But Pear, Where Do I Even Start For NaNoWriMo?

But Pear, where do I even start for NaNoWriMo?

To answer this, you have to know what kind of a writer you are. There are plenty of articles that talk about what it means to be a pantser or a planner, so I’m not going to talk about that unless you want to. I’m going to get a little self-indulgent here, sorry.

Where do you start? With a story of course! 

Know your characters: This is the first half of outlining. Outlining is for getting to know your plot, but your plot will evolve out of your characters. I very nearly always start a story with an image of a character in some sort of situation (or a line of dialogue, but that’s another story). From there, you have to get to know them—who are they, what do they do, what do they want?

Try filling out a character questionnaire. Here are a few to get you started: Writing a Character: Questionnaire; 50 questions from firstwordsoftheprologue

Pokemon: FYCD; from fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment

This is a Towel: Character Questionnaires; a collection of other questionnaires compiled by writeworld

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Outline. I’m not going to go too far into this since there are plenty of posts across Tumblr’s fantastic writers community. One of the top recommended methods for outlining is the Snowflake Method. I’ve never used it, but mostly because the one I was taught in school works amazing for me, so I haven’t experimented with others much. The following method may not be for everyone, but if you’ve tried some others and they haven’t worked out, give this a try.      The handout I was originally given when I learned this method seven years ago didn’t give it a title, so I just call it the 10-point model.

(1) Point A: Opening - This is the very beginning scene of your novel. Make it good! Start with a bit of action, even if it’s not important to the overall plot arc. Give a sense of your main character and your world using sparse description. Being long-winded in your opening descriptions leaves you no place to go in the future. How can you describe the room later when you’ve already described it down to the specks of dirt in the floorboards in the opening chapter? Just give little tastes—enough for the audience to see the framework while still looking forward to what the location has to offer in details later in the work.

(2, 5, & 6) Event - Something happens! But it doesn’t have to be anything that stymies the characters. These should be developments within your plot or a subplot that are viewed as major. These are steps forward for your character(s).

(3, 4, 7, & 8) Complication - Something else happens! But this is something that sets your character(s) back. Your villain takes a step forward, or something doesn’t go right in your character’s plans, or somebody unexpected steps into the mix, or any number of things.

(4) The Point of No Return - This counts as a complication-type event. This is the straw that breaks the camel’s back, so to speak. It’s the event that defines why the main character is the one who must do the thing, why your main character decides to do the thing, the thing that makes your main character start the journey.

(9) Point X: Climax - Something CRAZY happens! If you’re writing a literary fiction piece, maybe it’s an intense argument. Maybe it’s a fight, or a discovery. Whatever it is, this is the final confrontation (for this book) between your protagonist and your antagonist.

(10) Ending - The great slide down to the last page. This is some sort of event that takes place that wraps up all the loose ends. Maybe it’s a subplot’s resolution or a character’s final acts or a conversation or a peace-making. Wrap up your story with this scene.

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Assuming you have the bare bones of an idea, start collecting. Collect everything that reminds you of your story, whether that’s travel photos, or clothing pieces, or character designs, or rocks. I have a tag on this blog for my own story that’s full of just that sort of material. It helps to create a secondary tagging system within that. I have tags for certain characters, tags for countries, tags for clothing, and armor, and animals, and atmosphere, and inspiration, and all kinds of stuff. It works as a kind of virtual cork board for me, though obviously you can print these things off, too, and actually hang them somewhere. People have used Pinterest for this, too, I just happen to use Tumblr. Keeping things like this all in one place can help you when you’re actually writing by giving you things to reference. This way you can get the feel of whatever you’re writing, or keep it consistent if you’re describing something. It’s also great when you’re stuck. Looking at all these things that specifically recall your story can help put you back in the mood or give you inspiration.

Need advice? Looking for further guidance on getting started? Feel free to send me an ask!

Found another map maker…

The last one was very good for continents and wider world building, but for the little bits and pieces like settlements, not so much.

Inkarnate have a free tier map making service, so I decided to give that one a go. This is what I came up with:

You would not believe the number of note pins I’ve got for this… Or perhaps you would?

It’s difficult to keep track of everyone you understand, but now I know precisely where everyone lives!

COBG'S Guide to Surviving NaNoWriMo!

Guides, Resources, and Writing Tips Oh My!

Guide to Murphy’s Law. (What can go wrong, will go wrong)

1. Back it up! Dropbox, Google Drive, Icloud. A few years ago I would have said USB or Data CD, but in this day and age I would say keep it in the cloud. All my writing files are saved on Dropbox which means every time I save, it’s already updated on dropbox and on my other computer. So, if my computer crashes I don’t have to worry. Remember back it up! 2. Get By With A Little Help from Your Friends. Know where you can go for support. Do you have a writing buddy? Are you on a forum? Do you have a friend who is going to commit to the challenge? Have their info ready, because at some point we all crack. Just have someone or someones who will listen to you complain about how you are the most awful writer and why the hell did you start this process in the first place. That person will hopefully remind you why you’re doing this and all the things you can get out of it. 3.Tools Assemble Sure you’re using your computer, but have your other tools ready. A notebook, your iphone with your notes, your index cards. Also, remember your outlines, your character sheets, your research and have wiki and google on standby.

