Nano-eve. in The Napkin.

Trying real hard not to start my novel right now. Midnight, I say. Keep it “honest”.

I have a bit of outlining, some character sketches, some plot arches. I have a beginning and a sorta-end, but there’s always that hazy middle. I have a certain calm that comes with having completed this four times so far. Yet, my downfall is the inability to write outside myself. I’m trying my damndest to move past that by projecting various conflicts and issues into characters. As well as straight-up writing people I know into it.

Outlining is important because sometimes it feels like you just write yourself into a corner and are afraid to deviate from that style or emotion that you’re projecting. Going back to outlines helps remind me, “Oh right, I want to end up over here.” Which gets me thinking of how to get there, and thus the “What do I do next” becomes “How do I get them here?” and the process usually takes the path of least resistance. At least, in my head. I’m told I think in a very unorthodox manner. What comes first to me is CLEARLY NOT how others operate.

48 minutes left. I think I’ll start a music queue. Helps when writing scenes with certain moods to be listening to a music with said vibe.