NANO PREP 2020

A: OCTOBER NANO PREP CHALLENGE

Spend at least 15 minutes imagining all the possibilities in your story. Make a list of every possible 'what if' you can think of. Nothing is off limits here - let your brain go.

Oct. 01: - Plot: What If? ▼

In this exercise, imagine your story and your main character(s).
Who is(are) the character(s)?
ANIMALS WITH HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS
dog
cat
horse
chicken
half of this and half of that
machine/human
human/animal/fictitious figure
royalty
slave
prisoner

PEOPLE ON AN ADVENTURE
OBJECTS THAT ARE HUMAN-LIKE
UNIQUE AND STRANGE CREATIONS~FANTASY
HUMBLE AND/OR HORRIBLE

Why do we care about them?
STRUGGLING
STRANGE
SIMILAR CAN RELATE TO LIFE CHALLENGES
UNIQUELY ODD
JUST LIKE ME
SENSE OF ADVENTURE
COMPASSIONATE

What happens to them, and why is it a problem? (If it's not a problem, it's just life, not a story.
NO PROBLEM, BOREDOM, SAME OLE, SAME OLE, UNTIL
GETTING MY LIFE BACK
CHANGING THINGS FOR THE BETTER
SCRAMBLED EGGS DON’T MAKE LIFE EASY~head thing
STORMS
HORRIBLE WEATHER
INNOCENT
“I’M BETTER THAN YOU”-even if I’m not
“I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH”~even when I am
CAN YOU UNDERSTAND
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME/YOU?
I’LL HAVE MY WAY/YOU HAVE YOUR WAY
GIMME A BREAK
LIFE, NO VALUE
LIFE PRECIOUS WORTH FIGHTING FOR
LIFE ON ANOTHER DIMENSION
disABILITY
COURAGEOUS/HERO/OR-WANNA-BE
WRITER WITH A CAUSE/OR NO
FAITH OR NOT
——————————
STRANDED
NATURAL DISASTER
COMIC SITUATION
SERIOUS SITUATION
ISLAND/PLANET/SHIP/SPACE SHIP/STEAMPUNK/TOWN/CITY/BASEMENT/CELL/CARAGE/FOREIGN LAND/HOSPITAL/AIRPLANE/CARNIVAL/LAB/CHURCH/TOWER/CAGE/ZOO/FARM/TENT/BOAT/CAR/BANK/TURTLE SHELL/FISH TANK/MOUNTAIN/DRUNK TANK
CHASED BY
DREAM
MENTAL THOUGHTS/DREAM THOUGHTS/THINK TANK
ACCIDENT
CEMETARY
DISORIENTED STRANGER ASYLUM
RUN-AWAY VEHICLE
PLANET/STAR/SPACE/ROUGED ENVIRONMENT/SAFE PLACE?’NOWHERE PLACE/IN MIND OWN WORLD
ENCHANTED/WEIRD/COLORFUL/DARK/DREARY/CALM/CHAOTIC/HAUNTED_MAYBE/
WATERY-BOG-DRY-HOT-HIGH=LOW
FLYING-SWIMMING-RUNNING-WALKING-PACING-CIRCLING-ESCAPING-FIGHTING-DISAPPEARING-APPEARING-HANGING AROUND
FRIGHTENED/ASSERTIVE

Oct. 02: - Plot: Premise ▼

Now that you've brainstormed the general story idea, let's identify some story elements:

(1) Setting(s). Where does your story take place?
FOREIGN LAND
PLANET
TRAIN
SHIP
HOME
FANTASY LOCATION

(2) Protagonist(s). Who is(are) your main character(s)?
plane or boat maybe train but, train was already done in Unstoppable

(2b) Flaw(s). What is(are) the protagonist's major flaw(s)?
procrastination, or overachieving depending on circumstances
excessive energy


(2c) Goal(s). What does(d) the protagonist(s) want (or want to avoid)?
success in preventing casualties and destruction
recognition for the ideas that made the poplin charge appropriately act to take care of the issues
people to survive and thrive during the challenge of outside interference and take-over of the transportation system for their gain.
The enemy to have a change for good rather than evil
Other factions to not interfere with the lives of this world/planet, governing processes

(3) Conflict(s). What's keeping them from their goal(s)?
Human and machine opposition
financial and material poverty
finding the people in number to form army to work on problem
weather storms
information glitches in transmission, mis information or incomplete information, propaganda
human inside derailing or compromising operations
machine doing the above


(4) Antagonist(s). Who or what is creating the conflict(s)?
man, machine, weather, and/or combination of the above
working for gain at the expense of everyone else
greed and self-importance

Just for fun: Write a provocative one-sentence description of your story.
Example: ""A young, mistreated orphan discovers he is a wizard and must face the evil villain Voldemort to fulfill his destiny.""

Man and machine battle for the survival of civilization while opposing factions fight against freedom and success.

*** Wikipedia's definition of Narrative Conflict

Oct. 03: - CONTEST ROUND: Protagonist Background Story ▼

Write a story about your protagonist that takes place outside of your novel. Make your readers relate to him or her in such a way that we would be devastated if he or she were to experience conflict (which, ultimately, sometime in November, he/she will.) The object of the contest is to make your judges root for your protagonist! Simply put: the character we like best wins. If your protagonist is a drug dealer or someone similarly ""unlikeable"" (a.k.a, an ""anti-hero""), never fear! I love Vlad Taltos, the professional assassin.

You can make us love your character, too.

*Contest Round entries may be any rating. Submit your ITEM or ENTRY number by 1200 noon WDC time on Sunday to compete. WDC time is New York City time and can be found at the top of the IM Console. If you miss this deadline or choose not to compete, you must still log the assignment complete (without linking your work) for the grand prize, per the standard Prep guidelines.

no thought for his safety or
Only the fate of the law-abiding hard-working citizens was close to his heart and in his mind protecting them and eradicating the evil moved his to continue his quest to search for the reasons for this terrible and crazy time
Bright and full of energy his focus was on what to do next
The options were not his favorite but he took things set by step
First, ??? as quickly as possible
then convincing people help and some to use their talents for thwarting the advancement of this evil plot
only when absolutely necessary would he take time to eat and drink, take care of hygiene, and rest
Dedicated to advancing freedom for everyone he started building an army, finding people with skills to do almost anything needed for a triumphant ending and freedom to live in harmony
young, thin, and polite, didn’t make a difference in the battle but it did help with convincing people to follow him
These people began to adore him and his ideals
They lost elevated him to god status
Going to war was something he abhorred but if this was necessary then he would make certain that these people were well trained and victorious
having freedom and evil eradicated was most important for the world and this people to make things fabulous and exciting again

Oct. 04: - FREEBIE DAY ▼

Relax or catch up.

Oct. 05: - Character: Protagonist Profile ▼

Draft a profile of your protagonist. Include detailed information such as name, age, physical attributes, occupation, education, culture, religion, family, relationship status, personality, likes, dislikes, strengths, weakness, motivations and desires. Use Google Images to find an image of your character. The point of this exercise is for you to get to know your character inside and out before you write your novel. If you don't know your character, how can you expect it of your readers? Flesh out your pre-story character in detail. Keep in mind that your protagonist will grow in some way during your story. For more serious character profilers, here is are two optional, very extensive templates: "Character Interview / Profile Sheet" and "(Another, Very) In-Depth Character Profile" Also, here is a "Traits List" to draw from.

name: Charley Evensburg
age :37
physical attributes: brown hair, green eyes, slender, muscular, medium complexion, average hight
occupation:military special forces, expert in war tactics, marksman, explosives, and other
education: high school and life
culture: average American
religion: non-comforting, believes in God, Jesus, Holy Ghost
family: only child, mom and dad supportive
relationship status: girlfriend
personality: dependable, serious, good leadership skills
likes: music, reading, self-education, out-door activities, military and country—patriot
dislikes: liars, terrorists, treason, theft, whimpiness,
strengths: belief in God, physically fit, strong mental fortitude, military education and life lessons, able/athletic
weakness: mostly in the military zone, enjoys time alone almost too much, seeks to be perfect as much as possible
motivations and desires: wants the evil to be terminated, people to enjoy life and have freedom


Oct. 06: - Plot: Beginning (Where does your story start?) ▼

(1) Describe your protagonist's life in the beginning (""Ordinary World"" or ""Stasis"") of the story. Brainstorm ways you could establish normality through action and dialog to avoid boring your reader.

Normal childhood except for the ability to use weapons—gifted marksman. Enjoys hunting with dad. Likes hearing family history from mom. Spends most of the time outside. Friends look-up to him for direction—researcher. Enjoys animals, art and music—musician. Lives in average house in rural neighborhood which is great place to practice military skills with friends.

(2) Describe the inciting incident or trigger (""Call to Adventure"") that prompts your protagonist(s) to embark on this story's journey (whether literal or metaphorical) and face the conflict. This incident could be large and obvious like a death or disaster, or it could be seemingly insignificant, such as an offhand comment by another character.

Off hand comment about accident because the person killed wasn’t liked by the commenter. Killed person was evil, with self-serving ambitions and intentions of gaining control of a large business. This control would put a lot of smaller businesses out of business. Charlie didn’t like someone having this much control that may eventually ripple through our many other areas of business, community, and elsewhere. Partner had a greater ambition to take over many businesses and control as much of the workforce as possible in as short a time as possible. Evil seemed to be on the rise and people were losing freedoms because of policies.


