NaNoWriMo 2019 Prep- Week 4

A last week of NaNoWriMo prep, presented in three parts.

First, the struggles of the week.

I have never had a character’s name be so energetically elusive for such a long period of time.  I tried looking up names that were related to the themes in the novel to spark something.  Nothing.  I tried creating a character chart and linking the other names to what I thought his would be.  Nope.  Then, I decided I would do a writing exercise, in which I write my main character meeting this important character (they wind up *ahem* getting close in the story) and STILL nothing.  Three pages leading to a dead end.  So, I decided to leave it be.  He doesn’t want me to know his name yet, and since I’ve done all I can to try and find it myself, I gracefully (kind of) have moved on to plotting what I can around a blank space where he sits.  Stars, but he’s stubborn.

Second, the things that helped this week.

I’m branching out this year with my plotting and planning strategies.  For the past two years, I have faithfully utilized the book Fast Fiction by Denise Jaden.  This year, while I’m still using Fast Fiction, I’m looking into other resources. I’m currently making my way through Writing Deep Scenes and I’m also beginning to poke around the pages of The Plot Whisperer and The Plot Whisperer Workbook.  I’m not going to pressure myself to finish reading these books cover to cover right now (between tutoring, dance, preschool, school, etc. I know there’s not enough time before November first), but I am going to pop in and out and use them as resources throughout the process.  With the intent that I will read them cover to cover at a later date, of course.

Third and last, some final words of encouragement we can all take into this year’s NaNoWriMo challenges!

The end of this week, Friday, NaNoWriMo 2019 kicks off.

Did you plan ahead of time? Great, you can do this!

Did you not plan anything? Great, you can do this!

Do you not know what you want to write about yet? Great, you can do this!

Do you want to take on this challenge because you love writing? Great, YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!

Taking on this challenge, be you a planner or pants-er, newbie or veteran writer, published or not, etc., etc., is immaterial. What matters is that you want to write. What matters is that you have a story burning within you and a yearning to see your words on the page. THOSE are the keys to this kingdom my friends. And all that’s left to do, is unlock the gate and walk through.

Happy Writing!