2002.10.23

Pre-writer’s block

Comments

Roughly a week left until the start of NaNoWriMo and I’m still flailing around for an idea for my novel. Last year I tried to write something that was half-contemporary and half-fantasy, but completely came to a grinding halt when it came to writing (very much to my surprise) the fantasy segments. On the other hand, I had a lot of fun writing the bits set in our own world, so I think I’ll try for something with a contemporary flavor.

Sonya is writing a superhero novel, which is just too fab for words. Lish might participate too (sometime in between all the other stuff she has to do in November!); her advantage is that she’s already creating a character for a play she’s been cast in, and can use those ideas for her book. Cindy has two good ideas; some people have all the luck!

Meanwhile, here I sit on the edge of inspiration, trying to collect rainwater in a sieve.

I know the reason that I failed last year. It’s one that Chris Baty, who runs the whole enterprise, pointed out in one of the newsletters’ “tips” sections. I can’t find the particular page on the site anymore, but it seems that the relevant bits are in this year’s FAQ list:

Aiming low is the best way to succeed. With entry-level novel writing, shooting for the moon is the surest way to get nowhere. With high expectations, everything you write will sound cheesy and awkward. […] There will be much execrable prose, yes. But amidst the crap, there will be beauty. A lot of it.

It’s pretty obvious that my idea block right now stems from a fear of the very thing I’m supposed to be embracing. Well, since I’m having trouble aiming low, it can’t hurt to slum for ideas from those who are unencumbered by concern for my artistic integrity!

I’ll get the ball rolling. Let’s say that my tome will be a faithfully autobiographical tale subtitled… oh, The Adventures of Selva Morales*, International Super Spy. Post some interesting ideas as comments to this entry and I’ll use them! All of them. That’s right, every single plot element, character and/or setting suggested by your followups will find their way into my novel.

Promise!

Jot down as many gems (or turkeys) as you want — just don’t try to tie them all together. That’ll be my job. Wow, this is starting to sound like fun!

* ha, insert protagonist’s name here.

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Aiming low is the best way to succeed. With entry-level novel writing, shooting for the moon is the surest way to get nowhere. With high expectations, everything you write will sound cheesy and awkward. [...] There will be much execrable prose, yes. But amidst the crap, there will be beauty. A lot of it.
\n\nIt's pretty obvious that my idea block right now stems from a fear of the very thing I'm supposed to be embracing. Well, since I'm having trouble aiming low, it can't hurt to slum for ideas from those who are unencumbered by concern for my artistic integrity!\n\nI'll get the ball rolling. Let's say that my tome will be a faithfully autobiographical tale subtitled... oh, The Adventures of Selva Morales*, International Super Spy. Post some interesting ideas as comments to this entry and I'll use them! All of them. That's right, every single plot element, character and/or setting suggested by your followups will find their way into my novel.\n\nPromise!\n\nJot down as many gems (or turkeys) as you want -- just don't try to tie them all together. That'll be my job. Wow, this is starting to sound like fun!\n\n
* ha, insert protagonist's name here.
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