Community Discussion:

[writingvixen.livejournal.com]

Today is our last discussion pre-NaNo. I do hope you've enjoyed these as much as I have.

My question/starting conversation today is simple: What have you learned during your nano prep period? It could be about your novel, the writing process, yourself... possibilities are endless.

Comments

[lilacfield.livejournal.com]

Outlining is crucial in that I can spot weaknesses in my ideas as I outline along. For example, the MC may not be in great enough danger (not enough people want to kill him!), or the story is too predictable. Foreshadowing is good so that later events won't have an asspull-y feel to them.

[lacephotograph.livejournal.com]

I've learned that no matter how much I try to think about my main character, I won't actually know anything about her until I start writing. (That's always how it is with me, I can't plan anything)

Good luck everyone!

[tehexile]

pretty much the same with me - there's very little use in me planning NaNo beforehand. the most important thing is to get into the feel of things. the feel of things tends to be the main character slowly being driven insane.

[sarahcb1208]

What I've learned:
I start of with high hopes for planning and FAIL at the end LOL!

[meketserqet.livejournal.com]

my characters have bigger plans for my story than i do... and they're all sitting there, rubbing their hands together, laughing at me as i try to plot ahead, because they're just going to mutiny and take over the second i start writing.

you'd think i'd be used to this by now. *facepalm*

[littlepretender.livejournal.com]

I have the same problem! I have an idea of how things should go and all of a sudden my characters dig their heels in and don't let me continue until I write what they want. They can be so needy!

[meketserqet.livejournal.com]

needy - absolutely! also demanding, and downright rude when the fancy strikes them. my male protagonist is the soldier / mercenary type, and in warm-up exercises had demonstrated that he has some solid character - until he throws temper tantrums that i won't give him a gun. *facepalm*

i'm tempted to lock them all in a cage Thunderdome style and write THAT for Nano.

[littlepretender.livejournal.com]

oo oo make that a random dream scene!!

[meketserqet.livejournal.com]

:D that's a great idea! :D *high fives*

[mycha-miska.livejournal.com]

I've learned that I need to let my characters out to play more before November. They have something to say about each other that they aren't always willing to say on the spot.