As you all should know, November marks the start of National Novel Writing Month - 30 days and nights of literary abandon. The goal is to write a 50.000 word novel before December, without editing or slowing.
This will be my 3rd year participating. In 2008, I completed a novel titled "Princess Kate," inspired by a dream I had dreamt a while earlier. It took place in an alternate-world I already created for a fantasy story, but Princess Kate ended up with no fantasy elements, despite my intention to include magic. In 2009, I wrote about 60% of a novel titled "The Burden of Proof," a modern-day courtroom drama inspired by a Japanese drama I had watched earlier that year. I reached the 50K goal, both times, but the second story had more going on that couldn't be covered in a 120-page book.
In writing Princess Kate, I was surprised by how hard it was to keep the story moving. I had the basic plot outline in my head, and I knew what I wanted characters to do at certain points in the book, but there was so much space and time between those points that I had not accounted for (My initial idea for the book could could be easily fleshed out in about 20 pages). For Burden of Proof, I decided to flesh out the entire story ahead of time, doing everything but putting words on paper until November hit. It was fun both times, but the experience definitely changed, not having to make up subplot as I went.
For this year, I have decided to dive in without a specific story-goal. I plan to come up with a cast of characters, character-goals, and an overall plot before-hand, but I wont know how the story ends until it does. This is a bit daring, but I'm hoping it my increase the story's realism, or something that.
Anyway, step one is to come up with a genre/setting for the story. After a bit of research and serious consideration, I have compiled a list of possible genre/settings, and I want YOU, dear reader, and probably friend, to help me pick one. The list is as follows:
Steampunk - a sub-genre of the sci-fi genre, Steampunk is a mix of industrial-age, steam-powered technology and futuristic science fiction. It's pretty fun, a period-piece sci-fi. Notable examples include the manga/anime Fullmetal Alchemist, the novel/animated movie Howl's Moving Castle (and some other works by Miyazaki), and most works by Jules Verne, which I consider steampunk even though he wasn't attempting it. My Halloween costume this year is Steampunk, so it would make sense to continue the theme; however I'm also wary of this choice because Steampunk has grown in popularity lately, almost becoming a fad, and I don't want to write what everyone else writes.
Fantasy Alternate World - is a fantasy sub-genre, specifically taking place in another world or universe. Notable examples include the His Dark Materiel's trilogy, the Oz books, and the Chronicles of Narnia. This genre crosses over with Period Fantasy and Modern fantasy, and, as seen in all three of my examples, sometimes includes the ability to cross between the real world and the fantasy world. I could do this pretty easily, as I already have a fantasy alternate world to work with, along with fantasy magic rules.
Realistic Alternate World - is essentially what Princess Kate could be defined as, since it took place not on earth but had no fantasy or sci-fi elements. I can't find any notable examples, however, besides possibly the Series of Unfortunate Events, because most alt. world stories employ fantasy elements. I've done this before, which means it's both easy for me to do and doesn't provide new experience. As mentioned before, I have an alternate world ready to use.
Period Fantasy - includes any fantasy taking place in a period-piece timeline, taking place on earth or not. Notable examples include the Lord of the Rings books (and others by Tolkien), the Eragon trilogy, and pretty much every ancient, classic writings, starting from Beowulf (though, at the time, they probably would have been considered modern). This is where we get epic fantasies from, and most video games (Zelda, anyone? Most Final fantasy?) so it would definitely be fun to write. Though I've often wanted to, I don't think I've ever written anything to fit this genre, so it would be something new to experience. I'd also have to decide whether to use an alternate world or find a time from earth.
Modern Fantasy - is a bit self explanatory. Also known as Urban Fiction. Notable examples include the Lightning Thief (and series), the Harry Potter books (I think... they never really get into when, exactly, they take place, and the alternate world sections of the books seem a bit period), and a number of movies, such as Stranger than Fiction or the Sorcerer's Apprentice. It's an interesting genre, as you have to balance the modern realistic aspect with the fantasy, unrealistic aspect without being too cheesy. It would be a fun challenge if I chose this genre, and most likely I would have it take place on earth, instead of using an alternate world.
Modern Realistic Fiction - is also pretty self explanatory. There are no notable examples, other than every other movie released in the last decade, and most adult fiction books today. Most works under this genre are either mystery, romance, or life dramas, so I would have to choose which kind of story I wanted to tell if I chose this genre/setting, along with where I wanted to tell it (on earth, of course, but where on earth?) Last year's novel technically falls under this genre, too.
Futuristic Sci-Fi - is last of certainly not least. Notable examples include the Ender's Game series, the Hunger Games trilogy, and a number of movies, such as I Robot or Star Wars (and Firefly!) I love writing in this genre, even if I feel I'm not particularly inclined to the movies or books. I don't really have a world set up for a sci-fi story already, though it wouldn't be that hard to expand something I'd already written. This is kind of neither an alternate world or earth setting, as it could be far enough into the future that there are little similarities to modern day.
After I choose a setting/genre, I begin work on creating a plot and cast of characters.
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