Oct. 07: - Plot: Climax (Where is the story going?) ▼

Where is your story going? Describe the climax, the point at which everything changes and the tension of the primary conflict is finally resolved. Use the ""What If"" brainstorming exercise to create a list of possibilities, remembering to consider the growth of / change in your main character(s) as a result of this event. The climax can be as hidden and seemingly tiny as that moment when your character finally makes that decision they've been dreading or avoiding for fifteen chapters, or it can be as huge and obvious as an exploding planet. Sometimes, the climax is a little hard to pin down. Was it the moment Ender won his game? Or was it the moment he realized the moving images on his screen were not a simulation, not the game he thought it was, and that he had just personally wiped out an entire alien race?

Where is your story going?

thought provoking ending with several possible answers

Describe the climax,
the point at which everything changes and the tension of the primary conflict is finally resolved. Use the ""What If"" brainstorming exercise to create a list of possibilities,

people worked together and remained friendly and considerate of each other
People on the surface worked together but really wanted to work toward their own agenda(s)
Population was reduced considerable
Animals took over the situation
aliens invaded and things changed for the worse or for the better
the light was recognized for it’s real purpose and identity
the planet changed severely which caused everything the rapidly and severely adapt/change
this was all a dream
this was all a horrible vision of the future with things worse or better in reality

remembering to consider the growth of / change in your main character(s) as a result of this event.

hearts and minds worked to make things even better
everyone gave into the guidance of something they didn’t understand
the fight changed from harmful building up and creating a better world via kindness and non lethal weapons
the fight resulted in waking charlie into vivid flashes of the future—describing briefly the future…thinking and maybe good idea
chARLIE RESOLVES TO RISK EVERYTHING EVEN HIS LIFE FOR THE BETTER OF ALL
charlies army truly unites and they risk everything but one of them isn’t committed completely
people embrace charlies purpose, beliefs, and follow hime into the future so charlie realized he is 100% responsible for the future and the people

The climax can be as hidden and seemingly tiny as that moment when your character finally makes that decision they've been dreading or avoiding for fifteen chapters, or it can be as huge and obvious as an exploding planet.

Nature grows and glows because of good choices or becomes darker because of bad choices
nature reaches out to help or refuses to
the planet responds favorable or quakes in response to the events
greater power is seen or felt by everyone good or bad
the past flies by in a blur of pictures and then shows charlie the future.

Sometimes, the climax is a little hard to pin down. Was it the moment Ender won his game? Or was it the moment he realized the moving images on his screen were not a simulation, not the game he thought it was, and that he had just personally wiped out an entire alien race?

charlie, the army, and people feel and see power good or bad
a stranger arrives and brings things into focus
it’s a vision of the future and shows good or bad
dream or nightmare
different dimension is discovered and
is this real, or is it a game?
animals do peculiar things
nature takes a holiday
time stands still
things are upside/down
the circus is in town, or…

Oct. 08: - Plot: Rising Action (How does the story get there?) ▼

Review your notes from the ""Premise"" and ""Beginning"" plot exercises, and tweak the conflict(s) and inciting incident as needed before proceeding with the ""Rising Action"" plot exercise, as follows:

(1) Describe any initial refusals on the part of your protagonist(s) to face the conflict.

girl friend issues
starting a life outside of the army
health issues that need attention
moving to another location
friends are gathering to create something very beneficial and useful

(2) Describe the moment when your protagonist(s) makes the choice to face the conflict.

Getting returned health and realizing he is the best person for the job because of knowledge and abilities…
Girlfriend needs time lone to consider situation
army is gathering to strengthen forces and get ready for battle
things are happening weird and dangerously
friends are in danger and so is humanity, life may be extinguished

(3) Describe the moment when your protagonist(s) crosses the point of no return and cannot change their mind.

The dream shows the future
charlie remembers the words of his father and mother
the evil touches him personally
evil visions flash
he knows his gifts and abilities are precious and priceless for triumph

(4) Fill in some of the blanks: How will your characters get from the point of no return to the climax?

battles
self examination
critical issues befall several of them…dream, vision, spiritual, reality
animals are affected and children
conscious deliberate choices hit home and force action
events reach out rippling through out their lives gathering them into a force giving intent and strength which is a deciding factor

Oct. 09: - Plot: Outline Revision #1 ▼

(1) Select a desired outlining strategy from the list below.
(2) Review your plot elements thus far and organize them into your outline.
(3) Flesh out your outline by adding more details.


Outlining Strategies

A traditional outline

format with bullet points, numbers/letters, or chapters.
Index cards (paper or electronic) which can be easily shuffled to change scene order later.

OUTLINE
PLOT/WHAT IF
ANIMALS WITH HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS
dog,cat,horse,chicken,etc used by enemy for experiments and warfare, because they are not suspected of being enemy animals
half of this and half of that—strange mixture of enemy stuff and unusual mixture of charlies world stuff
machine/human—cyborg disabled military continues to serve
human/animal/ficticous figure—enemy developed weapon for destroying charlies world as he knows it
royalty—enemy government structure, kong, queen, judges, officers, etc
leaders of charlies world—president/commander/chief, vp or second in command, closest trusted friend, maybe
slave—lifestyle of culture of enemies, keep slaves and demands hard work of them
prisoner—captive needing rescue and active who knows too much or something charlie needs but is secret
GRAVEYEAR SHIFT—job for Charlie and his friends until he returns to the military, maybe

PEOPLE ON AN ADVENTURE-military and citizens working together for the good
enemy factions similar but slightly not as organized but have better defenses in the beginning
OBJECTS THAT ARE HUMAN-LIKE—main means of transportation helicopter and
UNIQUE AND STRANGE CREATIONS~FANTASY—huge eyed stretchable figure, etc who is creation of enemy turned to good guy
HUMBLE AND/OR HORRIBLE—charlie, his army he leads and most of the citizens and pother peoples

Why do we care about them?
STRUGGLING—for freedom, for all good, and having to fight for their lives against evil faction(s)
STRANGE—creatures all mixed developed by enemy faction for war and destruction
SIMILAR CAN RELATE TO LIFE CHALLENGES—similarities of humans here and now but with major unusual and unique challenges
UNIQUELY ODD—animals that have aspiring ideas to become friends with charlie and his world
JUST LIKE ME—they are just like me, charlie, animals and other mixes that defect to charlies world
SENSE OF ADVENTURE—many fighting for the good and bettering of their society enjoy adventure, have a heart for helping and retaining freedom, and want the best for everybody and everything
COMPASSIONATE—charlies world can relate, understand each other well, enjoy working together, want to be rid of evil and more

What happens to them, and why is it a problem? (If it's not a problem, it's just life, not a story.
NO PROBLEM, BORDOM, SAME OLE, SAME OLE, UNTIL—charlie gets a message from anonymous telling him about the evil that is about to befall the society, he thinks it is not serious and someone is playing a joke
GETTING MY LIFE BACKcharlie and his friends want to relax and enjoy life until they are needed in military or for some special purpose
CHANGING THINGS FOR THE BETTER—charlies world always striving to make things better for everyone cooperatively, but a few invaders try to upset the apple care prematurely.
SCRAMBLED EGGS DON’T MAKE LIFE EASY~head thing, visions and flashbacks distract charlie from his very important mission to spend time with his girlfriend and get back his life
STORMS—storms are manipulated by enemy faction to be more severe than usual
HORRIBLE WEATHER—varied extremes, weather sometimes seems to be alive and able to think for it’s self
INNOCENT—scientist denies anything to do with storms but knows more than telling
“I’M BETTER THAN YOU”-even if I’m not, leader wanna-be stirs trouble within the ranks
“I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH”~even when I am, because of this leader wanna-be charlie second guesses himself
CAN YOU UNDERSTAND—enemy defector doesn’t understand treatment but does understand the evil which isn’t good
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME/YOU?—peace, harmony, freedom, no slavery,etc
I’LL HAVE MY WAY/YOU HAVE YOUR WAY—not exactly…
GIMME A BREAK—who what why?
LIFE, NO VALUE—enemy ideals about useless beings no longer able to do or machine no working
LIFE PRECIOUS WORTH FIGHTING FOR—charlie and world believe this while enemy does not
LIFE ON ANOTHER DIMENSION parallel happenings, timeline change, both factions trying to create changes to their advantage
disABILITY—charlie recovers
COURAGEOUS/HERO/OR-WANNA-BE—best friend tries to be like charlie
WRITER WITH A CAUSE/OR NO—journalist documenting events
FAITH OR NOT-some yes, some no
——————————
STRANDED—cliff
NATURAL DISASTER—fire
COMIC SITUATION—girl friend and charlie
SERIOUS SITUATION—war and invasion no warning or was there
ISLAND/PLANET/SHIP/SPACE SHIP/STEAMPUNK/TOWN/CITY/BASEMENT/CELL/CARAGE/FOREIGN LAND/HOSPITAL/AIRPLANE/CARNIVAL/LAB/CHURCH/TOWER/CAGE/ZOO/FARM/TENT/BOAT/CAR/BANK/TURTLE SHELL/FISH TANK/MOUNTAIN/DRUNK TANK
CHASED BY—machines
DREAM—vision
MENTAL THOUGHTS/DREAM THOUGHTS/THINK TANK—inter twined, maybe
ACCIDENT—not serious, over looked or didn’t know about???
CEMETERY—grave yard shift
DISORIENTED STRANGER ASILEM—possible defector, or visitor, or relative not known until now or later
RUN-AWAY VEHICLE—experimental vehicle or mechanical issues because of sabotage or mechanic error
PLANET/STAR/SPACE/ROUGED ENVIRONMENT/SAFE PLACE?’NOWHERE PLACE/IN MIND OWN WORLD
ENCHANTED/WEIRD/COLORFUL/DARK/DREARY/CALM/CHAOTIC/HAUNTED_MAYBE/
WATERY-BOG-DRY-HOT-HIGH=LOW
FLYING-SWIMMING-RUNNING-WALKING-PACING-CIRCLING-ESCAPING-FIGHTING-DISAPPEARING-APPEARING-HANGING AROUND
FRIGHTENED/ASSERTIVE

(1) Setting(s). Where does your story take place?
FOREIGN LAND—enemy
PLANET—both factions
TRAIN—train like but has several abilities
SHIP—enemy
HOME—charlie and girl friend, other characters maybe
FANTASY LOCATION—dream-before, during, and after battle?

