Countdown time: 2 days to NNWM. The last week has been filled with great advice from some wonderful bloggers, writers, and authors.
For step by step assistance, via youtube.com, see Martha Alderson, the Plot Whisperer or go to her very helpful blog. She gives specific advice on what to think about before you start writing. Pre-plotting can be done in your head or on paper.
First we can ask ourselves who is the character we want to write about? Then, what does she/he want. What is she striving for or passionate about? Think about it for a few minutes, grab your pen or hover over your keyboard and jot down your ideas.
Now, what is your character’s flaw, their weakness, their vice? What is it that gets in the way of her getting what she wants?
Next think about the setting at the beginning of the story. This includes the physical and emotional setting of your character. What does their world look like? Now, what is the setting in the middle, after the circumstances change for the character?
Do you have a clear picture of your character and where she/he is going? That’s a great start. And for the purposes of NNWM I believe it’s enough, unless…
you are participating so that you can jump start a novel you want to complete in the future. You may want to review all the Plot Whisperers steps as well as visit Inky Girl for a load of other suggestions. IG has a great section for KidLit and YA writers.
And if you are really getting in deep with your NNWM go over to Kristen Lamb’sWarrior Writers for a slam bam thank you…on developing your BBTM (the antagonist) and do her ‘crash test,’ with her L.O.C.K system. Well worth the read.
Time to bid adieu, adios….going to a fiesta tonight. I have to work in a little fun before the clock strikes on November 1.
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