Camp Nanowrimo April

I became a Nanoer November 2009, LadyKaitlyn if you would like to track me down. I became a Campnanoer 2011, also LadyKaitlyn. As some of you may know, I completed my first novel with beginning, middle and end this past Nanowrimo, Nov 2012. Due to the fact that I have two young children, I can only participate hardcore for one Campnanowrimo. Last December, I decided that April would be my next challenge.

I am honored that the Northwest Arkansas Nonoers have become such close friends over the past couple of years that we continue our writing into the rest of the year. Several of us are preparing the April challenge of writing a novel containing at least 50k words. Due to the rework my first novel needs to complete the trilogy that I have had planned for quite some time, this April I will be working on novel 3 of the North America Temple: Ciara.

Everyone has a different way of doing things and I want to share my process:

• Creating the world. I sit down and write several short pieces of both major and minor characters of what they see, how they view the world, their interactions with other people around them.
• Creating characters. I have written short descriptions including personality, likes and dislikes for so long that I have amassed a file of random people. I use people I find interesting from the coffee shops and local stores. I almost feel sorry for people who annoy me. I jot down short conversations that I over hear as I go about my normal day. I pull these people, give them names and then have a conversation with them. These conversations lead to conflicts.
• Creating a story. There is something that every writer wants to say whether it is political, religious, or personal. I enjoy religion and it would be a lie to say that I do not realize that. Anyway, I wrap those conflicts with my characters and my world. And hopefully, what I write is not a complete mess that it requires being tossed in the bin, which is where about 90% of my work ends up.

To all those considering attempting to write a novel, go for it. If you need motivation Campnanowrimo is just around the corner. Join, make friends through the cabin page, enjoy the challenge. Note: this year you can create your own challenge as easy or as difficult as you would like.

campnanowrimo.org 

-LadyKaitlyn-
Elizabeth Schierschmidt