How are you preparing for NaNoWriMo?

For my pre-nanowrimo nanowrimo, I didn't do any prep at all. As in, no plot, no characters, nothing. I sat at the computer and just started thinking, "hmm, let's see, there's this girl who's working, and she gets interrupted by her friend...," and I was off. Of course, without thinking of plot beforehand, I had to think of one on the fly, and ended up throwing in a stalker, a secret baby, forced marriage, death, you name it. Probably not publishable, but BOY, WAS IT FUN.

For the November nano, I'll be going a more structured route, filling up about 40 index cards with scenes. Then when November rolls around, I'll just grab one from the pile and write that for the day.

The great thing about nano, I'm finding out, is that it lets you experiment to find out what works for you and what doesn't.

research. and reading. lots and lots. wheee!

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I've been outlining the major plots and a few subplots for all the planned books for this year.

Sadly, I still have to write them down on paper. =P

2005: 50.7K
2006: 100.2K
2007: 326.5K
2008: 686.4K

Stalking the forum threads.=DDD

As for actual prep for writing? hell. I don't even have a plot yet!orz

- By trying to relax my fingers (one finger got tendinitis, hay...)
- By not doing anything related to this story. Because I've been slogging at this story for months. I'm taking a break from it. I am plotting out chapters, though.

New Wrimos: not taking any mentorships, but ask me stuff through YM or Nanomail and I'll answer. ^^;

already in progress:

1. redoing the research that I did on cybernetics and the local BPO industry, hanging out around Wikipedia and TVTropes, reading some old and new favorite books and fanfics

2. printing out D&D character sheets

3. doing an hour or so of stream-of-consciousness free-association before bed, with handy notebook nearby to capture the good points

4. writing out rough outlines

5. making a grocery list of supplies

6. searching for new music to listen to while writing

done:

1. bought a set of colorful Dong-A My-Gel pens, a pad of intermediate paper for free-writing, and new index cards

http://popgoespj.blogspot.com
NanoWriMo 2009: Came Clear
This is my very first attempt. I wish you all luck!

I've done my research on the technical stuff. All I need now is to interview someone who's dealt with unwanted pregnancy. And by a stroke of serendipity I just found out the other day that my Nano buddy is actually expecting--25 weeks in. I mean, when I sent her the buddy request over a month ago, none of the stories I had in mind involved anyone getting pregnant.

I already have a rough outline on my plot, but I won't be getting back to it until a few days before Nano starts. I'm focusing my writing energy on my ongoing story (fanfic), which will be on definite hold until the end of November. Also, I might pick up something there to add to my Nano story.

Lastly, I still have to make a list on the foodies I'm gonna need in stock--and actually get to buying them before Nov 1. My day gets ruined when I wake up to find the coffee jar empty, or nothing edible on the cupboard. Although sometimes I use this as an excuse to hit Starbs or CBTL---getting a couple of hundreds words in on my journal or Neo. Okay, let's make that consolation and positive reinforcement.. XD

I'm practicing my thumb-typing (just like now!) because I plan to write my whole novel in my cellphone.

I found out that my phone has a pretty good word processor that has a word count function. I've been writing my character sketches and outline in the past days and so far so good. I can now write wherever I am.

Goodluck to me, hehe... And to all of us.

Ony

. . .
three things: beer, coffee, and potato chips.

(bad advice # 1, *nyek*)

all three, though - just like everything else - has to be taken in moderation.

ah well, it worked for me the past four NaNo-winning years.

. . .
and oh yes, the winning formula: a huge, huge, HUGE odd, wacky, otherworldly-sense of imagination.

so yeah, make that 'four.'

. . .
=)

. . .
"what the band TrueFaith would've been, hadn't they screw-up with stuff back in the 90's."

I am shopping for a new desk and chair so my arse will be comfy all 30 days. :-)

However, I am also using Dramatica Pro. It sorts out your characters, their functions, relationships, plot, etc. It won't write the book for you but it does let you print out a neat outline to see where holes exist.

I'm also reading "The Craft & Business of Writing" from Writer's Digest. On the side, I am reading "Runes of the Earth" by Stephen Donaldson, part of his bestselling Thomas Covenant series to get me in the mood.

Anywho, my ass is totally hurting on this old picnic table chair even with cushions so off shopping!

See you guys at Megamall for the launch. ;-)

-----
Gary Alan

Find out more about my Work In Progress "The Hollow World" (book one" in a series) @ http://thewritedude.vox.com/.

I have a list of chapters! ♥

...Yup, that's basically it. Ahahaha. I wish I could indulge in junk food and stuff for Nano, but I'm trying to stick to some sort of diet. Urgh.

For you I'll burn the length and breadth of sky.

