I know it's early, but I also figure some of you probably have an idea of what you'll be writing already. I sure don't, but I thought it'd be interesting to see what the rest of you are all thinking about.
Do you have any new, crazy ideas for this year? Are you thinking of trying a new genre or style? Or are you, like me, contemplating a sequel to last year's novel?
If I can't think of anything else, I figure I'll continue where I left off last year, which, plot-wise, was really only book one of at least two. I got lucky with the fade-to-black of plot resolution that happened there at the 50k mark. An action-adventure-spy-assasin-thriller sort of story, it involved a lot of badly written plot and even more plot holes. I left my heroes battered and beaten, trying to bring down a pseudo-mafia of organized crime run by the Boss. 'The Girl' I kept trying to include ended up being the hero's sister, and nothing romantic ever happened between anyone. The friendly mentor-slash-coworker turned into a bad guy and then turned into an ally. The follow-up novel would probably include the previously alluded to but never encountered Feds and maybe some global travel in lieu of all the driving that happened in last year's novel. Too bad last year's novel was so horrendously awful that I'd feel almost guilty trying to write the rest of the story. But hey, it's good to have a fallback.
Everybody's got a story, and that very well could be mine. What's yours?
----------
67,040 / 50,000
Oct 2, 2009 - 13 01
So far, I have a group of siblings and a tesseract. (1 tesseract = 7 alternate universes to explore; do the math.) I guess it will be Sci-Fi/Fantasy.
316,219 / 50,000
Oct 2, 2009 - 14 20
The epic tale of a hedgehog and a walrus and their quest for sudoku superiority.
Or not. No idea what I'm writing this year. I'm considering doing a total rewrite of a past story. Or just start out of nowhere on November 1st and see where that takes me. In fact, that sounds like more fun!
----------42,845 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2009 - 19 59
I think I'll be writing about people in a room... Possibly they're at a funeral. That's a very recent idea. Each chapter will be about one of the people there. Unfortunately, I only have about half of a character, and a glimmer of another. The plot itself is like vapour. But I have a month to solidify everything, so I'm not too worried.
40,050 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 08 33
So far I have sketched out three possibilities, a sci-fi about a generations long lost colony and the repercusions of reintergration with the society they have forgotten; a horror story regarding a possesion by a force that essentially turns the possessed person into a "reaper" type character; and a court room drama revolving around a couple that ended up with two infants after a botched criminal activity, then raised the kids as their own for the next 15 years before being caught for the original crime.
Not sure which one to use yet, I have a couple of weeks to mull it over.
21,565 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 09 21
They all sound interesting but the first one has my attention. I love sci-fi and that's a concept that has lots of potential - I'd read it! :)
9,431 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 09 40
Agreed! I'm also intrigued by your sci-fi idea. You'll have to let us know what you decide to write about. :)
39,655 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 06 30
I'm going to be writing about a 20-something year old college graduate who is having a lot of trouble reinventing himself for a "real job". After a particularly bad job interview, he takes a long walk to cool off and stumbles across a duffel bag containing one hundred thousand dollars. With no idea who it belongs to and no one else around to claim it, the main character decides to invest the money in a childhood dream: starting his own comic book shop. The opening is successful, and things seem to be working out, until some shady and unscrupulous characters with a claim to the money arrive and start making threatening demands. Drama ensues.
What genre should I call that, anyway? It doesn't seem to fit into any of the more neat and tidy genres available below. I'm leaning towards Humor and Satire, even though that won't be the whole story.
Sounds like we have some interesting ideas so far!
316,219 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 14 19
Sounds like you guys have some good ideas so far! I figured out what I'm writing this year, hurrah! It's actually a story that's been in the works for years, but never got past planning stages and a few written scenes. I wrote a few scenes over the summer which will not count towards my word count (unless I'm desperate).
It's a fantasy/adventure type story. I'm hesitant to say exactly what it's about because it makes sense in my head, but doesn't quite make sense when I try to summarize it. But this is what's involved: alternative universe, whales, Nosferatu-like vampires, and Art Deco-style cities. Yeah. Like I said, it makes sense in my head.
If anything, I have a title for it! This will be the first time in my NaNo history my story has had a title and it'll be The Enginn's Guard. This makes me even more excited for November!
----------36,760 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 15 47
Around this time of year, I always start to get ideas for novels popping into my head almost fully formed. Usually this happens while I'm walking around with nowhere to write it down, so I forget most of them, but a few survive the trek home. It always sucks having to choose between them; it's like choosing a favourite child!
So this year I decided to just go with the first idea that popped into my head. So I don't have to choose. Luckily this year it was a brilliant one, with potential for fame, literary awards, and profound impact on society.
It is called Puparazzi, and it is about dogs who stalk celebrities.
----------Phronk.
a.k.a. Mike
http://www.phronk.com
52,150 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 07 50
Here is my current list of ideas that I need to try and pick from to form a novel (with working titles).
