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Link Feast, vol. 25 – NaNoWriMo Special

What is the biggest amount of words you’ve typed during one month?

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenges us to write a 50K word novel in 30 days.

It is doable as thousands of challenge winners from past years show us.

This week’s Link Feast provides you with tips and tools to imagine, plot, write and finish your NaNo novel.

Yes, there are links too 😛 *coughs* I got a little carried away with my own tips.

Please leave a comment and share what kind of a story you’ll write this year. Or if you don’t participate NaNo, tell us what you’re working on right now.

And if you have advice on how to finish a novel, we’d love to hear it 🙂

Happy browsing. And have fun writing!

Imagine It

Ack, I don’t have a clue what to write about.

1. A story idea can start with a genre. What kind of books do you like reading? Are they mainly within one or two genres?

Have you every thought it would be cool to read a book that did something different? Say, about vampires who don’t drink blood but leech off emotions.

Horror movie 30 Days of Night showed us really monstrous vampires during a month in Alaska when the sun doesn’t rise at all. Dun dun dun. Not your average shiny vampire boyfriend story.

2. Take a trope or a cliche and twist it. For example in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series the Chosen One failed years ago and ushered the world into a dark era. And in Stephen King’s The Stand, the Chosen One is an old lady.

TV Tropes is a great resource for finding cliches to revamp.

3. Change an old plot and make something new out of it. George R.R. Martin set his War of the Roses to a fantasy world with his Game of Thrones series. You could set your war… in space.

Or how about Shakespeare in modern day high school? You get the movie She’s The Man, a Twelfth Night remake where a girl pretends she’s a guy.

Not to mention all those new Pride and Prejudice versions, like the one with zombies. Or the erotica edition. Basically, combine any old idea with a new angle and run with it.

4. Come up with a character concept, or a single scene and build up from there. I’ve gotten ideas from news titles. Visual prompts might also help. I use Pinterest to mine visual ideas.

Female Character Inspirations (A Pinterest board)

Male Character Inspirations (A Pinterest board)

Badass Villains (A Pinterest board)

5. Brainstorm a few dozen of awesome beginning lines/paragraphs that would hook you to read on. Pick the one that resonates the most with you and see where that seed leads you. Get ideas from your favorite novels.

Two of my favorites are:

“The last camel collapsed at noon.” – Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett

(I can see a desert setting in my mind’s eye and the caravan in dire straits)

“Janice Capshaw liked to run at night.” – Midnight by Dean Koontz

(I instantly want to know more. I’m imaging a horrible scene where poor Janice is mauled to death)

6. Adopt a plot. Or a character or a quirk. Adoption Society board in NaNoWriMo forums has threads dedicated to various concepts to adopt.

Those are just some ideas. If you need more juice to kickstart your creative engine, see the links below.

But seriously, don’t go with the first idea that comes to your mind. Come up with at least a dozen and see which one has the most potential of becoming a full 50K (or more) words novel that you want to finish.

Picture by Catie Rhodes @WANACommons

Plot It

1. What is your story about? Try condensing it into a log-line that has the following elements:

1) your protagonist 2) active verb 3) active goal 4) antagonist 5) stakes

Like: Batman must stop Joker before he destroys Gotham City and kills the woman Batman loves.

2. Know your characters. At bare minimum you need the main character, the antagonist and a few side characters. Maybe a mentor, sidekick or a love interest. The Big Boss Troublemaker might need some minions too.

To get into the main character’s mind and to get their voice down, you could do some pre-writing excercises during October, like write letters or diary entries as the character would write it. Or write a short story about an event in their past.

3. Know yourself and your writing process. Do you like to plot every detail of your story before starting to write? Or do you write by the seat of your pants?

If you’re a plotter, you get stuck if you don’t know what the big picture is and what will happen next. If you’re a pantser, you get bored if you know too much about your story in advance. It feels like the story has already been told.

If you don’t know which you are, there are links to help you with identification.

4. A compromise between the two is figuring out just the major events of your story.

See more at the links below. They have great examples and explanations of what story structure is.

5. Every scene must have a purpose and conflict. Someone must oppose someone and something needs to change as a result.

In the best case scenario, you’re totally jazzed to write every single scene. If you’re not, think about why. What could you add to the scene or change so it would thrill you more? For example, if it’s a transition scene, like characters travel from one place to another, you can just scrap it.

Or spice it up somehow. For example, bandits could attack, or the characters have a fight of the decade that leads to one of them breaking off the party.

Write It

Image by Kristin Nador @WANACommons

1. Organize your life for November so you can write. To reach 50K words, you need to write 1666 words per day, every day. Depending on your writing speed, that means at least an hour of writing every day, more likely 2 – 4 hours.

Free that time. Get your family and friends on the same page, and stress to them how important this project is to you. During November, cleaning is not necessary, writing is. During November, your kids can eat canned food. During November, you do fun stuff with pals only after you’ve written your daily quota.

