Oct 18, 2008 prep session

Pre-NaNo Workshop Oct 18

• Date: October 18 (Saturday)
• Time: 2-4 pm
• Where: Panera Bread
• Who is organizing: Katherine

1:15 PM - Eat lunch/save space

corner to the left of the door

2:00 PM - Event begins

For this workshop, we plan to have group activities with different options available (at different tables). People can move between tables or an entire table can shift from one option to another.  Our tentative plan is:

• Option 1: Website information--sign-up for Nano,
  examine website, Jabber chat example, web resources --
  bring your laptop if you're interested in this option
  (although we'll have one or two available.)
• Option 2a: Plot development for those who don't
  have their plot started. (Spend 20 minutes or so on the exercise
  below.) Then summarize your plot in two lines & pass around looking for
  plot twists.
•  Exercise in Plot development
  1. Create a character.
  2. Give this character a problem to deal with.
  3. Imagine at least three different ways this particular character might possibly deal with this particular problem.
  4. Pick one (or more) of these options, and imagine at least three different ways it
        - wouldn't work, and
        - would make the character's situation worse.
  5. Continue (with other characters as well.)
• Option 2b: Plot development for those who have their
  plot started, but want to focus on what else can go wrong
  for their characters.
  Exercise 1 - big scenes: Start listing out the ten major
  scenes that will occur in your story. Share brief descriptions.
  Exercise 2 - Spend 10 minutes imagining things that could go
  more and more wrong in your novel.
  Pick your favorite one, write it (along with a two
  line plot summary) on an index card, and pass it around looking
  for plot twists.
  Exercise 3: A great source of difficulty for your characters
  is when their personal drives are at odds with the central
  problem in the story. A
  man whose highest ambition in life is to live a quiet life and raise
  a family is going to be torn if he is drafted into an army in the
  middle of a civil war. Thing of how a char (even a new char) could
  be at odds with the central problem of your story.
• Option 3: Setting: Work on describing your opening
  location, or a key scene. Bring in more senses.
  Exercise 1 - Describe a place or a person by mixing two or more
  smells, or sounds, or other senses. (Like a person who smells
  of motor oil and Dial soap.)
  Exercise 2 - Describe an object, place, person or idea by
  using one sense to suggest another. What color in the silence
  in your bedroom? What is the shape of your grandmother's laughter?
  Exercise 3 - Using an omniscient point of view, describe something
  that no char in your story could possibly know. (Like describe what
  the rock feels likes it breaks the window in your hero's home.)
  Exercise 4 - Write a two line description on an index card.
  Pass it around, with the first person adding in smell, the second
  sound, the third touch, the fourth taste, (if more people--start with
  smell again.)
• Option 4a: Chars-- Discuss different long character fill-in
  sheets--how much do
  people like doing those? Maybe take one, and have people fill it in as
  someone reads each item. (Can stop after 10 minutes or so.)
• Option 4b: Chars -- Describe your chars physically, Write lines where
  they SHOW some aspect, rather than just telling about it. (Show a broken
  arm, or arthritis, or a limp.) Maybe pass these around and have people
  add items to them.
• Option 4c: Chars -- Write what your char's main goal is--then
  pass around an index card and have other people write things that can stop
  the character from achieving his/her goal.
• Option 4d: Chars: Place in a situation-what would X do?
  Examples could include
  a) someone gave them a kitten to take care of for a week.
  b) they have $50 to buy groceries - what do they get
  c) list their biggest fears
  d) What is your char most proud of?
• Option 5: 10 big scenes: Start listing out the ten major
  scenes that will occur in your story. (Part of plot)