I'm considering whether to do Nanowrimo again this year. It's like an addiction, though. I feel like I *have to* do it.
BUT... I have no ideas of what to write. There's no burning story that is bursting to come out of me.
So I've been generating ideas for what to write, if I decide to do Nano. Here are a few ideas:
1. Sci-fi. Manager of a coffee shop on the Moon, in a time when the trendy thing is to move on to Mars. But this person doesn't make the cut for Mars, and feels stuck. A couple story options. A)S/he learns of something that could be a danger to all Moon-lings and has to escape or save the Moon. B)S/he meets someone, relationship starts, the SO makes the cut for Mars and either they go together or it ends in heartbreak.
2. Dystopian. BFFs were broken apart by a cataclysmic event in their youth. They reunite as adults, but their ideals and paths have diverged so much they have to overcome their new differences (because they share this deep connection to a brutal past). In the end, by coming together they find their new talents/skills/education are complementary to a degree that they can help their community/society/nation avert a coming catastrophe.
3. Parallel/Future world. A young woman's life is spared for a rare, prized physical trait. She wants a normal life, but is used for DNA harvesting. She begins/joins a rebellion of others trying to overthrow the DNA harvesters.
4. Modern world, possible Women's Lit. Woman breaks free from financial hardship through an online business. As things are looking good, she suffers death and loss from multiple angles and sinks into depression leading to loss of business and isolation. Back on her heels, she learns new skills to help herself, and in the process helps others. Story ends with her finally leaving her house for the first time in years.
5. Environmental Collapse. Climate change is wreaking havoc on the world's populations, agriculture, business. Storms, droughts, wildfires all take their toll. In the middle of the growing crisis, scientists find a way to weaponize weather and target opposing governments.
Now that I lay these all out here, they're each pretty heavy. Maybe I need to simplify and write REAL things about realistic people. Hmm... Thoughts?
You have my permission to skip NaNo this year ;) Seriously, though, you don't *have* to do NaNo, especially if you're not feeling it.
ReplyDeleteA member of my writing group (now defunct) decided to write a novel without planning anything out. She was very much a plotter, but she said winging it freed her. Perhaps, if you do plan on doing it, just come up with a character and a setting. And then see where the story takes you.
But not doing it is still an option ;)
I like realistic stories, plots based on real life situations. Regarding Nano, if the cons are more than pros, give it a miss. That's fine.
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