Happy Post Nano!
Hopefully everyone made their goal for the month, either by hitting that 50k goal, or simply writing everyday. To me everyone who participates in NaNo comes away a winner.
This was my third year participating, and it was one of the most challenging thus far! The first two days I tried to get ahead as much as possible, but it wasn't much of a lead. I'm not sure if it was doubt about my self published book not really selling, my doubt in my writing abilities, or the story itself. But getting those 1,667 words in every day was like pulling teeth on most days. Some scenes flew by, and were easy to write. I also had fun with some of the characters. But most of the time it was hard to put myself in the midset to write.
I really think it had to do with my own doubts, and not as much to do with the story itself. Honestly I had a bit of a break down and a cry one of the last few days. My fiancé was wonderful and put things into perspective once again with a steady shoulder for tears, and words of encouragement. If not for him I would probably have quit this year.
The end of the story was easily the best part about this book. It's the second in a trilogy, so almost every scene attempts to increase the tension for the third book while building on the themes and events from the first. I really am excited to continue to work on the trilogy...after a break so I can come back with fresh eyes.
During that break, I am going to be working on things for this blog. New series, possible writer interviews, reviews of books, just a lot of ideas that I have for this blog for the new year.
If you have any ideas, or things that you would like to see happen on this blog, please let me know!
How did NaNoWriMo go for you? Did you hit the full 50K? Or did have you a different goal? Please share in the comments below!
Showing posts with label NaNo2015. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NaNo2015. Show all posts
Friday, December 4, 2015
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Now that NaNo is over...-WuW
Welcome to the post NaNo slump. A time to not only slack off, but to *gasp* make plans to review your monstrosity that is a first draft. It's okay if you fear going back to look at the hideous beast you've created; the goal of NaNoWriMo is to tell your inner editor "see you later", not to banish him/her forever. Eventually you want to let them out of the cage, and release them on your manuscript.
Just don't be afraid to look back, you might be surprised at what you've put down on the page. But don't be too hard on yourself. The whole job of that first draft is simply to exist. It doesn't have to be perfect, or even OK. You can only edit words on a page; you can't fix something that isn't there.
Usually after NaNo, I let the manuscript rest, at least until the new year. I go away and work on something else for awhile to gain perspective. And the first time I read it through, I only fix the obvious errors, like a missing word, or simple spelling. Or maybe I couldn't remember the name of something in the middle of a word war and need to look it up after having a place holder. But regardless, the first read through is to reacquaint myself with the book, and usually I have a glass of wine when I start. It makes the process more fun. It is actually FUN to see what you had to come up with in a short amount of time.
The next pass through is when I break out the red pen. And I am brutal to my own work. It's actually amazing I've "finished" editing a piece at all! This is the part where I get picky about details, about events, plot lines, and characterization. I make sure all of that lines up, and that there aren't any scenes missing. Once I fix all of that, then I let it rest for a little while before giving it another look over. After a third time, then it's ready for my editor, and my first beta reader.
Writing, I have found, is the easy part. After writing, most authors give their manuscript up. Saved to their hard drive, it collects electronic dust. Don't let it! Editing and revising is all a part of the writing process. Is it a lot of work? Yes. Is it worth is? Yes. Will it force you to be a better writer? YES!
So please, please, please, don't let this happen to you. Give it some time, and then go back and see what your wonderfully creative mind has discovered. Grow in the skills that writing requires, get a critique partner, or 5. You all will benefit. Even if you never publish it. You are building your craft and honing skills.
Plus, it's just fun. Until next time, keep writing! (Well, at least working on your writing ;) )
Just don't be afraid to look back, you might be surprised at what you've put down on the page. But don't be too hard on yourself. The whole job of that first draft is simply to exist. It doesn't have to be perfect, or even OK. You can only edit words on a page; you can't fix something that isn't there.
Usually after NaNo, I let the manuscript rest, at least until the new year. I go away and work on something else for awhile to gain perspective. And the first time I read it through, I only fix the obvious errors, like a missing word, or simple spelling. Or maybe I couldn't remember the name of something in the middle of a word war and need to look it up after having a place holder. But regardless, the first read through is to reacquaint myself with the book, and usually I have a glass of wine when I start. It makes the process more fun. It is actually FUN to see what you had to come up with in a short amount of time.