Me too! Although I don't really want to say "urgh" because I'm enjoying my diet, weirdly enough. Haha. I'm gonna stock up on fruits and other healthy edibles on November though =)

I've already figured out one guy who will play a role in my novel. Haha. I'll probably start to REALLY plan after Kick-Off. :D

Tina, ML for the Philippines
Refine Me | PinoyWrimos | @pinoywrimos

Ooh...character sheets! 3.5 or 4e? XD And I suppose as a suggestion to anyway who wants to do that method. World of Darkness character sheets are good for urban real life settings whether realist or fantasy/sci-fi.

Finding a plot XD

Haha, I'd been outlining, world building and character sketching a plot for the past 3 months or so but then early October, I decided I didn't want to use it anymore. So yeah, with great determination comes great stupidity. Hopefully it will come to me before its too late lest I write Nano from the seat of my already worn out pants :)

A lot of you guys talked about your fingers and looking at mine, I wonder if I should do the same. >.>;; Well, I'm on the PC most of the time so maybe there isn't a need for that? XD And thank goodness I hate coffee. I at least won't have to go into war at the last coffee jar with you guys!

I've had my main characters planned out since summer this year but any additional characters are only coming out now (they started coming into mind existence around last month-ish). Right now, what I'm really focused on is writing a rough outline of ideas for each chapter so that I can link the scenes I have in mind and reach my ending. I did this last year and it was very effective since they get me excited on writing the next chapter if I really like the scene. Besides, I have no solid plot this year so if I want to make it through, I gotta prepare myself beforehand!

Aside from that, I'm just...surfing around, researching a little when I'm bored, reading books unimportant to my NaNo, watching movies important to it but also not and listening to uninspiring music. It's the way to go.

Yup, fruits and honey would be nice! Though-- I really, really, really miss junk food. And softdrinks. Last year I guzzled Coke whenever I felt my energy level dropping.

Yeah, Kick-Off! Looking forward to it :D

For you I'll burn the length and breadth of sky.

I wrote a prequel to my novel this past summer. Of course, the prequel hasn't been posted completely yet but I'll try to post the last chapters within the day. =P

Someone said you're feeling green tonight so step up.
Do you really want to cross the line right now?
Go ahead and try to take what's mine.
Let it roll, let it roll, I'm unstoppable

Intermittent plot outlining. No sketching yet though. And lots of character sheets to work on. I need to work on a neighborhood map soon.

My heart, my life, my praise is all for You

Profiling & Outlining
- This comes hand in hand for me because it's either I come up with characters first or vice-versa. On the profiling part, I use a combination of character sheets I've collected in the past and create my own, using that to flesh out my characters. The outlining part is a little easier for me because once I've come up with an idea, everything else comes flowing naturally. Most of the time.

Researching
- Well, only a little because I can be quite lazy like that XD If I'm going to incorporate themes that I have no extensive knowledge of, then I'll hit the books. If not, the internet. Asking/Interviewing people who can relate to the themes one way or another is also a tactic of mine.

Imagining
- As one member mentioned above me, you need your imagination. I'm royally screwed if I don't let mine soar far and wide XD 'sides, this is where I get some wacky ideas out of the blue, regardless of whether I am in the middle of typing out my novel or if I'm still in the brainstorming process.

Other activities related to my NaNo preparation that aren't literally-connected are: listening to lots and lots of music, watching people, eating [mastication is a strange giver of ideas--or at least on my part anyway XD;], and taking walks around town if only to stimulate the senses.

I bought a notebook today and designated it as the "hard copy" of my novel. I'm gonna be doing a lot of writing in class this term, that's why.

My heart, my life, my praise is all for You

I just got my new desk. Preparing for the writing marathon setting it up just right. My folders where I organized my notes are just within reach as are all my reference boooks. I have my Altec Lansing dock for my iPod ready on my main desk to keep me company too. Best addition is my new chair! Yayyy! Less than 2 weeks until countdown!

-----
Gary Alan

Find out more about my Work In Progress "The Hollow World" (book one" in a series) @ http://thewritedude.vox.com/.

First, I figured out the general premise of the story and how I want it to end.
Then, since my work is kinda science fiction and not seen anywhere on this planet (as for now, I may be prophetic. Who knows?), I'm ironing out the setting of my story. I can't believe how much detail it demands. I'm using freemind to mindmap the cultural, economic and political landscapes (among others) of my story. Mindmapping let me see where the conflicts can possibly arise and how I can use them for my story. As for the moment, little tiny details come by and I would just add a balloon somewhere in my mindmap.
Now, I am jotting down possible characters and situations as they pop in my head, making mini-psychological profiles of my characters to prevent them from doing or saying things out of character.

