First of all, I would like to apologize for the long break. I have been getting ready for NaNoWriMo! So far, I made my first day's quota and I'm about to get started on day 2. If you are not doing NaNoWriMo, shame on you. Everyone should try. Worst thing that can happen is you don't make 50K, but you still have some writing done that you can save for later. There is no downside as long as you don't put too much pressure on yourself.
Word Wars:
NaNo is all about the word count. It is a great motivator - it gets you past that annoying rough patch where you want every word to sparkle and shine, so you never get past the first page of your project. It encourages you to spit out whatever is in your brain regardless of whether you actually use it later. Word Wars are a wonderful way to spark your creativity.
Find a friend (or several) who are doing NaNo. This is easy to do, because the NaNoWriMo boards are full of them. Pick a generic time (:30 after the hour, :45, ect) and get going. Post your results and share snippets. This can be done on a forum, over AIM, or even on Facebook. If you'd like to do some Word Warring with me, feel free to IM me at RaeDMagdon and challenge me. Of course, it doesn't matter who wins, no one really remembers or cares anyway. It's all about boosting your wordcount and sharing the results!
Websites
Also, I would like to give all of you NaNo-ers some references that I think will help you on your quest to write the Next Great Novel.
1. Language is a Virus www.languageisavirus.com
A great prompt site with lots of fun word games to get you typing away.
2. www.hollylisle.com
Check out this awesome author's website and read her treatises on style, plotting, and worldbuilding.
3. www.nanowrimo.org
This one is obvious. I cannot recommend the forums here highly enough.
4. www.oneword.com
Self-explanatory once you go there.
Software:
Now for the software. Against my better judgment, I purchased some writing/novel plotting software today that, despite my reservations, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. I am sure that many of you have heard of the Snowflake Method, a system developed by Randy Ingermanson. It is based on the idea that you expand your novel's plot out like a snowflake until you have it down to the minute details. I was not a fan of the Snowflake Method, preferring to ride by the seat of my pants, but I have changed my tune since buying this software. I am enjoying it immensely so far and have come up with a bunch of different plot points that I had not thought of before! Check it out at www.advancedfictionwriting.com
The software is fairly expensive at $100 (I got it for $50 because I already owned the book Fiction Writing for Dummies). For ME it has been worth it, but only you can decide which writing software is the best for you to use, if any. I am still a huge fan of good ol' pen and paper/Microsoft Word.
Exercise:
I have discussed this before, but I'd like to re-share one of my favorite inspirational writing games. Take a poem (I like Christina Rossetti). Choose a vivid word from each line of the poem. If you really want to, you can skip a line, but not doing so makes the game more fun. Then, write a few paragraphs and include all the words you chose. It's that easy! It will stretch your imagination, and you get to use some very fun words. Great for getting started on a scene for your NaNo.
Showing posts with label plot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plot. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
NaNoWriMo Approaches!
NaNoWriMo is coming faster than you think!
*Snerk* Ha, that's what she said. But anyway, here are some ways to come up with great ideas (besides trolling the NaNo forums, which ALL OF YOU SHOULD BE DOING).
1. Write about what scares you.
I'm serious. Write about what scares you, haunts you, or fascinates you. At the risk of sounding like a vampire Harlequin, find the dark desires inside of you and bring them out, even if you think you can't do it. Too embarrassed to write about sex or romance? Write erotica for NaNo. Think you could never tackle fantasy? Write a fantasy novel. Drool over stories with a love triangle, betrayal, or character death? Get angsty. Do what you think you can't and you will probably find that you can.
2. Get out a pen and paper.
Again, I'm serious. I know most of us writers are glued to our computers, but there's just something about the feel of a pen in your hand as it marks up a crisp white sheet of notebook paper that cannot be replicated by the tapping of keys. You can always type up your thoughts later.
3. Grab a friend.
Discuss plot with a friend. Role play with a friend. Goof off with a friend after drinking way too many Red Bulls (or maybe something stronger if you are old enough). Save the conversations if they take place online. If they take place in real life, carry a notebook with you and do your best to remember what was said. For online writers to talk to, go to the NaNo forums! There are tons of people there.