(2) Protagonist(s). Who is(are) your main character(s)?
plane or boat maybe train but train was already done in Unstoppable

(2b) Flaw(s). What is(are) the protagonist's major flaw(s)?
procrastination, or over achieving depending on circumstances
excessive energy, athletic, sharp shooter,


(2c) Goal(s). What does(d) the protagonist(s) want (or want to avoid)?
success in preventing casualties and destruction
recognition for the ideas that made the poplin charge appropriately act to take care of the issues
people to survive and thrive during the challenge of outside interference and take-over of the transportation system for their gain.
The enemy to have a change for good rather than evil
Other factions to not interfere with the lives of this world/planet, governing processes

(3) Conflict(s). What's keeping them from their goal(s)?
Human and machine opposition
financial and material poverty
finding the people in number to form army to work on problem
weather storms
information glitches in transmission, mis information or incomplete information, propaganda
human inside derailing or compromising operations
machine doing the above


(4) Antagonist(s). Who or what is creating the conflict(s)?
man, machine, weather, and/or combination of the above
working for gain at the expense of everyone else
greed and self importance

Just for fun: Write a provocative one-sentence description of your story.
Example: ""A young, mistreated orphan discovers he is a wizard and must face the evil villain Voldemort to fulfill his destiny.""

Man and machine battle for survival of civilization while opposing factions fight against freedom and success.

(1) Setting(s). Where does your story take place?
FOREIGN LAND
PLANET
TRAIN
SHIP
HOME
FANTASY LOCATION

(2) Protagonist(s). Who is(are) your main character(s)?
plane or boat maybe train but train was already done in Unstoppable

(2b) Flaw(s). What is(are) the protagonist's major flaw(s)?
procrastination, or over achieving depending on circumstances
excessive energy

Charlie at first doesn’t believe there is danger based on a message he received what makes time progressing a huge issue. He is focused on girlfriend and life rewards because he isn’t needed in military for a while, or is he?

His friends army buddies agree with him that it’s a joke. They do their own thing.

another message through secure chanels changes charlies mind and he starts to gather intel and his army buddies. He still doesn’t realize time is of the essence and things are serious. They take their time and this allows enemy forces to have the upper hand and secretly surprise everyone when they invade.


(2c) Goal(s). What does(d) the protagonist(s) want (or want to avoid)?
success in preventing casualties and destruction
recognition for the ideas that made the poplin charge appropriately act to take care of the issues
people to survive and thrive during the challenge of outside interference and take-over of the transportation system for their gain.
The enemy to have a change for good rather than evil
Other factions to not interfere with the lives of this world/planet, governing processes

(3) Conflict(s). What's keeping them from their goal(s)?
Human and machine opposition
financial and material poverty
finding the people in number to form army to work on problem
weather storms
information glitches in transmission, mis information or incomplete information, propaganda
human inside derailing or compromising operations
machine doing the above


(4) Antagonist(s). Who or what is creating the conflict(s)?
man, machine, weather, and/or combination of the above
working for gain at the expense of everyone else
greed and self importance

Evil faction want oppression and slavery while charlies world wants freedom, friendship, prosperity and other good things.

Charlie and army are willing to fight and give all for the good. Enemies are controlling and willing to wage war with all kinds of underhanded evil methods especially to save themselves

The fight isn’t just about freedom and related issues but also treasures on charlies planet and technology which is top secret that was gleaned from another civilization which is extinct.

Just for fun: Write a provocative one-sentence description of your story.
Example: ""A young, mistreated orphan discovers he is a wizard and must face the evil villain Voldemort to fulfill his destiny.""

Man and machine battle for survival of civilization while opposing factions fight against freedom and success.


GRAVE YEAD SHIFT—just came from nowhere???


The Snowflake Method.

Use one of the following story models as a fill-in-the-blank outline template:

The Five-Point Story Structure.
The Eight-Point Story Structure.
The Hero's Journey Story Structure.
Any other appropriate model.

OUTLINE END


Oct. 10: - CONTEST ROUND: Antagonist Background Story ▼

Write a story about your antagonist that takes place outside of your novel. The object of the contest is to make your judges understand and empathize with the antagonist's motivations.

CONTEST STORYCONTEST STORY
“Our time is here for revenge and success. For our survival, we must have everything perfect for us to thrive. I will lead you all together toward a wonderful environment, plants of resources to sustains, superior economic benefits, and freedom from working ourselves to death.”

Centuries passed as the royal imperialist king in charge planned and plotted his overthrow of their enemy who was changing their planet, way of life, and creating their demise. Wealth, leisure, and survival required reproducing young ones which were almost unheard of and propelling to them.

Practicing their warrior skills, loading ships, and carriers with every supply for the victorious invasion of this rebel colony they rejoiced in enjoyed the rush of excitement.

“Our enemy is doomed, and we will be victorious. We will have our slaves again, our religion of sacrifice, our gods, and our pleasures.”

The army gathered closely and took in every word as they reveled in the slippery wetness of their mouths, long tongues sliding about and hand-like appendages gripping tightly their weapons raised high in a victorious gesture. Altogether they were one unit connected by thoughts and imagery of conquering their foes.

Ravage, pilfer, eat, drink, destroy all who oppose their advances. Torture for information vital to their success and more heinous crimes against living beings is their major focus and their intent to have it all the way they want it no matter what it takes, what anyone does, or how things turn out. Victory, victory, we will have victory could be heard by all inhabitants.

Life had no meaning unless it is the life of their wants, aspirations, needs, the way it should be for them, all about them, and their need to have and control. Their blood lust for anyone who stood in their way. Resources and things for entertainment all for their enjoyment and their coveted thinking.

Nobody will fight because fighting is futile and we own them and their world, it is ours to do with as we please forever. These thoughts ran true throughout everyone's mind who lives with this group and in this colony on this planet.

“War, bring it! I love hurting anyone who gets in my way. Kill sure it’s fun and exciting. Mame what’s not to like, oh then after suffering, kill and eat, what a wonderful life.”

THEY WERE DRIVEN BY EVENTS THEY COULDN’T CONTROL, HORRIBLE TREATMENT OVER MANY YEARS BY THOUGHTLESS CRUEL AND VICIOUS LEADERS, THEY KNEW ONLY WHAT THEY WERE TAUGHT AND EXPERIENCED. VICTIM MAYBE BUT AGRESSEORS ALSO BECAUSE ALL THEY WANTED WAS TO SURVIVE AMD THIS MEANT WAR.
==========

If your antagonist is a situation rather than a person, write a background story about that. The Tom Hanks movie ""Cast Away"" famously features only one character (unless you count Wilson), and his antagonist is loneliness. Could you personify loneliness? Why does loneliness exist? What motivates it? How would a lack of loneliness affect survival of the human race? How did it drive main character Nolan to survive for years alone on a deserted island? Loneliness has a job to do. Make us believe it's a valid one.

*Contest Round entries may be any rating. Submit your ITEM or ENTRY number by 1200 noon WDC time on Sunday to compete. WDC time is New York City time and can be found at the top of the IM Console. If you miss this deadline or choose not to compete, you must still log the assignment complete (without linking your work) for the grand prize, per the standard Prep guidelines.

Tokyo: 12 Oct 2020 0100
Mumbai: 11 Oct 2020 2130
Moscow: 11 Oct 2020 1900
York: 11 Oct 2020 1700
New York: 11 Oct 2020 1200*
Reno: 11 Oct 2020 0900
Honolulu: 11 Oct 2020 0600
*WDC time

October NaNo Prep and its overworked volunteers have double-checked these times but take no responsibility for the accuracy of the above deadlines. Contestants are responsible for knowing their own time zones and getting their contest round entries in by the deadline, which is noon on Sunday according to WDC time, which is US Eastern Time.

Oct. 11: - FREEBIE DAY ▼

Oct. 12: - Character: Antagonist Profile ▼

Draft a profile of the antagonist(s) you identified in the ""Premise"" assignment. If your antagonist is a situation rather than a person, choose another minor (but significant) character to profile.

Further clarification:

Newsletter Article: ""When The Bad Guy Isn't a Person""

"ANTAGONIST (Re: A LOT of confusing things)"

thinking computer designed by anomy but eventually it learns stuff and from this starts helping good guys.

Other non human device is good guys and it is almost reprogramed to help bad guys but their attempts are thwarted by the animals who are under cover.

Enemy beings are tall, muscular, mentally focused their intent and plans, their plans are flawless from their point of view, brains are large for their heads or for their head size, long sharp razor like teeth, huge bulging eyes-orange and when mad or angry turn brilliant red, hair fur blue and dark blue skin, large feet that have sharp nails they use a weapons, fingers long and thick that have coverings like protection over nail bed and finger print ares, and can digest anything…

Very focused in destroying their enemy so they can have the planet, want slaves to do their work, enjoy eating their enemy and the enemy food, drinking anything wet, crave fermented anything especially body parts, will change climate unlivable for most other beings, will change enemy being so they can live in this climate and work hard labor forth, and…


Oct. 13: - Character: Dramatis Personae ▼

(1) Identify allies and enemies encountered along the journey and describe how they help or hinder your protagonist(s).

