NaNo Story Prep

Remember that you are writing a ROUGH DRAFT. This will change, evolve and will definitely be edited. But, I never start NaNo without some preparation. These are questions and ideas to consider about your story.

Develop Your Story -

	What point of view will you use to tell the story?
	Who will tell the story?
	Whose story are they going to tell?
	Do you have quirky characters? These are the ones readers remember.
	What genre will you write?
	Will you develop cliffhangers for the end of each chapter.
	Where will be story be set? Will the setting help the story?
	When will the story be set?

Basic Character Creation -

I developed a series of character development classes which are extensive, but to get started for NaNo - here are some questions.

1 - Age, gender, nationality, height, weight, hair color, eye color etc - These are simple things, but having them clearly in mind will help you to avoid confusing these details as you write.

2 - What sort of work do they do? Are they independently wealthy? If so, how did they get all that money? How does the money or lack of money affect their life?

3 - Describe family, friends, significant others. Each of these people can make a difference in the story and adding an interesting or unusual history with these characters can lead to all sorts of possibiities.

4 - Where do they live? What does it look like? How is it decorated? Do they live in a neat or messy home? A person's home says a lot about them. What does your character's home reveal?

Plotting Your Story

Your plot is the thing that moves the story along. Your plot is affected every time your characters make a move of any kind. Will you include surprises in the story? Or, do you want predictable and totally believable characters and storylines?

Once you have a basic idea about your story. Make notes about possibilities and sub plot ideas. These sub plots are smaller stories woven into your larger story. They also make a story interesting - at least I think they do :) Layout the story just like you would for an agent or publisher or producer. Note the high points, the low points, conflicts, surprises, disappointments and much more.

If you have no ideas at all, here are some ideas to get you started -

	Someone is hired or fired or both
	Someone is married or divorced or a relationship ends
	Someone is born or dies
	Someone unexpected losses everything or inherits a fortune
	Someone wants to seek revenge on another or harms someone else
	Someone falls for the wrong person or an alien
	Someone is confused with another person, a spy, a crook, a murderer

Any of these ideas can start you on the way to a story.

Additional NaNo Info

NaNo Intro Page

NaNo Tips to Help You Get Started

Story Preparation Ideas for NaNo

NaNo Necessities

Reminders -

It is great to join a community of writers who will share the frustrations and the joys with you during November. I have one that you are welcome to join. The address is: http://www.writersonlinecourses.com/Forum/. The forum is free and it is a place to share ideas, ask questions, offer tips and to post your word count.

November 17, 2006 we will be having a chat to discuss how we are doing, to vent about frustrations etc. You are welcome to join us. There will probably be a good amount of bragging going on too. This is the link for the chat. Just enter a name and click log on. The chat will be at 7:00 PM EST. http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.pl?id=151311. This chat is organized each Friday at 7:00 PM EST by www.inspiredauthor.com

Postal Address - P O Box 711, Fishersville, VA 22939
Nikki's Email Address - nikki@nikkileigh.com

Last modified: 06/29/09