Remember when I tried to convince you to write a novel in a month? I talked about how fun it was, and how I was doing it, how all the cool kids were, how it would make you feel good?
So I sat down today to ask myself the kind of deep questions we writers ask ourselves before we begin our novels. Important questions the non-writers amongst us may not understand, like, "What the heck am I going to write about?"
And the answer that came to me, gift-wrapped and practically written already, was, um. Er. Maybe? Nah.
I got nothing. Nil. Zilch. Zippo. Boomslang.
I'm going in blind, people. I don't have a character, a setting, a plot, or a clue. I've toyed with my post-Olympic Athenian adventure, or the kid whose grandma's a serial killer, but basically I'm starting from scratch without a recipe.
The funny thing is this: I was going to write about how terrifying that is. But really, it's not. I'm thrilled. Imagine it: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. Makes me downright giddy.
So. Ideas?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
I Got Plenty of Nothing
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18 comments:
Wait a minute: If you got boomslang, what else do you need?
I've always wished I could write w/o a plan.
If anyone is able to do it . . . you be da woman!
Have fun Nanoing!
Christy
Don't feel bad, Jacqui. I think I get the "Dumbest Blueboarder Award" for posting a question on the Revision thread the other day. I asked if there was going to be another Fast Track thread soon because I had an idea for a story. I had no idea what NaNoWriMo was.
So, I decided to sign up and then came to the conclusion that I didn't want to use my initial story idea because I was afraid I'd butcher it trying to get quantity over quality. I stayed up most of last night and the night before trying to think of something. I *think* I have an idea, so now I need time to sit down and work on an outline. But, that will have to wait until we finish school today.
Good luck to you! :)
Jacqui,
My stomach had almost settled when I started reading "No Plot? No Problem," the book Baty recommended.
If that doesn't scare the creative juices from your brain, nothing will.
I plan on reading the next chapter of "No Plot?" but I'm probably going to fortify myself with wine first. \
I may just type blah, blah, blah, as per Jack Nicholson in The Shining. Will that count?
Scared spitless,
Sharon
Really?? Nothing at all?? To be perfectly honest, I see you as the Queen of ideas...after all, where do all those ideas come from for TNoftheAWSPWTBIM? :)
I think that, even if you sit down with nothing, you're gonna come up with something really cool. :)
I vote for the serial killer grandma book, because if you get stuck you can always resort to a gory crime scene. Just think of how many words you could use up with synonyms for "red": crimson, scarlet, ruby, cherry, burgundy, claret....
Even better, Grandma herself is a serial killer who speaks in synonyms. She only butchers victims who butcher the English language and say things like "disorientated" and "nukular."
There ya go: get writing!
I've got no ideas, but plenty of faith that you'll churn out something bestsellers are made of.
How's that for some positive vibes?
Tee :)
Actually, you may get your best book out of this, it may be a wonderful surprise. I hope it just flows for you! Good luck!
Look at all this love!! Thanks, all.
Thorp, I am going to use "boomslang" whenever I can't think of a better word.
Christy, we'll see who has hair left in December...
Rena, that's not dumb; that just shows you have a life outside the internet.
Sharon, can't wait to see your WHOLE BOOK in December -- mwa ha ha.
Tabitha, you're right: I have ideas; I'm just not in love with any of them enough to give up canning apple products for a month for them. Or I'm too in love with them to write them in a month. Sigh.
Diane, actually I think you're right. But the kid has to go with on the spree, I think. Hmm...
Tee, those are very positive vibes -- thanks!
Zombies. Werewolves. Superheros. Vampires. Oh! Wait. Nope. Those won't work.
Serial killing Grandma's sound, um, odd, and new.
I'm starting to outline my NaNo. I can't wait. The ideas are spinning!
Fingers crossed, Kelly!
Elise, did The Mighty Thor put you up to the superhero comment?
Everyone, the serial killing grandma idea is (heh heh) stalking me.
I think you should do BOTH. Place the poor kid whose grandmother is a serial killer IN the post-Olympic Athenian time-frame. Oh, and he's got these pesty goats he's got to take care of...like Elise. ;-)
LOL. My word verification is perfect today: SUPASHEA
Supa Shea. You could write a whole MG novel on THAT, dearie.
I need to borrow some of your "plotless yet exhilarated" vibes. All I've got is "plotless and panicking".
I've got a character and that's it. Nothing. I am soooooo out of my element. Makes you wonder why we publicly announce these things!
Good luck, Jacqui!
Amber, I think SupaShea is your rap name.
Nora and Marina, the way I see it, when you've got nothing to start, you've got nowhere to go but up. If I start with a great idea, I have to live up to it. This way, all I have to do is type 50,000 words in some order that makes a bit of sense and I'm already an overachiever!
Sounds like it will be a whirlwind nano for you, Jacqui! Though I'm a plano-nanoer it sounds like a spontaneous plot may be the adventure of a lifetime for you this year! Onward and Upward!
Hey, write down any wierd dreams you have tonight. Then fiddle with that plot a bit and run with it! : )
Hey Jacqui! if you are nano-ing you can buddy me if you like! I am elloecho on nano! Don't worry, I'm going in completely blind also. I don't have a clue what to write! All I know for sure is it can't be my sequel for the book currently on sub because - well, you know. So, I gotta think of something else!
Cool, have fun! I'm using the MC from a different novel as the best friend in my NaNo novel, so I could start fresh and do something crazy and hopefully fun.
Good luck with your NaNoWriMo novel! Just 2 more days ...
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