4. Write some stream of consciousness warm-ups
You can write anything you want ahead of NaNo except the actual novel, so do a few pages of stream-of-consciousness type writing for your favorite characters. It's a great way to find out what motivates them, how they speak, how they act, and who they are. Besides, you might come up with an excellent plot that way.
5. Break out the spreadsheet
Use Excel, Word, or a plain old piece of paper to graph, chart, or just plain list the scenes in your novel in any way you like. I still prefer pen and paper or just a plain old Word document, but some people have tons of cool word processing software that can organize it all pretty-like.
6. Play around on BabyNameGenerator. Or any other generator.
There are so many writing generators and prompts on the internet that it's not even funny. For some help getting started, visit www.languageisavirus.com It has all kinds of cool writing games to play.
Sorry if this post is slightly crazy, it's really early in the morning and I'm hyper for no reason.
And just for me, here's my To-Do List:
Original Fiction:
The Witch's Daughter (2000 more words to go!!!)
All The Pretty Things (NaNoWriMo)
Mirror, Mirror (seq. to TSS, WE, and TWD)
Lilith's Redemption
Sonata Form (seq. to Chopin)
Fanfiction:
What Happens In Provincetown (L&O/R&I)
It Happened One Night (L&O)
Sequel to Magnetic Resistance (L&O)
By Courier (L&O/DWP)
Twi-hate: The Descent Into Madness (L&O/Legally Blonde/Twilight)
Desperation (R&I, seq. to Denial)
Random Pairings I want to write at some point...
Something Kim/Shego (Kim Possible anyone?)
Something Mirandy (Devil Wears Prada)
Something Harley/Ivy (Batman)
.... yes, I am a pervert and a dork. I don't care. I'm also sure I've forgotten some projects on the lists...
*Snerk* Ha, that's what she said. But anyway, here are some ways to come up with great ideas (besides trolling the NaNo forums, which ALL OF YOU SHOULD BE DOING).
1. Write about what scares you.
I'm serious. Write about what scares you, haunts you, or fascinates you. At the risk of sounding like a vampire Harlequin, find the dark desires inside of you and bring them out, even if you think you can't do it. Too embarrassed to write about sex or romance? Write erotica for NaNo. Think you could never tackle fantasy? Write a fantasy novel. Drool over stories with a love triangle, betrayal, or character death? Get angsty. Do what you think you can't and you will probably find that you can.
2. Get out a pen and paper.
Again, I'm serious. I know most of us writers are glued to our computers, but there's just something about the feel of a pen in your hand as it marks up a crisp white sheet of notebook paper that cannot be replicated by the tapping of keys. You can always type up your thoughts later.
3. Grab a friend.
Discuss plot with a friend. Role play with a friend. Goof off with a friend after drinking way too many Red Bulls (or maybe something stronger if you are old enough). Save the conversations if they take place online. If they take place in real life, carry a notebook with you and do your best to remember what was said. For online writers to talk to, go to the NaNo forums! There are tons of people there.
4. Write some stream of consciousness warm-ups
You can write anything you want ahead of NaNo except the actual novel, so do a few pages of stream-of-consciousness type writing for your favorite characters. It's a great way to find out what motivates them, how they speak, how they act, and who they are. Besides, you might come up with an excellent plot that way.
5. Break out the spreadsheet
Use Excel, Word, or a plain old piece of paper to graph, chart, or just plain list the scenes in your novel in any way you like. I still prefer pen and paper or just a plain old Word document, but some people have tons of cool word processing software that can organize it all pretty-like.
6. Play around on BabyNameGenerator. Or any other generator.
There are so many writing generators and prompts on the internet that it's not even funny. For some help getting started, visit www.languageisavirus.com It has all kinds of cool writing games to play.
Sorry if this post is slightly crazy, it's really early in the morning and I'm hyper for no reason.
And just for me, here's my To-Do List:
Original Fiction:
The Witch's Daughter (2000 more words to go!!!)
