Ready, Set, Go…

Today I outlined the last two novels in my trilogy that I never thought I would write as I originally thought it would be a stand alone novel. Its interesting the things that evolve when you write everyday.

I am gearing up for April’s Camp NaNoWriMo. At this point I am ready to write even though it doesn’t start for several more days. I have built worlds and even done some research. Not a lot but definitely more than I did for my original novel.

Before November I discovered an interesting way to outline to get started. I was anxious about attempting something as big as a novel, never having done it before. Generally, I write flash fiction and there is little need to plan out a story like that so this was big for me and I kept looking for all of those “secrets” to writing a novel. I wanted to be prepared. Somehow I stumbled onto Dan Wells through his youtube video’s. You can find them here: Dan Wells on Story Structure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmiqQ9NpPE

Through watching these (more than once) I was able to give myself a general outline or at least a direction to go in. It wasn’t hindering in the least, though my story has busted out of my original plan for it.

His basic premise is that you should have at least an idea for your story and always begin at the end. He states that you need to know where you are going in order to write how you get there. There is also a midpoint, a couple of plot turns and a couple of pinches on your MC that turn up the heat. I would recommend that you watch the entire series of five videos. I plan on watching them again before April gets here just to help get things moving again.

Whether you are a planner or a pantser (writing by the seat of your pants), having a good idea to begin with is probably a good place to start. If you are wondering where to go from there, check out Dan’s talks on Story Structure. It may help bring some of those thoughts that have been floating through your mind to order and the writing will flow from it.