Cool bits

[scribb1e]

rachelmanija describes how she wrote her novel:

"the story is basically a patchwork of elements and images which I thought were cool or sexy or touching. ...  the list included men in glasses, psychic kids, trenchcoats, black helicopters, barbecue, flower imagery, extreme competence as a compensation for loneliness and social awkwardness, and sexual tension

Comments

[woodpijn]

Yay :)

That's the sort of thing Chris Baty (NaNo founder) suggests. In his book he suggests making a list of things you think are cool and like reading about, and things you don't like reading about (so that you can know not to put them in). Alex and I have both done it and keep adding to the lists (mainly the first one). I'll dig mine out and share some of the stuff on it...

[scribb1e]

Ooh, thanks. I look forward to reading it :-)

I'm attempting to outline in advance this year. Have learned that I have no problem churning out words if I know what I'm writing about, but I can't seem to think and write at the same time.

Plotting by cool bit sounds such a great idea :-)

[woodpijn]

OK, here are some from mine:
Character leading convincing double life; flippant character with memorable lines; playing with time, or other aspects of reality, in surprising ways; creative use of technology (past or future); infectiously optimistic characters; reconciliation/redemption; characters resisting strong temptations; Xanatos Gambits.

I'll get Alex to share some of his. His is better on the random cool character/setting trappings, in addition to plot elements.

[scribb1e]

Yay, thanks!

(and TVtropes is such a great source of cool bits, although its incredible suction power means I shouldn't look at it too often :-).