Tara Maya's Blog, page 44

November 14, 2012

Update on #NaNoWriMo: To Prologue or Not to Prologue

I wrote out a possible Chapter One last night. (More on that later.) The chapter does a couple of things I like:



It introduced the main character, showing him (I hope) as resourceful, wry, hardworking, goal-oriented, caring and able to defend himself despite undeserved suffering, obstacles and enemies. 



It shows the world: urban and "real" (a crack house in LA), but also magical (he uses magic to put out a fire) and supernatural (ghosts, angels and demons).



It shows the outer and inne...
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Published on November 14, 2012 11:57

NaNoWriMo Tip #14: Onstage vs Offstage

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Published on November 14, 2012 06:02

November 13, 2012

Update on NaNoWriMo #13: Good vs Evil in Urban Fantasy

I'm still thinking of the larger context of my novel, the worldbuilding necessary to sustain a larger series. I had the idea for a holiday fantasy novel for a while before I found the courage to write one, because I was aware of a problem. I realized if I wrote a holiday novel, I'd have to figure out a theory of good vs evil in a context that was familiar (because I was using real holidays) and yet unique (because I'm telling this story). Also, I wanted to write fantasy, not theology, but if...
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Published on November 13, 2012 18:37

NaNoWriMo Tip #13: Three Secrets To Save You From Writing Torture

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Published on November 13, 2012 06:00

November 12, 2012

Update on NaNoWriMo #12: Creating a Series Template








I am still working with both my index cards and my Sticky Note Outline. I'm also still writing Seed Scenes.



I have settled on some things. I haven't talked much about worldbuilding. Really, I think research and worldbuidling for certain projects can need much more time than one month. For this project, though, I'm world-building as I go.



Since October Knight is going to be a series, I have to keep in mind which elements of this book are going to be part of the Series Template.



Templa...
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Published on November 12, 2012 17:23

NaNoWriMo Tip #12: My Favorite Outlining Method

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Published on November 12, 2012 05:55

November 11, 2012

Update on NaNoWriMo #11: Plot Cards


My original idea of Stepdad's character was a bit of a caricature.



I've made two dozen plot cards and have been playing around with them. Already, I can see a problem.



I have several, mutually incompatible ideas for the first third of the book. Different variations on the set-up, with different roles for the supporting cast, in this case the stepfather and two guys tentatively named Laurde and Darke.



Originally, my hero Brandon was going to be living with his evil but stupid white tras...
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Published on November 11, 2012 14:23

NaNoWriMo Tip #11: What To Put On Plot Cards






Kimberly's Wanderings has a great post on plot cards, with many helpful photos.



These are my personal tips for
NaNoWriMo. You know the drill. Take only what works.





You may notice that
other writers are pressing ahead with their manuscripts, whereas I’m still
diddling around with my outline. There’s method to my madness, though, so I’ll
continue to spend this week refining my outline. I’ll burn through several
different kinds of outline before I’m done. Any one of these methods might...
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Published on November 11, 2012 05:53

November 10, 2012

Juggling Subplots: 3 Options

You may have figured out why I talked about the McGuffin, Mystery and Romance subplots. (Those aren't the only possibilities). One, they are indeed awesome subplots. Two, in my
project October Knight, I have all three. 



My hero, Brandon Kickabutt, is trying
to win the love of the Homecoming Queen, which is difficult since he’s a goblin
and she’s a monster-hunter. He’s also trying to solve the mystery of who killed
his father and what happened to his mother. Ultimately, however, the stor...
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Published on November 10, 2012 13:59

NaNoWriMo Tip #10: 3 Subplots To Strengthen Your Novel

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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVLogMPSAfg..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVLogMPSAfg..." width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #660066; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">These are my personal tips for
NaNoWriMo. You know the drill. Take only what works.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Now you should have
the main story arc traced out for your novel, but you may find that it’s thin
in places. Perhaps it needs flushing out with a subplot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">There are three
subplots that can’t go wrong. They work as plots too… In fact, they work so
well as plots, that they define whole genres. Take Romance – a whole genre.
Now, if you are writing a Romance novel, then Romance is your Main Plo...</span></div><!--
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Published on November 10, 2012 06:29