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So*. Who's in? What genre? What's the title? And what's it about?
I'm in. Of course. Science fiction, of course. I'm planning on writing 150-200K instead of "just" 50K - because I'm insane, of course. And I'll have 2 or 3 novels plotted and ready to go by then. They are:
Children of the Dome. It's a bust from last year, completely revamped to the point that what little I previously had written had to be junked. It's much better than it was. It's about a bunch of kids who live trapped in bombed-out West Edmonton Mall until they finally find a way out.
Stranded. A spaceship carrying family members, heirs to their father-the-mogul's estate crash lands on an out of the way planet.
Janitor. Sequel to Basement of the Universe, which, in and of itself, is a bit of a bizarre idea.
Posted by Winder (Member # 8685) on :
*asks stupid question* what is this thread about?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Uh, right. Sorry.
NaNoWriMo is short for NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth, held every November, where participants try to write 50,000 words of a novel in that time period.
Posted by Winder (Member # 8685) on :
Oh. That sounds scary. My novel doesn't like to be written that fast.
Posted by Art Vandelay (Member # 8690) on :
That's the idea. It's supposed to help you break out of the over-thinking over-critical first drafts that all writers are prone to. You just write furiously for a month.
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
If I get my books unpacked by then, I'm in, I think. If I can have my copy of No Plot, No Problem at hand (curently packed) I think I might make it where I've previously busted.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
I'm in. I'm not really planning on writing a coherent novel, though. I'll be working on the backstory and history for the novel I really want to write.
Oh, and it will be fantasy.
--Mel
Posted by Winder (Member # 8685) on :
quote:Originally posted by Art Vandelay: That's the idea. It's supposed to help you break out of the over-thinking over-critical first drafts that all writers are prone to. You just write furiously for a month.
But I'm not all writers...I'm THE writer...the best in the history of the world.
Uh...jk.
I'm a few months from finishing the first draft of my first novel...I'm more comfortable writing at a slower pace...i don't THINK i'm overthinking....
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I think I'm in...but the bad part is I'm just about through plotting and researching, I'm ready to start the first draft. I hate to wait, but the rules state it can't be a work-in-progress.
My fingers are itching to get started on the first draft, would anybody tell on me if I bend the rules and just aim for 50,000 words progress on an existing project?
Oh, and it's fantasy.
Posted by Chveya (Member # 2623) on :
Mine was dreadful last year. Absolutely terrible. I finished, though- ahead of time, in fact. I suppose I'll go for it this year as well, whether or not I have any idea what the plot is.
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Chveya, you're a winner! That's great! It doesn't matter that it was terrible. It matters that you won, finished, succeeded. I'm very impressed. Congratulations!
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Gah, I can't do it this year! Far too much homework...
I did finish last year though, so I'm kind of cool
Good Luck to all those attempting this year!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
If you've already registered and your name is different, post it here.
I'm AdrianW
original, huh?
Also, should we start a hatrack thread in the writing clubs forum?
Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
Mine's some strange combination of Romanian folklore (not the Bram Stoker crap, but real folklore) and bizarre Dutch Orange American chivalry, with fun technology.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
I am in... well as soon as they send me my password because apparently my brain was so mushified from last year's last minute rush that I blocked it. (Run-on sentences were my secret crush for last year's Nano.)
It was a fun experience, and I was able to keep my daily word count for most of the time. Of course, last year I was on a laptop with no internet connection whatsoever. Now I have one with WiFi. Not a good thing to be distracted by HatCrack.
My goal this year is to finish ahead of time and actually finish the story. The 2004 story is still on my computer doing nothin'. I don't think it was so bad, but it does need at least 6 or 7 more chapters to be finished. At this rate, I should be finished with it by NaNoWriMo 2018.
As for this year, I've been throwing around a detective story set in the future with some psychics and secret cabals into the mix. They did say it doesn't have to be good, right?
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
I keep wavering between really wanting to do this and being absolutely certain that I won't have time to what with school papers and all.
But IF I were to do it, I'd probably go with a fantasy-romance of some sort...probably a parody of "bodice-ripper" stereotypes.
Hmm...that sounds a lot more fun than 40+ pages of academic papers....
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I registered, but I don't have any ideas yet!
Posted by Chveya (Member # 2623) on :
cataylor90 is my username. Mine's dazzlingly original as well, hah. I won't have as much time this year because I'm in a play, but then again I can lug my ancient laptop along to practice. (I'm only in the chorus) I thought I'd have more school work this year, but I don't.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
After jumping through much hoops, I am now reactivated. I even did a blog entry to force myself into doing this. No backing out now.
