I've got a good idea for the general premise for my story, a few character interactions that I like, but that's about it. No outline, no comprehensive list of characters or settings.
Let's hear how you're preparing (or not).
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"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia." ~E.L. Doctorow
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Oct 28, 2007 - 21 50
this is my first NaNo, and it's been years since I've written anything, so I'm trying to have a pretty clear idea of what's going to happen. I've got about 5,000 words worth of notes on characters, world details (it's sci-fi), and plot outline so far. in the next three days I'm going to try to flesh out my MC's a bit, then write some throwaway scenes to start finding the tone.
i don't have much of a plan for the writing part. i figure i'll see how it goes the first week, then write a bunch on the first weekend, and that'll give me a good idea of how to pace myself.
Good luck to everyone.
50,087 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2007 - 08 51
Oiy, no preparation and no plan. Just a rough idea. But I have written at least the prologue in my head. I hope the rest just comes out. Needless to say I want to start crying every time I think of Nano right now! Ugh.
50,001 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2007 - 10 26
I spent the weekend outlining. For every major segment, I have a theme, and a list of events/experiences/decisions/consequences.
I have character sketches of most of the major characters. There's a few more I need to do for secondary characters.
And there are scenes popping up in my head constantly. It's quite annoying, really-- I find I can't even enjoy reading anymore because no book I pick up is nearly as interesting as the one be-bopping around in my head. AND I'M NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH IT!!!
Only 60 hours to go.....
Aspen
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Oct 30, 2007 - 11 40
"Only 60 hours to go....."
AGH! Don't scare me like that!
15,203 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2007 - 00 35
Tomorrow when I get home from work, I'm setting up the desktop in the spare room. It will face the wall and be deprived of the internet. I will probably make a nice instrumental playlist to accompany my writing, so that when the time comes, I can get right to writing, full speed ahead.
I also figure on sneaking in the better part of my hour break at work during the month to continue on my laptop (flashdrives are so helpful, definitely.)
Which means I'll also have to zip through the newest Michael Chabon novella, so as not to distract myself from the big November goal.
50,140 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2007 - 09 55
I just finished reading Yarrow by Charles deLint, heard a song that finally inspired me for the story I'd not yet decided on until just then and now I'm mulling over scenes and characters as well.
I am so excited! Thank goodness I work tonight, I might have ended up exploding if I had to sit on my hands until midnight!
50,050 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2007 - 11 43
I'm doing the "flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants" approach.
To do this type of preparation, you need to have a couple of ideas floating around in your brain and yet have no friggin' idea which one you will use.
It is frightening and a bit exciting at the same time.
Kim