National Novel Research Month

So, every year when Nanowrimo rolls around, it seems like it falls at the wrong time for me to do anything about it. It sneaks up all unsuspected, while I'm in the midst of another project, and I'm just not geared up to start writing something new.

Such was the case again this year. I decided, "Well, I can use this month to finish up a project I've been working on." Awkward: I just this evening finished the project. (Well, finished a dreadful draft, anyway. I have a feeling this one will never again see the light of day.)

I do have another project in the works, one I've been looking forward to for some time. Challenge: it's a historical fantasy. I know next to nothing about the historical period (or any historical period, really; history is one of my weak points). And the story involves two historical figures, who I'll be fictionalizing massively. Granted, they are fascinating figures I want to learn more about and can't wait to write about. But I'm going to have to do a ton of research before I can lay down Word One.

Inspiration strike: for me, this will be National Novel Research Month. I have a pretty good book list to guide me and am looking forward to every book on it. So my challenge for the month is to lay out my research for the new book in preparation for writing.

Stay tuned to watch my progress!

Nano redux

Just after midnight last night, I typed out my first words for Nanowrimo this year. Technically I'm doing what I call "Cheatowrimo". In the strictest interpretation of the rules, your project only "counts" if you lay down the first words on November first. I started with around 19,000 words on my current novel; I'll be using Nano to add to, and hopefully finish, this draft.

Maybe I don't have the same stake in it as someone who's starting from scratch. But whatever gets me writing, right?