Query Friday: Start working on the next thing/Preptober for a pantser

 

 

 When in the you're hanging out in the query trenches the waiting can be unbearable.

Common advice given in the writing community is to start the next thing. Working on your next project can prove a valuable distraction. But sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to dive into something new.

That's where NaNoWriMo comes in!

I think NaNo can be a perfect excuse to start working on something new with a low level of commitment. Last year I did NaNo and tried a completely new genre and it felt like a great creative stretch. 

I'm usually a discovery writer so my NaNo prep is less intense but even as a pantser there are a few things I like to use Preptober to prepare so I can dive right in to the writing:

1) The story idea.

I like to have a good idea of what I'm writing. I don't outline, but having at least a nugget of the idea makes putting words on the page way easier.

2) An understanding of the genre

If you are already familiar with the genre your going to write in this isn't a big deal. But if you are trying something completely new for NaNo it might be helpful to read some books in this genre, and get a general sense of reader expectations, commonly used tropes (to employ or inverse), and must hit beats or key moments.

3) I like to know my setting. 

If it is a real place I'm not familiar with, I might google some pictures so I don't have to stop the flow of writing to be able to describe what the trees on the street might look like.

4) Characters- I don't go too deep  here. 

Many times I learn who my characters are as I write, but I like to have names at the very least (even if they will change later) for all my main characters and side characters. This keeps me from falling down the babynames.com rabbit hole, because I cannot move forward without a name.

5) Lastly, I go in with low expectations. This makes the writing fun and not a chore. No subplot- no problem. Change genre halfway through- maybe this is a mash up. Your 1st person present works way better in 3rd person past- fix it in post.

This story can be just for you. Enjoy it!

Happy Writing!

~B