The next pass through is when I break out the red pen. And I am brutal to my own work. It's actually amazing I've "finished" editing a piece at all! This is the part where I get picky about details, about events, plot lines, and characterization. I make sure all of that lines up, and that there aren't any scenes missing. Once I fix all of that, then I let it rest for a little while before giving it another look over. After a third time, then it's ready for my editor, and my first beta reader.
Writing, I have found, is the easy part. After writing, most authors give their manuscript up. Saved to their hard drive, it collects electronic dust. Don't let it! Editing and revising is all a part of the writing process. Is it a lot of work? Yes. Is it worth is? Yes. Will it force you to be a better writer? YES!
So please, please, please, don't let this happen to you. Give it some time, and then go back and see what your wonderfully creative mind has discovered. Grow in the skills that writing requires, get a critique partner, or 5. You all will benefit. Even if you never publish it. You are building your craft and honing skills.
Plus, it's just fun. Until next time, keep writing! (Well, at least working on your writing ;) )
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
All about DRAGONS! -WuW
So while I was at NerdCon, waiting for the Patrick Rothfuss signing, I got to talking to the people sitting on either side of me. Like you do when waiting over an hour in line. While we were talking the young gentleman, and I'm so sorry I can't for the life of me remember his name, asked me a very strange (in my mind) question about my writing.
He asked, "How do you handle dragons?"
My first response was to shake my head and ask in return, "What do you mean?" I literally didn't understand his question at first.
He tried to explain, what he meant was how are they portrayed in my world. Are they intelligent, dumb beasts, or ferocious killers that hoard gold and steal maidens?
My answer was very simple, "They are just another character. Each one is different, and each one has their own looks, thoughts, and personalities. Just like the human characters."
It never occurred to me that there was a precedent for how to present dragons, that they had to be one way or another.
To me they play as important a role in the story as their human counterparts. And just like humans, some are "bad" and some are "good"- though I try not to have everything so black and white, but for the sake of discussion I'll reference them.
Take Feoras, the dragon you meet in the first book. (And honestly, he will probably always be my favorite) He is what is known as a traditional "western" style dragon. He has four legs, two horns that curve back over his head, and spikes/spines down his back and tail. He is heavily muscled, and his scales are a deep red over his back and body, with a gold cast to his under belly. His wings are proportionate to his body with a reddish color to the membranes.
But it's his personality that is so striking.
He is fiercely loyal and protective of not only Riona, but anyone he perceives as "his". He will go to great lengths to protect those he cares for, and becomes distraught when forced away from Riona. He thinks, he feels, and he has clear opinions on life and events happening. He even tried to name himself! He is clearly in the "good" camp.
As he should be since he's the protagonists bonded dragon!
Yes I suppose there are some "traditional" aspects to dragons that I included. He does have a "thing" for shiny objects, though he doesn't steal.
He is, in his own words:
"I am fierce, strong. I am fire breather, I am sky hunter, and I am magnificent."
He asked, "How do you handle dragons?"
My first response was to shake my head and ask in return, "What do you mean?" I literally didn't understand his question at first.
He tried to explain, what he meant was how are they portrayed in my world. Are they intelligent, dumb beasts, or ferocious killers that hoard gold and steal maidens?
My answer was very simple, "They are just another character. Each one is different, and each one has their own looks, thoughts, and personalities. Just like the human characters."
It never occurred to me that there was a precedent for how to present dragons, that they had to be one way or another.
To me they play as important a role in the story as their human counterparts. And just like humans, some are "bad" and some are "good"- though I try not to have everything so black and white, but for the sake of discussion I'll reference them.
Take Feoras, the dragon you meet in the first book. (And honestly, he will probably always be my favorite) He is what is known as a traditional "western" style dragon. He has four legs, two horns that curve back over his head, and spikes/spines down his back and tail. He is heavily muscled, and his scales are a deep red over his back and body, with a gold cast to his under belly. His wings are proportionate to his body with a reddish color to the membranes.
But it's his personality that is so striking.
He is fiercely loyal and protective of not only Riona, but anyone he perceives as "his". He will go to great lengths to protect those he cares for, and becomes distraught when forced away from Riona. He thinks, he feels, and he has clear opinions on life and events happening. He even tried to name himself! He is clearly in the "good" camp.
As he should be since he's the protagonists bonded dragon!
Yes I suppose there are some "traditional" aspects to dragons that I included. He does have a "thing" for shiny objects, though he doesn't steal.
He is, in his own words:
"I am fierce, strong. I am fire breather, I am sky hunter, and I am magnificent."
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
NaNoWriMo Tag!
