So I Have An Odd Idea

[liralen]

I know that NaNoWriMo is right around the corner, but writing a book in a month has never really gotten me that excited.

However... I do know that I need to work on my writing and really exercise it for a while.  I just don't get and don't like the idea of writing so much without the chance to go back and redo when it's obvious the story needs to be restructured.  And I know that with anything really long it never starts where it ends up.

So... instead... given that I've been dreaming like crazy for the last month, I might as well start writing short snippets, stories, snapshots, traces, sometimes with the attendant backgrounds of the stories my dreams *should* have been.  I won't subject folks to roasted attack monkeys and other random gobbilty-gook that has no connection to something of a storyline, but I want to write every day.  I have probably plenty of material and I'll winnow it down to something more story-like. 

Short shots each day.  I am debating doing it here, where folks already read when they can, or opening up a new livejournal for just the fictional stuff.  I'd do a free, no-ads journal for it.   Any preferences from those that read here?  Comment away, please. 

Comments

Four-time Nano-winner here, going for Number 5...

[traveller-blues.livejournal.com]

One of the things to realize is that it's -freeform- novelwriting -- that the restrictions you put on it are yours and yours alone. What determines what a novel is to you is up to you -- Spider Robinson's early 'books' are several short stories strung together in the same location, compiled as an omnibus. His later stuff hangs together in continuity/flow, but Callahan's Lady in particular sticks out in my mind as a novel of shorts showcasing a character in transition. :)

It's like playing Set:
Same character, same locale, one long plotline (aka same event driving the novel)
Same character, different events, different locale
Same locale, different character, different events
Different characters, same event, same locale...

But if you just want to write... don't just do it in the NaNoWriMo window. Do it because you want to.

I just like having the extra challenge of 'set aside time to write something new at least once a year, and make it BIG...'

If you do want to go ahead with the NaNo route, you are hereby welcome to check out foolscap_circle, the support group I moderate for NaNo folks. :)

Other than that? Post your stuff here, and just create an opt-in filter. (Add me, by the way.)

-Traveller

Re: Four-time Nano-winner here, going for Number 5...

[liralen.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I understand the format. :-) I'm not good at freeform, so perhaps, this is my rule making. *grin*

I wouldn't want to be Spider, honestly.

I do need a challenge. Just not the particular format of the challenge. I like the time limit idea and the size idea, overall. The stories will likely add up to the same word count, just differently.

Thanks for the offer for the support group!

Since my other folks are asking me to just post here, I'll likely do it with a friends filter. I think you're on that already, but I'll be sure.