NANOWRIMO Tips and Tricks (Day Fourteen)

Fixing Story Holes

I think it is always very important to keep the progress and keep moving forward, but sometimes, you need to slow down the progress before moving ahead.

It is about that time.

It is also completely possible for you to get a full days writing in by going through these ideas and questions and examining them. If you have been writing frenetically, then it is probable that you need a day to slow down and start from the beginning and make sure that you are not missing anything important.

Go back to the beginning of your novel and see what you have and add as necessary. I am not suggesting re-writing at all. I am not suggesting that you go back to the beginning and start the re-write process or begin another draft. I am merely suggesting that you back to the start of your novel and add to the holes and add to the things that you still need to process and fix. This is a big part of doing things right to keep moving ahead. It also allows you to focus on the finish and not be plagued by what is behind you.

When you are going through and reading what you wrote, you might find yourself saying:

• Why the heck would the character do that?
• Is this missing depth, emotional sections, or backstory?
• What is missing from the character to make him believable?
• There is something wrong with this setting. What is it?
• Why is the tone not right here?
• What is still missing from each of these ideas?

Think about these additional questions as you get ready to take your hero on the rest of the journey.

Character

• Is the character doing something that they might not be doing usually?
• Why is he or she acting that way? Does it need to be addressed or does it work?
• Have some characters who should have a prominent role not have that same prominent role anymore? What happened to them? How can they get back in the game?
• Are there too many characters?
• Are they true and real?
• Are they fully developed and done right?
• Are all characters properly motivated?

Plot

• Where does the story slow? Is it appropriate?
• Where does the story go fast? Is it clear and accurate of what you had in mind?
• Is there too much going on in this scene?
• Are there too may subplots that are taking away from the main story?
• Is there something in the story that is not paying off?
• Is there something in the story that needs more beefing up?
• Is there something that is weak and needs more?
• Is the hero’s goal still believable?

Research

• Do you need more details about the setting and the place where the story is happening?
• How can this place become more realistic?
• Are there specific things that you need to learn more about? Are there laws, customs, traditions, or items that need to be present and you were afraid to tackle them?
• Is there anything that you still need to learn about?
• Are the clothes, vehicles, and everything else lined up with the time period that you are writing about?
• Even if it is present day, does what you have work for the story?

Keep moving forward and make your words count.

When you see what you have written, you will see where you need to go. Keep in mind that after today we should be at 23,333 words.

You can do it; You are awesome!