One of my classes focuses on College success. Planning is a big part of this and that got me thinking. What do I need ready before november begins? Please feel free to add your own ideas.
To decide on a story.
An outline of that story.
A good stash of coffee
A clean clear space at home where I can write.
A quiet spot (that provides coffee) away form home where I can write.
Time lost of time. (does anyone know where i can get some)
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Lost without spell check pelase forgive.
25,674 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 17 06
This is mine...most of the stuff is little and will only take a few minutes to do on Oct. 31st ...but it's stuff I should do anyway so I won't forget.
-DONE-
Basic Plot of MC actions through novel
Basic Plot of Villan actions through novel
Basic Plot of minor characters in major scenes
Basic Outline of the Major Settings
Basic Rules of my fantasy society
Quick sheet of cast of characters (names, how they interact)
Organized and cleaned my desk
Made a spot for my most used writing refrences within reach
Created an organized binder for all my NaNo novel information
Found my Totem (identical rings...one for each ring finger)
TO DO:
Draw a street map of my fictional town
Flush out a few plot holes with more details
Write my characters detailed personality info/basic motivations out so I can quick reference the info.
Write my Magna Cartas
Make a Writing schedual
Remind friends and family that I will be unavailable unless someone is dying...
Plan quick meals ahead of time, freeze. Get the stuff for crock pot meals.
Get the stuff for Turkey Day Dinner...volunteer someone to cook it for me...
Continue stocking up on goodies and drinks
Buy more computer paper...and an extra black ink cartrage...
Make sure I have enough WORKING pens to scribble random notes
Get an extra USB drive to back up my work
Organize my research folders online
Clean out my favorite websites online, so I won't be tempted to play when I should be writing
Disable my pop up email notice thingy, so I won't be tempted to check my email 40 times a day.
Disable all my IM programs so people can't IM me in the middle of writing...
Run a disk defrag on the computer and clean up the cookies so 'puter will run faster
Disable the Microsoft Word editing paperclip guy so I won't be endlessly annoyed while writing.
Make sure the house is clean and well stocked so I won't be tempted to procrastinate or run errands instead of writing
Winter proof the house before it gets really cold. Stock up on battaries, check heaters, smoke alarms, window seals-so I won't have to do it in November...
Do all my other "projects" so I won't have them to do when I want to procrastinate...seeing a theme here?
Make a playlist of my favorite songs
Finish my Nov. goals for the websites I administrate on.
Notify Penny (the Librarian) that I will be coming in a lot more to write...I'm so glad I live across the street from the library...
Unplug my TV so I won't be tempted to watch when I should be writing.
Muzzle and Hog Tie my Inner Editor
Yep...lots to do...
----------Blessings,
Kat
40,383 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 18 26
Wow, that's um... quite a list. :D
Here's mine:
1. block out the plot line a little better than the one page of scrawled notes I have now.
Maybe I'm just not that organized, hehe.
12,249 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 13 16
Ha, I have to agree.... Long list you got there. (: I'm not that precise or organized, so from the top of my head:
1. Decide on a story and STICK with it.
2. Develop main plot and MC
3. Create character list and their roles through the story/how they interact
4. Buy a new notebook for this year's NaNoWriMo writing
5. Coffee. Must have coffee.
I'm sure my list will grow as I think about this more... :P
11,608 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 14 45
-outline this thing so I don't get hopelessly lost in the middle
-characterization
-make a playlist
-sleep, because I'm sure not getting any in November
Fortunately I'm already good on the coffee front =)
37,523 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 17 00
Aside from the usual plot outlining and such, these are some things I'm going to be doing in preparation:
1. Figure out my geography, latitude, longitude, climate (this is only because I'm going through a Geography class and that's what we're studying).
2. Continue making writing prompts. So last night I just cut up a bunch of papers and began writing prompts on them, I'll pull out a few as examples:
-Let me calculate this
-Solar flares aren't a problem--Wait. They can see us now.
-The Moon
I have a bunch, including ones with just "Yes" and "No"
----------I have a drawer in my desk devoted to them.
When you are stuck, insert a time-traveling airforce to bomb ancient beasties and wonders.
4,000 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 17 47
Staying on the topic of lists, its also on my list.
Where in town is everyone finding that secret little spot of write (and drink lost of coffee)
Good coffee spots.
The Drop, but too many people that I get destracted by.
The Woods, good coffee but they can be a bit busy.
Quiet but not so good on the coffee.
Yolo in the mall, they have a back room.
Avellino, nice atmoshpere and good munchies.
