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Traveling 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.
Origins
The origins of the TSoD are as shady as its uses, but it is believed to have originated on the NaNoWriMo forums in 2005. The word "traveling" in its name is probably derived from the fact that, as the TSoD may appear in hundreds of different NaNovels, it appears to be the same shovel that is merely jumping from story to story. It may also appear unbidden in a novel and/or kill a character that the author had not originally planned to kill. Thus, the TSoD is sometimes considered to be an almost sentient character, albeit one with murderous tendencies.
Traveling Shovel of Death FAQs
(as written by yangnome in 2009)
What can I do with the shovel? Use it as a murder weapon. Kill a main character, a supporting character, or even a background character.
What if I don’t like violent scenes? Have the shovel show up bloody on the ground, or maybe just a body that has been beaten. You don’t need to describe the murder to use the shovel, though I’m sure it wouldn’t stop you.
Why use the shovel to murder someone? Easy, it provides conflict. Conflict drives stories.
Couldn't I just use a gun or a knife, maybe a sword? I’m sure you could. Personally, I haven’t seen any guns knives or swords traveling around from novel to novel wreaking destruction though. The shovel is something bigger than you or I. It is bigger than our novels. It is a weapon of mass destruction if you will.
What if I don’t want to use the shovel? No one is forcing you. Don’t be surprised though if it pops into your novel. It popped into mine. Others who heard of the shovel couldn’t resist. Can you?
Does it have to be used as a murder weapon? I suppose not, but the shovel has developed a taste for blood.
What do I do with the shovel when I am done? Return it. Set it free so it can travel to another place, another land, maybe even another world.
I’m still not convinced. Well, use of the shovel will provide you with words. Anyone could easily milk a small 1,000-word scene from the shovel. Those more talented could get more. Heck, I’d bet someone could even get a whole novel out of the shovel’s exploits.
Are there any rules regarding the use of the shovel? No, but we would like to hear about its use. Post the fact that you send it here, and maybe the excerpt from its use.
This sounds silly. It couldn’t possibly fit in my novel. Maybe you are correct. I don’t know what you are writing about. The first year the shovel visited me, I wasn't writing a silly novel and it fit in mine with little problem. TSoD does not discriminate based on genre.
Anything else I need to know about the shovel? No. Well, don't turn your back on it.