Captain of the Circuis - War/Fantasy novel that would be a continuation of the two previous NaNo titles 'Lieutenant of Fairies' and 'Captain of the Dammed'.
Bonfire - Thriller/terrorist novel that features a plot by terrorists to start large numbers of forest fires across the continent at the same time.
Second Coming - Thriller novel that features a plot to use recovered DNA from the shroud of Turrin and related artifacts to create a vessel for a new messiah.
Black Dog - Urban fantasy novel that features a guardian fae. It is inspired by reading a bit on how Christian's at one point would bury a live dog during the founding of a church. The dog was expected to rise and then be a protector for the church. I have thought of a character that was created in North America in this way but the church has since had the congregation age and sold the old church. The guardian spirit now finds itself without the original congregation and adopting the new occupants of the church building that has been remodeled as its congregation.
Magnitude - Sci-Fi Adventure novel that is based loosely on the X-Com game. A supernatural race that lives underground is attempting a plot of world domination. The story is a type of subteranian UFO hunt.
Any thoughts on which I should go with?
----------2007 The Lieutenant of Fairies (won!)
2008 The Captain of the Dammed (won!)
2009 Black Dog (let the games begin!)
21,565 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 10 58
I love the Black Dog idea. There's something very Neil Gaiman about it that's really appealing to me. It gets my vote! :)
46,377 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 05 48
It sounds like we have a few science fiction writers here. That's great! Without going into detail, I'll be working on a science fiction story as well, one that touches on quantum physics, the nature of life and death and of the human soul. I've had this story kicking around in my head for a while, but because I was working on another novel, I never took it further than a few notes, character sketches, and books read for research.
I'm really excited about sinking my teeth into this one. If my first novel was practice, I think this idea (if I can pull it off) has potential.
0 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 09 50
I'm not exactly sure what I will be doing. I have several ideas in mind. I'll either do something Fantasy (though I have a trilogy of Fantasy novels underway), Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Sci-Fi (yay mixed genres...I can do it :P ), or something Dark and possibly thriller-esque.
So yea...no idea x_x
7,768 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 10 55
My idea popped into my head at 3 a.m. last night (this morning?), which is when most of my random thoughts occur, causing me to sit upright in bed, turn on my lamp and jot something down before I fall back asleep.
So, at this point in time, I'm hoping to write about a young woman, a German theologian, a lapsed Baptist, and bees.
We'll see if this changes in the weeks approaching Novemeber, but that's what I've got right now!
--Dana
46,377 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 11 11
Dana, I'd definitely read anything in the "Bee" sub-genre of German theological literature. You have to love the 3 AM epiphany, eh?
316,219 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 13 21
They all sound intriguing, but I'm going to second Black Dog. It sounds the most interesting!
Is that really true that Christians buried a live dog during the founding of a church? Weird...
----------8,300 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 15 26
I'm not sure if it was a regular occurence, but a lot of places would bury a sacrifice in the foundation of a new building: I think in the Highlands, it was chickens, some people say humans were buried in them. I don't see why not dogs as well!
I mentioned my plot in the introduction thread, but it stems from a blog I wrote about the fact that contrary to popular belief, most of the higher choirs of angels are actually Eldritch Abominations with eyeballs all round their bulbous circular bodies, or flying oxes with four faces and so on, and only their love of God keeps their gaze focused away from humanity. When God disappears, the angels begin to lose focus and turn their terrifying attention to humans who are pretty much like OH MY GOD WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO US SOMEONE HALP. Unfortunately, the only one who ends up doing anything is a street kid from Toronto who ends up getting sucked into it when he finds the Metatron passed out in a cathedral.
7,768 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 16 06
Ah, yes, that is my favourite genre of literature as well! 3 a.m. ideas can sometimes be great, but other times they don't pan out that well in the light of day, so we'll see with this one.
Thanks for the positive comments!
28,118 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2009 - 17 57
I think I've fiiiiiiinally settled on a plot. Basically, it's a supernatural romance. Between a human and a vampire. Oh yeah, I'm going there.
It's about the year 2050, and the existence of vampires was discovered a decade previously. Humans have the upper hand with a recently developed vaccine that makes their blood fatal to vampires. Our FMC is a Hunter, an assassin specially trained to hunt and kill vampires, and naturally, vaccinated against them. Our MMC is a rogue vampire who has taken to killing Hunters before they can kill him. They eventually meet, and instead of killing each other, they... surprise! Fall in love. (Though in a much more conflicted and complicated way than that might suggest.) But once their respective sides discover who they've been spending quality time with, they are not happy. It ends with the FMC accidentally leading her fellow Hunters to the MMC, and once they realize he's about to be killed, she decides to die, too, instead of losing him, and lets him drink her blood, killing them both.