Go ahead and guess my username. I dare ya. Not that there isn't a huge hint right next to this post. Okay, so it isn't so much as a hint as a blatant sign. Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
Well, I'm thinking about it. I signed up last year and then life intervened and I didn't get to do anything on the thing.
I've got a good idea for this year, kind of mainstream for me, but it would be good practice. However, I also write anywhere between 8,000 and 12,000 words per week for my job, so I don't know if I should commit myself to another 50,000 in a month. I'm a little crazy, but I don't know if I'm that crazy.
I don't know. I'll have to think about it a little bit more before I decide.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Yay - I finally got in. I had firewall issues.
Not 100% sure what my novel will be about - I had a dream last week that was sort of a romantic comedy. I thought about using that as a basis for my novel. Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Okay, I signed up. I figured, what the heck, it'll be something worthwhile to keep me busy on these up-late-for-no-reason nights.
Now to come up with an idea big enough to sustain me through 200 pages....
I'm also Nell Gwyn on that site too, if a Hatrack writing club does get started. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
We have a thread started over there if you want to introduce yourselves and get comfy. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
So, I accidentally signed up as my full name, instead of making a screen name, because I misunderstood the information it was asking for. Is that bad, should I make a new account? Or does it not matter?
Posted by human_2.0 (Member # 6006) on :
I signed up. Same username. I have ideas for a story, space epic with super heros. If I could straighten up my ideas, I might actually write something.
I've tried writing this story once, but it is all throw away. I'll start over.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm sort of cheating. I have an established start that has 20,000 written. My goal will be 70,000 by the end of November.
So sue me.
It's a science fiction story, serious and large in scope.
This will be my first time participating in NaNoWriMo. Should be interesting.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I'm going to do it, but not officially.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I want to start already... I put up a good idea for it, but no one was interested in it and it got no responses.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Why why why why am I doing this?
I'm not a writer. I've never even wanted to be a writer! But I have to admit that having some sort of motivation to write over 1,000 words a day about SOMETHING is really intriguing. I read Annie's novel that she finished last November and it was a hoot, I loved Chris' article this last week...and I remember reading all about the agony and ecstasy you guys went through last year.
I guess I just have a need to be part of the 'in' crowd. :shrug:
Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
I'm doing it because Quid bullied me into it in that other thread.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I sort of want to do it because I think doing something creative is something I really need right now. But I don't have the faintest clue what to write about and I'm pretty sure I'm not capable of doing 1750 words a day. Last year I signed up but only got 1000 words in.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:Originally posted by digging_holes: I'm doing it because Quid bullied me into it in that other thread.
Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
Hehehe.
Also, don't take this the wrong way, but for some obscure reason, I had the impression that you were a guy until quite recently.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Eh. No biggie. I frequently don't know the sex of people here until it becomes painfully obvious.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Guys, I have settled on a title for my novel! This is huge because as of this morning, I wasn't even thinking of writing a novel!
The title is unoriginal, as most of this novel will be:
Confessions of a Single Science Fiction Fan.
And yes, it will probably fall in the Chick Lit category. Might be too snarky for chick lit though. We'll see.
Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
I can't wait to read it.
I, however, am horrible at thinking up things like titles, and I will probably just think up one in desperation a minute or two before I submit it. At least I have a few fuzzy ideas about what happens in it, anyway. I know how it begins, at any rate.
Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
I have not written anything since college (and haven't seriously written anything since sophomore year). I have no story ideas that are ready to be worked on. Yet, due to the fact that I have absolutely nothing to do half the time I'm at work, I'm extremely tempted to try this . . . Or I could do what I really should be doing, which is work on wedding plans.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Ophelia... you could write about your wedding plans in great detail. I am sure you could get 50,000 words out of it, especially if you used fancy colors.
On that note.... about the writing I mean. I think I've come up with a cursorary title for my abject story idea, and I've added the NaNo logo to my blog. It's good to sign your own death warrant isn't it. Even if it is only figuratively.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Okay - I signed up.
*shivers in dread anticipation*
I'll be coming off an intense month of work, and dead tired, so what better time to trick myself into writing?
Besides, then I have yet another excuse for putting off such things as practicing the piano, doing fall yardwork, and getting a real life.
