It’s that time of year again!

Just like last year, I will once again be participating in NaNoWriMo, which begins in just a few short days! In case you’ve forgotten, the general gist of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words of a brand new novel starting on November 1st, and requiring completion by the last day of the month. Though it isn’t a necessary step of the process, most participants attempt to craft a full story before the month’s end. I will be attempting the same.

I was successful last year when I attempted this challenge, and just like last year, I will be aiding in my writing stress by putting this blog on hiatus for the entire month of November. There will be no new articles after this one until the challenge is over. Expect the next article on December 3rd.

To give you a bit more to whet your appetite for this week, how about a little synopsis of the story I’ll be writing for NaNoWriMo 2022? Below, I’ll include the character list, setting descriptions, and story blurb. I’ve even got fun little pictures, courtesy of the ever-amazing Code Vein character creator!

See you in a month!

*************************************

FAMOUS/INFAMOUS

Characters

Violet Ho (21)

A quiet loner who can’t seem to get away from her horrific past, even when she transferred to GCU. Does everything she can think of to keep others at arm’s length, but her few close friends know it’s an act. Keeps to herself as much as possible, and enjoys painting in her free time. She wants to be known as who she really is, and not the kid with the messed-up childhood.

Mackenzie “Mack” Levine (22)

A volleyball savant, an incorrigible partier, and an endless source of laughter and cheer. People trip over themselves to be her friend. Her carefree attitude often clashes with her friends in times of serious conversation. She wants to be known as GCU’s best athlete and best party girl.

Angelica “Angie” Ashley (21)

A steadily rising social media starlet who is always chasing the next viral trend. She also helps manage GCU’s social media outlets and campus newsletter. Not exactly the brightest girl, but her heart truly is in the right place. She wants to be known as one of Pixagram’s top influencers.

Desirae Ortiz (22)

With her beautiful looks and stellar singing voice, she has played the starring role in almost every single stage production since she was a teen. A girl who exuberantly embraces life, and is a bit of an adrenaline-junkie. Dating Amir. She wants to be known as a country-wide (or even world-wide) actress one day.

Steven Ellis (22)

Aspiring science major who spends more time cooped up in his room studying/tinkering than socializing outside. He’s currently working on a little robotic companion of his own creation. He wants to go down in history for his contributions to the field of mechanical development.

Ezra Ford (22)

One of the star basketball players for GCU’s Cavaliers, and an immensely popular student, but he genuinely loves the sport and not the fame. He always makes time to hang out with his friends, though he does juggle a pretty packed schedule. He wants to be a role model for all young kids and aspiring athletes.

Amir Sahni (21)

Probably the smartest GCU student on campus, and a staunch supporter of GCU’s inclusivity and diversity movement. Never skips church. Dating Desirae. He wants to be known as a famous advocate for equality and human rights, and has contemplated looking into a pastor profession.

Dante Keller (21)

A relentless class clown who drifts through life aimlessly, trying to make life happier for others but not caring much about himself. Deeply lonely under his humorous facade. He wants to be known as a world-class music producer, which is his on-and-off-again hobby.

Ms. Yuriko Otomi (38)

One of GCU’s Theater and Performing Arts professors, and her love of the craft (and skill at the craft) is the stuff of legends on campus. Many people take her classes just for a fun time rather than a specific interest in Theater. She’s a very compassionate woman who goes to great lengths to care for her students.

Mr. Owen Hanson (46)

The stern but well-meaning Calculus and Trig professor at GCU. His lectures might be boring, but the man knows his stuff, and is more than happy to tutor students during his off-hours. He keeps his personal life private, and some students spread rumors about what he must get up to after classes.

Genevieve Vega (23)

The elected head of the Sigma Zeta Rho sorority, who likes her girls kept in line, following her orders, and practically groveling at her feet. Detests anyone challenging her management or party-planning skills. She has a tendency to act first, and then assume her reputation or loyal followers will get her out of any consequences.

Settings

Golden Coast University

The local college for all students in the Golden Coast region. A sizable and personalized campus, and an equally large and diverse student body. Party-culture runs rampant, and most professors either reluctantly ignore the issue or strictly crack down on it. Many students from across the nation attend GCU, mostly lured by the Golden Coast environment and atmosphere.

Golden Coast

A mid-size suburban city in the middle of California, along the coast. In recent years, the city has become more of a tourist trap than anything, luring thousands of visitors with its gorgeous beach, multiple hotels and resorts, and even an amusement park. Most of the college students embraced the population boom and fun atmosphere it brought with it, but many other longtime residents detest the constant stream of tourists and yearn for the simpler days.

Sigma Zeta Rho

GCU’s premiere sorority, known for its sizable donations to local charities, and raucous and often destructive parties. Entry into the sorority is notoriously difficult (thanks in large part to the dictator-tier sorority head, Genevieve Vega), but once you’re in, you’re set with friends for life.

Synopsis

Golden Coast University was always remembered for its frequent…contradictions. High level academics walked its halls and graduated with top marks, but an equal number of carefree drifters flitted from one course to the next as they struck their fancy. A diverse number of professional, student-run organizations rally for just causes and donate to charity, and an equally diverse number of raucous parties are held every night of the week.

All told, it’s really nothing too strange for a California college on the sunny coast of the Pacific.

And then someone died. And a second death followed that one. And then there was a terrifying warning of a third yet to come, posted right on the student bulletin board in Margaret Hall. These deaths weren’t accidents, either. Slit throats. A blood-red crescent sticker slapped onto each victim’s wrist almost like a cruel joke, the sticker normally indicative of GCU’s esteemed basketball team, The Cavaliers.

Calling cards, that for all intents and purposes lead to only one assumption: a killer on campus. A sick murderer looking to make their mark on the blissfully unaware student body.

Golden Coast University used to be remembered for its brilliant students and extravagant parties. But now, with a killer hellbent on going down in infamy as the butcher of GCU, how long before there’s anyone left alive to remember it at all?