In the throes of NaNoWriMo, it’s sometimes helpful, sometimes necessary, to reach into your trick back and run with whatever pops out. Whatever keeps you writing. Whatever helps you get words added to your NaNoWriMo project. You can view your trick bag as writing prompts or just methods to keep you going.
NaNoWriMo forums offer a lot of options, from dares to adopt-a- (title, name, character, setting, plot point, etc.). Tried and true trick bag items include words (as in a word jar or random dictionary entry), writing prompts (MarianasWritersMovement.org has weekly writing prompts from nearly two years—for your ready reference), and tropes (see our Bingo cards!).
This article is intended to be another reference to grab and use when you’re stuck or struggling or just want to set off in a different direction. Each entry is by no means complete or comprehensive. They are intended to jumpstart your imagination and help you add words to your novel or other NaNoWriMo project. Also, I recognize that atmosphere is often created by sparing details, sprinkled throughout rather than in big lumps and clumps, but consider that a NaNoWriMo first draft is going to be lumpy anyway, and will be just perfect as a first draft if it gets the story on the page. Here’s hoping these help.
Pick an atmosphere. Select details. Write!
EERIE/MYSTERIOUS. Think words like spooky, ominous, threatening, dangerous, peril, and the unknown. Shift your environment with mist that shrouds, or smoke that hides or twilight, gloaming where light seems to bend. Or sudden silence as in the birds stop singing or the crickets no longer chirp or traffic noise is muffled or gone. Or sound can be rushing wind, or rustlings that are ominous and unexplained. The cracking or sudden shatter of glass. Other disturbances like candles or lights going out or the phone connection dropping, or the car engine dying on a dark, lonely stretch of highway. Cold or hot shifts, wet or dry surges. Isolation. Desolation. An unexpected marker—like a looming crucifix at the top of hill that appears on the last rise.
ROMANTIC. Think love-inducing. Tropes like candlelight dinners, soft music, warm breezes, Spring, Summer, gentle rocking or swinging or swaying. Fancy, or elegant clothes, jewels and glittering things, shimmering fabrics or soft, touchable ones like velvet. Champagne, Close proximity. Cozy fires in colder months. Hand written notes, letters, menus. Flowers and sweet scents (roses, lilacs, plumeria, gardenia, honeysuckle). Beautiful skies (day or night). Sunsets. Sunrises. Sounds like birdsong and favorite music. A beat that moves your character.
TENSE or FAST-PACED. Think horses and horse-racing. Caged animals. Confined spaces. Clocks. Bells, whistles, sirens. Time cards, work reports, weapons like knives, guns, bombs, etc.). News reports. Lack of food or water. Thin oxygen. Extreme weather. Rushing water and water falls. Running shoes. A baby that can’t be silenced in a situation where you are afraid of detection (or any other issue like a phone beeping or an urge to cough). Cars, trains, subways, urban streets and buildings. Depots (subway, bus, train, plane). No time to sleep. Confrontations.
WHIMSICAL or JOYFUL. Think kids, pets, water fountains, play parks, balloons, popcorn, birght colors, sunshine, laugher, bubbling creeks, tadpoles and crawdads, swimsuits and tanning lotion. Damp curls, freckles, big straw hats. Mimosas, margaritas, mint juleps, mojitos. Poppies and daffodils. Clover and dandelions. Tree houses. Coloring ooks. Finger painds, ribbon, cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, forsythia. Kites flying. Marching bands. Parades. Bubble gum, popsicles. In winter, hot cocoa with marshmallows. A scrappy quilt. Fluffy slippers. Light fabrics like dotted swiss and linen and eyelet.
PEACEFUL or TRANQUIL. Think blankets. Coffee and tea. Evenings. Porch sitting. Lightning bugs or fireflies in the summer. Sky colors of pinks, lavenders, blues. Calm waters (lakes, lily pads on ponds, sun-streaked ocean surfaces). Boats in the harbor, big trees in leaf. Ukulele and guitar music. Singing in harmony. Soft bed with pillows. Comfortable shoes. Everything in its place. Low furniture. Hand-held fans or a handkerchief in pocket. Chants (as in praying). Shaded flagstone walkways. Coconut palms and banana plants swaying in the breeze. A refrigerator or pantry that is well-stocked. Inside a library.
Whatever atmosphere you want at any particular moment in your story, add a few details. Here’s hoping you find this reference helpful and inspiration to make your own handy reference!
Keep writing and good luck during NaNoWriMo.