Final NaNo countdown.

Less than a week before blast-off.

I thought I was doomed to another disappointing week of NaNo prep, until Sunday happened.  I convinced D to brainstorm with me—it helps to think out loud—and of course he cracked the thing wide open.  I'm telling you, that man is a brainstorming wizard.

Suddenly, the story has vitality.  It has the potential for resonance.  Resonance is often the difference between just a good book (or movie) and one that stays with you for days or weeks, sometimes years.  That's not to say that my story will have that sort of impact, just that it could.  If all the elements of a well-crafted story—voice, structure, character, conflict, artful prose, etc.—are in place.  If, not only being key, but the whole dang door too.

As I'm writing the first draft of this story in 30 days, the odds of every last if obediently lining up to stand at attention by December are miniscule.  The odds would be small with even 300 days.  Still, simply the possibility of achieving resonance is exciting.  It's like a dangling carrot to this writer.

Here's the next tease hint.

source

That should answer any lingering questions, no?

My NaNo goals for the week are:

1. Determine the second doorway (a la James Scott Bell), which is what pushes the protagonist towards the final battle.
2. Brainstorm for subplots.
3. Flesh out secondary characters.
4. Prepare a beat sheet (see Larry Brooks).
5. November 1st:  Go!

I suspect that this blog will be taking lots of naps this week and through November, but I'll try to pop on every now and then to shove energy bars at it.  Once November hits I'll add a NaNo word count widget on the sidebar here to help keep me honest.

Wish me luck!  I'll need it if last NaNo decides to rear its pathetic head.