(2) Create a list of characters in a format easy to edit and expand.

(3) Write a brief profile on each character new character.

CHARACTERS
Name:HELOCOPTER-able to extraordinary feats in flying, weapons which learned from mistakes, and


Age:less than a year old


Occupation:fighting machine


Relation to the main character(s): safety and offensive and defensive weapon which keeps everyone safe usually


Rough physical description or image: large and slim black with bits of silver, extra large by most standards but made of very light material like titanium or similar flies as well or better than a plane or chopper,

Army of allies who are muscular, determined, and willing to give their lives to save others and the ideals of their culture.

Girlfriend who is smart but very feminine’s and wants to have a normal life away from military life.

Enemy traitor who shares valuable information with the allies/good guys

(try a Google Image Search or comparable)

NOTE: You can revise this list at any time, so this revision is not expected to be fully accurate or complete.

*** NEED CHARACTER NAMES? See the name generators at the bottom of the calendar.


Oct. 14: - General: Theme ▼

(1) Theme. What is the theme (see below) or moral of the story?


(2) Resolution. Brainstorm ways you could resolve the conflict(s) within the confines of the theme. You are not required to identify a chosen resolution from your list of possibilities yet, so really think outside the box! Anything goes.

NOTE: This list of universal themes
might give you some ideas, but don't let it box you in. Feel free to add your own.

Good versus evil isn’t always as it seems.
conflicts rage until the enemy is killed completely or they surrender
The enemy planet is invaded by huge spiders that eat their way through everyone and everything, enemy is destroyed or few survivors decide to become citizens and emerge themselves into the culture of the planet they wanted to take over.
Other empires or strange beings take over everything and slaves are now doing all the work but the citizens who are peaceful have all advantages

Oct. 15: - General: Freestyle Brainstorm, World Building or Research ▼

Spend at least fifteen minutes clarifying things through ""What If"" brainstorming, mind mapping (see resources at the bottom of the calendar), freestyle writing, lists, drawings or research as follows:
World Building: For fantasy, science fiction, or other speculative fiction, develop the history, geology, ecology, and/or maps for your world.
Research: For reality-based fiction, research aspects of your novel that will lend credibility to your writing.

The enemy planet has a history of many battles, treason, and evil use of weaponry that has resulted in the deplearing of life sustaining gases and air compounds. The enemy beings are capable to changing they abilities to survive and breathe different compounds but also are brilliant at changing the environment of other places and planets. They canopy into whatever they need to be ignorer to accomplish whatever they choose and because their planet is degrading and falling apart aLMOsT NEAR EXPLODING THEY ARE HEADED TO EARTH.
Earth has everything they need. Their planet is so old it is not know the beginning of it more it’s years.

Earth is in great shape considering the damage humans have exacted upon it over the billions of years.

Enemy planet is shades of off white, dray, brown, tan and other dark colors sparingly be rarely noticed. Rough and with very few places for plant life to grow food is scarce. animals roam freely but are difficult to catch or kill. Water is brackish brown/green and underground. Most food sources are small creatures under the top layer of dusty soil. Rocky and borders around. Hills and deep valleys with a few mountains remain but are unstable at best.

temperature is cool most of the time . Cold for a five week period, then slowly creeping to hot for a week. The planet has smells of sulfur, gases variety, smoke, burnt stuff, and sickening sweet.

Earth is normal but the air quality is deminishing, water is cloudy, air is smoggy, food sources are difficult to grow and raise. Thecnology is improving slower than normal.

You may also choose to use this time to finish a previous assignment that needs more time.

Oct. 16: - Plot: Outline Revision #2 ▼

(1) Review your plot elements thus far and organize them into your outline.

Plot: What If? ▼

In this exercise, imagine your story and your main character(s).
Who is(are) the character(s)?
ANIMALS WITH HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS
dog, cat, horse, chicken—Human pets or animals in military service
half of this and half of that—alien creature pet
machine/human—Alien soldier
human/animal/ficticous figure
royalty—Enemy faction depending and pressuring for victorious war if humans do not do what enemy wants
slave—enemy servant made to labor hard day and night as needed often implanted with machine elements and devices to control their every second of life activity
prisoner—worse than slavery, tortured for information, kept alive only until they were no longer useful, worked to death or slowly executed for enemy pleasure similar to gladiator or other form of entertainment

PEOPLE ON AN ADVENTURE maybe but probably not a vacation adventure/ military?
OBJECTS THAT ARE HUMAN-LIKE—helicopter very loyal and helpful humans
UNIQUE AND STRANGE CREATIONS~FANTASY—enemy experiments
HUMBLE AND/OR HORRIBLE—humans working for good and doing what is right

Why do we care about them?
STRUGGLING—both parties trying to survive
STRANGE—enemy customs, physical and psychological, customs
SIMILAR CAN RELATE TO LIFE CHALLENGES—defectors from enemy to help humans
UNIQUELY ODD—???
JUST LIKE ME—I’m just like you and want freedom as you do.
SENSE OF ADVENTURE—dedicated to saving earth and people, adventure in figuring out how to defeat enemy
COMPASSIONATE—wants the best possible outcome for everyone
Survival is instinctive. Both parties want to live in an environment that is life just aiming, but enemy faction is doing the opposite of the humans inter quest to rule and survive. Life is precious, possible for both factions to share earth, humans could be like the enemy if they were taught like the enemy, enemy could change their lifestyle

What happens to them, and why is it a problem? (If it's not a problem, it's just life, not a story.
NO PROBLEM, BORDOM, SAME OLE, SAME OLE, UNTIL—character doesn’t care, won’t help, and..
GETTING MY LIFE BACK—protagonist wants life back but realizes this won’t happen unless the battle is won
CHANGING THINGS FOR THE BETTER—enemy is told things could change but refuses to believe…
SCRAMBLED EGGS DON’T MAKE LIFE EASY~head thing, mixed up thinking about how to or what to do about invasion until…
STORMS—enemy planet has unpredictable weather but earth also has it’s weather issues.
HORRIBLE WEATHER—enemy planet almost has weather that has a mind of it’s own and it seems to be different characters depending on type of weather is active
INNOCENT—maybe, maybe not
“I’M BETTER THAN YOU”-even if I’m not
“I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH”~even when I am
CAN YOU UNDERSTAND— second in command or third questions—either side…
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME/YOU?—mercenaries complicate the issues on both sides maybe…
I’LL HAVE MY WAY/YOU HAVE YOUR WAY—conflict between negotiators
GIMME A BREAK—soldiers
LIFE, NO VALUE—enemy wants to ravage or have total control
LIFE PRECIOUS WORTH FIGHTING FOR—humans want to preserve and not fight unless absolutely necessary
LIFE ON ANOTHER DEMENTION—observers…
disABILITY—maybe for character who has special abilities
COURAGEOUS/HERO/OR-WANNA-BE—enemy or someone who is on fringe os society
WRITER WITH A CAUSE/OR NO—reporters, propaganda
FAITH OR NOT— enemy belief no doubt? humans belief maybe some doubt
——————————
STRANDED—on ship
NATURAL DISASTER—volcano
COMIC SITUATION—paper trail leads to…
SERIOUS SITUATION—fuel source or computer center hijacked by…or leadership compromised because…
ISLAND/PLANET/SHIP/SPACE SHIP/STEAMPUNK/TOWN/CITY/BASEMENT/CELL/CARAGE/FOREIGN LAND/HOSPITAL/AIRPLANE/CARNIVAL/LAB/CHURCH/TOWER/CAGE/ZOO/FARM/TENT/BOAT/CAR/BANK/TURTLE SHELL/FISH TANK/MOUNTAIN/DRUNK TANK—
CHASED BY—enemy aliens
DREAM—maybe
MENTAL THOUGHTS/DREAM THOUGHTS/THINK TANK—maybe
ACCIDENT—to change a mind
CEMETARY—reflection maybe
DISORIENTED STRANGER ASILEM—unique mind capable of…
RUN-AWAY VEHICLE—misprogrammed bacuse either someone made an honest mistake or they are traitors or enemy infiltration
PLANET/STAR/SPACE/ROUGED ENVIRONMENT/SAFE PLACE?’NOWHERE PLACE/IN MIND OWN WORLD—possibilities that classiest story
ENCHANTED/WEIRD/COLORFUL/DARK/DREARY/CALM/CHAOTIC/HAUNTED_MAYBE/
WATERY-BOG-DRY-HOT-HIGH=LOW—possibilities for consideration
FLYING-SWIMMING-RUNNING-WALKING-PACING-CIRCLING-ESCAPING-FIGHTING-DISAPPEARING-APPEARING-HANGING AROUND—possible charastice or changes
FRIGHTENED/ASSERTIVE— a mixture through out armies

Oct. 02: - Plot: Premise ▼

Now that you've brainstormed the general story idea, let's identify some story elements:

(1) Setting(s). Where does your story take place?
FOREIGN LAND/PLANET—earth and alien
TRAIN—transport equipment and humans
SHIP—both sides for water and air
HOME—dwelling
FANTASY LOCATION—place in-between earth and enemy planet


(2) Add a chronological timeline to your revised outline, using whatever measure of time is appropriate in your story. Determine when plot events happen in time (which is not necessarily when you will reveal them in your novel.) See this example composed by JK Rowling while outlining one of her famous Harry Potter novels.

beginning conflict with negotiations
Flash back to reveal story line about charlie and his life
forward to reveal supporting characters and their lives
enemy planes and occupants revealed after earth storm or accidental contact premature for enemy but they over come and earthlings do not suspect trouble yet

Second week or month
strange events or unusual sightings cause concern
enemy sends scouts
both governments are on alert

week so later bright flash is seen by earthlings looking through telescope
storm hits and brings with it strange matter
flashback to years ago when earth and enemy planets were stable and all was fine to establish cultural and other aspects of the story

Forward to …

(3) Optional: Brainstorm the best chronology(ies) for your story and work it(them) into your outline.

