Given how late it is, you probably want to avoid things like fantasy or sci-fi--things that require world-building. But if you continuously brainstorm into a quick outline (say a 50-point outline) and write 1000 words about each point, you can succeed with a normal "average Joe" story with no problem!
Think of kids going to a summer camp, the possibilities of what could change in their lives. Boarding schools, action & adventure. The possibilities are impossible to narrow down.
I am a forest fire and an ocean, and I will burn you just as much as I will drown everything you have inside.
-Shinji Moon
I am the property of Rydia, please return me to her ship.
@lostthought, believe it or not a lot of people actually start NaNo without any firm, good, solid ideas in mind before they start writing. The first year I did it, I pretty much started with a random first line and allowed the story to evolve from there. (Some people have even started with "once upon a time." Extra kudos for originality there. )There are plenty of generators out there that can help you come up with maybe just a couple of words to serve as the seed of an idea.
What kinds of books do you like to read? You should try and write in that genre. This month is going to be crazy enough as-is, it's nice to spend it on something you enjoy.
On the NaNoWriMo site itself, there is an "adoption" forum where people go to abandon unused character, plot, etc. That might also be a good place to start.
A lot of good ideas are "what if" scenarios. Think about any movie, TV show, comic, or book you've encountered. Basically, you can sum all of them up in a "what if" question. (What if a farmboy must defeat an evil galactic empire? [star wars] What if a nanny could fly and carried a magic carpet bag? [Mary Poppins] What if a professor travelled through time using an old police boothe? [uh...])
The keyword here is basic. It must be something you can work with. It has to be relatable and (in the beginning, anyway) simple enough so you won't start worrying about nit-picks.
Please check out the NaNoWriMo forum on this site, @Sparkofdoubt has written several excellent articles that will be, no doubt, of great help to you.
Remember though, no plot? No problem.
Don't be afraid to ask us any questions, good luck! ~ED
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