Life's Funny That Way

Prepping for NaNo

Fall is such a magical time of year.  The leaves are turning. The nights are getting cooler, making them perfect for a good book and a cup of tea on the couch, curled up with a blanket and the dogs.  Pumpkins spice everything is available. It's also hunting season, and I believe meat is fairly delicious.
But, the big deal, of course, is NaNoWriMo. I have been an ML for... I believe this is my fifth year.  Time has flown by. I've done and won NaNo eight other times, so I do not expect to let myself falter this time. Not only is November NaNo month, but October is Prep month!  Prep is fascinating to me, sometimes even more so than the writing itself. I always find out so many different things about my characters and I love building my worlds.
The prep challenge:

FORUM

October Novel Prep Challenge  (13+) 2023 Sign-ups are CLOSED. A month-long novel-planning challenge with prizes galore. #1474311 by Brandiwyn🎶

is really an awesome way to get ready for NaNo. I learn everything about my characters, who my minor characters are, what my settings will be. This year, I have a huge list of settings. Odd are good that I won't even use them all, but I thought - if my protagonist suddenly needs a meeting place and the tavern where The Alliance meets is not a good option, for some reason, I better have an abandoned airship hangar somewhere that I know everything about, and know its location. That way he will have a place to go. So, I do have settings that I might not use, but at the same time, my writing will not be slowed down in November while I try to create those places.
Having more settings than I need this year, I feel is really important. I am writing steampunk, so I really have history mixed with an alternative reality of sorts. So, the more I know about my world, the better. The more settings I have, the more I know about my world.... if that makes sense.
At any rate, for all of those brave souls out there attempting NaNo this year - I send encouragement and positive thoughts your way. Whatever your individual goal, whether it is the coveted 50K or not, I wish you the best and I look forward to celebrating with you as you pass your mark!