So I had this fantastic idea for my novel. I started planning it mid-September or so and the characters and the world they inhabit were truly gaining a life of their own. I knew the beginning, the ending, crucial scenes and more.
About four days ago I got completely sick of it.
So now I'm just tossing it all away and starting something else with very little planning. I've got a semblance of an idea; maybe two characters fleshed out, a bit of world and setting info, and the main situation the characters are in. That' s it.
On one hand, it's a bit scary to not know where they're going, or how they overcome the main challenge, but at the same time I'm truly excited to get started. I don't know how this story will end, and now I really want to write it just to see the ending.
Has anyone else done this? Or am I just crazy? Did I over think the first story?
-j.
----------
2008 (Winner!) - Finding Sterling
2007 (Winner!) - Superhero Kitchen
102,070 / 50,000
oct. 31, 2009 - 10 25
I've actually fallen into the habit of entirely disregarding plot aside from situation of the characters and their goal, and what the obstacle is. I somewhat enjoy this approach more than plotting out my story intensely because when there is no plot, there is ten times to a hundred times more discovery. Like my novel for this year I still don't have all my characters completely formed yet and all I know about it is the task that they will be going about when I begin the novel.
I'm glad to see there is another person who has embraced the insanity of writing plot-less. Congrats!
----------"I'm astounded by people who take eighteen years to write something. That's how long it took that guy to write Madame Bovary, and was that ever on the best-seller list?" -Sylvester Salone
"Having a bad day? Write faster. Broke a limb? Write faster." Me
21,152 / 50,000
oct. 31, 2009 - 18 04
I am plotless. I've spent the last three weeks developing a story idea that I REALLY don't want to write about anymore. I currently have four notecards with possible chapter title ideas.
That's my whole plot as of now.
I have an idea for one nameless character. I think I'm going to begin on a train. Maybe she's a journalist. Maybe later I'll add in a boxer rising to his glory. That's my whole book so far. Have I bitten off more than I can chew? Probably. Luckily, procrastination is a well-developed talent of mine and I intend to exploit it. In all probability I will have a pathetic first draft at the end of the month, and will delete more words than I keep during revision.
But dammit! I WILL FINISH!!
--Jodi
50,151 / 50,000
oct. 31, 2009 - 20 26
At least you're changing now, and not halfway through November! I did that once. >_< Failed that year.
----------03: Lost / 04: Won / 05: Won / 06: Lost / 07: Lost / 08: Lost / 09: Here's to breaking a losing streak!
3,889 / 50,000
oct. 31, 2009 - 23 39
I had a plan all ready too, and I decided I didn't like it at all, so I am now just going to start typing, and see where it gets me. No plan at all! Just going to start going, and hopefully I can piece something together that isn't too terrible.
----------31,304 / 50,000
nov. 1, 2009 - 05 54
I spent the last two weeks developing the characters for my story only to find that my first words this morning had absolutely nothing to do with the characters I created. Darn, I hate it when that happens. So now I'll just have to go where these newbies take me and see if there's anything I can do to shape them into a story.
As to your question? Yeah, I think a lot of us have done that, but it still doesn't mean you're not crazy. I mean, you signed up for Nano, didn't you? Have fun and happy writing,
Kelly
31,304 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 09 32
I don't know if this is last minute or insanity, but I was cooking Chorizo (yes, chorizo)this morning and thinking that you just can't get good, rich, red,succulent, fatty chorizo in Colorado, (at least not the good stuff we used to eat in California when I was growing up) when an idea for a cooking-related book just popped into my head. Now it won't leave me alone. I am not a great cook, and I'm certainly not a foodie, so why I think I can write a book based on someone who cooks, don't ask me, but if this pesky idea doesn't go away by the time I get out of my math class this evening, I'm going to give it a go. Wish me luck (or bon apetit if you will). K
50,721 / 50,000
nov. 5, 2009 - 07 45
So I shouldn't be concerned my characters are ignoring me?
94,050 / 50,000
nov. 5, 2009 - 11 05
*I'd kill them off*...but that's just me. Besides, a good death is usually worth about a 1,000 words or so.
Last year I restarted three or four days in, with almost absolutely nothing. (I didn't even have characters) I was able to write that novel faster than any others I've written.
----------Thirteen Deaths At Knife Point: A mix of lovestruck, poetic prose and paranoia-induced, bloody visions.
Cluttered Noises: Experimental Modernism.
46,000 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 16 53
I changed my mind as I looked at the first blank screen. First I was going to do the super hero novel. Then the sequel to another series. Then I realized the sequel was too complicated to do without an outline, and I didn't want to spend time on an outline, so I went back to the super hero. I think it was the right choice.
----------NaNo '07: Joshuwu Bradley: Rocket Scientist
NaNo '08: Tempus Interruptus
38,402 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 21 59
Excellent! Superhero stories rule! I'm writing the sequel to last year's YA superhero story now, and during off-NaNo time, I've been writing an adult superhero story. They're a lot of fun.
------------Sarah, Colorado Springs co-ML
41,000 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 22 01
Um, yeah. I had this great idea, I was all gung ho. I started writing. It was boring. And I mean super boring. I thought it would get better, so I pushed on. But by 6K it was still boring, and I wasn't having any fun.
So on the 4th, I decided to shift gears and go in a whole new direction, and by that, I mean new story altogether :P But in order to not have wasted 6K, I am working those into the new story line (which is an author who is writing a boring novel, so her characters hire a literary liaison to help her--the original 6K is now part of new character's boring novel!). I'm having much more fun now and the words are flowing.
This is the first time I've switched after the 1st of the month, but since my second NaNo became a work that I hated (figured that out on day 20 or so) I promised myself I wouldn't do NaNo unless I was having fun, and I am!
----------Sara, Princess of Narnia and ML for Colorado Springs
~~~~~
If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. ~ CS Lewis
21,152 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 22 10
Yay for the story change, Sara!!!
I've heard that from a few people now. Apparently there's something about NaNo this year, because several seem to be scrapping their original ideas for something more fun to write, even after the first. I like you very much but I'm having intensely hostile outbursts of rage at your word count.
I've been nursing sick kids all weekend. I AM SO FAR BEHIND!!! ...but I still have more words than Chris Baty. ;)
--Jodi