Sunday, October 16, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Mark your calendar - our first meeting is this Tuesday! Whoohoo! Let's go NaNoWriMo!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Michigan Wolverines lost their game to the Spartans today. I'm in mourning.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Writing a novel involves more than inspiration and putting words on paper. It's important to take a few minutes to organize the backbone of the book - the chapters.
I use a spreadsheet program for this task. I create the following headings:
Chapter Number, Chapter Name, Projected Word Count, Actual Word Count and Purpose of Chapter
I intend to write the full 50,000 words (maybe more), so I create 20 chapters (one per row in the spreadsheet) and give each one a working title (which is subject to change as the book evolves). The projected word count is 2,500 (which will change when I actually start writing). As I write the book, I enter the actual word count and calculate the difference from 50,000 so I know how many words remain to be written as I pursue my word-count goal. Under the heading "Purpose of Chapter", I enter a few short sentences to explain the purpose of each chapter, the names of the characters in it, why they are important to the scene, and the actions that should result from that chapter so the story can move logically to the next one.
I use a spreadsheet program for this task. I create the following headings:
Chapter Number, Chapter Name, Projected Word Count, Actual Word Count and Purpose of Chapter
I intend to write the full 50,000 words (maybe more), so I create 20 chapters (one per row in the spreadsheet) and give each one a working title (which is subject to change as the book evolves). The projected word count is 2,500 (which will change when I actually start writing). As I write the book, I enter the actual word count and calculate the difference from 50,000 so I know how many words remain to be written as I pursue my word-count goal. Under the heading "Purpose of Chapter", I enter a few short sentences to explain the purpose of each chapter, the names of the characters in it, why they are important to the scene, and the actions that should result from that chapter so the story can move logically to the next one.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Yesterday I suggested that if you're not certain about your NaNoWriMo topic to get out of the house, go to the mall, and observe people and things. Sometimes a writer just needs to sit and watch the world around them, to wait with an open mind for the lightning bolt of creativity to zap knock them out of their seats.
Well, I'm here to tell you today that this method does indeed work. It happened to one of our club members (won't say the name) who was at the public library. He meandered through the building, perusing bulletin boards and obscure pieces of artwork, when suddenly, it happened. Thunder rumbled, the cloudy sky parted (ok, so we've no clouds here in the desert right now but you get the picture), and a pure, razor-sharp bolt of lightning erupted from the heavens, parting the hair on his head, right down to his cowlick.
"Aha!" He exclaimed triumphantly. "I've got it!"
I ran to get a piece of paper from the librarian and returned with three tiny scraps of paper (used to write down catalog numbers), but they provided just enough space for our inspired author to log his ideas before they dissipated as quickly as they came.
Tada!
He's one excited author with a NaNoWriMo idea that is totally cool (and must remain a secret per his request).
So - get out there and look around. You never know what zap of inspiration will part your hair!
Well, I'm here to tell you today that this method does indeed work. It happened to one of our club members (won't say the name) who was at the public library. He meandered through the building, perusing bulletin boards and obscure pieces of artwork, when suddenly, it happened. Thunder rumbled, the cloudy sky parted (ok, so we've no clouds here in the desert right now but you get the picture), and a pure, razor-sharp bolt of lightning erupted from the heavens, parting the hair on his head, right down to his cowlick.
"Aha!" He exclaimed triumphantly. "I've got it!"
I ran to get a piece of paper from the librarian and returned with three tiny scraps of paper (used to write down catalog numbers), but they provided just enough space for our inspired author to log his ideas before they dissipated as quickly as they came.
Tada!
He's one excited author with a NaNoWriMo idea that is totally cool (and must remain a secret per his request).
So - get out there and look around. You never know what zap of inspiration will part your hair!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
If you haven't created a NaNoWriMo user account and password, please do so ASAP so I can invite you to our virtual classroom. http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/
I ordered our class kit which comes with stickers and fun stuff for our group.
Mark your calendar: Tuesday, November 1st - NaNoWriMo kick-off party! Rm. 7, 3:45p - 5:00p.
I ordered our class kit which comes with stickers and fun stuff for our group.
Mark your calendar: Tuesday, November 1st - NaNoWriMo kick-off party! Rm. 7, 3:45p - 5:00p.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hello to my writing club members!
We will resume our meetings next Tuesday, October 18th, in my classroom from 3:45p - 5:00p. Yes, it's October Break, but a writer never stops writing (or thinking about writing), write? I mean, right? (-:
To create my NaNoWriMo book this year, I'm going to practice what I teach. I will be following the IB Design Cycle (International Baccalaureate) which employs the following categories: Investigate, Plan, Design, Create and Evaluate. In future posts, I'll explain what these mean in more detail, but suffice to say we should all know the definition of PLAN.
(But just in case, here are some definitions straight from Merriam-Webster Online...)
1. to arrange the parts of...
2. to devise or project the realization or achievement of...
3. to have in mind...