Guide to keeping our sanity.

1.Give up your Harry Potter, Pulitzer prize winning notions. NaNoWriMo is an exercise. It’s a test in endurance, in will power and focus. It is also a rough draft which means it is going to suck. Secondly, most full manuscripts are from 80k-100k…so it’s not a full novel. Do not spend your time freaking out about how good it is. Good comes later. Just get 50k words down. 2. Avoid the distracting parts of the internet. Facebook, twitter and even Tumblr. Unless, you are going to get writing tips, do some quick research or check in with your writing partner you should NOT be on the internet. It’s as simple as that. 3.Don’t compare yourself to others. Just, because you can write 5k words in one day does not mean you are Shakespeare. Just, because you have barely scraped past your daily goal doesn’t mean you suck. Everyone writes at their own pace. 4. You are not ready for Beta Readers. No one needs to be reading what you are writing! No one. This first month is not for getting feedback and figuring out if your book makes sense. It’s to get it all down. It’s to bring the beginning, middle and end of your story into existence. This is not the time to bring in opinions that will only discourage you or give you a false sense of your skill. Again, your first draft is gonna suck! 5. Stop editing! I do not care if you noticed a an extra comma, if you’re not sure you spelled that big word correctly or if something seems not right. Leave it. When you’re doing you’re rewrite, that’s the time to edit.

Guide to Keeping Healthy.

1. Water. When I am writing, I can literally go days without drinking a glass of water. Stay hydrated. Keep your mouth moist as your fingers do the talking. 2. Take breaks. I don’t mean go sit and watch all your primetime shows during your allotted writing time, but…. yup go to the bathroom, walk around your living room, eat your meals and have a stretch. Staring at a computer or word processor for hours can get to your back, your hands, your wrists, your shoulders and your eyes. 3.Comfort and Support. I have wrist pain (I think it’s carpal tunnel, but my doc disagrees) so I wear a brace especially when on my computer. I also have padding below my keyboard. Think about what will keep you comfortable. Fingerless gloves, cushions, feet warmers. I don’t know, but be comfortable.

Guide to Your Happiness.

1. Caffeine. You’re just sitting at a table, but writing is busy work. It will make you feel tired, your brain feel foggy and suddenly bed seems like the perfect place even if it’s just 5pm. You need something to keep you lucid. For me it’s a cup of Lipton tea. But for others it can be soda and the ever important coffee. 2. Snacks. I am going to buy myself a party size pack of Reese’s Buttercup and probably my favorite ice cream candy bar, because they give me a rush of pleasure with every bite. But, I am also going to buy red grapes, because I love them. Gather your snacks before hand. Your guilty pleasures and your healthy ones. Have something close by that you can munch on while the creative juices are flowing.

Guide to your personal Motivation.

1. Computer Wallpaper. For the last few weeks my wallpaper is this beautiful black on white number that I found on tumblr by Brewed Rebels that reads “You musn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger darling.” It’s a quote from the film Inception and every time I turn my computer off, close a window, etc I see it. It’s my inspiration. My dream is to be a writer and every time I see it it reminds me not to be afraid of my big dreams. Get something like that for yourself. 2. Goals and Rewards. We know the ultimate goal is 50k words in 30 days, but set some smaller goals and give yourself a reward. The most common practice is probably giving yourself a small gift every 5k words you complete. This can be a book, a bag of candy…anything that can motivate you.

My daily goal is to watch an episode or 2 of Supernatural, which I am currently binge watching. You may want to put another reward at the end of the 30 days as well. The ultimate reward is of course 50k, BUT you can talk yourself out of that. You can always say things like ‘well, I don’t have to get 50k now, I can just keep writing in December.” No, give yourself more incentive if you think you may talk yourself out of it. Perhaps you should say “if I finish this book I can buy that expensive purse I’ve had my eyes on and walked past three times last week.” You know what I mean. Treat yourself to something. Give yourself the ultimate reward that you can afford. 3.Bragging Rights Remember! You can’t tell all your friends that you’re a legit novelist and that you have written a book, if you don’t WRITE THE BOOK. Bragging rights is probably one of the best things in the world. It will take someone 10 years to do something you are going to do in 30 days. Remember that.

Below are resources such as writing tips, dictionary sites, story generators, places to look up names and other tips from all over the web.

