Title: Door 23
Genre: Young Adult Adventure something or other. Fantasy-esque?
Synopsis: Three teens adults, two guys one girl, appear to be trapped in an unending route of doors, each of which houses a different and dangerous world they must travel through to reach the next.
I haven't planned much past that except a vague notion of how it will end (and that could change). It'll be crazy fun to write since I will have no clue what each world will be like until I get right up to it and choose something random. I'm hoping everyone at the Plot Session(s) can help me with some of the randomness!
What is your novel going to be about?
Skye
EV co-ML
----------
Nano 06: The Clan of Havenmore Lane (win!)
Nano 07: Kissing Aliens (win!)
Nano 08: Substitute Superhero (win!)
Nano 09: Party Magic
46,460 / 50,000
Oct 2, 2009 - 16 20
Title: The Herald of the Eye
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Synopsis: In an island in the sea between worlds, the eggs of dragons-to-be are laid, covered in inscriptions describing their destination after hatching. Beings known as Heralds, incarnations of various aspects of the dragon's personality, are sent to the world to scout and prepare for the dragon's arrival. On arrival, they symbiotically "possess" a human with a similar personality.
Arden Riley, merged with the Herald of the Eye, is working as night manager in a bookstore in Rancho Cucamonga, disenchanted with the corruption within the Heralds to the point of utter noninvolvement. However, something's different about this world. There's no magic anymore, and what's odder is that there seems to have been dragons in the past. Our world will be the one to break the cycle, and Arden will be the one to break the secrets looming over the entire Heraldic Path.
----------*
Fourth year writing; hoping for my third year win.
This year's novel: Herald of the Eye, modern fantasy with a sci-fi fan's twist.
20,059 / 50,000
Oct 2, 2009 - 18 55
Title: The Jungle
Genre: Pulp Noir/Action Mystery
Synopsis: After the assassination of The City's biggest crime boss, Munk Monkey McMonk, a junky, ex-detective is pulled out of the mob's smack dens to investigate the hit. Munk must overcome his drug-addiction and degrading mental wits with the assistance of a battle hardened boar, Grigori Glinka, if he is to track down the city's newest hitman. Meanwhile, Lucien Lacosta, a street-level enforcer for the mob, is sent to keep an eye on recent Triad activity in the face of a looming mob war. However, will he be able to stave off attacks from The Professor, a former unknown, corporate wage-slave pushed to the brink by gang violence, while keeping an eye on the streets?
----------I believe myself to be
Something of a misnomer
5,315 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 21 16
Well, I once read in one of the 101 books I've read on writing that you should never share what you are writing or let anyone read it before you are done. But...
I'll write a one liner.
Jillaine's visions have always been a part of her life, but then they reveal a future she fears.
Colleen
----------azrainstorm
41,552 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 07 14
I haven't decided yet if I'm going to write the Asian steampunk epic or the dark comedy about the IT guy who works in a call center literally staffed by zombies.
37,922 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 08 41
This is untrue (the sharing part)! Telling people can actually HELP your story. Talking about it helps you come up with new ideas, especially if you let yourself just ramble on about it. And sometimes people ask questions you never would've thought about, thereby forcing you to clarify things you hadn't noticed ("Wait, you just said your MC had no arms - then how does he drive a grabage truck?"), or look at stuff you already knew from a perspective closer to a reader's ("So wait, he's a she, but she's an elephant too? How does that work exactly?").
And this isn't just my opinion. In Brian Kiteley's "The 3 A.M. Epiphany", he recommends talking, emailing, lettering about your book until people get sick of hearing it! He tells a story about a road trip he took with some buddies, and when they asked about his story he ended up telling them to and beyond what he'd already written and came up with some very nice material for doing so. I've done this as well, and it is a very exciting feeling to suddenly come up with some new plot twist or notice that you need to introduce a character at this scene. And it's the best remedy for writer's block.
I've read many, many writing books, and besides little nuggets of golden wisdom here and there, the big thing I've learned from them is: everyone has their own unique and different opinion on writing, and the best thing you can do is find your own and run with it!
(The having people read it before it's done is something entirely different and is an individual decision.)
Skye
----------EV co-ML
Nano 06: The Clan of Havenmore Lane (win!)
Nano 07: Kissing Aliens (win!)
Nano 08: Substitute Superhero (win!)
Nano 09: Party Magic
30,927 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 16 04
Title: Song of the Ancients
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Synopsis:
----------Long ago, Sedona, Arizona and a few other spots around the world were filled with magic - natural magic, emanating from the earth itself. Now only pockets remain, waiting to be rekindled, waiting for the catalyst to banish the dark times and heal the earth.
