Building the Infrastructure of a Story

So sorry for no 2nd blog last week, and this one is a day late, mostly because I figured nobody was reading blogs yesterday...



So y'all know I've been trying to get writing again, yes? I've been very half-assed about it, but I really AM going to full on write in June, so I've spend the weekend developing character and backstory for my June effort. I don't fully outline, but I do need to do enough work to understand who is on the canvas and what drives them. I also like a bit of a timelie.



This is good. I am planning more than I usually do because I am feeling less confident, but I plan to give myself some leeway to stray, should better ideas appear.





BuNoWriMo begins next MONDAY, so anyone who wants to join is welcome! (we do it on Facebook)





June's Novel: Summer of Bones



This is the second in my Chatcolet series—this is a Young Adult series, each of which addresses a real teen issue, hopefully in a rounded way. The characters don't overlap (at least in my overall plan) and are just joined by broad location and tone. The first (Also Appearing) is about identity. This one is broadly about bullying and pranks (and how it can spin out of control).



So now I have a broad timeline that still needs some work.



I have my MC and her family (and a backstory for her family).



I have a cast of mean girls.



I have a group of boys (that is the reason the MC is targeted by the mean girls).



I have a frenemy.



I have a sympathetic quiet, reluctant person who will lend some guidance.



It just all needs to be a bit more concrete.





I even wrote a scene last night—not one that I'd USE but one to get to understand the relationship between my MC, Gabbi and her frenemy...





What about you? Who is joining me in writing a first draft in June? How much planning do you do? Are you ready?