Can I still take a night off to see the new Harry Potter movie, though?
Posted by digging_hoIes (Member # 6963) on :
Rain or shine, I'm going to that Harry Potter movie. The noveling will just have to wait.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I have absolutely no idea what I'll be writing about - none. Last year, I had the idea and started but didn't get too far. I do have the feeling I should be working on character development of a plot outline or something ...
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
I still have no idea what I'm going to write about, if anything - would it be valid to just randomly entwine together paragraphs of my school research papers, and maybe throw in some unrelated dialogue? It's art if I say it is! Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Just got to be fiction. If your research is fiction, then I say GO for it! Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Well, the papers will be about modern British and classical Indian drama, which is sort of like fiction. And if I've got them all mish-mashed together, it certainly won't be factual anymore, so I guess that makes it fiction by default. It'll be an absurdist novel! Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I came up with about 5 or 6 ideas just this week... I have a ton of backnovels. I want to start now...
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I know the feeling Syn. It's amazing how I went from "Novel? What?" to "I have ideas and I want to start writing!"
I think mine is less of a "I'm writing cause I have great ideas and must tell this story" thing and more of a "I'm writing to prove to you all that I can churn out 50,000 words in a month" thing. Silly, I know.
Posted by digging_hoIes (Member # 6963) on :
I know that I can churn out 50 000 words a month, no sweat (given ideal conditions and frame of mind). Whether or not I will is another matter entirely.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
I will be treating this as "flash" novel writing, because I won't be doing any planning beforehand. I'll just start throwing characters at it and see where I end up.
I'm doing it this way because in the past I have tried to start novels but they never got very far because I couldn't seem to get them to go the direction I wanted. I can't quite seem to figure out how to aim a plot longer than a few thousand words, so I'm hoping that just writing randomly will help me figure it out.
--Mel
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I don't know if I can do 50,000 words in a month. I've never tried, but I'm very eager to do so! Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
I just setup my nanowrimo profile. I've been at the "I should do this, I should do this..." phase for a while but didn't quite feel fully committed yet.
Novel-writing is an institution. And you can't get out of an institution, especially once you've been committed.
--Enigmatic
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
And we're off . . .
Of course, I haven't written a word yet, and it's already past noon. I have two shalwaars to finish sewing by tomorrow before we go out of town for Festival marking the end of Ramadan, and unfortunately, that's a bit more important than writing.
HOWEVER. As soon as they're done, I'll write. I'll write up a storm, I tell you! A STORM!
Muwahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!
Posted by digging_hoIes (Member # 6963) on :
I'm working like crazy this week, and probably most of the month. It's going to be tough to squeeze quality writing time into there, but I must.
Posted by John Van Pelt (Member # 5767) on :
I've begun. Barely a thousand words so far, but I also had a column to write.
Prolly won't be around Hatrack much for the next month - don't wanna waste any words.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I'm annoyed that I'm tied up with school related writing projects but I'm going to see if I can just get something new started.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
So what's the daily quota again if we want to reach 50K? (I guess I could just use a calculator, but I know one of you will delight in letting me know the answer to my question. Why deprive you of that delight?)
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
quote: I'm working like crazy this week, and probably most of the month. It's going to be tough to squeeze quality writing time into there, but I must.
No no no, this is Nanowrimo: Eliminate any thoughts you may have about quality writing! You need quantity writing time!
I'm apparently on Hatrack and checking email instead of getting started. Fortunately, I'm groggily sleep-deprived from starting birthday celebrations at 12:01 am, so the internal editor portion of my brain my be asleep still.
Oh, and it's 1667 words per day (rounded up).
--Enigmatic
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Thanks. And Happy Birthday again.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
My novel already sucks. :shrug: It is rather fun though.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
I've got around 660 words so far, but I'm unofficial. I'm not sure I'll have the time to keep this up.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
That's about what I have too, afr. I definitely don't have the time, but I'm going to try anyway. Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I don't even have an idea.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
My idea sucks, but I am going with it. I have a little over 500 words so far. None of it makes sense. I keep going back to add, which isn't a bad thing as long as I do not delete anything. (<--- contractions are not your best friend during NaNo, I am telling you.)
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
My main character just jumped off a bridge into the Abyss to escape some soldiers. What happens next is up to my fingers and my fevered brain.
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
quote:Originally posted by quidscribis: Children of the Dome. It's a bust from last year, completely revamped to the point that what little I previously had written had to be junked. It's much better than it was. It's about a bunch of kids who live trapped in bombed-out West Edmonton Mall until they finally find a way out.
