Chat

Character Namer

MJBrudenell — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:40:39 -0600

For NaNo expediency I've decided to use the StoryWonk Character Namer for naming new characters as they first appear in my story. I just decided on October 28th to do NaNo this year. This will be my first year. I've been in discovery for some time, but my story idea had only come to the point of naming the protagonist, so all other characters will be named with the Character Namer. I am curious to see the results. I'm not promising that there won't be any changes during revision, but you never know which ones will just fit.

Back to discovery writing - What to do about word count

MJBrudenell — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:10:16 -0700

Well, in retrospect I think my last minute decision to do NaNo this year was a little too last minute. I made the decision on Oct 28th, and signed up that day. The story I am working on was still deep in discovery, but I figured I am writing crap anyways, so what's the big deal. I got about 1300 words into the manuscript when I realized that I wouldn't be able to pants my way through, and I needed to regroup and get back to plotting. So now on the last day of the month I wonder what I should do about validating my word count. Do I validate the 1300 words of actual story, or do I add into that the words completed on character sheets, scene outlines and plot synopsis? Any takers?

Has anyone else seen Chris Cleave's pep talk?

Brusselsprout — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:03:14 -0700

I don't know whether any of you other Nanoers get the pep talks, but this week's was from Chris Cleave, and it was really good, really encouraging about the importance of the work we are doing for us and generally. About being productive and imaginative and learning from the fast days and the slow ones.

My favorite line was this one:

The only bad days as a writer are the ones when you are too cowardly or too lazy to sit down at the keyboard and give it everything you have.

For me, the big lesson about this year's Nano has been that I am a writer. It's not easy, it's not always fun, but it is what I am. A storyteller and a dreamer who can make the dreams real by getting them on paper. Or at least a computer. And damn, no, I haven't yet backed up....

FOC, 11-21-11

Lani — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:26:09 -0700

Today's Fat Orange Cat: Aristotle! Extra points if you name a fat, orange cat Aristotle in your book!

Now... go!

FOC, 11-17-11

Lani — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:22:08 -0700

Wow, I'm so horrible about posting these. Sorry!

Today's FOC: a pair of ugly socks. Be they old, oddly colored, or mismatched, get them in the scene today!

FOC, 11-15-10

Lani — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:29:45 -0700

Sorry, I haven't been terribly consistent about posting these. But before I run the kids to the bus, here it is for today:

A grilled cheese sandwich! Have them eat, make, or talk about grilled cheese, and you're there!

Do you think November affects Novel-Themes?

Meeresbande — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:07:18 -0700

Hey, do you think that the fact that NaNo takes place in November affects the themes in the novels that people wirte? Do inhabitants of the northern sphere write a lot about cold weather and do they make their characters get a cold more often? Is it the other way round with inhabitants of the southern sphere? Are their novels full of spring and new love? (Or is it more late-winter there and not yet spring?)

What do you think? Does the time of the year, the weather or a holiday (halloween, thanksgiving, impending christmas) influence what you're writing or even the overall feel of the novel? Do you do this consciously or do you think these influences sneak into your work subconsciously?

To answer this for me (living on the northern sphere, where trees lose their last leaves now and cold fogs hang around all day):
I don't think it influences my current book, because it's set on a space station, hence it doesn't have seasons or even weather. I don't consciously draw inspiration from my physical surroundings for this book either. I can't say if it subconsciously influences the feel of it, though.

FOC, 11/10

Lani — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:00:30 -0700

Today's Fat Orange Cat: An unusual musical instrument.

Have fun!

FOC, 11-12

Lani — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:16:16 -0700

Today's Fat Orange Cat is:

Yogurt! Have your characters eat it, throw it, work at a yogurt factory... whatever! Have fun!

FOC, 11-11

Lani — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:15:37 -0700

Sorry we forgot to post this yesterday; we got it into the podcast, but not here. Anyway, the FOC is:

A paper crown!

If you didn't hear it on the podcast yesterday, use it when you're ready for it!

Drained

Jenni — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:10:51 -0700

I've had an amazing time writing this story, and participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time. I hadn't expected being able to figure out what might be needed to make this story work (which it wasn't really three years ago when I first tried to write it) just a couple weeks before nano, and I hadn't expected to end up outlining it and have that work so well as part of the process for me.

But I also hadn't expected the motivation fix for the main character to end up being so draining. Part of it, I'm sure, is that it taps into all sorts of things that I felt and experienced in a rather hectic and stressful time, and that's all coming back and somehow pouring into the book. I'm having a great time with the story and I love it, but I sometimes get up from the key board and feel like I've run an emotional marathon. And in those moments, I both want to dive back in an push further and never look at it again. I'm hoping that all this will make it a better book, and that I'll continue to have enough fun with it that I will want to keep coming back. I'm guessing that this is something that happens when you use something that had a deep impact to help fuel a character?

I don't want to pull back from it, but sometimes it leaves me very tired when the end of the writing day comes... I guess maybe I could use a little writerly encouragement that it is good for the book, or that it does make me a better writer [I'm a GREAT writer, but I can always try to be even GREATER! ;) ], or something.

The Fat Orange Cat 11/8

Alastair — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:10:27 -0700

Today's fat orange cat, for reasons which will be clear to anyone listened to the podcast...

Two rotten kids. :)

Lani and I have yet to write a single word today, so watch Twitter for some erratic and wine-enhanced musings as we try to hit our increasingly unlikely word counts!

