Writers Untie!

Magna Cartae

One of the things that No Plot? No Problem! recommends is writing a Magna Carta of things you do want in your novel and things you don't want. In the spirit of accountability, I share mine:

Magna Carta I--Things I Want in My Novel

1. J.Pat's Pub
2. Bodhrans
3. Roadkill
4. "Pretty sympathy"
5. Daniel's guitar
6. Pete the accordian player
7. That forbidding J.Pat's exterior and its warm, welcoming interior
8. The old couple who plays checkers
9. A dayjob
10. A luthier
11. Guinness
12. A wise old bartender
13. A romantic conflict
14. Good friends
15. Jimmy Egan
16. A gig
17. A car breaking down
18. "Parting Glass"
19. A sad good-bye
20. A shock
21. A redemption
22. A dream/goal
23. A quirky instrument repair shop
24. A York piano
25. Uillean pipes
26. Coffee/tea
27. Fun old tables
28. A thunderstorm

Magna Carta II--Things I Do Not Want in My Novel

1. Drunken hookups
2. Excessive whining
3. Teen anxst (please see above)
4. Accents
5. Long monologues
6. Nervous breakdowns
7. Old flames
8. Obnoxiously loud feminists
9. Super bohemians
10. Collegiate reminiscing
11. Bad hair

Oh, yes, it's going to be an amazingly crappy novel. I can feel it. And I can't wait to get started. Research begins this Friday, in keeping with the seven days allowed for information-gathering before the actual writing. Linny and Eddie, I can't wait to see what you've got!

posted by Anna Clare @ 7:22 PM