I really want to read this. I hope that the waterpark, Galaxyland, the Undersea Caverns, Mini-Golf, and the Dragon in the movie theatre make an appearance. There are so many features of the mall that would work well for a story.
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
I did sign up. I haven't started writing yet so that is not a good sign. I have some ideas and a main character but that may not be enough. My screen name over there is ran-solo.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
My novel is very depressing, currently. And I have a feeling it might stay like that for a while.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
And I have almost 1500 words, btw.
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
I have just under 700 words of story and another 300 of notes for later chapters now. I don't know if I'm gonna be able to keep this up though.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I have 1716 words at this point. Just over the daily goal. Woo Hoo! It sucks, but isn't that the point?
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Yeah. I just realized that my main character (whose point of view the story is told from) doesn't have a name yet.
And I really don't know what's going to happen next. This is probably offensive to all of you serious novelists who have been researching and waiting for this day for the last few months.
It's great fun though!
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I've been waiting for a year. But I'm not a serious novelist and I did no research. So, I am not offended.
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
I have just over 800 words at the moment and am going to take a break for dinner. I'm still not quite able to embrace the attitude of "It doesn't have to be Just Right, just write!" yet and so the whole thinking about things is slowing my output down. But this particular hurdle is a large part of why I decided to try it this year, so here's hoping.
--Enigmatic
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Still no idea ...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:Originally posted by solo:
quote:Originally posted by quidscribis: Children of the Dome. It's a bust from last year, completely revamped to the point that what little I previously had written had to be junked. It's much better than it was. It's about a bunch of kids who live trapped in bombed-out West Edmonton Mall until they finally find a way out.
I really want to read this. I hope that the waterpark, Galaxyland, the Undersea Caverns, Mini-Golf, and the Dragon in the movie theatre make an appearance. There are so many features of the mall that would work well for a story.
I'm glad you want to read it!
Some parts of the mall make it in, like the Submarine ride and the waterpark and that area of the mall, but for logistical reasons, that's the only area of the mall that's in the story. Except for the underground tunnels, of course.
The part of the story that takes place in the mall is actually fairly short - only the first part of the story. The rest takes place outside, complete with people hunting the kids, Cannibals, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
It's science fiction, so that should tell you that it can go pretty much anywhere.
Anyway, I have to go and finish another shalwaar now, and then sew a pair of pants today, too. And I have a magazine article to write that's due today that I nearly forgot about.
All that BEFORE I can start NaNo.
AAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Just don't put it off and never start. By the way, I have you on my list of Nano Friends so I can watch your progress. If you start slacking, you'll have to answer to me. And that is scary! Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Good! The kicking my butt part. Not the scary part. Er . . . Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
At 1630 words today, the first day. For those interested, I'm blogging my progress here.
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
I've started. I've got the easiest part done, the first chapter. 1785 words. The rest will be harder, so I'm going to try and get ahead while the going is good. Yahoo! Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Steve must have long legs if he can kick you,quid, across the Pacific. I'm impressed. I am also stuck. Ugh.... what am I going to do with my main character next. Right now she's sitting in an all-night diner drinking coffee. Well, waiting for the waitress to bring her a fresh cup and having a flash-back to her childhood. (I love flash-backs.)
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
I'm at 2610 and going strong. Writing an outline has helped thus far.
I'm going to need to do a bit extra for each day being as like most of my weekends will be swamped with Debate tournaments, so...
But weee! Fun fun fun.
Posted by R. Ann Dryden (Member # 8186) on :
Those of you who are having a hard time turning off your internal editor, I will pass on what I learned last year.
Have a quick competition with some friends. I.e. see who can write the most words in 20 minutes. Then repeat. Then repeat again. Before you know it, you may end up with your daily goal in an hour or so.
If you can't get anyone to do it with you, do it by yourself and make your goal to beat your high score each time.
Works really good for breaking that writer's block!
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
This is my suggestion and this is what killed me last time.
Don't read what you've already written until you're safely to a point of finishing. Trust me, it's probably going to be complete and utter crap before then, so don't read it. It can only discourage you.
Instead, take notes in a seperate document, that way if you do something important, you can put a note a refer to it.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I have written, at one point, over 130,000 words within a span of 30 days. Words of fiction. However, you will never read what I wrote.
Ever.
