I had an initial idea for my NaNo that i was really excited about. It was about a man who drops everything to move to New Orleans and learn music. But the more I think about it, the more I think that using real places, especially one I've never been too, is going to be increasingly hard to write about. I either have to make up stuff about these places, or do research, the latter which can be pretty time consuming.
Should I come up with a new idea set in a completely fictional world?
----------Bobby B.
161,514 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2010 - 09 47
You can always plan a trip there later--and add in a few details. These days there are webcams all over the place, so it's possible to check one or two webcams throughout the month to get a 'feel' for the place. I did this when I wrote a novel that took place in Paris.
http://neworleanswebsites.com/cat/en/lc/lc.html
You can browse through pictures. Also, start asking everyone you meet if they've ever been to New Orleans. (I was there for 5 days in June--took the train they call the 'City of New Orleans' to get there.) Ask them to tell you a story about the place--you may find all sorts of ideas coming out of this, and it will solve the 'I only want to talk about my novel and I'm boring people in November' syndrome, or is that just me?
The biggest thing is to be interested in a place--I'm an advocate of 'write what you're passionate about.' Turns out that this year I'm passionate about work, who knew? (Not me :) )
6,783 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2010 - 09 38
That's a pretty good idea! Just thinking about it, it brought to mind True Blood, aka The Southern Vampire Series. It's based in Bon Temps, Louisiana... Louisiana is real, but Bon Temps is a fictional place. I think this is the perfect solution to my problem. Thanks a bunch!
----------Bobby B.
1,103 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2010 - 13 40
You could also try a fictional town in a real place. Like a art and music community located just outside of new orleans. that lets you use lots of the real place ideas, but also gives you a solid reason(creative excuse) for when things aren't exactly how New Orleans is. plus a creative setting like that lets you put a high concentration of odd and interesting characters, because in your story that community attracts those types of people.
That's one idea anyways.
25,122 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2010 - 12 02
What Cameron said. Whichever way you go, it's hard to avoid research entirely; either you'll be looking up real-life history to make your story believable, or you'll be creating enough history, customs, etc. to make your fictional world believable. Just do whatever your preference is - if it be real-life New Orleans, then go with that, and don't sweat the details for now. If worst comes to worst, you can write what you think the details ought to be, and make a note to yourself to research/double-check those details after November 30. In other words, try not to get too hung up on that as you write your story; otherwise, you'll paralyze your word count (or at least slow it down).
FWIW, my world is fictional, but I'm basing it on a real-world culture, one which I am familiar with. That way, I have a ready reference to fall back if need be, yet I'm not tied down to actual, factual history.
----------Nano 2009: Astrid and the Hex 19,894/50,000
Nano 2010: Cloud on Title
50,047 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2010 - 15 06
The problem with fictional worlds is consistency- you need to some up with traditions, customs, religions, races, governments, technology, etc for the fictional world and keep them consistent. It can be sort of difficult to keep track of.
----------The opposite of war isn't peace, it's creation!