So maybe I wasn't tagged, but I loved the video that Kristina Horner created on YouTube, and then a favorite blogger of mine, Raychel Rose posted this...So I just had to complete the tag too ;) (Link to Raychel's answers: https://raychelrose.wordpress.com/2015/10/31/the-nanowrimo-tag/ )
1. How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
This will be my third NaNo, and I've also completed 4 rounds of Camp.
2. How did you first find out about NaNoWriMo?
I first found out about NaNo my freshman year of college. The college had a meeting about it as they were running their own region (at the time-I don't know if they still do) so a friend of mine went with me to check it out. It sounded like such a great opportunity, but at the time I was working two jobs, I commuted a half hour to and from classes, I owned a horse, and was giving lessons/training other horses. At that time it wasn't right for me, but I never forgot about it! I competed in my first NaNo the November after graduating. :)
3. What was the name of the first novel you attempted with NaNo?
The title is Across the Sea and Hills, and it will be available on Amazon in February 2016 !!
4. Give us 1 sentence summary of what you're writing this year.
My project for this year follows some of the descendants from my first trilogy while exploring more of the world, and introducing more characters. Also: more magic, more bad guys, and more dragons!
5. What's the best writing advise you've ever been given?
That as the writer you have to show up. Everyday. It doesn't matter if you feel "inspired" or not. I used to only write when the fancy struck me. And I barely got work done. By adopting the NaNo mentality of writing no matter what I have got more done in the past few years than ever before.
You can edit a bad page, you can't edit a blank page.
6. Did you ever take a year off from NaNo? Why?
Not yet! I hope never to have to.
7. What's your biggest inspiration when figuring out what to write?
Music, nature, reading other works, talking with fellow writers, reading fellow writers blogs and seeing what other people are working on.
8. Read us the first sentence from one of your novels.
The air was fiercer than she remembered the end of the spring cycles being.
9. Why do you love writing?
I love the creativity that goes into it, and how different that is for each person.
I remember sitting in my capstone English class, it was the end of the semester, and realized that each of the 14 people had written two stories. That was 28 completely different, individual, stories. No two stories were the same. I realized then that was what I loved about writing- the individuality of it.
Other than the fun it is to see your imagination come to life on the page, and then have readers love it as much as you do. That is a feeling like no other!
1. How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
This will be my third NaNo, and I've also completed 4 rounds of Camp.
2. How did you first find out about NaNoWriMo?
I first found out about NaNo my freshman year of college. The college had a meeting about it as they were running their own region (at the time-I don't know if they still do) so a friend of mine went with me to check it out. It sounded like such a great opportunity, but at the time I was working two jobs, I commuted a half hour to and from classes, I owned a horse, and was giving lessons/training other horses. At that time it wasn't right for me, but I never forgot about it! I competed in my first NaNo the November after graduating. :)
3. What was the name of the first novel you attempted with NaNo?
The title is Across the Sea and Hills, and it will be available on Amazon in February 2016 !!
4. Give us 1 sentence summary of what you're writing this year.
My project for this year follows some of the descendants from my first trilogy while exploring more of the world, and introducing more characters. Also: more magic, more bad guys, and more dragons!
5. What's the best writing advise you've ever been given?
That as the writer you have to show up. Everyday. It doesn't matter if you feel "inspired" or not. I used to only write when the fancy struck me. And I barely got work done. By adopting the NaNo mentality of writing no matter what I have got more done in the past few years than ever before.
You can edit a bad page, you can't edit a blank page.
6. Did you ever take a year off from NaNo? Why?
Not yet! I hope never to have to.
7. What's your biggest inspiration when figuring out what to write?
Music, nature, reading other works, talking with fellow writers, reading fellow writers blogs and seeing what other people are working on.
8. Read us the first sentence from one of your novels.
The air was fiercer than she remembered the end of the spring cycles being.
9. Why do you love writing?
I love the creativity that goes into it, and how different that is for each person.
I remember sitting in my capstone English class, it was the end of the semester, and realized that each of the 14 people had written two stories. That was 28 completely different, individual, stories. No two stories were the same. I realized then that was what I loved about writing- the individuality of it.
Other than the fun it is to see your imagination come to life on the page, and then have readers love it as much as you do. That is a feeling like no other!
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
The A-Z's of NaNoWriMo- WuW
The A-Z's of the craziness that is NaNoWriMo
A- Aspirin!