I'm trying to decide if I want to try this or not with my current novel.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I (blush) haven't started yet.
And I just got an e-mail from some fellow over at NaNoWriMo about priorities, and that dirty clothes and pizza should be the norm from here on out.
Hmphhh.
*grin*
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
This is the message I got just moments ago when I tried called my Internal Editor.
"This is larisse's Internal Editor. I am sorry I cannot come to the phone right now. I am on vacation for the next 30 days. My writer, larisse, was nice enough to give me some vacation time since she said she was not planning on writing a darn thing this month. Since she has not done any writing in the past few months, I am inclined to believe her. Please leave a message after the beep. I will return your call on December 1st when I will have returned well rested." Beep...
Yes.... it worked. Now back to the writ... I mean back to the typing of meaningless characters in order to relieve stress. (Just in case the ol' IE is checking the forum ya know.)
Edited: Oh no, my Internal Editor checked the messages early. Just gonna have to write faster.
[ November 02, 2005, 11:58 AM: Message edited by: larisse ]
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*LOL*
Okay - since my last post I just wrote 1100 words of crap.
But it was MY crap, and it felt good!
And actually, a paragraph of it might have some potential - even better.
Now my back aches and my head hurts, so I am going to bed!
G'nite!
Posted by John Van Pelt (Member # 5767) on :
Thank you for the guidance. At 550 words today, I am happy to have simply begun what is to be my 2nd work of fiction.
But I am acutely conscious of how slow I am, the deathgrip of my internal editor. I rewrote the first four paragraphs 5 times. I feel like I'm 98% editor and 2% writer.
I will pause tomorrow and do some plotting, but then on with the output.
Maybe I could try doing a save-as for every paragraph or two, and opening a blank page, so I am not tempted to go back and read, let alone edit. Or put it in a huge font so I really can't, practically, see more than the line I am on.....
Hey, that might work.
Good night, friends.
Posted by CRash (Member # 7754) on :
Hurray, all signed up under username "crashwriter". 600 words and counting...
(I don't think I'll win this year, though. But maybe I'll pass 40K, my personal goal.)
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
I've written 1768 words on the story today, which nicely completed the first scene and is over the daily quota so I think I'll be done writing for the evening. Now to just do that 29 more times and I'm home free.
--Enigmatic
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I wrote 2656 yesterday. I'll continue more today after all my classes. Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
You can write during class, you know. Looks like you're taking notes.
Not that I did that or anything.
All through college.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I'm one of the ones that can't bear not going back and fixing. What I tried is this: if I write 2,000 words, I can go back and meddle. But not before.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I like that idea, Chris.
I woke up this a.m. absolutely disenchanted with the first 1100 words and the direction the story headed off in, even though I liked the potential in it, and now I want to delete and start all over again . . . It's not the story I want to tell. Grrrrr.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Haha, I know. But I have a huge exam on friday, so I decided to actually pay attention.
And I can't type in choir or my lesson, either, which I also have today. But the rest of the time (that I'm not doing homework), I can get cracking!
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
I'm up to about a thousand words so far.
I wrote half asleep last night. Some of the stuff I typed when I was dozing off made no sense.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Strange, Raia, I wrote in these things called "spiral notebooks."
Posted by John Van Pelt (Member # 5767) on :
1,000 words today, all plot notes.
Plan to write about that much in narrative this evening, really working on just running with it; no editing.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Umm...yeah. I got nuthin'. Not even topics for my research papers yet.
But on the bright side, there's still 28 days to go!
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
4629 And about to go back and write some more! I want to get part one done tonight. (Shouldn't be that hard.)
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
1,294 so far, and it's terrible, but I love the character I'm supposed to draw out as horrible and thoroughly unlikeable. The more I write about her, and she's just a bit character, the more I like her.
I'm cheating though...it is a re-write of Rebecca. I figured I might actually be able do NaNoWriMo if I didn't have to make up the story, but could adapt one I liked for today.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
People have done that with Pride and Prejudice like....467 times! you should be able to do it with Rebecca and get away with it. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I STILL haven't started.
Yesterday, we had a power outage from 11 am to 8:15 pm, unannounced, so it wasn't like we could plan for it, but the power company said it was for repairs, so suck it up and live with it.
That means that I STILL don't have all my sewing done, and we're heading out of town today, and I need to have my sewing done before we leave. So I've got about three more minutes here before Fahim nags me to get going . . .
Nope, it's started.
Yep. He's nagged.
