My NaNoWriMo story idea?

Question

This is my idea for my upcoming NaNoWriMo literary suicide...

An alcoholic (who doesn't have a name yet, I'm horrible with names) professor at a local college drags through his life frequenting coffee shops and run down bookstores alike as his insides crumble. And it's not from the booze. By some stroke of fate, everytime a person on the planet dies, (name) is struck with pain inside. The closer the person is to him, the more it hurts. He must figure out how to deal with this problem and make sure nothing happens to his friends, or even worse his loved ones.

Any thoughts? Is this enough to explore in 50k words?

Also, he might have a true love, who if killed would instantly kill him.

Answer 1

It's an interesting start and could develop nicely. However, before you embark on your NaNoWriMo adventure, may I suggest defining your characters a bit? Characters make or break a story like yours. I like the idea of his true love's death killing him as well, how romantic!

Answer 2

It sounds perfect for NaNo -- and if you get stuck there's always the Dares thread. This sounds like the type of plot you've got a lot of room to play with, which is essential during NaNo (this is my sixth year, so I know). Good luck!

Answer 3

Since people are dying all the time, wouldn't he be in pain all the time?
If you define the rules for his problem and get to know your characters well, it sounds like it will be fun to write.

Answer 4

It sounds a lot like A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. Not something that moves me, but give it a shot.
----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 5

You may write all this in 50000 words. It will be good enough.
Best of luck! But please try to keep it off from the "sensible" emotions which alcoholics cannot have, hardly have.

TW K