B- Beta readers won't know what hit them
C- Caffeine is very necessary
D- Daily doses of inspiration
E- Everyday habit of writing develops
F- Fragments of real life make their way into the story
G- Google becomes your friend for fast research
H- Headaches from staring the computer screen late at night
I- Inspiration abounds
J- Just talk to a veteran for advice
K- Kick off parties are fun ways to meet other writers
L- Limericks may become involved
M- Midnight write ins
N- Nightly word count updates
O- Onomatopoeia
P- Plot bunnies
Q- Quick typing skills are developed (usually)
R- Rush of adrenaline as the deadline looms closer
S- Surge of creative energy
T- Thirst for more when it's done
U- Unbelievable fun
V- Vivacious Vixens are Vexing at times
W- Write In's
X- Xylophones sold at the white elephant fundraiser
Y- Your ideas actually fill an entire novel!
Z- Zany plot twists
A- Aspirin!
B- Beta readers won't know what hit them
C- Caffeine is very necessary
D- Daily doses of inspiration
E- Everyday habit of writing develops
F- Fragments of real life make their way into the story
G- Google becomes your friend for fast research
H- Headaches from staring the computer screen late at night
I- Inspiration abounds
J- Just talk to a veteran for advice
K- Kick off parties are fun ways to meet other writers
L- Limericks may become involved
M- Midnight write ins
N- Nightly word count updates
O- Onomatopoeia
P- Plot bunnies
Q- Quick typing skills are developed (usually)
R- Rush of adrenaline as the deadline looms closer
S- Surge of creative energy
T- Thirst for more when it's done
U- Unbelievable fun
V- Vivacious Vixens are Vexing at times
W- Write In's
X- Xylophones sold at the white elephant fundraiser
Y- Your ideas actually fill an entire novel!
Z- Zany plot twists
Friday, November 6, 2015
Eureka! ...or not..?
When do story ideas happen? But a more interesting question is, How do they happen?
Is there a flash of recognition? An image burned in your retina so sharp you must write? Or like a photograph, does it have to be developed slowly? Or is it a polaroid, the images coming quickly to the surface?
Oftentimes, the answer is Yes.
No two story ideas come in the exact same way to the writers mind. Even ideas for the same story will be reached differently. Take me as an example. There will be times when I'll get what I refer to as a "flash". It could be a name, a place, a dialogue line, anything really. And it's quick. So I rush to find a pen and paper, or reach for the notepad on my phone. I know this flash will be gone soon, and I need to try to capture it before it's gone.
And then other times, I will sit and let my back brain percolate over an idea for a while. In this instance, the characters, plot points, and any world building come slowly. Like moss creeping over stones. But they do arrive, maybe with some teasing them out from me.
One of my favorite quotes about writing is this:
The water does not flow if the tap is not turned on.
Writers have to show up, and start working. No matter if you feel inspired or not. So don't get down on yourself if you're stuck, or you think inspiration and ideas happen in a flash. Some do, and some don't.
Sorry this post is shorter...but NANAOWRIMO is upon us!!
Happy writing my friends ;)
Is there a flash of recognition? An image burned in your retina so sharp you must write? Or like a photograph, does it have to be developed slowly? Or is it a polaroid, the images coming quickly to the surface?
Oftentimes, the answer is Yes.
No two story ideas come in the exact same way to the writers mind. Even ideas for the same story will be reached differently. Take me as an example. There will be times when I'll get what I refer to as a "flash". It could be a name, a place, a dialogue line, anything really. And it's quick. So I rush to find a pen and paper, or reach for the notepad on my phone. I know this flash will be gone soon, and I need to try to capture it before it's gone.
And then other times, I will sit and let my back brain percolate over an idea for a while. In this instance, the characters, plot points, and any world building come slowly. Like moss creeping over stones. But they do arrive, maybe with some teasing them out from me.
One of my favorite quotes about writing is this:
The water does not flow if the tap is not turned on.
Writers have to show up, and start working. No matter if you feel inspired or not. So don't get down on yourself if you're stuck, or you think inspiration and ideas happen in a flash. Some do, and some don't.
Sorry this post is shorter...but NANAOWRIMO is upon us!!
Happy writing my friends ;)
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Why I started Blogging- WuW
How is NaNoWriMo going for everyone? Good I hope!
Is it currently day four and I am a little behind where I want to be. I have 5,301 words, and will be doing some more writing as soon as I post this. If you want to follow or add me on the NaNo site, my user name is mandrews25 :)
Today I wanted to talk a little about why I chose to blog, and why I chose to continue to do so after starting it.
