We’re five days into Nanowrimo, and for all those who are working toward the 50K word count goal, I’ve decided to resurrect this blog in order to give you some help.
The hardest part of Nanowrimo for me is knowing where to take the story next. I usually get a decent start, but then the plot peters out after the first week because I don’t know what to make happen between the catalyst and the climax.
If that’s your problem, check back here occasionally before the end of November. Using the handy Beat Sheet Calculator, I will be posting plot guidelines based on Blake Snyder’s Beat Sheet throughout the month to help you know exactly where you should be in your story.
The hardest part of Nanowrimo for me is knowing where to take the story next. I usually get a decent start, but then the plot peters out after the first week because I don’t know what to make happen between the catalyst and the climax.
If that’s your problem, check back here occasionally before the end of November. Using the handy Beat Sheet Calculator, I will be posting plot guidelines based on Blake Snyder’s Beat Sheet throughout the month to help you know exactly where you should be in your story.
If you…
So, for Day 5:
You should have already started your story on Day 1, stated the theme on Day 2, and hit the catalyst yesterday. (If you're not familiar with theme or catalyst, check out the details on the Beat Sheet Calculator site.)
Today you are in the Debate section. Your character has to choose whether he will stay in his familiar surroundings or leave, literally or metaphorically, for a new future. Today and tomorrow your character will struggle with this decision until Break Into II (which happens on Day 7 at the 11,364 word mark). While you’re in Act I, you can also work on adding the “Six Things That Need Fixing.”
- Don’t feel like following the Beat Sheet,
- Aren’t writing your book from beginning to end,
- Or are behind in your word count,
So, for Day 5:
You should have already started your story on Day 1, stated the theme on Day 2, and hit the catalyst yesterday. (If you're not familiar with theme or catalyst, check out the details on the Beat Sheet Calculator site.)
Today you are in the Debate section. Your character has to choose whether he will stay in his familiar surroundings or leave, literally or metaphorically, for a new future. Today and tomorrow your character will struggle with this decision until Break Into II (which happens on Day 7 at the 11,364 word mark). While you’re in Act I, you can also work on adding the “Six Things That Need Fixing.”