It’s just one month. You can do it.

2. Develop pre-writing rituals. Athletes do warm ups before the real excercise. Musicians warm up their fingers. Writers need to get their mind on the creative mode too. How do you get into the zone in 5 -15 mins?

3. No editing while writing. When you release your inner Editor, your creative Muse runs away screaming.

4. Write crap. Lets face it, some of your writing will suck. Accept it and love it. Without the steaming pile of turd, you won’t get the pearls either. And you will polish the story to perfection when you edit it. Then it will shine. But first you need to get the words on paper. The good and the bad. It’s impossible to write only divine things.

Picture by Jenny Kaczorowski @WANACommons

5. Tip for a pantser: It’s OK to write the story in non-chronological order. If you don’t know anything else about your story except the bare bones, expand from there. What would logically happen next? What would be the most interesting consequence? What would be the nightmare scenario? Show us how your characters react to what just happened.

6. Tip for a plotter: It’s OK to revise the plan in the middle of a story. You might spot an inconsistency, come up with a brilliant alternative, or realize you just aren’t excited about your story. Take a break and realign your story. Then continue writing.

Finish It

1. Show up. When you’ve decided when you will write, that time should be for writing only. Even if your mind is totally blank, don’t turn on the internet. Just sit there and wait. You can even close your eyes. Eventually your Muse will be so bored that you’ll get some words.

2. Stop writing in the middle of the scene. Even better, in the middle of a sentence. That way you know exactly what you need to write next.

3. Reward yourself. Every time you finish your daily word count, do something awesome, like read or eat chocolate. During November, don’t do those awesome things at any other times. Only after writing. Soon your brain will work like a well-trained Pavlovian dog, eager for the treat.

If you get stuck, here are some angles to unstick you:

Unstick your writing

4. Try writing in a different way. Write longhand. Or go somewhere else to write. Try a cafeteria or the library.

5. If you know the ending, or even one event that might happen further in the story, backtrack from there. What needs to happen for your characters to get there?

6. Sleep on it. Think your story while laying down and drifting to dreams. Maybe your unconsciousness will give you the answer.

7. Enter ninjas to your story. Or make something explode. Or write a sex scene. Just because. Anything that lights the fireworks for you and remotely fits your story.

More Scene Unstickers (NaNoWriMo Forums)

8. Ask a writing buddy for advice. If you don’t know any other writers, post your question to the NaNoWriMo forums or Tweet it with a hashtag #NaNoWriMo , #writing or #MyWANA

You might hit a moment when you seriously consider dropping your story and starting a new one. Stop. Reconsider.

9. Why did you start writing this story? What excited you about it? Was it a character, a scene, an idea? Does it still thrill you? Have you deviated away from that kernel of awesome? How can you steer the story back to it? Or can you add other kernels that jazz up the whole story?

The most important thing is: believe in your writing. You can do it. You will rock NaNoWriMo 2012.

There. Pep talk is done.

And now the links you’ve been waiting for.

Imagine It

First You Need an Idea by Alexandra Sokoloff

The Struggle For Ideas by Janice Hardy

Writing Ideas by Glen C. Strathy

How To Steal a Plot For Your Book and Get Away With It by Suzannah Windsor Freeman

Four Tips on Adding a New Twist to an Old Plot by Janice Hardy

How to decide which idea to go with?

Choosing the Right Idea for a Book by Tony Leville

9 Ways To Overcome the Too Many Ideas Syndrome by Leigh Anne Jasheway-Bryant

I Have an Idea For a Novel! Now What? by Janice Hardy

You Need a Compelling Premise to Finish 50K Words by Kara Lennox

Build It

If you write fantasy, urban fantasy or science fiction, your setting needs to be as detailed as your characters. A vibrant setting will inspire your plot and add depth and unique touches to your characters.

World Building Link Mashup by me

Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions by Patricia Wrede

30 Days of World Building

World Building Part 1: Physical Setting by Fae Rowan

World Building Part 2: Social and Cultural Aspects by Fae Rowan

World Building Techniques — Keep Your Reader Grounded In Your Story by Fae Rowan

No Stress World Building by Lori Devoti

World Building on a Theme by Janice Hardy

Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story by Stephen Harper (Amazon link)

This book is the best resource I have ever seen on building cultures for your urban fantasy species (vampires, werewolves, faeries etc.) Works 100% for fantasy cultures and alien races too.