So I'm off to do my sewing at this terrible hour of 6am when I'm barely coherent in the hopes that I can get everything done in time . . .
So. It looks like I'll get my first words for NaNo written while we're out of town. And no worries on me getting started - Fahim knows the plan, and he can be rather . . . insistent that I get writing.
Sigh.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Quid - yeesh! Maybe you should've gone for the non-motor pedal sewing machine after all. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
quote:Originally posted by mackillian: Strange, Raia, I wrote in these things called "spiral notebooks."
Which, um, would distract me so much less from the class than typing... Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:Originally posted by Nell Gwyn: Quid - yeesh! Maybe you should've gone for the non-motor pedal sewing machine after all.
Now that you mention it, yeah, it might have been a good idea.
The pants didn't work. Long story, involving 25% shrinkage in the wash and desire for using daggers or other long piercing instruments of torture on the manufacturers of the fabric.
On the other hand, other than ironing and a very small amount of hand sewing on the one shalwaar which can be done when we arrive at the other end, the sewing is complete. Yay.
Now I can go pack. And iron said shalwaars. And send out necessary and unpostponeable emails. And finish packing. And clean out fridge from food gone back from the many and numerous and long and extended power outages in the last couple of weeks. And wash any remaining dishes. And download pages necessary to write an article that was due yesterday.
And once all that's done, THEN I can start in on NaNoWriMo.
Sigh.
Posted by jasonepowell (Member # 1600) on :
3500 words of absolutely terrible, yet somehow glorious, dreck! Look at me pollute the page! WOOHOO!
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
*pats quid on head comfortingly*
There, there. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Thanks, Nell. I feel better already. Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Bless you, Narnia. That really does make me feel better. And encouraged. I might actually make it this year!
Posted by John Van Pelt (Member # 5767) on :
About 1,500 words today, and a lot of progress on plotting, which I hope will help the rest go faster.
Excerpt, just for the heck of it:
quote:In Tsuba's office, Hoke went right to the window and breathed a great a sigh of appreciation. If there was anything he loved more than the 'habitants' he husbanded in sub-basement C, it was this view of the city from the 47th floor, and the wonderful realism of its miniature streets.
One might almost imagine he’d gotten himself in trouble just to get here, his breath misting the glass and Tsuba fuming behind him.
Posted by digging_hoIes (Member # 6963) on :
Total so far : 4282.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I have 4375, and I haven't done any writing yet today.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Well, I've broken the 2,000 word mark which is a big thing for someone who avoids writing at all costs despite how good it feels. (Sorta like exercise. I like exercise. I just don't enjoy getting started.)
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
I haven't written anything since my last update. I have no excuses other than my internal editor wants to scrap everything and start over and my external procrastinator/slacker thinks that would be too much work and it is easier to just give up.
The battle rages on and I am stuck in the middle.
Maybe I should write a meta-novel about trying to write a novel for NaNoWriMo.
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
"The would-be novelist sat down in front of of his computer to begin the daunting task of writing an entire novel in a single month. What he would write was a mystery even to himself. He truly had no idea.
Two hours and several games of Minesweeper later, he still had no idea what he was going to write about. Bravely, he plowed forward with a paragraph about trying to start writing a novel. It was followed by another one about playing Minesweeper. Alas, two short paragraphs were not a novel and no further inspiration seemed likely. The expectant novelist waited. And waited.
Suddenly, a third paragraph sprang out of nowhere!"
--Enigmatic
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
Hey! You stole my opening!
Now I have to start over again.
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
quote:Originally posted by Raia: I have 4375, and I haven't done any writing yet today.
Yeah, well, I'm up to 6228 now, and I've started on Chapter 4. Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
6464. A nice round number. Posted by jasonepowell (Member # 1600) on :
hmmm... hitting a bit of a wall here. I don't think my story is that good (it certainly isn't original) and I have at least 2 more episodes of Firefly to watch to finish the series. I think Firefly wins tonight.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I haven't had a chance to write today. I'm absolutely SWAMPED with homework. I've been doing homework straight from 1:00 pm today, and now it's 9:39. And I'm not anywhere NEAR done.
*cry*
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Raia: I haven't even started - haven't even settled on an idea yet. So, there's hope for you, honest.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I have no friends . . . Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Neither do I....
Bah.... I am not even out of Chapter 1. I've got a little more than 3,000 words that go absolutely nowhere. And yet, I am having fun. I think.