Initially this blog started during college, well, for a college class to be honest. My very first post can be seen here: http://malindaandrews.blogspot.com/2012/09/scene-from-current-project.html
This class focused on the literary form that is a Zine. For those of you that don't know, a Zine is ,according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, "a small magazine that is written by people who are not professional writers and that usually has stories about a particular subject".
Now, I agree with the opening, and ending, but I do not agree with the "Professional writers". What I think they meant by the term "professional" is that the people making Zines are usually every day people like you and me. If we happen to sell them, great, but they are not usually made for profit. Typically they are hand made, and only a few exist of each version. Now of course there are exceptions, this a generalization of the form of writing for the purpose of introducing the topic.
During the class we were to basically produce a Zine every two weeks. We focused on themes for each one, which will be reflected in the blog posts on this site during that time. The professor also instructed us to start a blog, using whichever server you chose, and that we were to post 3 times a week. Sometimes we would be assigned something specific to write about, and sometimes we simply had to post anything. He wanted us to experiment not only with Zine writing, but other alternative forms of writing/communication including blogging, vlogging, podcasts, and Zine's. This was really where I first came across the concept of self publishing.
The class was great and I learned a ton about writing, editing, publishing, and collaborating. The community in that room was fantastic, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But after it ended, and I was looking into building up my online presence as an author, both for traditional and self publishing, I decided to keep the blog.
I revamped the look way back 2012 after the class ended, and started try to post regularly. At times that was an epic fail, but I was learning about myself and my writing process. There are a few random topics, simply because I was trying to post often. But most of my posts revolve around my life as a writer- with all it's ups and downs.
Recently I revamped the background again, and with some help from my writing/editing buddy, placed some tabs at the top so that it functions more as a website than just a blog. I really like how long I've been able to continue blogging, and look forward to where I am headed.
And OF course, keeping you all updated along the way ;)
Until next time, keep writing my friends!
Is it currently day four and I am a little behind where I want to be. I have 5,301 words, and will be doing some more writing as soon as I post this. If you want to follow or add me on the NaNo site, my user name is mandrews25 :)
Today I wanted to talk a little about why I chose to blog, and why I chose to continue to do so after starting it.
Initially this blog started during college, well, for a college class to be honest. My very first post can be seen here: http://malindaandrews.blogspot.com/2012/09/scene-from-current-project.html
This class focused on the literary form that is a Zine. For those of you that don't know, a Zine is ,according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, "a small magazine that is written by people who are not professional writers and that usually has stories about a particular subject".
Now, I agree with the opening, and ending, but I do not agree with the "Professional writers". What I think they meant by the term "professional" is that the people making Zines are usually every day people like you and me. If we happen to sell them, great, but they are not usually made for profit. Typically they are hand made, and only a few exist of each version. Now of course there are exceptions, this a generalization of the form of writing for the purpose of introducing the topic.
During the class we were to basically produce a Zine every two weeks. We focused on themes for each one, which will be reflected in the blog posts on this site during that time. The professor also instructed us to start a blog, using whichever server you chose, and that we were to post 3 times a week. Sometimes we would be assigned something specific to write about, and sometimes we simply had to post anything. He wanted us to experiment not only with Zine writing, but other alternative forms of writing/communication including blogging, vlogging, podcasts, and Zine's. This was really where I first came across the concept of self publishing.
The class was great and I learned a ton about writing, editing, publishing, and collaborating. The community in that room was fantastic, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But after it ended, and I was looking into building up my online presence as an author, both for traditional and self publishing, I decided to keep the blog.
I revamped the look way back 2012 after the class ended, and started try to post regularly. At times that was an epic fail, but I was learning about myself and my writing process. There are a few random topics, simply because I was trying to post often. But most of my posts revolve around my life as a writer- with all it's ups and downs.
Recently I revamped the background again, and with some help from my writing/editing buddy, placed some tabs at the top so that it functions more as a website than just a blog. I really like how long I've been able to continue blogging, and look forward to where I am headed.
And OF course, keeping you all updated along the way ;)
Until next time, keep writing my friends!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
NaNo Survival Kit!- WuW
It's that time of year again!! Just a few days until the sound of furious keystrokes, and scribbles across paper will fill the air. I thought in honor of the challenge starting in just a few days, I would post what I have in my NaNoWriMo survival kit!
*Tea and assorted sweeteners of choice
*Selection of music to fit the type of story being written- Every year I splurge on one new soundtrack, and this year it was the track to the movie Pacific Rim
*Hoodies, Blankets, and Sweatshirts...Oh my! Basically anything comfy and warm.
