Comments on: Never Too Prepared

By: KG

KG — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:01:32 +0000

Got it. The character development IS the toughest aspect, even without a root canal and the 30-day wierdness of NaNo.

And time you have — plus, you’re already 20,000+ words into it.

If you discover any breakthroughs on how to develop characters more thoroughly, I’m sure we could all benefit from the info!

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:55:43 +0000

Kristin, it’s not so much a problem of scenes as it is of characters. I have scenes plotted out, but a few of my characters are more or less empty templates. I need to focus on them some more. I’ve been generating some ideas, but so far it’s been a slow process trying to decipher their perspectives and motivations. I think it’s just going to take more time.

By: KG

KG — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:49:27 +0000

If you want to try to generate some more scenes, here’s something that works for me:

1. Give yourself 20-30 minutes on a timer. (Really, one that beeps.)

2. For that time, brainstorm everything you can visualize for your current writing/novel/project. TYpe or handwrite it, whichever you prefer. Even if you hit points where you’re just staring at the blank page, that’s o.k.

3. When the time is up, look at the list. Circle ideas/strings of ideas that look interesting.

4. Put that idea at the top of a blank page, and start expounding on it. For me, these often become scenes, and then I’m writing again (to great relief).

More than half of the brainstormed list I don’t use, but it was just a tool to jumpstart my brain anyway.

By: S William Shaw

S William Shaw — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 06:21:08 +0000

“Yay for discovering old authors youâ€™ve never read, who have a large body of work to explore.”

I ditto that sentiment. There is so much to explore, and yet to be read.