The Fat Orange Cat 11/7

Lani — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:19:09 -0700

Sorry it's late, guys! It was in the podcast, but I got distracted. Light came home with the bubons today. Argh.

Today's Fat Orange Cat:

A cup of tea.

Have fun!

Writer's block

Meeresbande — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:41:19 -0600

I know I'm supposed to write crap, but right now I see everything I've written so far very critically. All my characters do is talk, talk, talk. I guess it's also really preachy, anvilicious and one of my characters may come across as a strawman political even though I don't want that.
It's no fun to write this right now, but I don't really know how to fix it, that is what I should add or change in order to make it fun to write. I love my characters and I hesitate to change the plot, setting or their occupation (they're accountants. Later on, they will safe several worlds. Then find out that they pretty much sew off the branch they were sitting on).

Maybe what I need are good, interesting antagonists and side characters?
Or do you think actiony action scenes must be there early on in the book (they will come later anyways)? I just don't see how I could pull that off, since they're accountants and not space marines. They don't run, jump or fight -- not yet. They'll have to learn that though.

OK, I'm off inventing antagonists and side characters...
Medi

The Fat Orange Cat 11/5

Lani — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:06:00 -0600

Today's Fat Orange Cat:

Japanese Cherry Blossoms. It can be the actual tree itself, it can be a print or design, or it can be a smell or a memory. Whatever you want. Now - GO! :)

The Fat Orange Cat 11/6

Lani — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:04:57 -0700

Hello, StoryWonks! Today's Fat Orange Cat is:

A red American Tourister suitcase.

Have fun!

An Aaron trying to be Life

Nils — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:33:18 -0600

I am writing a book about an Aaron who is trying to be Life. In the end, he will be life and worry no more.

As an insecure geek, Aaron loses his dog May in a city hidden deep beneath the earth that is shaken by terrible attacks. He tries to be Life, and he takes on the task of leading May back into it.

Whoever is behind the attacks tries to conquer the defenceless society with May and an army of other dogs, and Aaron tries to stop the villains before they kill the dog, install a military dictatorship, or kill himself.

In the end, he will be life and worry no more.

Also, there will be an avalanche of moles.

Next, I want to write a book about The Mathilda trying to be Death. In the end, she will be life and worry no more.

Nano Encouragement or Fun

Jenni — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:01:02 -0600

I'm not sure if anyone else here follows Maureen Johnson on Twitter, but she is great fun, and now the official Agony Aunt of NaNoWriMo. Here's the link to her tumblr page where every day she'll answer nano questions: http://maureenjohnsonbooks.tumblr.com/
I think there will also be a link from the nano blog. :)

The Fat Orange Cat 11/4

Lani — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:05:10 -0600

Hello, StoryWonks! I'm back, and Alastair is down for the count, but we're still here giving you your FOC for the day:

A grandfather clock.

Put that in your scene today, see if it inspires anything, and don't forget to report in with your word count!

It's only day three, but...

BakaBuns — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:09:45 -0600

I'm already running out of steam. Is there a NaNo 5000 word hump? It seems every yearI can make it to 5000 words and then just lose.

So, this year I am going to get past this 5000 word hump. The podcasts are definitely encouraging. I listen to the podcast, put on my music and start typing. Today took me two hours to get up to my goal. I started with 4,010 words, and am ending at 5,307. Those words were difficult to produce, but I did it.

Anyone else struggling with a 5,000 word hump? Or any other kind of hump?

The Fat Orange Cat: 11/3

Alastair — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:01:12 -0600

A little later than expected, today's FOC is an award, statuette or trophy. Have it show up in your scene today -- and you get imaginary bonus points for having one of your characters use it to hit someone.

Day three is often the day in which NaNoers hit their first hump. That's certainly true of Lani and I, but we'll get back into it tomorrow!

Write the story only you can write, and write it without fear. Good luck, everyone!

The Fat Orange Cat: 11/2

Alastair — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:30:09 -0600

Since Lani is currently stuck in bed feeling awful, today's Fat Orange Cat is a loved one with stomach flu. If you need inspiration, find some way to work it into your story!

I'm only at 3,100 words so far, so I want to get another thousand or so finished today to make it to my 2,000/day goal. How are you guys doing?

Character Namer Experience

MJBrudenell — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:34:26 -0600

In an earlier chat post I committed to using Alastair's Character Namer for naming new characters. In my discovery writing phase I only had a name for my protagonist, and I'm not even fully sold on that one. So all other characters will, for the purpose of NaNo, be named this way.

The first two characters introduced, excluding the protagonist, have been named.

Brad Freeman - Martial Arts Competitor/Opponent of Protagonist
John Broyles - Our protagonists Head Trainer

I'll be posting on this same thread other characters. Come back later to see how it's going.

The Fat Orange Cat: 11/1

Lani — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:40:06 -0600

For those of you who listened to Monday's show - I know it can't be all of you, you have lives, after all - I mentioned writing challenges my writing group did the first year I did Nano, where we'd throw out an odd little thing for people to include in their writing. A random little jumpstart, if you will. That first year, the one that stands out in my mind was Tobey, the fat orange cat. I later had to edit him out of the manuscript when my editor said, "What's this cat about?" but the point was, without that fat orange cat, I wouldn't have had the rest of the scene, which stayed.

So, today's Fat Orange Cat is:

A Harley Davidson motorcycle. Put it in your scene, and see what happens!