This thread is really keeping me motivated. Thanks guys.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Well, the crying was mainly because I'm sick to death of doing all this homework, I'm screwed for school, and I don't know what to do with myself.
But it's because I can't write for NaNo too, of course.
So thanks, CaySedai!
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
I'm with you there, jason. Right up to the Firefly part, which I don't have.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Indeed. Although it's annoying that the links to buddies are not in the same format. Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
See... this is why I cry. No buddies. That and the fact that the ball of my foot hurts. I think I have a splinter.
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
Wordcount tricks when you don't know what else to write:
1) Divide what you've written so far into very short chapters, giving each one a very long title.
Example : CHAPTER FORTY-SIX : In Which The Horrible Curse Of The Armenian Were-Wolf (Who Was Of Course The Descendant Of Romulus But We Will Learn More About That In This Chapter) Comes To Horribly Bloody Fruition.
2)Also, dedication. Write a long-winded dedication, or more than one, to several different people who are wholly unconnected with your novel and insert after the lengthy title at the beginning.
3)If you are really stuck, insert a profound quotation before every chapter.
4) Write a couple pages of acknowledgements. These must be seperate and unconnected to the dedications, but do not have to be connected to the novel either.
That should boost your wordcount by a couple thousand words, at least. Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
I had thought of DH's suggestion #1 as well, probably because I've read the romantic histories by Parfi of Roundwood.
Another trick I accidentally found in my own story, if your writing fantasy anyway, is magical incantations. Make sure that any magic used in your fantasy world requires lengthy, repetitious incantations and write them out every time someone casts a spell!
--Enigmatic.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
4005.
This is more dedication than I've ever shown to something not work or school related . . .
*smiles*
Edit to add:
Hah! 5000 words! In 4 days. Who woulda thunk?
[ November 05, 2005, 12:26 AM: Message edited by: Shan ]
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
*hoping to get started next week - if she can settle on an idea*
Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :
Hi guys. I know, I barely post anymore, but I'm in.
I've always wanted to do a post apocalyptic story, but was never going to it because it is such a cliche and I couldn't possibly publish it.
Perfect for NaNo, yes?
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
6200 words - and at last! I have an actual novel idea, with plot, characters, story line!
Five days of just writing whatever, and I at last broke through. Yay!
And now I'm excited.
I'll check in, but I may be fairly absent now . . . *rubs hands in anticipation*
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
4700 words at the moment. I'm hoping to really lay into it over the weekend and maybe catch up to the daily wordcount quota, before slipping behind again once work starts.
So, does anyone else find themselves avoiding compound words, hyphens, and contractions?
--Enigmatic
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
*raises hand*
Also, I have discovered an unsuspected benefit of telling my story in the first person. My MC is constantly interrupting his own story to make some comment or directly address the reader, then abruptly gets back to the point a paragraph or two later. It's great.
Also, my novel is so incredibly sappy I'm about to puke. I need to skip to the action part in the next chapter now...
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
Wait, do two words connected with a hyphen count as one word?
Posted by Cali-Angel-Cat (Member # 8799) on :
I actually sat down and did some work on one of my Novels yesterday.
I had an idea for something I have planned to happen in the novel, just having problems figuring out how to pull it off!
*Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!*
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
Currently experiencing a form of writer's block.
I know what the next event will be, except... I need to write a transition of a certain length to get there, and I'm not really sure how.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I have index cards.
Lots and lots of index cards.
What I really want is a Huge Dry Erase Board.
Posted by Cali-Angel-Cat (Member # 8799) on :
lol, If I had the space my new desktop would be in my room instead of storage!
Okay, what is the most emotionally charged way of reveling to a character that the family you always thought was your own, is not?
I'll fill in blanks if you want me too, just ask.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
so the character doesn't know that his/her family isn't theirs?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm planning on writing 50,000 words this week, starting Monday morning at 8 am. It's for a book in a week challenge for another email group I belong to. I should then have my NaNovel done by next Sunday night, at least in terms of having the minimum winning amount written.
And no, I still haven't written a word. Sheesh.
What are my current excuses? Well, I have a 1000 word article to write today for a Christmas magazine issue. Um, yeah, that's it. No other excuses. Oh, unless we want to count my puny little headache. And the lightheadedness. But no, we're not counting those.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Did I mention I've got index cards? I've even got some colored ones.
Posted by Cali-Angel-Cat (Member # 8799) on :
Nope she doesn't.
