For those of you who don’t know, November is National Novel Writing Month. Obviously, the goal is to complete a manuscript by November 30th, usually totaling 50,000 words. I, on the other hand, am doing the opposite. Here’s why:
I have been working on my YA fantasy novel for over eight months. Although I am a pantser rather than a plotter, I have the character development figured out for my FMC, MMC, and several of my secondary characters, including making AI image boards for each. I have the world (mostly) mapped out, and I have figured out the beginnings of my external and internal plots. I already have several miscellaneous scenes written, and I have vague ideas for others. By all accounts, I’m ready to start drafting—almost.
I have basically everything I need to begin writing the opening scene (more like rewriting it, since I’d written the original before I knew anything about my characters, world, or plot). There is just one thing in my way: the inciting event that causes my FMC and MMC to be estranged at the beginning of the book. Currently, I have my FMC feeling betrayed by the MMC leaving her behind when he moved to the capital after his father became king. The FMC feels like he abandoned her. But I’ve been playing devil’s advocate: Why wouldn’t he follow his dad to the capital? He’s now a prince! My MMC never tried to hurt her, and even wrote her several letters trying to stay connected, but she never replied. Why? What exactly happened to make her hate him so much that she’s willing to lead the rebellion to him years later, knowing that they’d hurt him—or worse? If the belief fueling her loathing is that he severed all ties to her, then how does that hold up since he did try to keep in touch?
I don’t have the answers right now. I’ve been racking my brain for the last two months trying to think of ways to make it make sense, or to find ways to change it that still result in her going to the capital even though she hates him and swore to never see him again. Obviously, trying to force a solution to the problem isn’t working. When I was in school, I repeatedly heard that you need to take a break after writing something to reset your mind before editing it so you can look at it through fresh eyes, and that always benefitted me.
So, this November, I’m taking a complete break from writing. I’m not going to write any random scenes or work on more worldbuilding or write deeper character backstories. I’m definitely not going to think about my plot. My goal is to come back to it in December and see it from a different perspective. Maybe my subconscious mind will think of a solution while I focus on other things, like crafting, reading, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies (Don’t knock it! They’re fluffy, feel-good movies about my favorite time of year that give my brain a blessed break.). Maybe some distance from the characters will enable me to see an obvious explanation for their behavior that only an outsider looking in could.
That’s why I’m saying “no” to NaNoWriMo. Instead of focusing on nothing but writing, I’m going to focus on anything but. Hopefully it pays off and I have a very productive December. Wish me luck!
Allison Burton 