All The Pretty Things (NaNoWriMo)
Mirror, Mirror (seq. to TSS, WE, and TWD)
Lilith's Redemption
Sonata Form (seq. to Chopin)
Fanfiction:
What Happens In Provincetown (L&O/R&I)
It Happened One Night (L&O)
Sequel to Magnetic Resistance (L&O)
By Courier (L&O/DWP)
Twi-hate: The Descent Into Madness (L&O/Legally Blonde/Twilight)
Desperation (R&I, seq. to Denial)
Random Pairings I want to write at some point...
Something Kim/Shego (Kim Possible anyone?)
Something Mirandy (Devil Wears Prada)
Something Harley/Ivy (Batman)
.... yes, I am a pervert and a dork. I don't care. I'm also sure I've forgotten some projects on the lists...
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Plots
Every "how to" book on writing will tell you there are only x number of plots in the world, and the rest are just variations. There's some truth to this, although it's not the whole story by any means. It has been proposed before that there are "seven basic plots"... I'm not sure where this list originated... but here it is (for your reference).
man vs. nature
man vs. man
man vs. the environment
man vs. machines/technology
man vs. the supernatural
man vs. self
man vs. god/religion
I look at this list and think, 'what the hell? This list is crap.' I don't know about you, but it doesn't help me at all with my writing. For your reference, here's my list, which I think is a little better.
1. Disruption
Ex: Girl gets kicked out of house, must find own way in the world.
OR
Ex: Farmer takes up sword when country is invaded by barbarians.
Basically, something bad happens, and the protagonist has to fix it. This plot is both ACTION and CHARACTER focused.
2. Rivalry
Ex: Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty... the endless 'game'
OR
Ex: A man is on the run from the FBI, and must outwit them to stay alive.
A physical chase, a mental game of wits, or just two people who want the same thing trying to outdo each other. This plot is mostly CHARACTER focused, when done right, although ACTION can be an important part of the rivalry as well. Your antagonist is almost as important as your protagonist.
Subcategory: The Complex Problem - the rivalry can be between one person and a seemingly impossible task/problem instead of between two people.
3. Quest
Ex: Frodo in Lord of the Rings
OR
Ex: The prince (or sometimes the princess >_>) goes to rescue the (other) princess
Contrary to popular belief, this is also a CHARACTER focused plot, despite the ACTION necessary to complete the quest.
4. Inner Struggle
Ex: Humphrey Humphrey lusting after Lolita
OR
Ex: A character matures and comes of age, changing because of events in their life (think Catcher in the Rye)
This plot is CHARACTER focused. Basically, it's about one person's struggle to overcome whatever demons they have, or their struggle to grow and change as a human being. If this type of plot is used correctly, the character will be different at the end of the novel than at the beginning.
5. Romance
Ex: Romeo and Juliet
OR
Ex: Do I really need to explain love? You all know what I'm talking about.
Spice this 2000 year old plot with some societal taboos and plenty of action in the middle (even if that action doesn't involve fighting). This is a CHARACTER focused plot.
6. Action
Ex: Indiana Jones
OR
Ex: Basically any action movie ever made...
This is kind of like 'Disruption' or 'Quest', but there is less focus on CHARACTER and more on ACTION. Can be effective if done well, but not the deepest plot type of all time. For example, if a guy is tossed out in the wilderness and has to survive despite the odds, that is an Action plot (unless, while he is in the wild, he ruminates on his own personality and thinks about God, morality, and mankind's role in the world or some such nonsense)
Now, here's the trick. The best novels use ALL of these plot types at once. That list I just gave you was more like a list of ingredients than a list of plots... Although one might be dominant, adding some others can be very helpful. For example, Star Wars is a 'Disruption' plot... Luke Skywalker is basically forced to start his journey when his adoptive parents' house is destroyed and they are murdered. However, it also has elements of Action (all those space battles), Romance (Han and Leia), Quest (Luke is 'the chosen one'), Inner Struggle (several characters have inner struggles), and Rivalry (Dark side vs. Light, Luke vs. Vader/Emperor, ect).
