Second Thoughts About My Story Seed

NaNoWriMo is flying closer with every second, and I’m terribly unprepared. Last year, I spent months worldbuilding beforehand (and then used almost none of it). This year, I have a story seed that’s been in my head for quite some time, but I’m starting to have second thoughts about it.

Mainly because this “seed” is not much of a story. It’s just a collection of ill-defined characters and the barest thread of an excuse for them to come together. It doesn’t feel “ready.”

So as I see it, I have three options. Well, four: 1) Work on Kubak Outpost, The Sequel (which I do actually have a clear storyline idea for). 2) Work on Curses again and actually complete it no matter what (I do occasionally think - hrm, that nuclear option I did was actually pretty cool - how might it continue after that?) 3) Continue on Airworld and only “count” the words I write starting on Nov 1, which would make it into a nice-sized novel. And 4) Think of something entirely new to write.

Of those options, I think only option 4 actually fits with the “spirit” of NaNoWriMo, which is to get out of your comfort zone and write a new novel with reckless abandon. Option 1 would work, but not optimally because I wouldn’t have to invent any new characters. Options 2 and 3 would definitely put me into the “rebel” camp (I checked).

Of course, there’s also option 5: Stick with my existing story seed and make it work. With reckless abandon.

Perusing the NaNoWriMo forums, there are tons of people who already seem to have their whole novel planned out. What’s up with that?