Nov 2, 2010

NaNoWriMo Life Prompts

Cartoon from InkyGirl.com

Day two of NaNoWriMo and all is well. I've passed the 5,000 word mark (10% of the way there!). My story is starting to take shape, I've not plotted it out thoroughly, I only know there is a murder and a reason and the 'who it is' might surprise me. You can buddy me at charmaineclancy.

I was worried I'd struggle with NaNoWriMo this year, because I've been working full-time as a substitute teacher, at the moment I'm an Art Teacher (it's such a beautifully creative environment, I feel inspired to write!). We've had a few issues at my school because the new French teacher was not getting a good response from the kids and has decided that subject is not for her, so, until we get a new French teacher, I will be taking those classes too. Great, except, I don't speak French. I've downloaded an audiobook and I'm cramming in the language so I can teach the kids (I only have to stay one lesson ahead).

What does this have to do with NaNoWriMo? I was listening to my French tape while typing and decided to abruptly change a character's nationality to French. Secondary character Alisha is now Francine. So what do you do if you change your mind about something big in your novel?

Well, you DON'T go back and change it! Just type on as if Alisha were always Francine. I typed one line in capitals:
ALISHA IS NOW FRENCH AND LET'S CALL HER FRANCINE.
I'll find it in the edits and fix the inconsistencies.

So if you get stuck for ideas, just look around and steal the first thing you see! NaNo on!

21 comments:

  1. you reminded me of my NaNo from last year... during the edits - I discovered one of my secondary characters changed name ... yes I was rolling around on the floor laughing.
    You are right, look around and allow inspiration to flow.

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  2. What a great, organic reason for the name change. It should give you more unpredictability in her behaviour too. I changed a characters name two years into the project, that was hard I had invested in that name.
    Good luck with the NaNo.

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  3. Michelle - Thanks, good to know I'm not the only one.

    Elaine - At least if I fail at learning French it will have inspired a character. :-)

    NaNo on!

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  4. Continued success with NaNo. You're off to a great start.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  5. Great pace you've set. You may just finish before deadline.

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  6. I haven't written yet today (that's next), but I plan to catch up with you in the over 5,000 world.

    I buddied you on NaNo (I'm MommmysNintendo there, and there doesn't seem to be any way to change that).

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  7. great advice! I always go back and change right away and it takes forever! Might just have to do it your way from now on!

    Congrats on the huge start!

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  8. You're inspiring me, Charmaine. And how cool is it to get to teach Art? That would be really fun.

    I have to do some line-edits today but after that I am going to go full steam ahead in the spirit of NaNoWriMo. For one thing, it will help me make my second novel's deadline of Jan. 1st! :-)

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  9. Ha ha! Good luck, Charmaine. I'm cheering you on. :-)

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  10. I'd probably do a find and replace--couple clicks and it's done, but USUALLY if there is something big I [put in brackets what to change before here] and go on. I highlight it too... makes it easy to find... My memory is crap. If I don't do that much, then I won't remember Alisha and Francine were meant to be the same person and I would lose days trying to figure it out.

    Funny how life can alter things... (and you're making great progress!)

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  11. Love the cartoon! thanks for posting! Good luck - wow, you're doing well!

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  12. Love the idea of putting the aside in all caps! I've used a few brackets like (need a brilliant simile here) or (seasonal reference here). Forging ahead is the key!

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  13. Good luck! I am sure you will do a great job!

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  14. Great to see so much support for NaNoWriMo - I love you guys!

    NaNo on!

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  15. I love using caps for those in-draft notes. My ms is dotted with them. You're doing well with NaNo. It's good to see all the word counts change daily.

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  16. Charmaine, how wonderful.I can see the back page blurb of a novel.

    A French teacher who doesn't speak french, downloads learning aids for the class.
    While her dutiful pupils were learning about oninons and the Eiffel Tower, she NaNoWriMo'ed.

    A drastic corner was turned, and Alisha finds out she is really Francine.

    Read more to find out if Alisha copes with Francine,the children learn their lessons and the teacher achieves her goal.

    Reader review: By the look of the word count the author is on target for a best seller!
    *Giggles loudly*

    Have a great writing day. ;0

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  17. oh, gosh... forgot to edit...darn NaNo..onions!

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  18. Lynda - thanks the caps do make them stand out more, and I don't have time to change the text colour
    :-)

    Glynis - LOL, you can write my blurb any day :-)

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  19. You go! I've never participated in NaNo (and probably never well - it's just not my thing), but November's always an exciting month. I love hearing everyone's updates and funny stories.

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  20. LOL, great start! I do the same thing...write myself notes as I discover things and make changes.

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