Then there is the Corprate giant Starbucks. Dont know how everyone feels about them. I personaly like there drinks (the drip sucks though) But they have free i tunes cards and one day they might figure out the free internet thing.
Bakerview is nice and has a great view when the storms come in.
Sunset is small and quiet.
Anyone else want to share their secret spots?
----------Lost without spell check pelase forgive.
11,608 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 19 08
I'm pretty lazy, so I mostly stick to spots on the WWU campus. I like the Underground Coffeehouse and the VU in general, especially during the evenings and weekends when there's no one there. I agree, though, Starbucks' drip sucks. Mostly I just drink their tea.
4,000 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 09 51
Underground Coffee house??? What is this place you speak of?
----------Lost without spell check pelase forgive.
30,046 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 10 26
On my list of things to do are:
--Decide on a place for our Saturday morning write-ins (10am to 12pm). Last year my daughter Jessie and I had mini-write-ins (no one else ever joined us) at Greene's Corner at Northwest and Smith. It's called something else now. This year we may go to Woods Coffee on Main in Ferndale. We would like others in the north county to join us, so what would be good for you? Lynden? I love Lynden.
--Find music to inspire me. I haven't done this before, but Jessie talks about how important music is. I dug out some CDs (ballet, classical, celtic) to listen to in the car and a new take on an important scene popped into my head. "Wow, that could be powerful," I thought. Later Jessie played a piece from Halo 3 that had me in tears visualizing this scene. So one piece of music gave me an idea, and another made it poignant. So now I'm listening to CDs like mad while I work in the kitchen, popping over to my computer every other minute to type a quick note on my outline. Not getting much done in the kitchen. :]
--Outline the villains, as Katrielle suggests on her list. What a great idea! I was neglecting my subplots. (The main conflict is the heroine's search for truth. People out to kill her are a side note.)
--Create a funny character and outline some comic relief. My story is serious with some really sad stuff happening (there's a happy ending). But I am a funny person! There must be laughter!
--Decide on some appropriate dares to accept. Why not?
--Get my house in order so it will run itself in November. Organizing and decluttering is almost as much fun as writing. LOL!
----------2007 Southland (pfft)
2008 Inheritance (still working on it)
25,173 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 21 23
Like I've said elsewhere, I'm cheating by writing short stories. Usually I do what Katrielle does, as well as stopping all writing in favor of devouring every book I can that's similar to what I want to write.
This year, I'm only sort of doing that. I'm reading lots of short stories, but I'm also reading every cool non-fiction book that catches my fancy. I also make myself write one story seed a day. This mainly consists of looking at photo blogs (The Big Picture, at boston.com, kicks so much inspirational ass.) and writing 100-500 words inspired by it. I sift out the ones with longer potential, and save them for Nano.
44,172 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 19 21
I need to iron out who's doing what. I've got a very broad idea of Beginning -> End.... And then everything in between is Blur.
----------I need a very large stash of soda and various other drinks.
To make sure that my door has a lock, so I can shut out the rest of the world, and forcibly create a work space.
To finish studying for my actual classes before I get too caught up in writing.
Focus would be nice.
“If you find yourself falling into madness – dive.” Malkavian Proverb
Cry a river, build a bridge, and GET OVER IT.
Reality is an ok place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
I have morals. They're just... twisted.
I do not suffer from insani
25,200 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 21 07
To do:
Find a job so I can not stress about bills for the entire month...
write up a synopsis
Get some form of plot line from the bits and pieces I have so far...<.<
MORE research on the oort cloud/kuiper belt @.@
tie in December 21, 2012 into the whole thing.
do a check up on my typewriter
Done:
NOTHING xD
12,249 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 02 08
1. Decide on a story and STICK with it.DONE2. Develop main plot
and MC3. Create character list and their roles through the story/how they interact eehh, kind of done.
4. Buy a new notebook for this year's NaNoWriMo writing
5. Coffee. Must have coffee.I'm good on my coffee stash now. 8)I'm sure my list will grow as I think about this more... :P
Thought I'd go ahead and spiffy up my list a bit more...
1. Develop the plot some more and get a climax in there! >___<
2. Finish the character list/interactions
3. Do necessary research for MC's mother
4.Stick a post-it note somewhere visable as a reminder to get a new notebook
5. Clean room for writing space D:
40,007 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 15 48
I bought a pretty little writing table just today to put in the corner of my bedroom so I can close myself away in my own creative space. I'm quite excited to go set it all up now! Besides getting my writing nook in order, I need to arrange childcare and write my character biographies. I have an outline, but I don't want to get stuck on details when I'm in the mode.
----------"Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." --E.L. Doctorow