Something NaNo this way comes...

[T. Anne]

November, also known as national novel writing month, (thus lovingly dubbed, NaNoWriMo) commences in a mere three weeks time!

I thought I'd do my part in offering a little inspiration in the think-up-a-new-WIP department.

A good way to look at NaNo is to treat it like a literary exercise of MFA proportions, even if that means shoveling 50K words into your already existing WIP at breakneck speed. Or for those of you still scratching your heads as to what to write about next, here are a few meager suggestions;

*Write a sequel to one of your favorite novels. If you're concerned with falling in love with your new work and fear it never seeing the light of day due to stringent copyright laws, choose a novel who's copyright has long since expired.

*Take your favorite cast of characters that history has to offer and unite them under the guise of historical albeit slightly inaccurate fiction. Or if you've got a problem playing fast and loose with the past, write a straightforward historical novel with just one of your favorite oldies but goodies. (I've got dibs on David ;) as in one of the best kings ever? His eight wives might beg to differ).

*Write a memoir! Why wait for that literary magnum opus to play itself out? Why reserve all the excitement of exploring the inner labyrinth of your psyche for some distal point in the future? Besides, who knows you better than, well, YOU? The streamline of memories might just roll you past the 50K mark with no problem. Remember to pump the breaks once or twice before hitting 100 thousand. ~Relatives beware.

*If the whole memoir idea has you shuddering, write a 'tell all' about someone else. Be sure to wrap that one up and give it to the MC in question for Christmas. You might want to include a mug and some packets of coco so they can hunker down and get cozy with the burgeoning classic, perhaps a blanket to toss over their shoulders for when they begin exhibiting symptoms of shock. (I jest. Highly not recommended at least the gifting part).

I'm sure you could come up with much more vitriolic mayhem to taunt and titillate on an unnaturally poignant level. Perhaps this is a good time to let you in on a little NaNo secret. No. One. Ever. Reads. Your. Work.
Sound too much like real life? Sorry.

If nothing else you can buddy up with your blogging buddies and exchange cyber high-fives as you catapult yourself to the finish line. Oh, and there will be prizes. Oh yes.

Now that I've got your imagination all riled up I'll leave you to your own cerebral devices.

Ever participate in NaNo? What are your thoughts on this insane national writing spree? Is it safe? Should there be laws imposed against such *BICFOK freedoms? Got any big ideas?

*BICFOK = butt in chair, fingers on keyboard. Alas, this is the rally cry of NaNo participants everywhere.