October Novel Prep Challenge

My thoughts are that perhaps you're putting to much pressure on yourself. What I do during October has no bearing on what I do in November. That is to say, this is my time to brainstorm. Come October 31 around 11 pm my time, I have a long talk with my inner editor. Then when midnight hits, I begin with my main characters and simply say, talk to me. Then I start writing. I don't think about it. I just let them tell me what they want to say and do.

It can be hard to plan a novel and get it down. That's why I don't limit myself to what I do here. October prep is where I get to know my characters and listen to them laugh at me as I put down plot points. They already know my plot points are meaningless. I know my plot points are meaningless. Where the characters lead I will follow. Tell them to just humor you and consider this your chance to get to know them. They can prove you wrong in November. Then tell your inner editor that this is just an exercise then send her off for Ice cream for your muse and never let her have a chance to look at what your doing.

I have found over the years of doing this... When I limit my characters and try to force them into a plan, they revolt. If I say, fine come November we will fly by the seat of our pants but I want a general idea of where we are heading before we get there... They fall in line and work with me.

Don't stress so much about it. You can do this. You can do that story. As my great grandmother use to say, "Can't never could do anything." So stop saying your not sure you can do it, and tell yourself, you're going to have fun writing whatever they tell you to--traveling shovel of deaths included. It can always be edited out later. The point is to get the story on paper.