[Prep-tober] Starting with a Character

 

Hello, Novelist!

Last week, we looked briefly at ways that one might prepare for "life" during NaNoWriMo. This week, we'll look at characterization.

I realize that relatively few of us are sitting down looking at a blank sheet with no ideas, but if you need some help building a novel, there are lot of places to start. Today we'll start looking at that.

Specifically, novel development from "A Character with a problem," standpoint.

Far be it from me to dissuade you from filling out your 40-page characterization questionnaire. If that's your jam, and you're having fun doing it that way, more power to you.

I'm going to suggest a few formulas that will get you from a blank space to a dynamic somebody for all of those characters you're currently scratching your head about.

[Prep-tober] :: Preparing Life for NaNoWriMo

Hello, Novelist!

November may be for noveling, but for many, getting ready for NaNoWriMo is a project unto itself. We call this month "Prep-tober."

In brief, Prep-tober is anything you do to set yourself up for noveling success once November starts -- and it isn't all directly novel-related. Life keeps happening in November, and people become irrationally annoyed for some reason if you stop showing up to work "because noveling"... and houses don't magically clean themselves... and children inexplicably still want to eat. So, really there are possibly two pieces: preparing to write, and preparing the rest of the world to spend a month with less of you. (I'm looking at you pants-ers. Prep-tober is for you, too!)