Day 1 of 90: Prepare. Prepare! Prepare?

Ah what a beautiful Saturday.

Before I start writing Day 1 of the 90, I must make sure everything is just right.

This morning I vacuumed the apartment.  Honestly, who could start a novel with fuzzies on the floor, really.

Off to Wal-Mart because I needed a new wireless keyboard because I have decided I want to be at least three-feet away from the computer screen as I write.  Strange at it sounds, I don’t like to look at the screen while typing.

Then onto the other side of the store for groceries because I can’t be creative and not have anything to eat if sudden urges hit me.  I bought protein-packed turkey slices, salmon, cottage cheese, and string cheese because that’s what I read is seriously brain food.  Starbucks Discoveries Iced Café Favorites in Caramel Macchiato – refreshing coffee on hand for my convenience, just in case I feel a little sluggish.

I completed a couple of loads of laundry, wiped down the kitchen counters, put everything in its proper place.

I spent three hours reading Part 1:  Outlining Techniques and Scene-Writing Basics; which I mostly knew of from other books on writing, online sites on how to outline, and other various sources…like school.  I have decided what type of outline I will be using to brainstorm, chart, and outline my novel:  The Signpost Outline (in Excel) then as it expands I will convert into the “Structure-Plus” outline.  And I learned how to compartmentalize scene by scene as described in the:  Scene Defined, Scene Structure, and the ever important Scene Variety.

I’ve been thinking of my characters and how they will appear in their opening scenes.  Where they’re at?  What characters are there?  Who is the viewpoint character?  What happens?  Like journalism with the who, what, where, when, why, and how; but without letting the reader know it all up front.

I am here.  I am ready.  Now on to page 49.  Day 1:  Ready, Set, Go!  Just a short two and half pages before my first assignment, I am so excited.  Here I go!

First assignment:  Brainstorm as many early-childhood memories as you can with as much detail as possible.

 

Whiskey.  Tango.  Foxtrot.