Trying to escape the disappointments of her past, Samantha Danroe leaves her ex-husband and friends in the Midwest and arrives in Sedona for a fresh start.
Nicholas Orenda knows there's something extraordinary about Samantha. Something he can detect, but she isn't aware of -yet. He takes Sam as his student, even though doing so will end his family's legacy of witchcraft.
As she begins to unravel a family prophesy which has already claimed the lives of Nicholas' mother and grandmother, Samantha finds herself drawn to her dangerous and arrogant mentor. "Trust no one," he warns her, "especially not me."
Will his advice save her life? Or will she be the last sacrifice to the dark forces opposing the ancient Witch of the Stones?
"Double, double toil and trouble
Fire burn and caldron bubble."
Thanks, Willie, love you!
5,315 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 21 15
I wouldn't say untrue as much as it is a differing opinion. I only meant that for myself it works. I do not mind reading or hearing other writers books; it makes me think more about my own writing-gets me over blocks. And if I were to take Brian Kiteley's advice I would get so sick of talking about my book that I wouldn't want to write about it myself (I have alot of unfinished books for this reason). That's why the no share advice works for me. :-)
I hope we all have a great nanowrimo. I am so looking forward to it. See you in nano land.
Colleen
----------azrainstorm
5,315 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 21 16
I wouldn't say untrue as much as it is a differing opinion. I only meant that for myself it works. I do not mind reading or hearing other writers books; it makes me think more about my own writing-gets me over blocks. And if I were to take Brian Kiteley's advice I would get so sick of talking about my book that I wouldn't want to write about it myself (I have alot of unfinished books for this reason). That's why the no share advice works for me. :-)
I hope we all have a great nanowrimo. I am so looking forward to it. See you in nano land.
Colleen
----------azrainstorm
0 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 21 37
I've been watching way too much FlashForward and reading way too much manga... so this is my random brainchild born out of a different story that was born out of a different story...
Title - CLOVER
(Preliminary) Summary...
The Unification of Earth has held for nearly 30 years. Then everyone on the planet loses consciousness for exactly 5 minutes. When they wake up, they find that, aside from the general chaos caused by accidents and inattention, nothing has occurred. But deep down, Ethan knows something has happened, and it could cause everything to collapse...
5,025 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 13 01
Title: (WORKING) Charli's Demons
Genre: Humor, Romance, Erotica, I-don't-know-yet
Summary: After breaking the heart of a negromancer, a young and unambitious woman finds herself plagued by demons all determined to ruin her life. But how do demons go about causing pandemonium to a someone's boring, unsuccessful, and uninspiring life?
They find their ways.
(I originally meant this to be a play on the new Harlequin books genre of non-human romance for teens...because who doesn't like some vampire/zombie/ghost soft-core porn? My MC is kind of demanding and not nice while my demons are currently obsessed with bad 80s music...I have a feeling that if anyone falls in love, it will quickly end in disaster. Eh. Whatever. :))
30,927 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 22 37
sirgimpofbaath -
----------I think your story arc sounds wonderful. Look for my "friend" request please so I may follow your adventure. Good writing!
"Double, double toil and trouble
Fire burn and caldron bubble."
Thanks, Willie, love you!
13,195 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 19 01
Title: Brothers of Ophir. . . or The Bamboo Dragon
Genre: Christian fantasy. . . or Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis: Two brothers, Kellan and Damian from the legendary city of Ophir come to protect a girl named Abby who is "the seer." She just doesn't know it yet. Add into the mix her boy crazy best friend Donna, a small horde of demons trying to harness Abby's gift for evil purposes and a love triangle between Abby, Kellan, and his buddy Doug and you have what is supposed to be book one of a three book series. . . or Marilyn, recently divorced mother of 11yr old John, returns to AZ to bury her grandfather who has recently died. While she is trying to cope with the never ending emotional blows her life has dealt her over the last few months and get her grandfather's eccentric house ready for auction, she finds a letter for her telling her that her grandfather's death was not the product of old age or a failing heart. As Marilyn begins to let the concept of a murder sink in, the house is broken into, her son finds a wall that is not a wall, and Marilyn's image of the man who raised her begins to unravel.
Both need lots of work, so I need to devote something as intense as Nanowrimo to them, but which one, I'm not sure yet. Lots of good fun though, I look forward to it either way!