Chronology Strategies

Linear Narrative - the story is told in the order the events occurred.

Non-Linear Narrative - the story is told out of order.

Reverse Chronology - the story is told backwards.

In medias res - the story starts in the middle, goes back to explain how it got there, catches up, and then resolves.

Flashback/forward - individual scene(s) that take place prior to or after the current action.

Note that the difference between these chronological devices can be minute. Read the examples below to see how most stories use more than one style of chronology. Your job is to plan the order in which you will tell your story to the reader. Don't get hung up in the nomenclature.

EXAMPLES:
Lord of the Rings is mostly linear. The events of the story are revealed to the reader as they unfold for the characters. Some flashbacks occur, such as when Gandalf tells the Fellowship how he defeated the balrog and what happened when he visited Saruman.

The hit TV drama ""How to Get Away with Murder"" begins in medias res, with a group of law school students burying a body. The rest of the story is generally non-linear because it routinely moves back and forth in time. The screen will display ""3 months ago"" on a series of scenes, and then flash back forward to the body-burying scene again, then move back in time to ""2 months ago,"" using flashbacks to build the story for the viewer. Also, some scenes are repeated multiple times as flashbacks, often as visual-only scenes replaying while a character is explaining something to other characters or building a defense in the courtroom, but through careful camera angles or a few additional seconds of footage, the scene reveals more about the mystery than was obvious the first time the viewer saw that same scene. In this way, the show plants red herrings to fool the viewer and later prove their assumptions wrong.

The hit TV drama ""The Walking Dead"" is famous for beginning episodes in medias res and then going back in time to explain how the characters got there. On an academic level, these opening scenes could also be construed as flash forwards because, much of the time, the scene at the beginning of each episode is not actually the climax, or the action in the middle of the story, but rather, it shows where the characters end up at the very end of the episode. In medias res is technically the middle, not the end.

One episode of ""The X-Files"" featured a character who woke up each morning to find that it was one day earlier than the previous day. On the ""first"" (last, for the character) day, he was on trial for murdering his wife. On the ""second"" (previous) day, he was meeting his attorney. The plot continued to move backwards in time until it reached the day of the murder, at which point, the protagonist had enough information to prevent the murder from occurring at all. This is an example of reverse chronology, a rare but effective tool for revealing mysteries.

Oct. 17: - CONTEST ROUND: Setting Description. ▼

Describe a setting in words. Use all five senses and make your reader experience the setting as if he or she were there.

CONTEST ENTrY

I saw a strange planet afar through my huge and powerful telescope. It looked bright yet seemed to have drab and du colorations. Perhaps a halo surrounded this planet.

Occupied by millions of inhabitants roaming over desolate hills and valleys searching for food and water was the norm. Colors of brown and tan, hues of grey and other dark colors greeted them every step of their journey. Bedraggled they moved like robots shuffling through course sand, stumbling over stones and rocks, and taking in breaths of cloudy and smoky gases that had a minimum of oxygen. The atmosphere was still fo how long they did not know and fear of major storms hovered over them waiting to twist them about. Light was nether blackened nor white but a variation of gray’s depending on the time. Spirits were low but hopeful foe victory and finding homes on a new planet. that was the only reason they kept striving for survival because the environment was extremely hostile and unpredictable. Food and water had the taste of either sourness or sharp hotness that sometimes felt like fire burning out of control. The air sometimes took on the flavor of whatever was nearby. Breeses from the dumping grounds often smelled of rotting and fawel and decayed gunk which made the air taste similar permeating their bodies and causing retchedness and violent eviction of stomach and other organ contents.

The fortunate elite had shelter although it wasn’t fit for royalty like they required. Food and water was provided by slaves who slugged through mires, swamps, and other muddy places because the alternative was to be killed for not providing what was required. Some slaves died in the attempt and were buried at the dumping ground which added to the flavor and smell of decrepitness and rottenness that wafted over the planet.

*Contest Round entries may be any rating. Submit your ITEM or ENTRY number by 1200 noon WDC time on Sunday to compete. WDC time is New York City time and can be found at the top of the IM Console. If you miss this deadline or choose not to compete, you must still log the assignment complete (without linking your work) for the grand prize, per the standard Prep guidelines.

Tokyo: 19 Oct 2020 0100
Mumbai: 18 Oct 2020 2130
Moscow: 18 Oct 2020 1900
York: 18 Oct 2020 1700
New York: 18 Oct 2020 1200*
Reno: 18 Oct 2020 0900
Honolulu: 18 Oct 2020 0600
*WDC time

October NaNo Prep and its overworked volunteers have double-checked these times but take no responsibility for the accuracy of the above deadlines. Contestants are responsible for knowing their own time zones and getting their contest round entries in by the deadline, which is noon on Sunday according to WDC time, which is US Eastern Time.

Oct. 18: - FREEBIE DAY ▼

Oct. 19: - Setting: Settings List ▼

(1) Create a list of settings in a format easy to edit and expand.
(2) Add brief descriptions, drawings, images or Google Maps coordinates (find the location on Google Maps/Earth and record the URL) for each.

NOTE: You can revise this list at any time, so this revision is not expected to be fully accurate or complete.

SETTINGS LIST
earth, enemy planet
earth and enemy flying machines
charlie and girlfriend meeting in coffee shop or park rat work
dwellings of humans and enemy beings
battlefields and other places of battle
underground bunkers earth and enemy planet
laboratory, morgue, command centers, citizen tunnels both planets, or etc…

Oct. 20: - Setting: Cultural Setting ▼

Describe the cultural, political and/or religious setting in your novel, regardless of whether the cultural setting is fictional, historical, or modern.
(1) What do your societies believe?
enemy believes earth belongs to them, their power and creator requires they eliminate earthly beings because they were created to survive

earthly beings believe in a higher power of cooperation, caring for one another, giving help when needed, and sharing whenever possible

(2) In what practices do they engage?
worship sacrifice, rituals, and eliminating those who defy their culture especially those who have their planet which their creator gave to them

prayer and reading books related to their beliefs, following their beliefs, gathering together to share their knowledge about their beliefs, and doing to other as they want done to them

(3) What laws or rules of society are in place?
You follow the rules of society or you are thrown into confines far away from society. You work or not eat have shelter or anything else/thrown away from society. everything is for the good of everyone provided there are no residents. examples are made of oppossion against society. You get caught, you’re guilty. Suspected of wrong doing you are questioned or punished until you confess or are proven guiltless.

earthlings believe in freedom and responsibility going together. they have trials and defenders/persecuters. Suspicions of wrong doing are investigated.

(4) Who/what enforces the laws and rules and how successful are they?
enemy planet has things under control because of fear and oppression enforced by the military. Citizens are afraid to do anything for change except for a small group. Success lies in the amount of fear generated by repercussions when wrong doing is discovered.

military working with local enforcement successful without fear and other head and difficult forces keep the peace.

(5) What technologies are in use?
Advanced scientific, medical, transportatiôn, military, and workforce on both planets.

(6) How does the setting impact your protagonist(s) in their pre-story lives?
Normal life until battle for survival
(7) How does the setting impact the plot of your story?
Enemy planet drives them to drastic measures for survival

earthlings are peaceable until threatened, invaded, and forced to defend their lives and planet.

Oct. 21: - Setting: Definitions List ▼

(1) Create a list of definitions (see below) in a format easy to edit and expand.
enemy planet housing is called placeholder for house and related living buildings
earth has typical housing we know today but more technical

government for enemy planet is firm and dictatorial
earth has similar government we know today

both beings are a blessing to use flying, trains-coaches, cars-directdrives, boats-aquafloats

weapons are electrical flairs, exploding devices, fire zappers, long range blasters, huge armored vehicles

enemy suseptable to human diseases if their environment gets polluted
humans can get slow wasting disease from compromised health enemy

both sides can die from chemical issues if exposed during warfare

(2) Optional: Brainstorm and describe an object critical to the plot. Add to definitions list.
Humans must find the details and understand the devices enemy planet used for survival.
a special mineral and metal when used will help defeat the enemy invaders but exactly where is it, and how to get to it on the enemy planet that does not exist? Maybe scouts sneak on enemy planet and…

In your definitions list, you'll flesh out details that you'll want to remember later for consistency. You won't have to dig through pages of scribbled notes to find whatever you decided about these definitions - they will all be compiled into a neat list / binder / database / note cards / whatever your favorite form of organization happens to be.

Example definitions for the Harry Potter series:

rules of magic

the Ministry of Magic

modes of transportation (apparition, Floo network, portkeys, flying, etc.)

the four Houses at Hogwarts

the sword of Gryffindor (note: this would also make a good plot background story)

Non-speculative examples requiring definitions:

a fictional student organization to which your protagonist belongs

the fictional company or division of the FBI for whom your protagonist works

the disease afflicting your protagonist, which is a real condition you need to research

the antique artifact your protagonist intends to heist

NOTE: You can revise this list at any time, so this revision is not expected to be fully accurate or complete.

