NaNoWriMo Update

About three weeks until the big National Novel Writing Month kicks off. I have my idea for a new novel, have been thinking about it for months, and think I have a good idea where I want to start, what direction I will go in, and how I will finish it.

Some people do no planning beforehand. I meticulously planned for NaNo 2004, and did almost no planning for NaNo 2005. This year I hope to get somewhere in-between those two extremes.

One difference this year is that I have read about sixty novels since last year. Not just any novels, either, but about forty Pulitzer prize winners. Well that help? At least I know what I like and what I don't like in a novel now.

• a good story. I'm not talking about plot, which is a different thing, but I should have a good story to tell.


• a good plot. By this I mean that I should have a plan for engaging the reader and pulling them along with me, right to the end. I don't want any readers giving up on my novel partway through.


• interesting characters that the reader can sympathize with. It's not enough to just have an interesting character, since I hate spending an entire novel getting to know a "mean" character.


• setting. almost as important as character, but in a slower, more basic manner. A strong underlying setting is important to provide a good foundation.


• symbolism. Goes hand in hand with setting. Subtle use of symbols enhances setting in providing the appropriate atmosphere.

Anyway, it should be fun. I am looking forward to it. I have no doubt that I can produce the 50k words that are the object in November. The question is, how good will they be?