It's Coming!

It's that time of year again. The leaves are turning color, there's a chill in the air, and people are preparing for the big event. Yes, NaNoWriMo is almost here!

What's NaNoWriMo? It's a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. If you're under eighteen and doing the Young Writer's Program you can pick a smaller goal, but I've only gone for 50K twice, and both of those times were for the summer version. Am I crazy? Maybe. But it takes a little crazy to write a novel, and there's nothing quite like the feeling when I've won.

My plot for this year is the fourth in the series I started three years ago with my first NaNo novel. I've tentatively named it Decisions and Destinies, though that title may change. I'm not very good at coming up with names for what I write.

Want to hear more? Awesome! Here's my synopsis:

Nightshade has escaped. The Circle has revealed itself.

War is coming.

Gwen and her companions have traveled to Uldea to warn the people there of the Circle's plans and lend their help as the country braces for war. The stakes are higher than ever now that the Circle has been forced to come into the open. The Circle wants Uldea- and they want Gwen, Dea, Ariana, the Firhirt siblings, and Aleta either captured or dead.

As the inevitable attack draws nearer, however, Ariana announces that she believes the time has almost come for the coming of the Nightblade's Heir. Fighting men and women can hardly be spared- but everyone knows the legend of the Nightblade's heir. Ariana and a few others set out on a desperate journey- but will they return before the Circle reaches the city?

Meanwhile, far to the south of Uldea, Jared and Bianca are doing their best to avoid the Circle. But nowhere seems to be safe for the two. Moreover, Jared knows that he can't be his own side forever. Time is running out for him to make his choice- and when he does, it'll affect far more than he thought it ever could. 

I'm really excited about this story. I've actually been thinking about it on and off since last November, storing up ideas and possible scenes and subplots. That doesn't mean I know everything about the plot (I'm still not entirely sure what I'll do with some characters, particularly Jared), but I know where I'm starting and where I'm going, and I have an idea of how to get there, so I think I'm good. Besides, the less specific my plot is, the less of a problem I have when my characters decide they have other ideas than following my plans.

What does NaNoWriMo mean for my blog? Well, my normal blog posts that I've been doing (Top Ten Tuesdays, WWW Wednesdays, Random Fridays) will probably not happen. However, I do hope to do daily updates on my NaNo progress. I'll post my wordcount, a few other stats for the day, and possibly a paragraph or two about that day. So, my blog shouldn't be as neglected as it has been during previous NaNoWriMos.

What about you? Are you doing NaNoWriMo? If you are, what's your novel about? If you're not, why not?

Nai haryuvalyë melwa rë!*

-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

*May you have a lovely day!