Despite the cliches, I thought it would be interesting to A. have vampires out in the open and hunted, instead of living secret lives disguised as humans, and B. to give a modern/supernatural twist to Romeo and Juliet.
35,233 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 16 49
Hey Tara! haven't talked to you in SO long but I read your synopsis and I have to say I REALLY want to read it! Great idea and hope all goes smooth!
----------Kaylee
what would you do if you were called to do something more in a world you never knew existed?
35,233 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 19 17
It took me a while to decide but I'm going to write this one that has been waiting to be done for quite some time. I have all my background information set and some plot lines arranged. It's set back in the early 1800s at an all girls boarding school with an enigmatic background. Can't say too much without giving it away though since there are twists and turns. I'm hoping I can actually finish it in a month though!
----------what would you do if you were called to do something more in a world you never knew existed?
40,050 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 17 22
AAARGH! I can't pick! I have second guessed everything I have mulled over writing, have fleshed out a bunch more stories, dug out some old stuff from a few years ago, but still can't decide. Someone please yell at me to make up my mind.
Never mind, I will draw something froma hat on the 31st, then stick with that.
Hope the meeting went well yesterday, I will try to make the next one.
38,153 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 11 39
I've just recently become torn between an Orwellian dystopia or an apocalyptic Ragnarok (War of the Gods, not the addictive online game :P)
I was just telling my wife last night that the dystopian novels are far more terrifying now that they are an actual possibility. What with the technological oppression already in China, the fact we are becoming more and more integrated with a single online source(Phones, television, communication, internet, all in one place) and the fact that nothing we do online is ever private.
Of course with 2012 mania looming a nice apocalyptic novel could be well received :P
I suppose I will just have to see if destruction or oppression strikes me when November arrives.
316,219 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 14 59
MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!!
If anyone's having trouble picking a plot from a few they have in mind, you could always be daring and attempt to combine them into one story. ;)
----------33,768 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 11 43
So my idea this year is slightly difficult to explain without giving away the story. In a quick summary it is about a 20 year old girl who can see angels and demons. Here is my synopsis as further explanation:
When twenty year old Natalie comes home from University for the summer, her already strange life is turned upside down. Soon angels and demons alike haunt her small town and she is faced with a decision that will determine the fate of the rest of the world. As her birthday and deadline loom closer she must make sacrifices that will forever leave her heart broken.
When Dylan's long time love entrusts him with a paranormal secret he finds himself looking at the world in a very different way. Sooner than he expects he is dragged into the life he does not yet believe in and is forced to choose between keeping the one he loves and letting her go. More importantly, deciding between life and death.
Riddled with romance and twisted schemes, it will be a summer neither will ever forget.
Although I have a good idea of the important pieces of this story it should be interesting to see how it all plays out. I tend to write and see where the story takes me.
Many of your ideas sound great! I look forward to hearing more about them as NaNo goes on.
----------33,768 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 11 45
To Thirteenthdancer: This sounds absolutely amazing. I love it! I hope you tell more as you start writing!
----------0 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 12 25
I'm kinda new to this "write-a-50k-novel-in-a-month" deal...
----------You may ride the short bus, lick windows, and ocasionally pee on yourself, but hang in there sunshine, you're friggin' special.
51,427 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 10 04
I am being strange and rebellious this year. I will be pulling a NaNo novel from two years back and doing a major re-write. I hope to add 50k words to the 50k I have now and end up with a solid novel. I will be doing some editing etc as well, so counting words will be very interesting.
A brief synopsis: The world is ruled by old people who have arranged things for their own comfort. Some young people rebel, and fun and games ensues.
----------Put the story first.
47,431 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 03 58
Last year I used NaNoWriMo as a kick in the pants to finish a book I had (seriously) started when I was twelve. It wasn't 'start at page 1', but I banged out two thirds of the book and finished it up in December while the juices were still flowing. After giving it a few months to rest, I started revising it in April and am just now finishing the (much better now) draft. I should finish that in the next couple of days, leaving a clean head for NaNoWriMo.
My plan this year is to write the origin story for the main character of that book. It works well because i already have a loose outline, as I've kept notes over writing the other one each time he mentions something about his past.
The character happens to have accidentally created the Universe in his youth, so it should be interesting.
----------2008 - A Body of Stars (Finished - 110k)
2,099 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 06 44
Hi All!
Okay,first off...I like the Black Dog idea.....and seondly....poor puppy! lol. anyways, I have an idea that I am forcing myself to solidify before I change my mind 897667 more times.
My story is of a young guy locked up in an asylum for brutally murdering his family, the story is written in the form of the characters journal/diary, so you get trapped in his sadistic and twisted thoughts as he spirals further in to insanity. There will be parts where you can't tell if he is writing about reality or hallucinations.
I chose this format as I really suck at dialogue writing, and since this is my first year, I wanted to take it easy on myself.
oh well, we'll see :-)
----------Writing - the true freedom of speech