Hello all, I just found this site yesterday while looking up information on writer's block. After reading through it and coming to grips with what a unique and twisted challenge it is, I decided to sign up.
It has been years since I wrote a novel...used to write them all the time, in fact. But my last one, attempted while I was in university, collapsed under the weight of its own absurdity. I wrote way too many prep notes (more pages of note than the actual novel itself) and I just let the plot get away from me, started adding too many characters, twists, etc... (it was a fantasy novel, so it was just SO easy to start adding races and places and gods and pantheons of gods....)
So, I guess one of the questions I have for my fellow novelists would be: are you going to come to November with a prepared idea or are you just going to wing it? I am torn on this myself. On the one hand, I think there would be nothing more exhilirating than to start November 1 completely from scratch, with no plot or plan in mind and just see where my mind takes me.
On the other hand, it might be best to come with at least the germ of an idea or an outline and kind of riff off of that. but sine outlining and notes was what killed my last novel, I'm kind of leery...
But what does everyone think? I'd love to hear some other voices on the whole "outline vs freestyle" debate.
And I'd like to welcome everyone to Nano '08! Should be wild!
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mai 11, 2008 - 16 07
Everybody's different in this regard. Personally, I find that I usually go in with not much more than a very very basic idea -- probably no more than a paragraph's worth. Too much of an outline makes it feel like a chore, and prevents me from going where the story development takes me, but too little outline means I have no idea which way to go when I try to take my first step in the story. So I keep a few vague ideas of what's supposed to happen, with the understanding that I am allowed to change my mind if the situation requires.
And welcome! We usually start meeting some time in early October, and it would be great if you could show up some time so we can attach a face to the name.
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mai 11, 2008 - 20 55
Thanks! I'll be sure to see if I can fit some in person time with other participants into my schedule.
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mai 13, 2008 - 08 05
I'm in if my schedule permits it! Keep me posted on meetings and such.
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mai 29, 2008 - 13 57
This is my first NaNo, so I'm preparing myself over the summer. Maybe next year I'd wing it, unless I write a sequel to the novel I write in '08.
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juin 24, 2008 - 14 09
I may take a hiatus this year. It will depend on how my little girl will be. A baby is really changing a life!