That's the one I mean. To have in mind. What do you have in mind for your book? Not sure? Aha! That, my friend, is why we plan.
Sooooooo...here's your assignment for next week.
Purchase a journal, notebook or boot up your computer and create an electronic folder called NaNoWriMo 2011. Begin with a new page called "Planning" and write/answer the questions below.
Here are thoughts to ponder regarding writing your NaNoWriMo book.
1. How many words do you intend to achieve this year? "Winners" are those who write 50,000 words within the month of November. Each year, my club has produced at least 10 of these types of winners, but please consider your age and grade level. Yes, yes, I know you are gifted and accelerated, but you must consider schoolwork, other club commitments (how dare you!!!), your weekday bedtime (I even have one of those), and your family responsibilities. In other words, please don't over commit, yet set a challenge that will motivate you. Perhaps you could increase your word count from last year by 5,000?
2. What is the genre you intend to write? Romance? Comedy? Drama? Adventure? Science Fiction? Not sure? Write down the type of book(s) you've read that is/are SIMILAR to the one you will probably write.
3. What is the book's working title?
4. Who/what is your main character (protagonist) and what does he/she/it want?
5. In what situation will you place this character? What must he/she do to get out of it?
6. Who/what are the protagonists of the story?
7. What conflicts/obstacles must your protagonist face/overcome?
If you have NO IDEA what to write, go for a walk. Go to the mall. Go to the movies. Go to the bookstore/library. Go to the park. Bring your dog to the groomers. In other words, live your normal life but be acutely aware of the happenings around you, the emotions and nuances of those who are near you, their concerns and goals. Jot these observations in your notebook (yes, you did remember to bring it, didn't you?) and brainstorm ideas. Ask yourself "What if..." What if the toddler wandered off through the clothing store and out into the food court...alone? What if the pizza maker finally conjures enough courage to ask out the girl who works at the Dairy Queen? What if the elevator stops between the third and fourth floor - with two rival gang members trapped inside? What if the prized show dog runs across the street and is struck by a car?
Look for situations. Look for ideas. They are all around you. You just have to observe the world through the eyes of a writer.
21 days - whoohoo!!!!!! NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program
We will resume our meetings next Tuesday, October 18th, in my classroom from 3:45p - 5:00p. Yes, it's October Break, but a writer never stops writing (or thinking about writing), write? I mean, right? (-:
To create my NaNoWriMo book this year, I'm going to practice what I teach. I will be following the IB Design Cycle (International Baccalaureate) which employs the following categories: Investigate, Plan, Design, Create and Evaluate. In future posts, I'll explain what these mean in more detail, but suffice to say we should all know the definition of PLAN.
(But just in case, here are some definitions straight from Merriam-Webster Online...)
1. to arrange the parts of...
2. to devise or project the realization or achievement of...
3. to have in mind...
That's the one I mean. To have in mind. What do you have in mind for your book? Not sure? Aha! That, my friend, is why we plan.
Sooooooo...here's your assignment for next week.
Purchase a journal, notebook or boot up your computer and create an electronic folder called NaNoWriMo 2011. Begin with a new page called "Planning" and write/answer the questions below.
Here are thoughts to ponder regarding writing your NaNoWriMo book.
1. How many words do you intend to achieve this year? "Winners" are those who write 50,000 words within the month of November. Each year, my club has produced at least 10 of these types of winners, but please consider your age and grade level. Yes, yes, I know you are gifted and accelerated, but you must consider schoolwork, other club commitments (how dare you!!!), your weekday bedtime (I even have one of those), and your family responsibilities. In other words, please don't over commit, yet set a challenge that will motivate you. Perhaps you could increase your word count from last year by 5,000?
2. What is the genre you intend to write? Romance? Comedy? Drama? Adventure? Science Fiction? Not sure? Write down the type of book(s) you've read that is/are SIMILAR to the one you will probably write.
3. What is the book's working title?
4. Who/what is your main character (protagonist) and what does he/she/it want?
5. In what situation will you place this character? What must he/she do to get out of it?
6. Who/what are the protagonists of the story?
7. What conflicts/obstacles must your protagonist face/overcome?
If you have NO IDEA what to write, go for a walk. Go to the mall. Go to the movies. Go to the bookstore/library. Go to the park. Bring your dog to the groomers. In other words, live your normal life but be acutely aware of the happenings around you, the emotions and nuances of those who are near you, their concerns and goals. Jot these observations in your notebook (yes, you did remember to bring it, didn't you?) and brainstorm ideas. Ask yourself "What if..." What if the toddler wandered off through the clothing store and out into the food court...alone? What if the pizza maker finally conjures enough courage to ask out the girl who works at the Dairy Queen? What if the elevator stops between the third and fourth floor - with two rival gang members trapped inside? What if the prized show dog runs across the street and is struck by a car?
Look for situations. Look for ideas. They are all around you. You just have to observe the world through the eyes of a writer.
21 days - whoohoo!!!!!! NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Saturday, October 1st
Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 18th at 3:45p in my classroom. See you then!
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