Llamas!

[tamchronin]

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/1051938

I added this topic to the NaNo boards, to share one of my writing tricks. I love one of the replies I got. ^_^ Hey twilightspirit! Still have that llama icon? hehehe

(I'm at 12,000 words, and I've reached my goal, but I'm not really in a good spot to post what I've written over the last couple of days yet. I will, I will! So, if you're on the filter, it'll be up later tonight or early tomorrow. This is what I get for having long chapter for once, isn't it? hehe)

Comments

[jupiter-star.livejournal.com]

...I was once a treehouse, I lived in a cake?

Oh, llamas. Now my llama plushie is sitting next to my twin plot bunnies and watching me write, just in case. I think even the barest threat of doing this (my favorite thought was, "Because of her hair, it was easy to find ducks for lunchtime") and leaving it in has terrified Rikuo into submission, so yay!

[pinkpolarity.livejournal.com]

The NaNo boards aren't loading for me AGAIN. Mind sharing what you wrote here? *is curious*

I haven't done anything yet, but tonight's my night set aside to catch up. Let's see if I can do it!

[tamchronin.livejournal.com]

"It's probably a little early in the month for this suggestion, but I found myself using it already this month. Mostly around week two, when you've gotten past the high of starting something new and you've hit the mid-month blahs, the story starts to stall out.

I know I'll start staring at something I've written previously, after one of a billion distractions, and I'll be stuck. "I know where this scene is supposed to go, but I'm a pathetic excuse for a human being and can't figure out how to make them do it!" It's enough to make you weep sometimes, especially around the 28k mark.

One trick I've got is to type the stupidest thing that comes to mind. "And then things happened and stuff." "The princess stood on her head and started to sing." "He threw his enemy down on the bed and passionately declared his love." (The latter works especially well when said enemy is more the wrinkled gnome of a mad scientist rather than a sexy bombshell...otherwise you might end up leaving it in.)

Type something wildly out of character. I'm perfectionist enough that I'll look at what I just typed, scowl, and correct it. I tend to come up with at least a few hundred words, contradicting the stupid idea.

If you're stuck, just type something. Just keep typing. If it's stupid, if it's not what you want right there, it'll force your brain to think of what *should* be there. If it somehow works, go with it! My first NaNo has one of these spots where the main characters were on a date, and I didn't know how to get them to talk, so I tried this trick. It became a keeper, a great ice breaker, and I can't imagine how dull my book would have been if llamas *hadn't* run through that coffee shop."

Good luck! Something tells me that this is your year to win *and* finish your novel. ^_^

p.s.

[tamchronin.livejournal.com]

I had to share this, too, because it's my favorite reply so far:

"

This post came at a most timely moment. I was stuck at less than 1000 words and was finding anything more interesting to do (bathroom cleaning? yuck!) than sitting at my computer and staring blankly at the screen, becoming more frustrated.

The llama idea was so wild and so...out there I figured, what the hey, I've got nothing to lose.

The results, I just had to share with you.

How the llamas found their way in.

---

The sounds of the party were but a murmur in the background as Roman remained on the veranda. He wasn't in a hurry to rejoin although he was certain his sister was looking for him.

In fact, Roman didn't feel like doing much of anything except watch as the herd of llamas stampeded through the library. He watched in horror as this development totally broke his concentration and he began to laugh manically. What difference did a war make when he finally found his true calling?

Llama farming.

---

After laughing out loud and startling my dog from her nap, I was able to get on with angsting my MC and to move things forward a little more.

I'm keeping this idea. It's a keeper because it damn well WORKED! Thank you!

incidentally the final version reads

The sounds of the party were but a murmur in the background as Roman remained on the veranda. He wasn't in a hurry to rejoin although he was certain his sister was looking for him.

In fact, Roman didn't feel like doing much of anything except watch the garden flowers bowing before the evening breeze. The wind ruffled his hair and he felt icy fingers crawl along the back of his neck, where Mikhail's had been not long before."

[christmasjedi.livejournal.com]

LOL! That's such an awesome suggestion. :)

If I'm not on your filter already, pwease add me? I have a feeling I'll be looking for reading material in the next two weeks... (And of course, I love everything you write!)

[tamchronin.livejournal.com]

You are now added. ^_^ I didn't add anyone automatically this year, because my brain is already on the melty fried side. ~laughs~ I should have known by now. ^_^

[desert-dragon42.livejournal.com]

Yay more story! And that llama thing is great. Oh, btw, have you seen starwarscrafts?