@franky1: That was honestly the most unexpectedly useful breakdown I’ve read in a long time – thank you for laying it so clearly out. That idea of not starting from the beginning kind of hit me in the best way. I’ve definitely gotten stuck trying to write “the perfect first line” while the rest just floats shapeless in my brain. Starting with a sentence like “a boy is kidnapped and raised by space aliens” and building out from there? That flips everything for me.
Also, this whole concept of planting small details early that pay off later – I love that kind of structure as a reader, but I never thought I could engineer it as a writer. Do you think that kind of “backward foreshadowing” works just as well in nonfiction or memoir-style writing too? Or is that more a fiction trick?
And re: your publishing advice – super smart. I hadn’t even considered the psychology angle of handing publishers something physical and “almost ready,” just to draw them in. Did you (or someone you know) actually try this approach with a print mockup? Curious how it played out in practice – especially whether it helped spark any real publisher engagement.
@Hydrogen: Respect for trying NaNoWriMo even once, let alone multiple years. I’ve stared at that 50,000 word target and immediately retreated into making coffee instead.
What usually stops you – time, motivation, or just not knowing where the story’s going? And… any chance 2025 is finally your year? If so, maybe we start a micro-accountability thread here? Just sayin’.
Also, this whole concept of planting small details early that pay off later – I love that kind of structure as a reader, but I never thought I could engineer it as a writer. Do you think that kind of “backward foreshadowing” works just as well in nonfiction or memoir-style writing too? Or is that more a fiction trick?
And re: your publishing advice – super smart. I hadn’t even considered the psychology angle of handing publishers something physical and “almost ready,” just to draw them in. Did you (or someone you know) actually try this approach with a print mockup? Curious how it played out in practice – especially whether it helped spark any real publisher engagement.
@Hydrogen: Respect for trying NaNoWriMo even once, let alone multiple years. I’ve stared at that 50,000 word target and immediately retreated into making coffee instead.
What usually stops you – time, motivation, or just not knowing where the story’s going? And… any chance 2025 is finally your year? If so, maybe we start a micro-accountability thread here? Just sayin’.