I've been working on the outline for a few weeks now and this is where I am so far.

Yeah. I have a long way to go.

I know the beginning of the book, and have an idea how it will all tie up. It’s the middle that is missing a little meat.

This photo shows a screenshot of my storyboard, which I've set up in LSBXE. I decided to forgo the photos and focus on point-form listing for each scene.

As you can see, it doesn't seem like enough scenes to fill a novel, right? That’s because the more I plot, the more questions or problems come up that I need to find solutions for.

If I can solve everything on my growing list of roadblocks, I may be able to get away with not having to plot the middle. It will write itself.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself

I’ll be expanding a short story idea into a novel.

No, I am not crazy.

I love this story. LOVE the characters. Actually went so far as to submit the short version to a few markets.

But after my own nagging feeling (and some notes I took while writing on how I could expand it if I ever decided to), and the editor notes I received that, although they couldn’t accept the story as-is, saw it as an intro to a much larger piece, I decided to go with it.

I've done NaNo 4 times now.

2007 was good. My 1st attempt and I hit the 50,000 mark no problem.

2008, I decided to continue with the manuscript from 2007 and finished most of the story – but it’s still not done.

2009 – disaster of epic proportions. I decided to do a series of at least 10 short stories, all Ancient Egyptian horror-themed. Bad idea. 10 stories + 10 plot lines + a bare minimum of 20 characters + umpteen settings = a huge mountain to climb.

2010 – What would turn out to be the 2nd book in a series along with the one I started in 2007/2008. Then, my beloved Zoey-kitty got sick and I spent all my time with her until she died toward the end of the month and then I had no interest in writing. Unfinished.

So here we are – 2011. I’m building on the characters and plot I already have in place. Adding depth to their back stories. Conjuring up conflict. Interweaving horror with the paranormal and itching to get typing already!

The cool thing, though? One of those failed short stories from last year actually meshes really well with this book. It adds some extra depth to this story, so I’ve decided to work part of that into this book and also rework the short and either sub it somewhere or self-publish it in 2012.

Nothing better than feeling inspired!

I pretty much have the basic story in my head. Right now I am just trying to make sense of all my brainstorms, questions, ideas and research.

Even though all my brainstorms are a bit dizzying, a few gems do come out of the process – not only for this book but the 1st one as well.

As I mentioned, I never did finish the 1st book. Mostly because I didn't know how I wanted it to end. But knowing now that these 2 books are connected, I am finding some common threads that I can carry through both (and a little added creepiness that I can inject into the first book).

The good news is all this prep is making me more and more excited to start writing.

And even if I'm still outlining up until the last day, at least it will all be fresh in my mind when I sit down and start tapping away come November 1st.

Are you doing NaNoWriMo too? Add me as a buddy!

Also, my alter ego, Miss Write, has put together a list of articles that can help you with your NaNo prep.

When we last saw our heroine, she was whipping a wayward plot into shape while realizing the importance of having a few good writerly friends to steer her in the right direction. In this week’s episode of WIP Wednesday, watch as the writer celebrates her progress…but will her jubilation be short-lived?

WIP #1:
Only Our Blood is finished! After taking my buddy Ben’s advice, I tackled the lazy opening scene by looking for the place where the trouble really starts. After tweaking things a bit, and fixing up the passive writing throughout, I am confident it is a much better, more horrifying read. I’m giving this one a few days to rest on the shelf before reading it once more and submitting it.

WIP#2: NaNoWriMo (brace yourselves…this is going to be a long one)

I let the cat out of the bag already on Twitter. My NaNo 09 Project is going to be a collection of short stories.

After going through my Idea File and realizing my list of proposed shorts was more intriguing than my novel ideas, I figured the best way to succeed was to do what piqued my interest (because nothing says #NanoFail more than a story that does not excite you).

So, great! Topic picked! All systems are a go. At least that’s what I thought.

Now that I’m getting into the actual outlining of the project, I realize that, with NaNo already being a crazy ride on its own, trying to come up with say 10 plots (on the presumption that each story will be around 5000 words) and a possible character roster numbering anywhere from 20 to 30+ – maybe those novel ideas aren’t looking quite so bad.

So the question I need to ask myself is this: when faced with what seem an insurmountable task (of my own doing), do I turn and run? Or put on my shit-kickers and kick some shit?

Let’s look at the task, shall we?

Assuming, as I said above, that each story is around 5000 words. Here’s what I need to accomplish:

NaNoWriMo = 50,000 in 30 days
= 1,666 words/day

Or in my case:
= 50,000 words/30 days
= 3 days/story

I’ve proven to myself that I can absolutely do 5000 words in a single day. I did it multiple times in both years of NaNo that I’ve participated.

So, I’m starting to think that is isn’t the actual writing of so many stories that is leaving me feeling less-than prepared; it’s the fact that I need to come up with so many different pieces (and thus settings, characters, plots, etc.). No wonder I feel like I’m setting myself up, not necessarily for failure, but for a tough road ahead, to say the least.

Regardless, I’m forging ahead. I’m stubborn. I’m not one to quit and certainly not one to shy away from a challenge. That doesn’t mean I won’t continue to whine about it. But secretly, doesn’t the challenge make anything that much more exciting (and rewarding)?

If you’re a NaNo’er, have you ever toyed with the idea of doing a collection as your WIP? Any tips?

If you’re a writer participating in WIP Wednesday, post a link to your blog in the comments!

Fellow WIP Wednesday participants:

• Cate Gardner – The Poisoned Apple
• Jennifer Tatroe – Another Place
• Aaron Polson – The Other Aaron

[NWC]

Plot, I can handle. But creating characters out of thin air? I’ve never had a character just come to me, so I often struggle when giving birth to characters in any given story, let alone when trying to make them fully believable, three-dimensional beings.

So, the fact that Day One of outlining using FD30D is “Character Sketch Day” didn’t exactly give me the running start that I would have liked.

I realize that part of the strategy is to continually brainstorm throughout the entire month of outlining, but I can’t help but feel a little lost when my character worksheets are virtually empty.

Granted, I managed to scribble down a few ideas so I don’t feel like today is completely wasted. I just have to keep reminding myself that it really is a work-in-progress, and that I’m allowed to make mistakes and let ideas brew. As long as I’m ready come November 1st, right?

How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on people you know? Do you have a series of questions or brainstorming techniques that help you create original characters every time?

[NWC]