----------Anika
27,025 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 08 27
I'm deviating from the project I've been working on for the past five years (http://www.entangledcontinua.com/weordan.html) to play in a far-future post-apocalyptic sandbox. I'd like it to be based, setting-wise, on the Pheonix metro, but I'm not sure it would be appropriate. In any case, there should be lots genetically engineered and technologically enhanced human and animal species, including a prairie dog super-spy (honestly, the character originated long before I had heard of G-Force). We (collaborator/husband and I) should have a rough outline worked out by the end of the month, but mainly my NaNoWriMo job is to start fleshing out the world and pinpointing where the background science needs to be better.
----------Lucinda at the Window by Katherine Nabity
Available from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. (Just search for Nabity!)
Journal: http://katen.livejournal.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Katen
27,025 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 08 30
Asian steampunk sounds awesome.
----------Lucinda at the Window by Katherine Nabity
Available from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. (Just search for Nabity!)
Journal: http://katen.livejournal.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Katen
37,927 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 09 14
I've decided to do another Holy Rollers story this year. I can work on my other ideas in December and early next year...
Title - Holy Rollers: Immortals
When Death becomes too depressed to get out of bed and do his job, people stop dying. Chaos and creation erupt as humanity's fear of death vanishes. Accountants become daredevils. Repressed geniuses unleash their great works. And certain Gods get pissed off by mankind's newfound cheekiness. Our favorite unemployed biker deities return to restore the natural order until Death cheers up and resumes his work.
----------"If you wish to be a writer, write." - Epictetus
Read my novel here: http://holyrollers-immortals.blogspot.com/
1,516 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 21 39
This year I am planning to write a children's story. The difference between Nanowrimo 2008 and Nanowrimo 2009 is that I am a father this year. My daughter Isabella was born on July 4th, 2009. I have decided to write a story for her to (hopefully) enjoy some day. I am writing a story about a lizard who crawls on the leg of a fisherman's pants near a lake and suddenly finds himself thrown into a series of traveling adventures which traces the exact US tour route my band took in 2007 with personified animals based on the characters I met in each city during our tour. This will also serve as allegory with some personal propaganda of my own thrown in. I will do it this year with minimal planning too.
----------img src="http://www.nanowrimo.org/NanowrimoUtils/LiveSupporter/303800.png" />
1,516 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 14 44
Hey Smashinator! Good to see you again this year! I've got your blog bookmarked. I don't think I can blog my Nanowrimo. You are fearless. :)
----------img src="http://www.nanowrimo.org/NanowrimoUtils/LiveSupporter/303800.png" />
37,927 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 16 29
Good to see you again too, Buckshot George.
I wouldn't say I'm fearless so much as foolhardy. :D But maybe it's my background as a musician that lets me blog the novels - I don't mind if people see my mistakes.
----------"If you wish to be a writer, write." - Epictetus
Read my novel here: http://holyrollers-immortals.blogspot.com/
16,294 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 17 23
Well, it looks like I'll be continuing The Marriage Club, since I can't come up with anything else.
-----------Amber is ML: East Valley
65,682 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 17 38
That means you will be a NaNo rebel this year? I am having a tough time also. Just settling and hope I have enough to run with.
----------"Bucket of criminy!"
-Tad Ghostal
41,042 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 19 51
Oooh. It's been stirring around in my brain for a while. Mix a comic book obsessed family man with a rich history of Christian saints. Lots of daddy-issues (a la "Lost"), and an evil that won't die. Also bits of the history of Mad Magazine and oil paintings. Yeah, it's that deranged.
I call it "Panels" and I hope it comes out as good on the page as it is in my mind. But I always have troubles with the middle. I like the beginning. I love the ending. But the middles are just muddled.
Tony K.
------------^ Tony K ^--
37,922 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 14 01
Not the new magic pollution islands in the sky one? Aww...
I'm all for the Marriage Club, though! Finish it!
----------Nano 06: The Clan of Havenmore Lane (win!)
Nano 07: Kissing Aliens (win!)
Nano 08: Substitute Superhero (win!)
Nano 09: Party Magic
39,394 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 22 07
Last spring I finished a manuscript about teen date violence so I am switching gears now and writing something lighter and geared toward middle grade readers. The manuscript is called "A Place for Pamela". It's part of a series designed to help children make good choices (without sounding too didactic).
----------kmprocop
7,631 / 50,000
Oct 27, 2009 - 12 23
Title: Reality Online (tentative; I dislike this title...)
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis: It's a well-known fact that massively multiplayer online games can bring in audiences of thousands, sometimes even millions. Nowadays, there's a great online game known as Karma Online; the game is popular, fun, and has millions of users. This is the story of that game.
