So NaNoWriMo Begins...

...and so does the writer's block.

*sigh*

First person or third?

I've decided to write about my experience of having gone from Computer Diva to fired to leaving everything I knew in New Orleans and moving to Maine to work and experiencing my first Fall and my first Winter and my first snow-in and on and on.

But should I start before "the firing" so the world can see what a snotty Computer Diva I was, at "the firing" where in disbelieving numbness I fell from my self-built pedestal, or after deciding to go to Maine?

Should I not write about this subject? In a way I'm hoping this will be cathartic, but am I too close to it?

And I've already lost almost 10 hours of writing time to sleep and writer's block...I wonder if I'd stayed up last night and started at midnight when I was braindead, would I have just gotten started without the agonizing and angst?

WanderingFox here!

I thought this blustery day was a good one for some writing and blogging.

Last year was my first, and it was a disaster. First, I chose to do a humorous story, and that takes a lot of effort. Then my mother got sick, and then my car fell apart, so by the middle of November I just tossed the whole thing aside in frustration. But hopefully, this year will be different.

I actually started with a setting, as well. The October 2005 issue of Discover magazine had an concept illustration developed by Penelope Boston and commissioned by NASA to show how a large Martian lava cave could be converted into a "safe, roomy and inexpensive base." The concept of living in a cave beneath the surface of another planet, where anything that goes wrong is potentially fatal, sounded like a great setting.

The plot then goes from sci-fi to a psychological thriller, of sorts. A small group of engineers and techs are there to set the place up and get it running before the scientists arrive. But when strange things start to happen: strange noises, strange shadows, and just a feeling of being watched, the engineers must figure out if there is really something out there, or if it is their own minds playing tricks on them...Or if there is a third option that no one has yet considered. Whatever it is, they had better figure it out before someone gets killed.

I'm excited about it. I've got my characters, and a basic outline of the escalating tension. I really can't wait to start!

'Tis the season to prepare to NaNo...

...and I'm ready! I did my first NaNo last year, and it was a blast! I only had a month to figure out what NaNo was and to think about what I wanted to write. This time, I have a much better handle on it. For me, at least for this year, it's helped to give a great deal of thought to my characters, setting, plotline, etc.

Mintyfresh, I just started with the idea for a setting - a big, historic home back in my hometown. It looks like it would make a great bed and breakfast. I started using "what if?" What if the owner of the house didn't know how to run a B&B? What if he needs advice from a guest at the inn, a young woman who just happens to be looking for a job? What if he needs her help - and, indeed, even her love - but just can't express it? See what I mean? You kind of let your "what ifs" ramble along. (Make sure to keep a pencil and paper handy.) Oh, and how did you get your links to be behind the word "here"? Thanks.

If anyone would like to see it, here's my blog regarding my genre http://sweetromancewriting.blogspot.com.

NaNo, NaNo, everyone!

Like a NaNo Virgin

Plot? Characters? IDEAS? Huh???

So I have a few ideas whispering faintly to me, a scene or setting or two, a vague theme, but otherwise nothing. Not that I'm too worried about it: when approaching short stories or CD/live reviews, I often find myself starting out with a blank screen and churning out 2,000 words on deadline (and that deadline is the whole point of this thing, yes? Yes!). I don't question that I can do that nightly for 30 nights.

But there's got to be a better way to flush out ideas so that I'm a bit more ready, right?

I'm working through No Plot, No Problem! and it's helping, but no epiphanies yet. How are my fellow Mainahs going into this thing? Any methodologies that work better for you than others?

Thanks. Nano profile is here, reglar blog is here, pics are here. Nice to meet ya.

N. Mallory Grasping For A Plot...Again

O.K. I'm in.

I think.

I tried Nano last year and didn't get very far. I seem to suffer perpetually from writer's block. I'm sure there's some psychological explanation like I'm afraid of imperfection and afraid of people mocking my art and I'm lazy. ;)

Really, I just felt overwhelmed, like I do know, and a little desperate for an idea for a plot that goes more than one sentence. Heh.

So, I've got a couple of tentative ideas.

I could write a space western-type thing; maybe fanfic for Firefly/Serenity. I think fanfic still fits in the rules, particularly if I'm just writing in the "'verse" and not using any of the characters.

Or I could write a dark fantasy with vampires, magic users, and vampire hunters set in New Orleans and maybe climaxing during Hurricane Katrina.

Then there's always been the desire to write a Celtic space-kind-of-thing, but again what's the plot? Who are the characters?

Why has my brain suddenly gone blank as soon as I started thinking about writing for Nano?

Great site!

Nicely done ladies! Especially when everytime I try to log onto the NaNoWriMo site, it's down! Arggg! Beginning to wonder if it isn't my computer! Anyone else having trouble? I'm hoping so.

I'm off to answer Kendra's questions now.

Lori

Cool, it's up and running!

Hi ya'll,

This is the beginning of the nano blogging fun. I think it will be interesting to see how this turns out.

We now have a place away from the nano boards where we can lament, cheer and encourage. We can yell and swear here without a problem. I won't have to delete posts that are inappropriate, yay!

So, what's everyone writing about this year? What genre? Is this a new genre for you? How about a brief synopsis? What do you plan to do with it when nano is over?

I think I'll stop there. I'll be back to answer my questions tomorrow or the next day. I'm trying to put together a sound synopsis that aptly describes my story. It's not going well so far, all of one sentence.

Later days,
Ken

Are Comments Up?

Just Checking!

Welcome Maine NaNos!

This is our group blog.