Oct. 22: - Character: Minor Character Profiles ▼

(1) Expand or add profiles for one or more minor characters.
charlies girl friend—slim, green eyes, very light brown medium length hair, outgoing personality, artist, computer whiz, athletic—name working progress

charlies second in command—brandon crimson—football player type, marksman, darkmshort have, brown eyes, computer geek, leads other large military force for charlie

charger—dog, military soldier trained to protect against explosives and chemicals

(2) Spend some time updating your character list with new information, images, etc.

Oct. 23: - Plot: Outline Revision #3 ▼

(1) Review your plot elements thus far and organize them into your outline.
(2) Fill in any gaps in your outline template and/or flesh out more details.

PLOT OUTLINE

Who is(are) the character(s)?
ANIMALS WITH HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS
dog, cat, horse, chicken—Human pets or animals in military service
half of this and half of that—alien creature pet
machine/human—Alien soldier
human/animal/ficticous figure
royalty—Enemy faction depending and pressuring for victorious war if humans do not do what enemy wants
slave—enemy servant made to labor hard day and night as needed often implanted with machine elements and devices to control their every second of life activity
prisoner—worse than slavery, tortured for information, kept alive only until they were no longer useful, worked to death or slowly executed for enemy pleasure similar to gladiator or other form of entertainment

PEOPLE ON AN ADVENTURE maybe but probably not a vacation adventure/ military?
OBJECTS THAT ARE HUMAN-LIKE—helicopter very loyal and helpful humans
UNIQUE AND STRANGE CREATIONS~FANTASY—enemy experiments
HUMBLE AND/OR HORRIBLE—humans working for good and doing what is right

Why do we care about them?
STRUGGLING—both parties trying to survive
STRANGE—enemy customs, physical and psychological, customs
SIMILAR CAN RELATE TO LIFE CHALLENGES—defectors from enemy to help humans
UNIQUELY ODD—???
JUST LIKE ME—I’m just like you and want freedom as you do.
SENSE OF ADVENTURE—dedicated to saving earth and people, adventure in figuring out how to defeat enemy
COMPASSIONATE—wants the best possible outcome for everyone
Survival is instinctive. Both parties want to live in an environment that is life just aiming, but enemy faction is doing the opposite of the humans inter quest to rule and survive. Life is precious, possible for both factions to share earth, humans could be like the enemy if they were taught like the enemy, enemy could change their lifestyle

What happens to them, and why is it a problem? (If it's not a problem, it's just life, not a story.
NO PROBLEM, BORDOM, SAME OLE, SAME OLE, UNTIL—character doesn’t care, won’t help, and..
GETTING MY LIFE BACK—protagonist wants life back but realizes this won’t happen unless the battle is won
CHANGING THINGS FOR THE BETTER—enemy is told things could change but refuses to believe…
SCRAMBLED EGGS DON’T MAKE LIFE EASY~head thing, mixed up thinking about how to or what to do about invasion until…
STORMS—enemy planet has unpredictable weather but earth also has it’s weather issues.
HORRIBLE WEATHER—enemy planet almost has weather that has a mind of it’s own and it seems to be different characters depending on type of weather is active
INNOCENT—maybe, maybe not
“I’M BETTER THAN YOU”-even if I’m not
“I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH”~even when I am
CAN YOU UNDERSTAND— second in command or third questions—either side…
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME/YOU?—mercenaries complicate the issues on both sides maybe…
I’LL HAVE MY WAY/YOU HAVE YOUR WAY—conflict between negotiators
GIMME A BREAK—soldiers
LIFE, NO VALUE—enemy wants to ravage or have total control
LIFE PRECIOUS WORTH FIGHTING FOR—humans want to preserve and not fight unless absolutely necessary
LIFE ON ANOTHER DEMENTION—observers…
disABILITY—maybe for character who has special abilities
COURAGEOUS/HERO/OR-WANNA-BE—enemy or someone who is on fringe os society
WRITER WITH A CAUSE/OR NO—reporters, propaganda
FAITH OR NOT— enemy belief no doubt? humans belief maybe some doubt
——————————
STRANDED—on ship
NATURAL DISASTER—volcano
COMIC SITUATION—paper trail leads to…
SERIOUS SITUATION—fuel source or computer center hijacked by…or leadership compromised because…
ISLAND/PLANET/SHIP/SPACE SHIP/STEAMPUNK/TOWN/CITY/BASEMENT/CELL/CARAGE/FOREIGN LAND/HOSPITAL/AIRPLANE/CARNIVAL/LAB/CHURCH/TOWER/CAGE/ZOO/FARM/TENT/BOAT/CAR/BANK/TURTLE SHELL/FISH TANK/MOUNTAIN/DRUNK TANK—
CHASED BY—enemy aliens
DREAM—maybe
MENTAL THOUGHTS/DREAM THOUGHTS/THINK TANK—maybe
ACCIDENT—to change a mind
CEMETARY—reflection maybe
DISORIENTED STRANGER ASILEM—unique mind capable of…
RUN-AWAY VEHICLE—misprogrammed bacuse either someone made an honest mistake or they are traitors or enemy infiltration
PLANET/STAR/SPACE/ROUGED ENVIRONMENT/SAFE PLACE?’NOWHERE PLACE/IN MIND OWN WORLD—possibilities that classiest story
ENCHANTED/WEIRD/COLORFUL/DARK/DREARY/CALM/CHAOTIC/HAUNTED_MAYBE/
WATERY-BOG-DRY-HOT-HIGH=LOW—possibilities for consideration
FLYING-SWIMMING-RUNNING-WALKING-PACING-CIRCLING-ESCAPING-FIGHTING-DISAPPEARING-APPEARING-HANGING AROUND—possible charastice or changes
FRIGHTENED/ASSERTIVE— a mixture through out armies

Oct. 02: - Plot: Premise ▼

Now that you've brainstormed the general story idea, let's identify some story elements:

(1) Setting(s). Where does your story take place?
FOREIGN LAND/PLANET—earth and alien
TRAIN—transport equipment and humans
SHIP—both sides for water and air
HOME—dwelling
FANTASY LOCATION—place in-between earth and enemy planet
Who is(are) the character(s)?
ANIMALS WITH HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS
dog, cat, horse, chicken—Human pets or animals in military service
half of this and half of that—alien creature pet
machine/human—Alien soldier
human/animal/ficticous figure
royalty—Enemy faction depending and pressuring for victorious war if humans do not do what enemy wants
slave—enemy servant made to labor hard day and night as needed often implanted with machine elements and devices to control their every second of life activity
prisoner—worse than slavery, tortured for information, kept alive only until they were no longer useful, worked to death or slowly executed for enemy pleasure similar to gladiator or other form of entertainment

PEOPLE ON AN ADVENTURE maybe but probably not a vacation adventure/ military?
OBJECTS THAT ARE HUMAN-LIKE—helicopter very loyal and helpful humans
UNIQUE AND STRANGE CREATIONS~FANTASY—enemy experiments
HUMBLE AND/OR HORRIBLE—humans working for good and doing what is right

Why do we care about them?
STRUGGLING—both parties trying to survive
STRANGE—enemy customs, physical and psychological, customs
SIMILAR CAN RELATE TO LIFE CHALLENGES—defectors from enemy to help humans
UNIQUELY ODD—???
JUST LIKE ME—I’m just like you and want freedom as you do.
SENSE OF ADVENTURE—dedicated to saving earth and people, adventure in figuring out how to defeat enemy
COMPASSIONATE—wants the best possible outcome for everyone
Survival is instinctive. Both parties want to live in an environment that is life just aiming, but enemy faction is doing the opposite of the humans inter quest to rule and survive. Life is precious, possible for both factions to share earth, humans could be like the enemy if they were taught like the enemy, enemy could change their lifestyle

