Writing Challenge.

[Tawmis]

40,000 words is a lot of words. I know it sounds obvious, but I've written multiple short novellas of about 50-60K words, and it takes a long time to get them finished, even though I make a habit of writing about 2,000 words a week; but after that, I get them critiqued, then do the editing and polishing myself.
I usually get through about 2-3 drafts for each chapter.
So yes, I thoroughly understand why the 'writing' process (like any creative process) usually takes a long time.

Ever partake in this? It's a lot of chaotic fun...

https://nanowrimo.org/

If so - let's be buddies!

https://nanowrimo.org/participants/tawmis

[Rath Darkblade]

Yeah, I've heard lots about NaNoWriMo. It sounds incredibly scary.

Why? Because, to quote the website, it is "a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing."

OK, fair enough: the pantsing approach can work for some people. I used it myself sometimes ... but now, I try to plan and brain-storm everything before I start writing, (Needless to say, this takes a long time, and can be exhausting ... but I find it's worth it).

I couldn't "pants" a novella now, sorry. I wouldn't know where to begin. I'd be like "Ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshit..."

What I'm looking for, ideally, are critique partners who are willing to settle in for the long haul. Novels in either the fantasy or history genre tend to be fairly long -- 200+ pages is usual. But I'm sure you're aware of that. *gives Professor Tolkien a sideway glance*

[Tawmis]

Yeah, I've heard lots about NaNoWriMo. It sounds incredibly scary.
Why? Because, to quote the website, it is "a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing."
OK, fair enough: the pantsing approach can work for some people. I used it myself sometimes ... but now, I try to plan and brain-storm everything before I start writing, (Needless to say, this takes a long time, and can be exhausting ... but I find it's worth it).
I couldn't "pants" a novella now, sorry. I wouldn't know where to begin. I'd be like "Ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshit..."

Well, the thing is - it has it's base goal, which I think is 50,000 words in a month. But you can adjust that goal. Say you work too much, and doing 50,000 words is unreasonable. You can customize it to be - say, 25,000 words. The idea is simply to write - and not edit - just write. Get the idea out of your head on paper. Worry about edits later.

I've not done it since, I believe the pandemic, because of Amiee's health. There's just too much going on.

Most of my creative energy has been focused on running D&D games.

But I'd like to get back to doing it. Because I enjoyed just having my brain spill out ridiculous story lines and characters when I did these. I usually had a generally idea by the time the month started - "My story will involve characters A,B, and C, they will overcome D, and the world will be similar to E."

And then notes about the characters.

Then when the time came to begin writing - just unleash. Open the dams. Let the waters of creativity flow.

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm -- I get it, it's the "pantsing' process. Just write down whatever you like, and then edit it all later.

As for me, I start from the other end of the spectrum. After I have the starting idea, I write out a Beat Sheet (using the Save the Cat method) and an Outline (here are some Outlines - eight for each genre).

A Beat Sheet is basically a large, overall look at your story from start to finish. Your hero/heroine starts with a flaw (say, a misconception about what's important in life - I want to be rich and famous, or I want to be strong and dominate those around me). The Quest teaches him otherwise. The Beat Sheet breaks it up into chapters.

The Outline focuses on each chapter, and also has other things. Basically, I:

1. write details about my Protagonist (also known as Hero/Heroine, Main Character or MC), two or three Supporting Characters, the Antagonist (aka Enemy) and a Minor Antagonist.
2. describe the setting (in minor detail - where is the story set? What time period? This helps me get a mental picture of what it's like. Much later, as needed, I research on the technology e.g. armour/weapons/travel), clothing, food, what cities/houses look like, etc.) But for now ...
3. summarise the story in one sentence. Who, what, why?
4. summarise the story in one paragraph. What does the MC want? Why does it matter so much? Who's standing in the way?
5. write a back cover blurb. Two/three paragraphs, nothing more.
6. write a Timeline. Not always necessary, but I find it helpful - especially if the story takes place over several days/weeks.
7. break up the story into scene/chapter summaries. It helps to have the Beat Sheet done before doing these, but basically, scene summaries are:

a. Goal. What does the MC want to do?
b. Conflict. Not necessarily military! Just something that stops the MC from doing what they want to do.
c. Setback. For instance, the MC is injured, or tempted to give up.
d. Reaction. How does the MC feel about this? Anger? Disappointment? Tears? Take us into the MC's feelings.
e. Dilemma. What does the MC think about this? How is he/she going to react? Surely they won't give up -- but how will they overcome the Setback?
f. Decision. Time to act! Show us what happens next. The MC achieves their Goal, but not without cost - and it sets up the next scene/chapter (i.e. Goal - Conflict - Setback, Reaction - Dilemma - Decision).

Each of these sub-sections (i.e. Goal, Conflict, Setback etc.) should be one or two sentences, nothing more. It's a short summary of what should happen. (Of course, characters can surprise you!)

Here's how it works (say, in a comic fantasy context). Suppose your MC, a level-2 barbarian, is striding through his very first dungeon. He's excited and proud, but a little nervous. Suddenly, the door just ahead is smashed open by a screaming ogre -- who's screaming because he has a pebble in his sandal, and he can't get it out. He asks for help.

a. Goal. Help the ogre? I can't get past, and this thing is far too strong to fight.
b. Conflict. The ogre is not pleased! I won't let you near my foot! SMASH THE HOOMAN!!!
c. Setback. The MC rolls away and raises his double-bladed axe. Fight?
d. Reaction. Disappointed, fearful. How dare this savage beast, etc.
e. Dilemma. Wait a moment. You're not strong enough to fight or intimidate an ogre. Bluff? Persuade? Bribe? What should I do?
f. Decision. The MC offers the ogre some food. Chomp, grind, belch, thanks! Happy ogre now. No more pebble in shoe. Ogre invites MC inside for a game of cards.

This sets up the new goal. I've made friends with the ogre, now what? Make friends with his family? Or politely decline? Either of these will have its own conflicts, setbacks, dilemmas etc. What matters is that, in each chapter, the story keeps going.

Whoops - looks like I rambled on too much. (Sorry). *blush*