Guide to Working Through Writer’s Block

Six Simple and Difficult Tips for Beating Writer’s Block. Symptoms and Cures for Writer’s Block 13 Famous Writers on Overcoming Writer’s Block 10 Types of Writers Block and How to Overcome Them Overcoming Writer’s Block

NaNoWriMo Tips from the Web

Writingbox’s 10 NaNoWriMo Tips Fuck You Writing Habits’ NaNoWriMo Resources Kris Noel’s NaNoWriMo Goals Writing Sources and Tips’ Writing Your First Novel Post NaNoWriMo for the News and Insane

Helpful Tools Guide

Scrivener NaNoWriMo Trial Offer -BEST writing software (IMO) YWriter - Free Writing Software. A list of Progress trackers and word counters Cliche Finder Write or Die- productivity app that forces you to write by providing consequences for distraction and procrastination World Lingo- Translations The Best of British- American’s guide to speaking British

Writing Tips

The Snowflake Method The 8 Point Plot Arc 34 Writing Tips that Will Make You A Better Writer Invaluable Writing Tips

Writing Indexes

NaNoWriMo Tips from 2011 & 2012

COBG Writing Tips Index -everything from characterization tips, genre tips & Technique tips Guide to Writing Science Fiction Fantasy Worldbuilding Creating Fantasy & Sci-fI Worlds Realistic Travel Chart

Name Help

Behind the Name -Name Meanings. Seven Sanctum-A collection of ‘generators’ that make random characters, plots, ideas and more Serenity- generates places, character names, title generator and descriptions

Resources

Grammar GirlCommnet Grammar Owl English Online Grammar

http://www.merriam-webster.com/ http://dictionary.reference.com/ http://thesaurus.com http://words.grammarly.com/ http://www.visualthesaurus.com/

Take A Short Break

http://www.dailypuppy.com/ http://cuteoverload.com/ http://geek-and-poke.com/ http://www.funnyordie.com/ http://www.collegehumor.com/ http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/ http://www.theonion.com/ http://www.latenightmistakes.com/

Writing Tips

Punctuating Dialogue

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➸ “This is a sentence.”

➸ “This is a sentence with a dialogue tag at the end,” she said.

➸ “This,” he said, “is a sentence split by a dialogue tag.”

➸ “This is a sentence,” she said. “This is a new sentence. New sentences are capitalized.”

➸ “This is a sentence followed by an action.” He stood. “They are separate sentences because he did not speak by standing.”

➸ She said, “Use a comma to introduce dialogue. The quote is capitalized when the dialogue tag is at the beginning.”

➸ “Use a comma when a dialogue tag follows a quote,” he said.

“Unless there is a question mark?” she asked.

“Or an exclamation point!” he answered. “The dialogue tag still remains uncapitalized because it’s not truly the end of the sentence.”

➸ “Periods and commas should be inside closing quotations.”

➸ “Hey!” she shouted, “Sometimes exclamation points are inside quotations.”

However, if it’s not dialogue exclamation points can also be “outside”!

➸ “Does this apply to question marks too?” he asked.

If it’s not dialogue, can question marks be “outside”? (Yes, they can.)

➸ “This applies to dashes too. Inside quotations dashes typically express—“

“Interruption” — but there are situations dashes may be outside.

➸ “You’ll notice that exclamation marks, question marks, and dashes do not have a comma after them. Ellipses don’t have a comma after them either…” she said.

➸ “My teacher said, ‘Use single quotation marks when quoting within dialogue.’”

➸ “Use paragraph breaks to indicate a new speaker,” he said.

“The readers will know it’s someone else speaking.”

➸ “If it’s the same speaker but different paragraph, keep the closing quotation off.

“This shows it’s the same character continuing to speak.”

NO ONE knows how to use thou/thee/thy/thine and i need to see that change if ur going to keep making “talking like a medieval peasant” jokes. /lh

They play the same roles as I/me/my/mine. In modern english, we use “you” for both the subject and the direct object/object of preposition/etc, so it’s difficult to compare “thou” to “you”.

So the trick is this: if you are trying to turn something Olde, first turn every “you” into first-person and then replace it like so:

“I” →  “thou”

“Me” →  “thee”

“My” →  “thy”

“Mine” →  “thine”

Let’s suppose we had the sentences “You have a cow. He gave it to you. It is your cow. The cow is yours”.

We could first imagine it in the first person-

“I have a cow. He gave it to me. It is my cow. The cow is mine”.

And then replace it-

“Thou hast a cow. He gave it to thee. It is thy cow. The cow is thine.”

Looking for a random cause of death for a character? Click here.

Looking for a random city? Click here.

Looking for a random city that people have actually heard of? Click here.

Need a random surname for a character? Click here. (They also give prevalence by race, which is very helpful.)

Helpful writing tips for my friends.