What happens to them, and why is it a problem? (If it's not a problem, it's just life, not a story.
NO PROBLEM, BORDOM, SAME OLE, SAME OLE, UNTIL—character doesn’t care, won’t help, and..
GETTING MY LIFE BACK—protagonist wants life back but realizes this won’t happen unless the battle is won
CHANGING THINGS FOR THE BETTER—enemy is told things could change but refuses to believe…
SCRAMBLED EGGS DON’T MAKE LIFE EASY~head thing, mixed up thinking about how to or what to do about invasion until…
STORMS—enemy planet has unpredictable weather but earth also has it’s weather issues.
HORRIBLE WEATHER—enemy planet almost has weather that has a mind of it’s own and it seems to be different characters depending on type of weather is active
INNOCENT—maybe, maybe not
“I’M BETTER THAN YOU”-even if I’m not
“I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH”~even when I am
CAN YOU UNDERSTAND— second in command or third questions—either side…
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME/YOU?—mercenaries complicate the issues on both sides maybe…
I’LL HAVE MY WAY/YOU HAVE YOUR WAY—conflict between negotiators
GIMME A BREAK—soldiers
LIFE, NO VALUE—enemy wants to ravage or have total control
LIFE PRECIOUS WORTH FIGHTING FOR—humans want to preserve and not fight unless absolutely necessary
LIFE ON ANOTHER DEMENTION—observers…
disABILITY—maybe for character who has special abilities
COURAGEOUS/HERO/OR-WANNA-BE—enemy or someone who is on fringe os society
WRITER WITH A CAUSE/OR NO—reporters, propaganda
FAITH OR NOT— enemy belief no doubt? humans belief maybe some doubt
——————————
STRANDED—on ship
NATURAL DISASTER—volcano
COMIC SITUATION—paper trail leads to…
SERIOUS SITUATION—fuel source or computer center hijacked by…or leadership compromised because…
ISLAND/PLANET/SHIP/SPACE SHIP/STEAMPUNK/TOWN/CITY/BASEMENT/CELL/CARAGE/FOREIGN LAND/HOSPITAL/AIRPLANE/CARNIVAL/LAB/CHURCH/TOWER/CAGE/ZOO/FARM/TENT/BOAT/CAR/BANK/TURTLE SHELL/FISH TANK/MOUNTAIN/DRUNK TANK—
CHASED BY—enemy aliens
DREAM—maybe
MENTAL THOUGHTS/DREAM THOUGHTS/THINK TANK—maybe
ACCIDENT—to change a mind
CEMETARY—reflection maybe
DISORIENTED STRANGER ASILEM—unique mind capable of…
RUN-AWAY VEHICLE—misprogrammed bacuse either someone made an honest mistake or they are traitors or enemy infiltration
PLANET/STAR/SPACE/ROUGED ENVIRONMENT/SAFE PLACE?’NOWHERE PLACE/IN MIND OWN WORLD—possibilities that classiest story
ENCHANTED/WEIRD/COLORFUL/DARK/DREARY/CALM/CHAOTIC/HAUNTED_MAYBE/
WATERY-BOG-DRY-HOT-HIGH=LOW—possibilities for consideration
FLYING-SWIMMING-RUNNING-WALKING-PACING-CIRCLING-ESCAPING-FIGHTING-DISAPPEARING-APPEARING-HANGING AROUND—possible charastice or changes
FRIGHTENED/ASSERTIVE— a mixture through out armies

Oct. 02: - Plot: Premise ▼

Now that you've brainstormed the general story idea, let's identify some story elements:

(1) Setting(s). Where does your story take place?
FOREIGN LAND/PLANET—earth and alien
TRAIN—transport equipment and humans
SHIP—both sides for water and air
HOME—dwelling
FANTASY LOCATION—place in-between earth and enemy planet
Who is(are) the character(s)?
ANIMALS WITH HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS
dog, cat, horse, chicken—Human pets or animals in military service
half of this and half of that—alien creature pet
machine/human—Alien soldier
human/animal/ficticous figure
royalty—Enemy faction depending and pressuring for victorious war if humans do not do what enemy wants
slave—enemy servant made to labor hard day and night as needed often implanted with machine elements and devices to control their every second of life activity
prisoner—worse than slavery, tortured for information, kept alive only until they were no longer useful, worked to death or slowly executed for enemy pleasure similar to gladiator or other form of entertainment

PEOPLE ON AN ADVENTURE maybe but probably not a vacation adventure/ military?
OBJECTS THAT ARE HUMAN-LIKE—helicopter very loyal and helpful humans
UNIQUE AND STRANGE CREATIONS~FANTASY—enemy experiments
HUMBLE AND/OR HORRIBLE—humans working for good and doing what is right

Why do we care about them?
STRUGGLING—both parties trying to survive
STRANGE—enemy customs, physical and psychological, customs
SIMILAR CAN RELATE TO LIFE CHALLENGES—defectors from enemy to help humans
UNIQUELY ODD—???
JUST LIKE ME—I’m just like you and want freedom as you do.
SENSE OF ADVENTURE—dedicated to saving earth and people, adventure in figuring out how to defeat enemy
COMPASSIONATE—wants the best possible outcome for everyone
Survival is instinctive. Both parties want to live in an environment that is life just aiming, but enemy faction is doing the opposite of the humans inter quest to rule and survive. Life is precious, possible for both factions to share earth, humans could be like the enemy if they were taught like the enemy, enemy could change their lifestyle

What happens to them, and why is it a problem? (If it's not a problem, it's just life, not a story.
NO PROBLEM, BORDOM, SAME OLE, SAME OLE, UNTIL—character doesn’t care, won’t help, and..
GETTING MY LIFE BACK—protagonist wants life back but realizes this won’t happen unless the battle is won
CHANGING THINGS FOR THE BETTER—enemy is told things could change but refuses to believe…
SCRAMBLED EGGS DON’T MAKE LIFE EASY~head thing, mixed up thinking about how to or what to do about invasion until…
STORMS—enemy planet has unpredictable weather but earth also has it’s weather issues.
HORRIBLE WEATHER—enemy planet almost has weather that has a mind of it’s own and it seems to be different characters depending on type of weather is active
INNOCENT—maybe, maybe not
“I’M BETTER THAN YOU”-even if I’m not
“I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH”~even when I am
CAN YOU UNDERSTAND— second in command or third questions—either side…
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME/YOU?—mercenaries complicate the issues on both sides maybe…
I’LL HAVE MY WAY/YOU HAVE YOUR WAY—conflict between negotiators
GIMME A BREAK—soldiers
LIFE, NO VALUE—enemy wants to ravage or have total control
LIFE PRECIOUS WORTH FIGHTING FOR—humans want to preserve and not fight unless absolutely necessary
LIFE ON ANOTHER DEMENTION—observers…
disABILITY—maybe for character who has special abilities
COURAGEOUS/HERO/OR-WANNA-BE—enemy or someone who is on fringe os society
WRITER WITH A CAUSE/OR NO—reporters, propaganda
FAITH OR NOT— enemy belief no doubt? humans belief maybe some doubt
——————————
STRANDED—on ship because of sun generator defect or breakdown or other equipment failure
NATURAL DISASTER—volcano, fire showers like rain but doing damage that doesn’t burn
COMIC SITUATION—paper trail leads to…description of how to cook spernklin
SERIOUS SITUATION—fuel source or computer center hijacked by…or leadership compromised because…or computer improperly programmed because of new person
ISLAND/PLANET/SHIP/SPACE SHIP/STEAMPUNK/TOWN/CITY/BASEMENT/CELL/CARAGE/FOREIGN LAND/HOSPITAL/AIRPLANE/CARNIVAL/LAB/CHURCH/TOWER/CAGE/ZOO/FARM/TENT/BOAT/CAR/BANK/TURTLE SHELL/FISH TANK/MOUNTAIN/DRUNK TANK—
CHASED BY—enemy aliens
DREAM—maybe—aliens capture the communications center and take…
MENTAL THOUGHTS/DREAM THOUGHTS/THINK TANK—maybe
ACCIDENT—to change a mind leading to speghei thinking and scrambled brains
CEMETARY—reflection of military life and yearning to see loved ones
DISORIENTED STRANGER ASILEM—unique mind capable of…producing the fuel and vehicle to get the special minerals and chemicals needed
RUN-AWAY VEHICLE—misprogrammed bacuse either someone made an honest mistake or they are traitors or enemy infiltration and don’t want ??? to be able to get the minerals and chemicals
PLANET/STAR/SPACE/ROUGED ENVIRONMENT/SAFE PLACE?’NOWHERE PLACE/IN MIND OWN WORLD—possibilities for the future on earth after environment is changed
earth is able to fight back and help prevent alien invasion
enemy world demands obedience and control bit they first try to bargain or slip slowly into earth population
ENCHANTED/WEIRD/COLORFUL/DARK/DREARY/CALM/CHAOTIC/HAUNTED_MAYBE/
WATERY-BOG-DRY-HOT-HIGH=LOW—possibilities for consideration, may worknfor enemy planet and earth
FLYING-SWIMMING-RUNNING-WALKING-PACING-CIRCLING-ESCAPING-FIGHTING-characteristic direction source
DISAPPEARING-APPEARING-HANGING AROUND—possible charastice or changes the enemy try to use to win the war
FRIGHTENED/ASSERTIVE— a mixture through out armies which sometimes is helpful, sometimes not

Oct. 02: - Plot: Premise ▼

Now that you've brainstormed the general story idea, let's identify some story elements:

(1) Setting(s). Where does your story take place?
FOREIGN LAND/PLANET—earth and alien—gilaxn
TRAIN—transport equipment and humans—heavy armor and technology,
SHIP—both sides for water and air—civilian and military
HOME—dwelling—thecnically advanced for both sides Gilgatropians more advanced
FANTASY LOCATION—place in-between earth and enemy planet used by other factions to observe interactions between earthlings and enemy—gilgatropians


Oct. 24: - CONTEST ROUND: Plot Background Story ▼

Write a story that sets up your plot. EXAMPLE: The Lord of the Rings story revolves around the One Ring, its significance, and how it's destroyed. But how did Frodo get the One Ring in the first place? We learn that in The Hobbit. You obviously can't write a full-scale novel in 15 minutes, but you could write the scene where Bilbo encounters Gollum and stumbles across the ring. That would be a background story that sets up the plot in Lord of the Rings.

CONTEST STORY
Charlie thought about returning to civilian statue but he knew he would always be a warrior. Warriors he knew extremely well were not trained to retire. Military life was good and he had plenty of liberty time banked because it was hard to spend several weeks doing the typical civilian activities.

He preferred the structure and the activity and excitement of the challenges to over come difficulties. The food was good, he had his home place in the military housing that was guaranteed as long as he served for at least 22 years, and after that he could remain and have a high ranking position in command.

His girlfriend want more time with him but he wasn’t certain about their relationship[ so he avoided spending large chunks of time with her until he had a plan in place.

A big concern about the political and military alert status was another reason Charlie used for an excuse to remain on base instead of visiting his girlfriend.

meanwhile there was a strategy being generated for contacting the earthlings by a civilization the needed to find another home. crucial to their success was contacting the right human at the right time and finding out where they could explore other living possibilities.


