I’ve been struggling with the NaNo Prep 101 assignments. I can’t quite find my idea or nail down the characters for the writing challenge I signed up for in November where I’m going to write 50,000 words of a novel in 31 days. I’m weeks away and just not thrilled with anything I’ve come up with.
Here’s a description of the first assignment:
Some people struggle to come up with a novel idea that excites them! Some people are idea machines, but have a hard time committing to one. Tackle this week’s exercise to focus on finding inspiration… and then hone in on a few ideas that spark your creative passion.
https://nanowrimo.org/nano-prep-101#week1
Last week I completed the first assignment. I had some inspiration with my characters but struggled through the next week’s tasks:
Week 2: Create Complex, Believable Characters
(Strong enough to shoulder a novel and hold your interest)
Week 2 Exercise: Character Development and Questionnaires
Characters are the active drivers of your story, and a huge part of a first draft is getting to know the characters you’re creating. Get a head start with this exercise!
Last night I had a vivid dream where it was all laid out. I had five characters. I was filling out their backstories, their ages, appearances, mannerisms, pet peeves, desires. It was all coming together. I made progress on the plot and was so excited to write. I was sitting at my laptop, editing, making changes, completing the exercises.
Morning came. Olive the cat jumped on the bed and woke me up. I struggled in my morning pages trying to remember my characters. They floated away out of my mind’s reach. I wonder if they were any good? Or was it my mind working through the process?
Have you ever problem solved or figured out a creative solution in your dreams? Do you usually remember your dreams or not?
I’m brilliant in my dreams. Or at least that is the feeling that lingers after I forget all that happened in my dreams. 😉
Seriously, though, somewhere between dreamland and reality is a moment where I can remember my dreams clearly. I am even aware that I had better write them down if I hope to remember them. But only a few times have I been able to do it. Usually, by the time I am able to physically move, my dreams are fading too fast. I, like you, wonder if I really am brilliant in my dreams or if I just think so because, well, they’re my dreams and I don’t have to let anyone in who would say differently. 😀
I love this! That’s it exactly. Being brilliant in my dreams, but am I really?
Rarely remember dreams and therefore never come up with creative solutions!!
Sometimes I remember them but they aren’t helpful.
Okay, I have to give credit to Olive for being very photogenic! Could you base your characters on people you know that evoke strong emotion as a starting point? 50,000 words is definitely a challenging task – I’m looking forward to reading about the process! Hope the characters pop up in more detail in your next dream :)!
I am thinking about people in my life that would make memorable characters. Olive’s nickname is “Pretty Kitty.” Thanks for the encouragement!
I remember my dreams as soon as I wake up, but then I forget them soon after.
Side note- Olive looks like she has a tuft of green hair on the top of her head.
That’s a planter of cat grass that I buy for Olive at the grocery store. It’s a blend of five grasses and she loves it. She puts her face in it, eats it, etc. Then she has the grass mat that she sits on and watches the birds. Her new life as an indoor cat.
Aww, so cute.
My best ideas and solutions come to me in the shower. I don’t usually dream and when I do they aren’t usually creative solutions.
My dreams seem really creative and helpful while I’m dreaming. But when I’m awake, not so much, if remember them.