The WDC NanoLounge

You don't necessarily have to write a continuous story. It can be a series of notes/scenes that will form the story, though you may want to get an outline together before November. I believe the only thing you cannot do before November 1st is actually start the text of the novel. You can plan like crazy for the next month or so to get the plot, pacing, settings and characters set to go.

If you agonize over character names, you can name them now, and perhaps do one of those character exercises to get them ready to speed you along at an average speed of over 1,000 words a day.

In November, whenever there's a point where you're stuck, move on to the next part, if you know where you're going. That's where the outline is going to help. You may even realize further alone what you need to add in, and may be able to insert it in the gaps - let's say your character needs to lose her cell phone. Make that into a bit of a story while she's on her way to Vegas and stopped at a diner and left it on the table, then didn't realize it until your next big scene where not having a cell phone creates drama.


Sharon from New Jersey