*Contest Round entries may be any rating. Submit your ITEM or ENTRY number by 1200 noon WDC time on Sunday to compete. WDC time is New York City time and can be found at the top of the IM Console. If you miss this deadline or choose not to compete, you must still log the assignment complete (without linking your work) for the grand prize, per the standard Prep guidelines.

Auckland: 26 Oct 2020 0500
Sydney: 26 Oct 2020 0300
Tokyo: 26 Oct 2020 0100
Mumbai: 25 Oct 2020 2130
Moscow: 25 Oct 2020 1900
York: 25 Oct 2020 1700
New York: 25 Oct 2020 1200*
Reno: 25 Oct 2020 0900
Honolulu: 25 Oct 2020 0600
*WDC time

October NaNo Prep and its overworked volunteers have double-checked these times but take no responsibility for the accuracy of the above deadlines. Contestants are responsible for knowing their own time zones and getting their contest round entries in by the deadline, which is noon on Sunday according to WDC time, which is US Eastern Time.

Oct. 25: - FREEBIE DAY ▼

Oct. 26: - Plot: Complications ▼

Complications. Identify additional things that could go wrong for your protagonist. You are not required to resolve any problems yet, just create them. Remember: The more hardships your main character faces, the more readers will cheer them on, and the more engaged and invested the reader will be in your story. Brainstorm a list of problems you could throw at your protagonist(s) throughout the story, using ""What If,"" mind mapping (see the resources at the bottom of the calendar), freestyle writing, or any other form of brainstorming you prefer. Hint: Other characters are a great source of realistic strife, since characters often are driven by conflicting motivations.

*** NEED DISASTERS? See the Plot Twists generator at the bottom of the calendar.

Charlies girlfriend is getting upset because she rarely sees jim
second in command considers leaving military
commanding officer commands charlie to fire upon anyone who starts trouble foreign and domestic during the uprising
people charge the military and police when they discover the change in laws
enemy has someone who is able to slip into human citizen society and start snooping around
dogs are needed for military training

Oct. 27: - Plot: Literary Devices ▼

(1) Brainstorm possible solutions to your conflict and complications using the list of literary devices below or your own ideas.
commanding officer commands charlie to fire upon anyone who starts trouble foreign and domestic during the uprising unless charlie can find a different solution through technology.
dogs are needed for military training and charlie has a dog trainer friend but they have to resolve their differences about handling dogs and using them in military service. Dog trainer shows charlie the training techniques and how it keeps the dogs safe as well as military soldiers
second in command considers leaving military until charlie finds out about the planet explosion. He convinced his friend to stay inn military and help him
people charge the military and police when they discover the change in laws, Lockdown is implemented and then service announcement explaining the need to keep everyone safe at home so that any chemicals or other technology can not be used to wipe out many people at once. Underlying is that commander and chief needs an excuse to be in a very, very deep bunker without a lot of people knowing about it.
spy infiltrates earth hooping around to find the weaknesses but is detected by making a horrible mistake.

(2) Identify a mentor or helper who aids the protagonist(s) in achieving their goals.
Charlie’s friend and teacher knows something about the invasion because teacher friend now works in the space industry. Technologies are changing fast and one such may be available for deterring invasion but it isn’t declassified yet.

(3) Identify any other literary devices from the list you could use to enhance your writing.
Alls well that ends well but it ends in disaster before things go back to normal. one of the enemy beings has been married and has a son and daughter

Literary Devices List

Foreshadowing: Hints of something to come.
storms reveal hidden machinery.

Chekhov's Gun: The gun on the wall in Scene 1 is eventually fired.
after many days of trying to get things straightened out before the invasion, a soldier tries to take some explosives so he can clear his land but someone else beats him to his stash.

Repetitive Designation: An object or fact appears over and over.
dreaming about finding treasure and watch

Symbolism: Small facts, objects, or characterizations represent something bigger.
military actions seem like exercises when actually they are redirects for another operation.

Self-fulfilling prophecy: Protagonist attempts to thwart prophecy but in attempting, fulfills it.
Charlie tried to convince girlfriend to find someone else but she finds more reason to stick with him. He thought he could find a way for her to want to stay but they have too much troubles between them.

Poetic Justice: Good guys are rewarded and bad guys are punished.
this is about two facing off for battle.

Plot Twist: Surprises the reader with something unexpected.
charlies girlfriend is actually in the military as a specialist and her job is to help charlie only in an emergency near the end.

False Protagonist: The protagonist dies or turns out to be something other than the protagonist.
charlie dies inside and al out makes the wrong decision.

Red Herring: A false trail diverts the reader's attention from what really happened.
the enemy goes toward earth but diverts, sneaking around to another path to surprise earthlings

Unreliable Narrator: The narrator has been misleading the reader all along.
Are these planets actually the opposite?

Irony: The exact opposite of what the reader expects happens.
earth becomes planet for enemy beings but humans actually are the trouble makers

Reveal: A hidden connection between characters or facts is revealed in time.
Charlies father is part alien and his mother is from another planet even though she looks and acts completely humana

Plot Device: Advances the plot forward, often pushing the main character past a hurdle.
Indecisivemess takes charlie further into the challenge about his parents

Object of Power: Either the protagonist wants it, or the object drives the plot of its own accord.
Battle over earth isn’t what it seems. Scientists want earth so they can create super humans.

MacGuffin: Something the protagonist wants for unknown and unimportant reasons.
Charlie wants his girlfriend to consider moving to another planet until things are resolved.

Quibble: Following the letter of the law, contract, or agreement instead of its intent, changing the outcome.
earthlings and enemys contract for peace but it isn’t legal and the wrong people with a different agenda fake the aliens.

Narrative Hook: Story opening that grab's the reader's attention.
Planets collide bring storms and unrest to two waring planets

Cliffhanger: Ending a scene, chapter or story in the middle of action, hooking the reader.
charlie commands some his men to climb through a cavernous section of the battle field to get more equipment

Ticking Clock Scenario: The threat of impending doom if the protagonist's objective is not met.
Charlie must find the device for healing before his second in command dies

Breaking the Fourth Wall: A character speaks directly to the reader.
maybe

Or anything from this list: http://literary-devices.com/

Oct. 28: - General: Freestyle Brainstorm, World Building or Research ▼

(1) Spend at least fifteen minutes clarifying things through ""What If"" brainstorming, mind mapping (see resources at the bottom of the calendar), freestyle writing, lists, drawings or research. You may also choose to use this time to finish a previous assignment that needs more time.
colonies from the planet charlies mother and father came from to earth descend to earth and help

(2) Update your characters, definitions and settings lists as needed.
train carrying special technological equipment and a few personal has unbelievable; e capabilities. See above

Oct. 29: - General: Market Definition and Narrative Voice Synopsis ▼

(1) Identify your story type from this list of story types
or define it with your own nomenclature.
science fiction and speculation, action, adventure, drama, mystery, get the bad guys

(2) Describe your target audience. Identify a demographic profile of your ideal reader (try using your character profile template!) Explain in detail what aspects of your novel will appeal to this particular audience and why. Please read this blog post to understand the importance of marketing, and why targeting ""mass appeal"" or ""all readers"" isn't good enough: "Building Your Brand"

I write varied genres but am currently focusing on SiFi as stated above which fits my audience. there is a small amount of relationship romance but very little. culture exists because of world and character events.

(3) Write a synopsis of your novel using the same narrative voice you will use to tell the story.
Most of the time is peaceful, but occasionally there are events that will rock planets and cultures causing responses to dangerous events. Technology is advancing rapidly and when used properly does not require retaliation, but there are times when someone or several someones decide to experiment or cause terrible trouble. I know about this because I’m one of the few survivors who managed to find a place to live after the mega war was finished.



Oct. 30: - Character: Protagonist Interview ▼

You are a journalist. The story of your novel is complete. Interview your protagonist and ask the following questions:
(1) How is life for you now, compared to life prior to these events?
I’m still having nightmares, episodes of fright and flashbacks. My dog helps me get through these challenging times. My friends understand but sometimes decide to leave and don’t visit for a while. Life is filled with trying to keep focused and get things done. I’m the only one left in my family. My girlfriend isn’t sure if she wants to continue our relationship.

(2) How did the events of your story change you?
I believed that we were right, but things weren’t as they seamed. I thought I’d never retire because worriers aren’t trained to retire. After seeing the horror and now knowing what i know I can retire.

Oct. 31: - Plot: Premise Revision ▼

Now that you have spent a month planning your novel, revise your initial premise. Identify the following:
(1) Setting(s). Where does your story take place?
on earth and Gilaxn.

(2) Protagonist(s). Who is(are) your main character(s)?

Charlie


(2b) Flaw(s). What is(are) the protagonist's major flaw(s)?
He likes military life too much

(2c) Goal(s). What does(d) the protagonist(s) want (or want to avoid)?
Problems with his girlfriend and dealing with treason and spies

(3) Conflict(s). What's keeping them from their goal(s)?
Enemy technology and government interference

(4) Antagonist(s). Who or what is creating the conflict(s)?
gilgatropians are working to take over earth and things are not as they seem.

(5) Resolution. How does it all turn out in the end?
The bad guys get the good guys but there is a price and moral to this story.

(6) Theme: What is the theme or moral of the story?
Things are not as they seem. It is on the surface hiding something below. Characters know the surface but only one or two know the real answer.

(7) Outline: Update your outline as needed.
As things come to me to add I will.

Nov. 01 - NANOWRIMO BEGINS ▼