You know how sometimes people get so entrenched in an online game that it becomes almost a reality for them? Justin Garrow, known as Blitzkrieg, is NOT one of those people, even with his parents telling him for years that video games would take over his life. He didn't believe them. He never actually thought that video games would take over his life... until they quite literally did.
Now that Karma Online has become reality itself, Blitzkrieg must unravel the mysteries of the plot behind it... and ultimately decide if he wants to return reality to its roots or keep the new world.
-------
I haven't gotten too far in planning it. I began writing it for last year's NaNo, but hardly got into the word count at all, so I'm scrapping it and re-starting now that I actually have drive to do it. All I know so far is one plot twist... I have no idea if Blitzkrieg is planning on restoring reality or what. I only have two characters so far... but I have an essay I have to finish for class! I might need to pull an all-nighter to plan...
3,068 / 50,000
Oct 27, 2009 - 12 52
I've rewritten the same thing over and over since fourth grade, and I doubt now it'll ever be finished. That one was a sort of fantasy alien/immigration/secret government/AU gig with a little awkward romance thrown in. I started working on that about a month ago, and I forgot in the meantime that November would happen with or without me. So my nano book is:
I have. NO. Idea.
Whoops.
13,396 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 08 06
Synopsis: The Vampires Mistress
Lord Ramos, a vampire ruler of the Red Night clan sends one of his most trusted warriors to find him a virgin. But complications arise filling this story with romance, betrayal, twisted plots, warlocks, deals with warlords, highlanders and more!
Three sorceress aid in the finding of the virgin with a motive of their own
press Fedora is forced to choose between which of her son’s will live.
A merciless Warlock (Malphas) is seeking revenge of the three sorceress's
Two powerful Warlords of opposing clans find out that they are brothers
Renegade Highlanders are hired for a kidnapping
A forbidden romance complicates critical plans.
Empress Lydia is held captive against her will
The host of characters are introduced throughout the story making the plots as twisted as a maze. Everyone has something to gain through alliances, strategies, and secret deals. The magical powers of the characters come to life as the will need them to both protect themselves and others.
An epic battle between good and evil is brewing between the two clans to gain final and absolute control.
Who will win? Who will betray who? Stay tuned to find out...
----------John Marion Francis
Click Here to read - The Vampires Mistress in progress
18,673 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 11 51
I have two this year:
Cookies for Zombies - When talented bank robber and cookie-baker Olivia Dobbyn ends up lost and alone after a zombie outbreak, she finds herself joining a post-apocalyptic religious cult who believes the zombies were sent by God to cleanse the world from sin.
Social Experiment - Television mogul Peter Peterson has created a brand-new reality show called Culture Shock, where people from twelve different social stereotypes are brought together under the pretense of a game show, in order to secretly film their reactions and adjustments to each other. However, someone or something has other plans, and what begins as a simple social experiment turns into a supernatural nightmare.
----------2006 - The Sandcastle (died at 20k) - Fail!
2007 - Snapshots From the Ashes (54K) - Win!
2008 - Untitled Ghost Story (50K) - Win!
2009 - (Stopped for good at 18673. Next year will be better.)
3,068 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 17 14
I was at Saboten-Con, a comic convention, all weekend (wOoT! My first con was AMAAAAZINK) so I forgot about Nano until last night. My friend, who I converted to Nano, posted on Facebook that her first writein went well. "Oh, really? I'm so happy for youWAIT WHAT?!"
So today in Humane Letters class I picked two classics I'm always rewriting, wrote the main characters' names on my knuckles, and had my friend choose a hand.
Guess I'm writing about a semiscifi fantasy alien/possession story.
3,068 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 17 15
I was at Saboten-Con, a comic convention, all weekend (wOoT! My first con was AMAAAAZINK) so I forgot about Nano until last night. My friend, who I converted to Nano, posted on Facebook that her first writein went well. "Oh, really? I'm so happy for youWAIT WHAT?!"
So today in Humane Letters class I picked two classics I'm always rewriting, wrote the main characters' names on my knuckles, and had my friend choose a hand.
Guess I'm writing a semiscifi fantasy alien/possession story.
52,226 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 07 16
The Missing Succubus
genre: Hard-boiled detective and urban fantasy
Billionaire Lewis Carrigan hires occult detective Matt Allen to track down and help his wife, Renee Carrigan, after she dabbled with the occult and brought a succubus into the world with powers and an agenda of her own.
----------Locating the succubus is one thing, but stopping her and saving the man's wife is something else entirely. In order to solve this case, Matt will have to get help from his ex-girlfriend, the semi-retired witch Janissia. More than that, he will consider an unholy alliance, making Matt choose the devil he knows or ending up on the end of the succubus' leash.