Post by jackierandom on Oct 20, 2013 17:10:57 GMT -5
I thought this may useful. These are some commonly used terms in the Nano forums. Please feel free to add your own to this thread. I admit to being lost when reading some things on the forums. Some of these, I understood and some kinda..... I want to give all the credit for explaining to Wikiwrimo, which you can find here. It is chockful of Nanowrimo information. It is a good site to visit. They also have a list of Tips for Newbies.
The Travelling Shovel of Death
The Traveling Shovel of Death (or TSoD) is an all-purpose plot device that has become primarily associated with NaNoWriMo, although it is of course applicable to Script Frenzy as well. It consists of a shovel that can be used by a character - or multiple characters - to commit murder(s), thus propelling the plot forward when things are moving too slowly. Much like Mr. Ian Woon and the trebuchet, the TSoD is used by numerous Wrimos each year as both a NaNoWriMo inside-joke and as a functional part of the plot. Unlike an ordinary adoptable, however, the TSoD is always up for grabs and available to any Wrimo who requires its services.
Mr Ian Woon
Mr. Ian Woon is an anagram of NaNoWriMo. Over the years Wrimos have included him as a character in their novels as a tribute to NaNo and as an inside joke. Mr. Ian Woon has rarely gone by Ian, partially because Mr. Ian Woon is the full anagram and partially because "Mr. Ian Woon" adds two more words to the Wrimo's word count than "Ian" alone.
The Trebuchet Club
The Trebuchet Club is a group of Wrimos who include a trebuchet in their novels. It began in 2006 when LustForLike [1] posted to the NaNoWriMo forums and stated that a trebuchet was an overlooked thing that improves a novel [2]. The club grew in popularity, with the thread gaining 328 posts and Wrimos declaring their membership in their signatures. The Trebuchet Club has returned every year since, with different Wrimos starting the thread in 2008, 2009, and 2010
Plot Ninja
A plot ninja is something that is inserted into the plot when the writer finds him- or herself at a loss for what to do next, or when their characters are bogging down in dull conversation rather than doing anything interesting. The traditional form of the plot ninja is literal ninjas crashing through windows or leaping out of wardrobes and attacking the main characters, turning the dithering over plot into an exciting action scene. When actual ninjas are not appropriate, milieu-appropriate enemies, such as orcs, cyborgs, or gangster can be substituted.
Plot Bunny
A plot bunny is a story idea that refuses to go away until it is written. The term's origin is unknown but is known to predate NaNoWriMo. Because plot bunnies tend to multiply quickly, the term is thought to be related to the oft-quoted John Steinbeck quote about ideas and rabbits.
Suddenly, Ducks!
Suddenly, Ducks (or commonly SUDDENLY, DUCKS!) is a plot device used by many to move the story along by adding random ducks in the novel and having to explain why they are there. Originally just ducks, it has other variations, such as Suddenly, Demon Ducks! or Suddenly, Dancing Ducks! Similar to the Traveling Shovel of Death or the Trebuchet Club, it serves to make NaNoWriMo a bit easier.
The Travelling Shovel of Death
The Traveling Shovel of Death (or TSoD) is an all-purpose plot device that has become primarily associated with NaNoWriMo, although it is of course applicable to Script Frenzy as well. It consists of a shovel that can be used by a character - or multiple characters - to commit murder(s), thus propelling the plot forward when things are moving too slowly. Much like Mr. Ian Woon and the trebuchet, the TSoD is used by numerous Wrimos each year as both a NaNoWriMo inside-joke and as a functional part of the plot. Unlike an ordinary adoptable, however, the TSoD is always up for grabs and available to any Wrimo who requires its services.
Mr Ian Woon
Mr. Ian Woon is an anagram of NaNoWriMo. Over the years Wrimos have included him as a character in their novels as a tribute to NaNo and as an inside joke. Mr. Ian Woon has rarely gone by Ian, partially because Mr. Ian Woon is the full anagram and partially because "Mr. Ian Woon" adds two more words to the Wrimo's word count than "Ian" alone.
The Trebuchet Club
The Trebuchet Club is a group of Wrimos who include a trebuchet in their novels. It began in 2006 when LustForLike [1] posted to the NaNoWriMo forums and stated that a trebuchet was an overlooked thing that improves a novel [2]. The club grew in popularity, with the thread gaining 328 posts and Wrimos declaring their membership in their signatures. The Trebuchet Club has returned every year since, with different Wrimos starting the thread in 2008, 2009, and 2010
Plot Ninja
A plot ninja is something that is inserted into the plot when the writer finds him- or herself at a loss for what to do next, or when their characters are bogging down in dull conversation rather than doing anything interesting. The traditional form of the plot ninja is literal ninjas crashing through windows or leaping out of wardrobes and attacking the main characters, turning the dithering over plot into an exciting action scene. When actual ninjas are not appropriate, milieu-appropriate enemies, such as orcs, cyborgs, or gangster can be substituted.
Plot Bunny
A plot bunny is a story idea that refuses to go away until it is written. The term's origin is unknown but is known to predate NaNoWriMo. Because plot bunnies tend to multiply quickly, the term is thought to be related to the oft-quoted John Steinbeck quote about ideas and rabbits.
Suddenly, Ducks!
Suddenly, Ducks (or commonly SUDDENLY, DUCKS!) is a plot device used by many to move the story along by adding random ducks in the novel and having to explain why they are there. Originally just ducks, it has other variations, such as Suddenly, Demon Ducks! or Suddenly, Dancing Ducks! Similar to the Traveling Shovel of Death or the Trebuchet Club, it serves to make NaNoWriMo a bit easier.
Now, where did I leave off at?
My latest edition of Straight From Thecliff Chamber 
