My first ever NaNoWriMo!

In case you have never heard of National November Writing Month, it’s defined as this: 

“A fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30.”

Bascially, you lose all hope of a regular life, and write as if the world depends on it. It falls at exam time for me, so although I’ve wanted to attempt it a few times, I’ve never had a proper go at it. This year, though, I only need to pass 3 of my 7 papers to get university entrance, and my mock exam grades say I can easily do that, so I don’t have to be concerned about studying non stop! This definitely doesn’t mean I’ll get it done, I think it’s incredibly unlikely I’ll get it done, but this year I’m going to try. 

So, you wanna know what I’m writing? I’m not a huge planner, so I’ve got only the bare outline of what’s going to go on. I’ll probably become inspired and write some more details, or maybe (crazy thought), plan out some chapters. For now, though, this is what I’ve got. 

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We begin with Vera, our protagonist. She’s browsing a second hand bookshop, one of her favourite pastimes (#relatable). Her mother, Beth, has recently been arrested, accused for a murder she didn’t commit. While in there, she finds a book, with some sort of sign (a note? Something more magical?) instructing her to buy it. The book gives her a link to her

How I envision Lizzie

grandmother from the 1920’s, a woman named Lizzy. She lives in Chicago, and is part of Al Capone’s mob. She’s fabulous, I’m actually in love with her. She’s never involved in the crimes, as such, she’s more the distraction or part of the planning. As her story unfolds, and Vera struggles with trying to help her mother become freed, the plot twist happens.

Lizzy is arrested for a murder she didn’t commit. The situation lines up completely with Beth’s. Through the book, Lizzy shows Vera how she got off, and we realise how many of the clues she dropped throughout her story lead to helping both Lizzy and Beth become free. The thing is, Lizzy never died. Instead, she carried on her life as part of the Chicago mob, keeping under the radar and raising a family, trying her best to live an immortal life. History continues to repeat itself, and this is the first chance she’s had to break the… Curse? Pattern? Mob thing? Unsure right now, but Vera can help her out. In all honesty, the ending is a little hazy, but Lizzy and Beth are the same person (Elizabeth, see?), and Vera is the one who can get her mum out of jail. Hooray! 

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Like I said, it’s a very vague plan right now. There are so many details to iron out, and you know, a plot that should be more of an actual plot, not just a mess of ideas. But hey, at least there’s something! I honestly can’t wait to spend time just writing (and studying, ha ha…). I’ve stopped writing, for no particular reason, and I think this is a great way to get back into it! 

Are any of you participating? What’s your novel idea? ARE YOU EXCITED YET?!?