What about the plot?

I am currently between writing projects. Ah, the chance to breathe, read for fun, and let the mind stir up trouble. Yep, have already come up with another story line. Ménage this time even though I don’t read it and haven’t attempted to write anything involving so many limbs. The wretched trio have been given drinks, a plate of food each (although they seemed keen to share), and directed to the green room to wait out their turn. I might have to renovate that little corner soon. But, I can’t think about them now, I have to prepare for NaNoWriMo.

My plans are going well. I have my progress calendar printed – rewards picked. The first reward (50,000 words) is for me. I have earmarked Jess Dee, Maggi Anderson and Janet Mullany books to read in December. The second reward is for my family. I’m taking them on a full-on picnic lunch as a thank you. They might need buttering up come the end of November – I was a wee-bit manic by the end of last year.

My soundtrack is compete too – 70 songs, 4.8 hours of writing time. itunes rock! I like writing with music. It blocks out the rest of the world, covers the sound of the family conversations just outside my door, and helps me focus on my regency world. The music isn’t regency though, it’s energetic and fast to keep me going. The notebook sits pristine on my desk waiting impatiently for my mid-challenge thoughts. Pencils sharp enough to use as a weapon.

What about the plot?

The plot is still evolving. I’m writing a regency romance set at a Christmas House Party and I have to write a two week story. Last years project was set roughly at 30 days, the length of NaNoWriMo. Writing two weeks seems harder to pace.

So I’m researching regency games that might be played indoors, Christmas traditions that might differ from Australia. Don’t panic, I know the seasons are totally reversed, but there are some similarities my own family has continued since my ancestors changed continents. Oh, and I have to learn about snow. Don’t laugh at me, it doesn’t snow where I live, and I’ve never travelled to see it.

Do you have any tips for writing a regency period house party? Do you know any games, British traditions that you could share? Do you know about snow?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

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11 thoughts on “What about the plot?”

  1. I hope I get to read your story. I think they played Charades and had scavenger hunts, though they would have to be inside given the snow (white fluffy cold stuff – :)). Believe it or not, we had a dusting of snow at the town I was visiting this past weekend. I am so not ready for it. Just make sure if you have them play in the snow, heavy wet snow makes the best snowballs and forts. The light drifting snow is only good for blocking a road when it is windy. Then again, you may need the roads blocked. Oh, and if there is a lake by the houseparty, they could always go skating. Just a few thoughts.

  2. Hi Heather,

    I am fascinated by NaNoWriMo even though I never seem to be at the right place in my writing cycle when it happens.

    Sorry, I have no knowledge of regency, however I can see two snow-covered mountain ranges, one on each side of my house. Good skiing is apparently only an hour away if I cared to stand on sticks and throw myself off the side of the mountain. Ask me anything you want to know about snow, just not about skiing.

    • Hey you have the same attitude to throwing yourself down the mountain side as I do. I don’t care for the idea either. There will be no skiing in my story! I’ll get back to you if I get stumped next month!

  3. Heather! I can’t believe your three-some. heehee You naughty girl.

    As for Winter house parties…gads, I’m such a boring person we don’t do any parties, and I definitely can’t think of what those in the Regency period were doing. Definitely not three-somes. ROFL! (sorry, couldn’t help that one)

    I have only tried NaNo once. I didn’t join the loop, just did it on my own. Me and a bunch of other writers in a smaller loop decided to do our own NaNo. I never finished my story in one month, but dang…I was sure hauling butt in my writing. (grins)

    ~Phyllis~

    • The peril of sitting still for too long is that yet another plot idea develops. I try to keep as busy as I can, getting my ideas down on the page before they get stale. But there is no threesome happening at the houseparty. There is a lot of newly married couples intent on their own adventures besides my hero and heroine. Dodging those antics should be fun.

      I think getting involved with the NaNo forums and site is a real incentive to keep going. I spent most of my time with the erotic writers forum because thats were the younger writers didnt go. Great ideas floating around in there and lots to chuckle over too. It keeps your spirits up.

  4. Some of the older clients I work with talk about travelling by sleigh. Their fathers would heat big rocks in the fireplace and place them on the floorboards before covering their legs with thick blankets to hold in the heat. There is also ice skating. We’ve had snow two days this week, but is hasn’t stuck. I’ll try to take some pictures for you if we get snow in November.

  5. Hi, I assume it’s set in England? If so they would have roasted chestnuts (I think) to eat- and don’t forget it goes dark in England by 3.30pm in the winter, and isn’t light until at least 8am – certainly where I grew up in Yorkshire anyway! When there is snow on the ground and you’re outside everything seems eerily quiet – literally, sounds are ‘blanketed’.

    When I was little (pre central heating) we used to have ‘Jack Frost’ patterns on the windows in amazingly beautiful swirls in the mornings – but you could easily melt them by rubbing your finger across them – just these little touches make a story come alive don’t they?

    Good luck,
    Louise

    • Oh Louise, thank you for the great ideas. Will definately use the window “jack frost” patterns somewhere. And I hadnt got to thinking about when the sun set. That helps a lot. Thanks.

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