![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
No, I'm not talking about the political kind. Indeed, another reason I'm throwing myself into NaNo is to keep my mind busy during this year's election.
Right now, I'm struggling with trying to figure out my story's beginning. Over the last couple of months, I've worked and re-worked an outline to this new novel. In addition to outlining, I've written character bios, character letters (as in conversations between people in the story), time lines, and summaries, none of which will actually be used in the novel. Going through that process has me in a place where I feel very close to my MC and to her lover as well.
The beginning is troubling me because I know so much of their history, it's difficult to know just how far back I should go. Typically, readers want to start where the story begins. Sometimes, this implies action. Sometimes, this implies confusion. For me, I think knowing the ending of my story (and I do know the ending right now, though it could always change), makes me very reflective. I'm not sure how that's going to work but I'll just have to wait and see what comes out of me on the first day.
Besides troubling myself with the beginning of my novel, I've been thinking a lot about my main character's special ability. This is my first fantasy story. Actually, that's not true. I've written a couple of short stories a few years ago, one about a dragon and a young boy; another fantasy short story I wrote was about a robot whose father is a priest; and a few other short stories I won't mention because they're so trite and silly (but still fun to write). This will be my first time diving into an urban fantasy novel. Eventually, I'd like to publish all forms of speculative fiction: sci-fi, horror, fantasy, etc. I'm using NaNo as an excuse to experiment with styles.
Being new to fantasy, I'm always curious about the rules and expectations. ( I got this message from one fellow Wrimo, which was extra helpful! )
I'm grateful to my NaNo buddy for telling me this because I've got two more days to ponder what I think is one of the most important questions of my novel. It all comes down to illusions, creating belief in my characters and their actions and dispelling reality.
I'm hoping if I go to sleep with these questions bouncing around in my head, maybe I'll wake up with an answer. Right now, I'm thinking if I can't decide, I may end up writing three different versions of the novel next month.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
fiction_theory, you're not alone!
Right now, I'm struggling with trying to figure out my story's beginning. Over the last couple of months, I've worked and re-worked an outline to this new novel. In addition to outlining, I've written character bios, character letters (as in conversations between people in the story), time lines, and summaries, none of which will actually be used in the novel. Going through that process has me in a place where I feel very close to my MC and to her lover as well.
The beginning is troubling me because I know so much of their history, it's difficult to know just how far back I should go. Typically, readers want to start where the story begins. Sometimes, this implies action. Sometimes, this implies confusion. For me, I think knowing the ending of my story (and I do know the ending right now, though it could always change), makes me very reflective. I'm not sure how that's going to work but I'll just have to wait and see what comes out of me on the first day.
Besides troubling myself with the beginning of my novel, I've been thinking a lot about my main character's special ability. This is my first fantasy story. Actually, that's not true. I've written a couple of short stories a few years ago, one about a dragon and a young boy; another fantasy short story I wrote was about a robot whose father is a priest; and a few other short stories I won't mention because they're so trite and silly (but still fun to write). This will be my first time diving into an urban fantasy novel. Eventually, I'd like to publish all forms of speculative fiction: sci-fi, horror, fantasy, etc. I'm using NaNo as an excuse to experiment with styles.
Being new to fantasy, I'm always curious about the rules and expectations. ( I got this message from one fellow Wrimo, which was extra helpful! )
I'm grateful to my NaNo buddy for telling me this because I've got two more days to ponder what I think is one of the most important questions of my novel. It all comes down to illusions, creating belief in my characters and their actions and dispelling reality.
I'm hoping if I go to sleep with these questions bouncing around in my head, maybe I'll wake up with an answer. Right now, I'm thinking if I can't decide, I may end up writing three different versions of the novel next month.
fiction_theory, you're not alone!
Tags: