Hi fellow NaNo'ers. How have things been the first week? Are you going strong or stuck?
Here's a trick I learned a few years back: ditch chronological or linear order. Seriously. Sometimes it's easier to picture scenes at the end of your story or in the middle rather than at the beginning. Go write those scenes while they are fresh in your mind. Don't worry about how things transition together or if you'll have to throw out these poignant scenes later. Write them! Go out of order. It's okay.
I found that following this non-linear pattern usually led to more ideas, as the ones bugging me were finally put to rest on paper, so to speak. It can be so frustrating to try to stick to chronological order, knowing you've got to come up with transitional material and certain beats while that other dynamite scene or chapter is on constant re-play in your mind.
And ... knowing your ending and/or main plot points can help you nail down those excruciatingly hard beginnings.
Give it a try and keep your writing pace going.
Don't miss out on each weekly tip!
Tip 2: Details, Details, Details
Tip 3: Exposition Help
Tip 4: Verbal Tornado
Here's a trick I learned a few years back: ditch chronological or linear order. Seriously. Sometimes it's easier to picture scenes at the end of your story or in the middle rather than at the beginning. Go write those scenes while they are fresh in your mind. Don't worry about how things transition together or if you'll have to throw out these poignant scenes later. Write them! Go out of order. It's okay.
I found that following this non-linear pattern usually led to more ideas, as the ones bugging me were finally put to rest on paper, so to speak. It can be so frustrating to try to stick to chronological order, knowing you've got to come up with transitional material and certain beats while that other dynamite scene or chapter is on constant re-play in your mind.
And ... knowing your ending and/or main plot points can help you nail down those excruciatingly hard beginnings.
Give it a try and keep your writing pace going.
Don't miss out on each weekly tip!
Tip 2: Details, Details, Details
Tip 3: Exposition Help
Tip 4: Verbal Tornado
I started my newest project last NaNo, and this is one of the first times I've embraced not writing linear. I used to hold everything in my head until I got the middle worked out, but now I don't think I'll ever go back!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I love nonlinear writing. It's great to hear from you! I hope everything's working out with your story.
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