Ready or Not
October 29, 2007
I can’t believe I have to start NaNoWriMo in three days. This whole thing seemed like a great project when it was still a month away, but as the dread grows and the inevitable failure closes in, I’m realizing what a silly, silly idea this was.
In order to ready myself for this, I have:
- Written a brief outline - I have the first couple of chapters mapped out fairly well, to get started, and then I just have a set of key scenes and a rough ending I’d like to work towards. I’m not tying myself down too tightly, but I do want some basic milestones to aim at.
- Grown a beard - It’s very Hemingway.
- Cleaned my apartment - Nothing quite distracts me like a messy apartment, so I scrubbed it top and bottom. You could eat off my toilet. I probably wouldn’t recommend it, but your chances of dying have been greatly reduced.
- Created a playlist of instrumental and vocal-light music - It’s a good mix of songs, to create a mood for whatever scene I happen to be writing.
- Stocked up on instant noodles and take-out menus - A man’s got to eat.
- Made sure I didn’t have a girlfriend to distract me - This sure was a tough one…
- Started reading No Plot? No Problem! - I’ve read up until the week by week guide, which I will start Wednesday night. The book’s been light on any real information, but it’s a nice read to build enthusiasm for the event.
I still don’t really have any interesting characters, or any idea what will happen in the middle of the plot, so maybe I’ll have a go at some more planning tomorrow night.
I keep waiting for an amazing idea to pop into my head. I’ve done some planning, and know some of the things that will happen, but I don’t know the big hook.
I did come up with a pretty funny opening paragraph last night and wrote it out so I don’t forget it (shh, don’t tell anyone). That makes me happy.
Comment by strugglingwriter — October 30, 2007 @ 7:09 am
My entire plot was derived from, what I think, is a pretty funny opening line, so that can be a good start.
(I wrote mine out too. The shame!)
Comment by Rob — October 30, 2007 @ 8:34 am
Seems like you’re well on your way to an awesome journey. Go and affiliate yourself with BC::Elsewhere so that I can send you uplifting emails when I send them to everyone else.
You can take Mike off my hands, if you want. I could probably get more writing done if he wasn’t peering over my shoulder. ;) I kid! I’m so psyched. Are you going to start writing @ midnight tomorrow? ‘Cause I’ll meet you on MSN!
Comment by Amanda — October 30, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Oh, Rob, you sicken me, sicken sicken! Sicken I tell you! You know what I’ve done to prepare for November? Huh? Dug a trench in the backyard. So I won’t be tempted to dig it while I’m writing. Or something. I think there was logic in there, but it’s hard to remember. What with all the NOT PLANNING I’ve been busy doing. 48 more hours! Hoo haw.
Comment by mb — October 30, 2007 @ 11:24 am
I’ll add myself to BC:Elsewhere tonight, Manda. And I’ll be on MSN tomorrow at midnight. Planning to write for thirty minutes or so before I head to bed.
48 hours is plenty, mb! You’ll be fine. I think digging yourself into a hole, and getting that out of the way before the writing starts, is an excellent idea. I shall have to find a shovel.
Comment by Rob — October 30, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
Drop me an email if you want details about the apartment we are going to rent in Tokyo - plus info on what it’s actually like when we get there :)
(I can’t find your email addy!)
Comment by Natalie — October 30, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
Thanks Natalie, just sent it!
I’ll add a contact page eventually…
Comment by Rob — October 31, 2007 @ 10:19 am