7 Cliche’d Ideas to Jump Start Your WoW Related NaNoWriMo

nanowrimo

For those of you that might not be aware, November is National Novel Writing Month. So what exactly is it?

According to Wikipedia:

National Novel Writing Month (also known as NaNoWriMo) is a creative writing project in which participants attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in one month.

Unfortunately, I cannot participate this year. School, WoW, and blogging keep me fairly busy. If I were to tackle another project, I know I’d probably get yelled at by a few of my friends.

That doesn’t mean I can’t help participate in my own way, however. In my off time when I’m not thinking about blog posts to write, I think about stories I’d like to tell (Yeah. I know. I can’t find an off button).

So here’s a few ideas Anna inspired and ones that I came up with the other day.

Important leaders kidnapped

A summit meeting has been planned by all major faction leaders. They have all agreed to use Shattrath as the meeting point. The war against Illidan has taken its toll. Neither faction can unseat him without the help of the other. Suddenly, a leader from the opposing faction has been intercepted and kidnapped en route which has sent talks to a virtual stand still. Not only that, but a bomb plot has been discovered. Explosive Mana bombs have been planted in various capital cities in Azeroth. You have to uncover the plot and rescue the captured dignitary (Inspired by 24).

Special teams working together

You are the leader of task force Echo, one of your faction’s special forces units. Your unit was important in the take down of Kael who subsequently disappeared. New intelligence from SI:7 (or the Horde equivalent) has reported that Kael is still alive. Your team has been asked to lead the charge in establishing a beach head on Quel’Danas. The catch? You’ll be working with the opposite faction. Can both teams work together and overcome their differences? (Rainbow Six)

Framed for murder

Several officials arrive at your residence, serve a warrant and proceed to arrest you. Taken to court, you discover that you have been framed for a murder you did not commit. You suspect that one of your rivals are behind this but you don’t know which. You must escape from the Stockades and find out the truth to clear your name.

Doomsday scenario

When you get to Illidan and you look up, you can sort of see Azeroth. It looks rather large, doesn’t it? And it’s getting closer. Gnomish and Goblin scientists have independently verified that Outland is about to intercept Azeroth’s orbit. Time is running out. You have to find a way to save both Azeroth and Outland from destruction before the world’s collide (literally). (Armageddon)

Unstoppable monster

A sentient Ooze-ling from Wetlands has been gaining strength and momentum from devouring other Oozes and creatures. After traveling through the zone and absorbing (eating) just about everything in its path, it has set its sights on the closest township. It’s a race against time as you and your friends must come up with a way to stop Oozezilla from wiping Menethil Harbor off the map. (Random monster movie)

Vengeful hero

All your life, you have been nothing more than a simple farmer. You dreamed of a life of glory and adventure but the love you had for your family has prevented you from pursuing this opportunity. You return home one day from business in the city to find your home destroyed. Your wife and child have been mutilated and murdered. With nothing more than a pitch fork, you swear vengeance intending to bring these brigands to justice.

Forgotten evil

An expedition has been commissioned by your faction to explore the Maelstrom closely. You are a retired veteran who has been chosen to lead your team and explore it. A ship is being built combining the brute strength of Goblins and the ingenuity of Gnomes. A crew needs to be assembled to venture into swirling unknown. When you arrive, you discover that a great and terrible evil has been awakened. With no hope of backup and reinforcements, its up to you and your crew to contain and banish the threat back where it came from.

Good luck to everyone who is participating this year! I know there are a number of WoW bloggers that are involved (Ego, Bre, and Ratshag at least, though I’m sure there are more).

Do you plan on taking part this year? Have you gotten your story ready?

14 thoughts on “7 Cliche’d Ideas to Jump Start Your WoW Related NaNoWriMo”

  1. I love the story ideas!

    I think, though, that it would take me a month to write a chapter of a novel. I’m not sure the muse and I are on speaking terms.

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  2. An addendum to your post, Matt.

    One of the big hurdles to get over when writing fiction is the whole concept of cliché in writing. It’s an overloaded term and it has a negative connotation. As you (implicitly) say, cliché in plot, characters, theme is fine. However, cliché in the writing itself is bad.

    So while it’s fine for your teenage hero to leave home, go on a journey to fight evil, and finally come home and realize how the experience has changed him, you shouldn’t use any phrase like “all that glitters is not gold”. The reader’s brain turns just turns off.

    Cheers!

    GoWs last blog post..Choose Your Post-Major-MMO-Patch Chat Adventure

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  3. I’m already plotted out – but I’m sure (with Lich King coming out HALF WAY THROUGH and all…..) that I’ll throw in a few well earned references. What, the Argent Dawn has assassins in the countryside? Maybe it’s the Stormpike Guard saving the day on the coast….

    I’d encourage you to try NaNo’ing, even if you don’t complete. It’s still fun.

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  4. @GoW : I think what you’re getting at is the difference between cliché (always bad, or at the best has kitsch value) v. intertextuality (the creative use of references to other literary works or the use of such things as “classic” plots). The latter is usually a good thing.

    Most novels are composed of parts of other novels, rehashed and regurgitated until they become something new. In fact, such books win lots of literary prizes. . .

    But yes, writers have to watch their imagery to stay out of proverbial purgatory or catchword hell.

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  5. I am taking part – but I’m going with the (cliched) real-life gaming guild meetup scenario. Can these people get along in person? (mostly) Will they grow as people? (sure) Can their friendship survive tragedy? (depends how far I am from the 50K mark)

    Love the site…just found it when I was looking for holy pally tips. Will bookmark it and read the rest later!

    Kimberlys last blog post..A happy return

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