Animate It

Under Development: Ways To Create Characters by Janice Hardy

How To Create a Character by Holly Lisle

Characters by Jim Butcher

What Makes a Female Character Strong by Jami Gold

The Three Dimensions of Character Development by Larry Brooks

Crafting Backstory by Larry Brooks

Like Me! How To Create Sympathetic Characters by Roni Loren

The Art of Creating Believable Characters: No Mr. Nice Guy by Karen Woodward

Antagonist Links:

A First Class Bad Guy: How X-Men Can Help You Craft a Better Antagonist by Janice Hardy

Black Swan: The Trick to Inner and Outer Demons by Kristen Lamb

5 Quick Fixes to Make Readers Love Your Villain by Shannon Donnelly

Crafting a Character Arc by Larry Brooks

5 Steps To Building a Believable Character Arc

And then something for romance writers:

Michael Hauge’s Workshop: An Antidote to Love at First Sight by Jami Gold

Michael Hauge’s Workshop: Are These Characters the Perfect Match? by Jami Gold

Plot It

Are You a Pantser? How To Overcome Plotting Envy by Roni Loren

Look at how you plan things in real life. If you plan just the main points but not every step, you’re likely not a Plotter

What Is Your Plotting Process Like? Four Levels of Plotters and Pantsers by Roni Loren

What Is Your Premise? by Alexandra Sokoloff

How To Write Your Story’s Logline (one sentence description of the story)

Structure Part 4: Testing Your Idea – Is It Strong Enough To Make an Interesting Novel by Kristen Lamb

Structure Part 5: Keeping Focused – Understand Your “Seed Idea” by Kristen Lamb

Going Both Ways: Outlines For Plots, Pantser For Characters by Janice Hardy

To Finish Your Novel, Plan the Basics by Holly Lisle

How To Create a Plot Outline in 8 Simple Steps by Glen C.Strathy

Michael Hauge’s Workshop: Making Emotional Journeys and External Plots Play Together by Jami Gold

The Three-Act Structure Review & Assignments by Alexandra Sokoloff

What Finding Nemo Can Teach Us About Story Action by Kristen Lamb

Structure Part 2: Plot Problems: Falcor the Luck Dragon & the Purple Tornado by Kristen Lamb

Structure Part 3: Introducing the Opposition by Kristen Lamb

(For Pantsers) Outlining Without Outlining by Janice Hardy

(For Pantsers) Writing Out of Order by Elana Johnson

How To Write a Novel: The Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson

The Hero’s Journey – Mythic Structure of Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth

(For Plotters) The Three-Act, Eight Sequence Structure by Alexandra Sokoloff

(For Plotters) The Index Card Method and Structure Grid by Alexandra Sokoloff

(For Plotters) Story Elements Checklist For Brainstorming Index Cards by Alexandra Sokoloff

Putting It All Together by Jim Butcher

The Four Part Structure of the Character Arc by Larry Brooks

Beat Sheet for The Hunger Games Movie by Jessica Brody

Making Your Book Memorable: Creating Moments by Roni Loren (What are your favorite moments from the books you love?)

Scenes by Jim Butcher

Sequels by Jim Butcher (how characters react to events)

How To Make the Most of a Scene by Jami Gold

Every Scene Should Have At Least 3 Key Elements by Janice Hardy

The Scene Element Worksheet by Jami Gold

The Great Swampy Middle by Jim Butcher

Plot Fixer, Part 7: How To Pick Up the Pace in Your Story by Kara Lennox

5 Ways To Bring Your Descriptions To Life by Janice Hardy

Novel in 30 Days Worksheet Index (Writer’s Digest)

Writing Cheat Sheet (PDF crammed with writing advice)

Finish It

Be part of the NaNoWriMo community. Find yourself accountability partners. Report them your results daily. Your husband, friend or mom will do too. Read the daily pep talks. Read and post to the NaNo forums. But only after you have finished that day’s word count.

25 Things You Should Know About NaNoWriMo by Chuck Wendig (Set your expectations right)

Can’t Finish That Novel? Try Dopamine by Chuck Wendig (I mentioned rewards already but he says it so much better)

NaNoWriMo Tips From Veterans (About.com Fiction Writing)

NaNoWriMo Tips For Success by Michelle Schusterman

Finishing NaNoWriMo – One Writer’s Cautionary Experience (Plot To Punctuation)

All times of the day are not equal for writing. Whether you are an early bird or a night owl determine when you are on your most productive and creative mood. Try to write at those times.

How Heatmapping Your Productivity Can Make You More Productive by Charles Gilkey

Like there is an optimal time for writing, there is an optimal environment too. Some like the peace and quiet of their home, others need background music or the buzz of the crowds at a cafeteria to write. What do you need to be creative?

Why You Need To Write Every Day by Jeff Goins (To create an habit)

How To Write Every Day: Jerry Seinfeld and the Chain Method by Karen Woodward

The Only One Who Can Hold You Back Is You by Rachel Aaron

The #1 Reason You’ll Never Finish Writing Your Novel by Suzannah Windsor Freeman

Three Ways To Avoid Pantser Pitfalls by Roni Loren

The Danger of Writing All The Good Bits First by Aprilynne Pike

Unpredictable… That’s What You Are – Keeping the Plot Fresh by Janice Hardy

Finishing Your Novel – Resources by Timothy Hallinan (great links)

Yay, you made it to the end! 🙂 Take a perseverance point. You will totally ace NaNoWriMo this year. Thank you for reading.