Oh! Also I've made a book cover (I'm not entirely happy with this, I might make another) and I'm drawing things found in my world, like the mass transportation system they use. I'm hope this all goes well.

I'm jealous. I want a new desk too. My old one was destroyed by the flood. :(

Right now my desk would be...my lap. Or something. I'll have to find a lapdesk and get lots of pillows so I can be more comfortable. There's a lack of table tops at home right now. :P

Tina, ML for the Philippines
Refine Me | PinoyWrimos | @pinoywrimos

Tina,

As long as your arse (& back) is comfy, your desk can be everywhere! LOL I prefer Starbucks & CBTL! But I've gotta cut down on caffeine for health reasons. I used to spend hours working from there with an equal amount of coffee drinks.

Best view is Starbucks SM Marikina. Most isolated spot is Starbucks at Eastwood New Mall (and next door to a Fully Booked for reference material hahaha).

Most social is Starbucks and CBTL in Salcedo Village.

Any other votes? Bo's on Katipunan in front of Ateneo is also conducive for working. Mostly students. :-)

Gary

-----
Gary Alan

Find out more about my Work In Progress "The Hollow World" (book one" in a series) @ http://thewritedude.vox.com/.

Erm. I have done no preparing whatsoever. I only came up with an idea of what to write yesterday.

# of words written on phone: 405

. . .
what with all the talk on locations, it somehow reminds me of the time i started working on NaNo... =D

and here's how my past 50k NaNo adventures went, so far:

. . .
2003:

30% - home (desktop with prepaid internet connection)
60% - internet cafes (mainly in either Netopia or in some nearby 24-hr run cafes with network gaming)
10% - migraine experienced from loud Counter-Strike players nearby after typing for two hours.

. . .
2004:

50% - 24-hr internet cafes
20% - home (with prepaid internet connection)
10% - workplace between breaks
10% - migraines experienced from facing computer monitors in almost 18 hours/day.

. . .
2005:

40% - internet cafes after work
40% - internet cafes late at night
20% - late-night cafes with espresso shots.

. . .
2008

60% - late-night cafes with laptop
60% - late-night at home with laptop
20% - at someone else's place with tequila.

. . .
*sigh* simpler times. =D

. . .
"what the band TrueFaith would've been, hadn't they screw-up with stuff back in the 90's."

@ Giboy
lol! Nagiging mas sosyal with each passing year!

As for me. Well. I'd already laid out the themes, with each having its own story. Each story has its own characters, main plot, universe, and whatnots. But that's way back in April to September, when I still can't decide on which to write, and when I'm still not rolling all over PSf5.

Now, I have a title, concrete plot with theme, a solid universe and character profiles that I'm actually spending time to draw and design. Music is also stocked, as well as Coke and Pepsi (and ice cream hurhur). Also, lots of murder-mystery reading, including non-fictional ones. I've been reading up and grabbing every possible research items I can find focusing on the paranormal and Jack the Ripper. (and putting my major to good use too :>)

I'll be skipping the outlining and index cards though for this year. Judging from the last two years (and whatever I plot), I'll be only wasting inks and leads, not to mention killing trees for naught, if I stick to outlining. None of them ever gets followed to the end, and a miracle if to somewhere past the midpoint.

Project Rebirth Moon is &copy of Umi-chii.
"Nope, still not sane. Now, how about a round of telegram throwing?

What?! Eight days to go?! Eep!

Well...actually, as far as preparations are going on, I think I can keep on writing a third of the novel with the parts I've managed to plot. I also have major events decided on (and somehow thought up of more ways to complicate the story without really meaning to o.O). Though I'm not sure how to end this whole thing--or rather, where to end it because...erm, I don't think it'll fit in one novel ^-^;;

I do have a notebook that's larger than what I used last year. And I'm searching for my lost pens that still have ink. I still need to tell my dad about the problem with the laptop though...-_-

I'm having fun with the character profiles. I've been pulling names from Greek & Roman mythology, Lud-in-the-Mist, and two more books :P I need to work out more details but I probably won't work on some yet. I somehow write better with less details because I somehow end up changing them at some point anyway o.O

I'll probably be spending a lot of time in the net cafe. But I'm not sure since I'm expecting a full schedule for the coming semester...I may have to stick to the good old notebook and pen, like I did last year. We shall see :D

I've never written anything so long....

....so what?

My characters Josh, Ollie, and Tara materialized on page today. I was finally able to draw them!!

My heart, my life, my praise is all for You

Gah, you guys are awesome, preparing (perhaps all year) for this mind-boggling event. Ako nga wala kahit isaaa. D:

NaNo 07: 9 Hours (Young Adult)
NaNo 08: The Sky is Broken (Military Sci-Fi)
NaNo 09: Speed of Sound (Literary Fiction)