November is coming. in Whey and Sonic Screwdrivers.

That means it’s time for NaNoWriMo.

I’ve been brainstorming a bit about how to proceed with my next novel. Thinking to the past about what has worked and what hasn’t. Last year’s “first act” was FANTASTIC. While I hit an insane wordcount, the rest of the novel is a muddled mess. And I really never finished it. I hit the emotional beats, the improvised symbolism I made up on the spot. But couldn’t quite fill in the gaps. I’m not an editor. : (

I’ve tried pure fiction. That’s why doing a Star Trek TNG fanfic sounds highly risky. I could place myself in it as the Cheese Ambassador or something. But to what end? I need character growth. Plot is usually made up to serve character growth, or show character. Show, don’t tell.

Which makes me realize I can’t do a full-length fanfic. But I can do episodic stories set in some bizarre TNG world where Picard is a raving lunatic, Riker is only interested in chicks, Geordi does nothing but spew technobabble that puts everyone to sleep, and Worf always needs to pee.

I’m not a planner when it comes it story. Maybe beats I could hit. But a linear plan of how to write? It traps me and limits my creativity. I much prefer just making shit up as I go along. I’m not writing down my brainstorming yet. Just thinking a lot when I can’t sleep. I get ideas that make me laugh out loud.

I mean, little stuff like having Harry Kim continually appear and recommend beaming a photon torpedo into their opponent’s engine room. AKA: The Harry Kim Maneuver. And being shot down with a simple “GET BACK IN YOUR SERIES, ENSIGN, OR YOU’LL NEVER GET PROMOTED.”

I could at least try, unless I get another idea. I’ve had plenty of nanonovels that I couldn’t finish. And that’s okay.

I do heart with comedy. Or comedy with heart. That’s why Orville calls to me so much. As far as character arcs, well. I think it’s better to figure that out on the fly. Or just have a drawing board of possible directions, and pick which one fits how I seem to be writing.