NaNo Day 1: The Reading, The Goals, and The Aftermath

Lila's Reading (Cross Format)

Card #1: (Self) 
XVI - The Tower
Lila is unexpectedly facing an event that changes everything. Well, all in all, not a bad way to start a novel. If not a bit obvious. This is our Theme Card for the day.

Card #2: (Situation) 
0 - The Fool
This is the moment before everything changes. Zero Hour. Since Card #4 is an ace we have an emphasis on new beginnings. The knight in the #6 spot tells us that Lila will be traveling. Also, for the author this bodes well for brewing drama to move the story along.

Card #3: (Fears/Weaknesses) 
IV - The Emperor
The Emperor in this position tells us that Lila is fighting with or against creating order and stability. It also symbolizes her father, who has been absent. As the author I have to ask myself what system is Lila fighting for or against and how is this holding her back? What role does her father play in this?

Card #4: (Strengths) 
Ace of Wands
Here we find Lila's opportunity to harness her own will and express the fire that drives her. This is, however a fleeting moment, but provides her with a superb boost of energy to see it through.

Card #5: (Past Influences) 
VI - The Lovers
 Lila's passions have driven her in the past. Given the lack of romance related cards in this reading we can gather that this can be more of an inner drive and passion. This card tells us that Lila will be taking the passions that she has held onto and use them to guide her into the future.

Card #6: (Outcome) 
Knight of Swords
We can gather from this card that Lila's outcome today will depend on her looking for someone unpredictable who is motivated by new ideas. This opportunity is fleeting and this person will be impatient if Lila attempts to argue, but will delight in helping Lila solve her problem and provide her with new perspective.

The theme card for the first chapter is the Tower.

 

Today's Writing Goals

Today, being day one, I'm looking to set up the story. The Tarot theme is going to be very minimal and superficial today. This is all about Lila. I want to introduce Lila and her friends and foreshadow some of the coming troubles with the darkness that is Malgoria. We also want the theme to be fun and not beat into the ground by middle to late November. I'm starting about 500 words in due to the midnight kickoff write-in so I need about 1,200 word based on this reading and these goals.

The Horror...  er, I mean... Aftermath

OK, so it wasn't a bloodbath. I managed to write over 1700 words. However, today was a bit more sluggish than I wanted. The weather is freezing here and I usually depend on getting some physical exertion before writing. Combined with the late night from the kickoff party, I'm not really surprised.

Did the cards help? Absolutely. It gave me some direction in the floundering attempts to kick start the story. It also provided me with a clear ending point for the chapter. Not really a bad first day at all.