Well, reader, I guess I’ve pretty much made up my mind, but to really finalise my decision, I am going to do Marg McAlister’s One Hour Plot. You can buy her ebook here: The Busy Writer’s One Hour Plot
It’s a brilliant tool to kick start your writing and I use it even when I’ve been scribbling away and need to redirect the story.
So for my NaNoWriMo project, I am going to use this handy template to get it all sorted. To see who wants to be written about first. I have my preferences, but we shall see. Firstly I will start with my characters, basically outline all the stuff I know about them so far. Of course this is easier with Maddy and Daniel, as we already have an established relationship. As for the Solomon Island story, I will need to start at the beginning there, think of names, descriptions, hobbies, jobs, quirks and foibles.
Then I will decide on some trouble to throw them all into. Again, I won’t have to look too hard into the history books to find some historical events to cause a bit of drama for my colonial couple. As for Sweet Solomon, well a murder usually writes it’s own set of disturbances, let alone a murder investigation in a third world country.
Then, when everyone is suitably in strife, I’ll tighten the noose, ratchet up the tension and see what breaks first.
I’ll add some additional characters, some natural disasters, maybe a bit of personal insecurity and jealousy, and there we have it, a plot or two, ready to go. Only thing I have to do after that is write a few thousand words, like 50,000 for starters.
Of course reader, there is always additional research material that I will need to locate, bookmark, copy, print, and remember where I’ve stashed. I will flick through magazines to locate the right look for characters. Draw up a character profile to attach to each name, so I can describe them accurately each time. I’ll check out historical references and local customs to keep everything believable and true.
I’ll need to sort out how I want things to end up, and then how I’m going to get everyone to behave and go where I plan. Of course, that doesn’t mean a thing, Maddy has been known to just dart off in a totally different direction than I have planned for her. I can’t imagine any future writing will be any different.
Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? Have you got it all sorted or are you like me, still deciding? Non writers, aren’t you intrigued, considering, can I do this too? You know they say that everyone has a book in them. Is there a tiny flame burning in your heart, wanting to be fanned into a creative blaze? Are you game to give it a go?
paulabeavan 
I always get to this time of the year and am NEVER ready. I’ll probably do the beginning chapters fo the second book in the Energy Weavers series. I haven’t really begun to plot it, but I need to. I’m still working on the rewrites for the first book. Otherwise, I’d like to do a series of short SF stories, or maybe start the mystery I’ve been promising I’d write forever.
Ack! too many ideas! Perhaps I shall just hibernate for the month of November…
It’s a bit like that, LOL
I think that, yep, I’ll definitely do my sequel story to OTRB then I start thinking about my characters for the mystery and so want to do that one.
I guess I won’t know until the 1st of November the way I’m going . . .
As this is my first aware approach to NaNo I read your comments and replies and experience some trepidation at the prospect of getting to November – and yet I do want to get to the point of serious writing once again and see NaNo as a doorway to that, so I also experience some excitement and anticipation. Thanks for the blogging and the encouragement Paula.
NaNo is SO intense…and so much fun. If you’re looking to get back to writing again, this is the way to do it. Just don’t get discouraged if life sort of gets in your way. Do what you can do and celebrate that. Hold onto the excitement, the anticipation. Writing is fun.
Oh, and come join Warrior Chat if you’re on Facebook. We’re a group of serious writers who keep each other going with encouragement and support during NaNo and the rest of the year.
You are so right habisha, intense and fun is the best description. And it’s such a huge achievement to be a Nano Winner. Not long now 🙂 Only a few short weeks left to train for our writing marathon 🙂
You will love it Faerylands, it is crazy and intense, but I think the thought is worse than the reality. As is the case with most things LOL. Anyway, we will encourage you along the way. And when you’re ready to conquer Facebook, we’ll introduce you to the Warriors, a great gang of writers, ready to offer support, encouragement and a kick in the backside when it’s called for. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks to both of you: I accept the invitations and the encouragment and feel all emotional but keen. Habisha, life has been in the way of my writing plans on a regular basis for a few years – I’m taking a baby writing step at a time so that whatever gets thrown into the mix in the future will only unbalance me temporarily, and like a toddler I’ll just throw my arms in the air and keep toddling
Baby steps are always good. Toddle on and we’ll all have delighted smiles on our face and encourage you, saying, “Come on, Faerylands, you can do this!” Yay!
Writing is one step at a time, anyway. Sometimes those step come in tiny, jerky patterns and others more like a kid that gets away from her mama and runs off (my duaghter is often like that). Eventually we all get to where we need to go. I’m excited for your journey.
And Paula’s. And mine.
So throw those arms in the air and keep toddling!