In my own novel, The Second Sister, I use both the Romance and the Disruption plotline in equal doses. Alone, they might not be enough to make an entire novel, but mixed together, they are a very effective combination.
So, start cooking up a good plot with at least one (but hopefully all) of these elements, and you'll be good to go!
One last hint... notice that most of the plots here are CHARACTER focused rather than ACTION focused? Great writers know how to use characters to enhance action, and vice versa. The two play off of each other, but I would argue that strong characters can only strengthen a novel, so they are always my first priority while writing. Usually, the plot and the action follow along nicely.
man vs. nature
man vs. man
man vs. the environment
man vs. machines/technology
man vs. the supernatural
man vs. self
man vs. god/religion
I look at this list and think, 'what the hell? This list is crap.' I don't know about you, but it doesn't help me at all with my writing. For your reference, here's my list, which I think is a little better.
1. Disruption
Ex: Girl gets kicked out of house, must find own way in the world.
OR
Ex: Farmer takes up sword when country is invaded by barbarians.
Basically, something bad happens, and the protagonist has to fix it. This plot is both ACTION and CHARACTER focused.
2. Rivalry
Ex: Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty... the endless 'game'
OR
Ex: A man is on the run from the FBI, and must outwit them to stay alive.
A physical chase, a mental game of wits, or just two people who want the same thing trying to outdo each other. This plot is mostly CHARACTER focused, when done right, although ACTION can be an important part of the rivalry as well. Your antagonist is almost as important as your protagonist.
Subcategory: The Complex Problem - the rivalry can be between one person and a seemingly impossible task/problem instead of between two people.
3. Quest
Ex: Frodo in Lord of the Rings
OR
Ex: The prince (or sometimes the princess >_>) goes to rescue the (other) princess
Contrary to popular belief, this is also a CHARACTER focused plot, despite the ACTION necessary to complete the quest.
4. Inner Struggle
Ex: Humphrey Humphrey lusting after Lolita
OR
Ex: A character matures and comes of age, changing because of events in their life (think Catcher in the Rye)
This plot is CHARACTER focused. Basically, it's about one person's struggle to overcome whatever demons they have, or their struggle to grow and change as a human being. If this type of plot is used correctly, the character will be different at the end of the novel than at the beginning.
5. Romance
Ex: Romeo and Juliet
OR
Ex: Do I really need to explain love? You all know what I'm talking about.
Spice this 2000 year old plot with some societal taboos and plenty of action in the middle (even if that action doesn't involve fighting). This is a CHARACTER focused plot.
6. Action
Ex: Indiana Jones
OR
Ex: Basically any action movie ever made...
This is kind of like 'Disruption' or 'Quest', but there is less focus on CHARACTER and more on ACTION. Can be effective if done well, but not the deepest plot type of all time. For example, if a guy is tossed out in the wilderness and has to survive despite the odds, that is an Action plot (unless, while he is in the wild, he ruminates on his own personality and thinks about God, morality, and mankind's role in the world or some such nonsense)
Now, here's the trick. The best novels use ALL of these plot types at once. That list I just gave you was more like a list of ingredients than a list of plots... Although one might be dominant, adding some others can be very helpful. For example, Star Wars is a 'Disruption' plot... Luke Skywalker is basically forced to start his journey when his adoptive parents' house is destroyed and they are murdered. However, it also has elements of Action (all those space battles), Romance (Han and Leia), Quest (Luke is 'the chosen one'), Inner Struggle (several characters have inner struggles), and Rivalry (Dark side vs. Light, Luke vs. Vader/Emperor, ect).
In my own novel, The Second Sister, I use both the Romance and the Disruption plotline in equal doses. Alone, they might not be enough to make an entire novel, but mixed together, they are a very effective combination.
So, start cooking up a good plot with at least one (but hopefully all) of these elements, and you'll be good to go!
One last hint... notice that most of the plots here are CHARACTER focused rather than ACTION focused? Great writers know how to use characters to enhance action, and vice versa. The two play off of each other, but I would argue that strong characters can only strengthen a novel, so they are always my first priority while writing. Usually, the plot and the action follow along nicely.
