Our Masterpieces...Err, Our Novels

Monday, October 17, 2011

Countdown to NaNo: Choose Your Idea!

Brainstorming Song of the Day: "I Choose" by The Offspring

Happy Monday, lovelies! You may be asking why I'm so stoked at the start of the work week. Well, that's because we're just TWO WEEKS AWAY from NaNoWriMo! Can I get a woot woot?

Last week, Quita outlined what we were going to do to prepare for NaNo. And our job last week was to actually choose our idea. Simple enough, right? Well, not quite. Let's break it down for you:


Pam's Idea: Last year for NaNo, I wanted to get out of my contemporary YA comfort zone. So what did I do? I wrote about fairies. And you know what? I had a blast.


After writing Ins and Outs this year (AKA, the WIP formerly known as Project J), I wanted to return to my darker roots--and I'm not talking about my hair. Ins and Outs was more of a funny ha ha story about a possibly serious topic. I had fun writing it, but I felt like getting a little moody again.


I saw a Twitter conversation that my agent had about Bible retellings, and it hit me--I wanted to write a story featuring a teenaged Cain and Abel! But wait--there's more. Since NaNo's all about getting out of my comfort zone, I knew I just didn't want to write straight up contemporary. So not only am I writing a Cain and Abel retelling, but I'm adding a magical realism twist. And that's all I'm telling you guys about it right now--but just know I'm SO EXCITED to get started!


Quita's Idea:

Like Pam, I tried to get out of my comfort zone last year, as well. I wrote about djinns or genies. And it's the WIP I've hated the most. I don't think fantasy or paranormal is my strong suit. Also, after revising the mess out of my historical, In Limbo, I knew I didn't want to go there again--especially not for NaNo.


Then I read an article in my People magazine about a boy who was abducted and I realized, I haven't read any YA books about boys who get kidnapped and what happens to them. Thus, my idea was born. But of course I want to do more than that, so my story is about a teenaged boy who was once abducted but is now free--only his family can't deal with what happened so he's sent to a boarding school. That's all I'm gonna give for now. You can find out more next Monday when we talk baby plots!


So what about you all? Have you chosen your story ideas for NaNo yet? Please share with us below!



BTW, add us as a buddy when that function works again! Pam is pharris81 and Quita is mhockaday!

12 comments:

Claire Dawn said...

I'm writing a teen who grew up in Japan (but isn't Japanese) and is experiencing her first love against the backdrop of the March 2011 earthquake.

Claire Dawn said...

Oh, my nano is: muchlanguage

Racquel Henry said...

Yay! WOW, both ideas sound FABULOUS! And Quita, I really like that perspective...the fact that it's after the kidnapping. I like darker fiction and I'm sticking to it. My novel is about a sex-trafficked victim.

Jaime Morrow said...

Hey, I'm giving you ladies the 7x7 Link Award (if you're not sure what it is, the details are on my blog). Great blog, ladies! (you're tempting me to participate in NaNoWriMo with all of your useful tips) :)

KatOwens: Insect Collector said...

I like both ideas so much. I hope I get to read drafts one day? hint hint.

Unknown said...

I'm definitely doing Nano this year. Love both those ideas. This year I'm doing a YA horror that involves faceless ghosts and people disappearing from existence. Can't wait for November so I can start.

Jessica Love said...

Yay NaNo! I'm jessrkim once buddies are up and running again.

My story is about a girl who cheats on her boyfriend. :-)

Alicia Gregoire said...

These sound fantastic ladies and once it allows me to, I'll make sure you're my NaNo friends again. :)

Rebecca B said...

These ideas sound amazing! Looking forward to hearing about your NaNo adventures. :)

Marquita Hockaday said...

Everybody has such great ideas! The horror one sounds amazing! We can't wait to "friend" all of you once the feature is up and running. We're so excited!!

Ghenet Myrthil said...

Love your ideas! I'm excited to hear how you do. I'm not participating this round but maybe someday. :)

Good luck!!

Christa Desir said...

These are great ideas. I have floundered with the idea of NaNo but the timing doesn't seem to be working out for my WIP. I think I'll end up being a game day decision, but for sure I'm pushing out of my comfort zone.