*My inspiration Pinterest Board(s)
https://www.pinterest.com/Onadragonswing2/inspiration/
https://www.pinterest.com/Onadragonswing2/incalescent/
*SNACKS!-These vary from healthy to very unhealthy
*Rewards for mini goals (IE food, or going to a park once the words are done for the day...GASP the outside!)
*Timer for word sprints- I usually have 30 minute soundtracks as I've found that amount of time is the most productive for me
*Write In's! They really help create more motivation, and increase word counts! (Make some new friends too!)
*NaNo Forums. For inspiration and camaraderie
*Twitter Hashtags for commiseration (#NaNoWriMo, #amwriting, #nano2015 etc)
* Kristina Horner's NaNoWriMo music video and previous year's adventures in novelling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78mvUeBw7MM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khkOmZG36Rk
*Last but not least- all the prep work I do before hand.
I'd love to hear what everyone else has in their survival kit, or if they have one!
*Tea and assorted sweeteners of choice
*Selection of music to fit the type of story being written- Every year I splurge on one new soundtrack, and this year it was the track to the movie Pacific Rim
*Hoodies, Blankets, and Sweatshirts...Oh my! Basically anything comfy and warm.
*My inspiration Pinterest Board(s)
https://www.pinterest.com/Onadragonswing2/inspiration/
https://www.pinterest.com/Onadragonswing2/incalescent/
*SNACKS!-These vary from healthy to very unhealthy
*Rewards for mini goals (IE food, or going to a park once the words are done for the day...GASP the outside!)
*Timer for word sprints- I usually have 30 minute soundtracks as I've found that amount of time is the most productive for me
*Write In's! They really help create more motivation, and increase word counts! (Make some new friends too!)
*NaNo Forums. For inspiration and camaraderie
*Twitter Hashtags for commiseration (#NaNoWriMo, #amwriting, #nano2015 etc)
* Kristina Horner's NaNoWriMo music video and previous year's adventures in novelling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78mvUeBw7MM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khkOmZG36Rk
*Last but not least- all the prep work I do before hand.
I'd love to hear what everyone else has in their survival kit, or if they have one!
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
NaNo Prep!
There are several thoughts on this, and my answer is pretty middle of the road.
I have been a "Pantser" before, and I've been a "Planner" in previous challenges. My answer to which is better, sounds like a cop out, but I do a combination of both!
For my Ryder Chronicles, where there is so much to keep track of, I tend to plan and plot, and do a lot more prep. On the flip side, when I wrote my romance set in Ireland last year, I only had a very rough outline and names of people and places.
Since this year I'll be writing the fifth in my Ryder Chronicles (The second in the next trilogy) I'm firmly in the "Planner" side of things.
So how do I do it? How do I plan to write a 50K plus word novel in 30 days?
Vewwy, Vewwy carefully. (Hah, made myself laugh :)
But really. I have what some writers refer to as a "book bible". I have a black, multi-functional binder full of character sketches, hand drawn maps, notes, world building information- anything that I may need to flesh out the world and story. I just call it my "binder o' magic". I also have two little notebooks for jotting down notes on the go, and plotting. One is larger and one is pocket sized. There is something about writing an outline by hand, drawing arrows, and crossing things out that a computer just doesn't have!
But it doesn't stop there! The one thing that I do that not many writers I know personally do, is I make what I call "scene" cards. These are little index cards that I take, and write out the POV I'm in, what number the scene is, and any action, dialogue, characters that are there, and information I need specific to that scene. Again, I take it one step further, and color code using paper clips for at a glance reference on who is getting "screen" time. Many people scoff when they see me pull them out at a write in, but they are the best ever! It's like I've envisioned the story already, and am just following what's already there. (There is of course wiggle room within these scenes, its just a more detailed "outline" if you will)
The last thing that I do to prepare, and it's mixed into the above, is I actively daydream. What do I mean by that?
I mean that I take the time to listen to some epic music, and zone out while directing my thoughts on the story and characters. This allows me to envision scenes, dialogue, and plot points that I need to happen. Often I "find" things that need to be added. I simply let my mind play out scenes from the outline (or maybe I haven't done one yet, and that's what this is for) like a movie. Every now and then I stop and make notes of something that needs to be added, or remembered when I come back to write. It's time to let my imagination roam through the story and work on whatever it happens to stumble across.
How do you prepare for a large project? Or just the NaNo challenge? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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