NaNoWriMo - A quick look at the novel I am writing

[FlipMode]

Thanks to Buffy for bringing Nano to my attention I have found myself planning for a novel over the past day or so. Got some people from work to donate to the cause for charity and all. Erm this thread is, well I am going to share a quick synopsis for now and an excerpt. After that, I will let you know at the end of November whether I accomplished the goal (50,000 words by the end of November, as it were) and will upload the entire novel if I can.

It is fictional other than I named the character after myself lol. The plot follows a character named Tom, who is a university student with his head in the clouds. He has no idea what he wants to do, other than have a good life. Early on in the story he decides to become an actor or comedian, something where he will be famous for his charisma and personality. He has had a kind of rough upbringing at home, growing up without a father who had passed away when Tom was younger, and his mother has since smothered him with love, thus he is completely unequipped for the challenges he faces.

So he sets an easy first goal - "Move out of mum's house". As he goes from place to place, he meets all kinds of interesting people which drag him into their lifestyles. These include - heavy Christianity (not dead cert on this one, its just an idea for the moment), upper class living and even organised crime (the story is set in London, UK. You may recall the mass riot that occurred there not too long ago). He has to learn how to "act" around many different kinds of people which may or may not help him to get his big break in his career.

So yeah, let me know what you think (especially if you have constructive criticism to offer). If people like the idea I may post some additional info and an excerpt of the story in a few days. I am writing it either way, but thought I had nothing to loose by sharing it here too XD, I am only writing it for the fun / challenge so yeah, thing and stuff

Target Age Rating - 15+, as I said, he lives with some crazy people at certain points and people generally do swear.

[Regulus]

Seems like a good idea. I'm thinking it might be a bit difficult to show the character development though.

[Dark Huntress]

[quote="Regulus"]Seems like a good idea. I'm thinking it might be a bit difficult to show the character development though.[/quote]

Yeah

[UncoordinatedPisces]

Not a bad idea Flip. Looking forward to reading the outcome.

[AdAstrα]

I think this sounds like a great idea! I'm an aspiring actress myself so I'll probably be able to relate to it in one way or another lol! Good luck, I hope it goes well! =)

[TheGunner18]

Ugh, the London 'riots'. It was only people looking for opportunities to go and wreck the place, in my opinion.

Anyway, that's not what this is about! That is, if you don't decide to include that in the novel somehow. ^^ I think this could be a very interesting read, and I'll look forward to seeing what you manage to come up with. Good luck with it!

[FlipMode]

Not at all, only used it as an example to remind you of the types of people who can be found there.

Thanks for the feedback guys! It's appreciated.

[Woeler]

Sounds good. I'll read it for sure

[FlipMode]

Thank you. I do hope I can upload it after it is finished but if I do, it will probably be post editing.

[Azdgari]

I agree with Regulus, I think. I once tried to write a story just basically following character's lives and watching them develop (with some vague, distant overarching goal to give the thing meaning). I got something like ten chapters deep before realizing, "well! This story is boring as hell and going nowhere!" and ditched it. So my advice is this: make sure you have a clear purpose in your writing. I think it's -awesome- that you want to have him run around and meet all these people and subculture. Totally into the way I feel like you could use that as a vessel to explore differences between people and the effects of new culture on Tom, and I think he could develop in fascinating ways. But make sure you don't lose focus. If you just think "He'll get that big break eventually", you're setting yourself up poorly. Make sure you know where you're going with things, because as fun as it is to meander, it will get old, and it will drag your novel down. That's my two cents.


It kicks ass you're writing a novel, man! I can't wait to read it. Good for you.