Her real father is the man she's called Uncle all her life.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I think it's hard to say what would be the most emotionally charged way of revealing that to her without knowing the character.
Posted by Cali-Angel-Cat (Member # 8799) on :
Let me start a new thread and give some details, okay?
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
quote:Originally posted by dh: Wait, do two words connected with a hyphen count as one word?
MS Word counts hyphenated words as one word. I'm not sure if the Nanowrimo official wordcount thing does or not.
Btw, novelists, if you're going by the daily quota you should have 10,000 words by the end of the day today. I'm at 6000, but haven't done any writing yet today and have no other plans for the evening.
See you in the epilogue, --Enigmatic
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
I've been having problems lately, what with working all the time and knowing where I want my novel to go, but not sure how to proceed. I'm just under 10,000. The first couple days I wrote almost double the daily quota. Posted by Cali-Angel-Cat (Member # 8799) on :
My problem now is one cat had her kittens on my bed, which is where I write, and another is in heat, so my room is off limits at this point.
Posted by JaimeBenlevy (Member # 6222) on :
How do you guys measure your word count? Do you just use the computer count or do you use this method?
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
I use the computer's count. It's also worth noting that Nanowrimo's verification goes of the number of actual words regardless of size or spacing, so you should not use that method if you want to "officially" make the goal.
DH: Sometimes when I'm stuck on how I want to write a particular part I just skip ahead to the next scene or chapter, and fill in the missing bit later on.
--Enigmatic
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
Yes, I have done that already twice in my novel.
EDIT : As for word count, I use the NaNoWriMo word counter so it will be as authentic as possible. I don't want to count them one way only to realize that NaNoWriMo counts them another way. If you click on the "Word Count and Excerpts" link to the left of your profile page, there is a place where you can simply upload your novel and it counts your words automatically. This way you know exactly where you stand.
And I stand at 10,062, right now.
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
Hm, malfunction for word count and amount of plot.
I'm one-fourth through the outline and I'm only at 6,200 words. Hope I can find ways to add stuff in.
If I keep going at this rate I'll only have half as much as I need.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm starting writing this morning, as soon as my article is done, so perhaps 8:30 or 9am, and I'm going MAD. MAD, I tell you. Muwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
I'm going to see how much I can write today. Because I'm insane, of course. Anyone joining me for a MAD day? Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Um...no.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Oh, come on! You want to, you know you do.
My previous personal best was 65 pages in a day, or, um, about 16,250 words. That's what I'm aiming to trounce today. Can I do 20,000 words today? Can I do more?
Will my brain bleed out of my ears by the end of it?
And I'm still not done my article . . .
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Does MAD have to do with going crazy or with writing like a madwoman to catch up? Because I'll be right there with you on the first one, but can't face the second one right now.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
My best was the 130,000 in 30 days. >_<
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
CaySedai, both. Well, it's also another writing group I belong to called MAD Challenge. The original intent behind that challenge was to write 10,000 words in 24 hours, but then one member of the original group only had 5 hours, so they switched it to a five hour challenge, and then a bunch of us who liked the challenge so much that we formed a writing group where we do writing challenges like that.
But yeah, it's write until yer brain bleeds.
Mack, 130k in 30 days is excellent! But now you can try to beat that! Cuz that's fun!
(And I'm still not done my article yet. . . But I'm getting closer. . .)
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*sigh*
*bashes head against brick wall*
I hate writing crap. I hate writing for the sake of just writing. Usually, when something doesn't work out well, I trash it. I start over. I may salvage usable peices and try again.
I hate this, I tell you. Hate it.
And the more I hate the crap that is being written, the less I want to write.
*sighs again*
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Then don't write crap. Spend a few minutes or an hour or whatever and plot something, or snowflake it, or use whichever method works for you to plan something that will be good enough that you'll remain motivated to write.
Personally, I'm not writing crap for NaNo. I've got my story completely plotted out. It's going to be my usual quality of pretty good for a first draft but still needing serious editing. I'm not going with the strategies of word fillers that some others are doing. I'm writing something that, I hope, with editing, will be publishable.
Different people use NaNoWriMo for different goals. That's fine. Use it in whatever way works for you.
Is there anything we can help you with?
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Don't write crap? Then what's with all the schpeel about ignoring the internal editor and just getting it out, no matter how bad? Or so says the website . . .
I think I've done technical writing for too many years now to be able to switch gears to novels. Hell, I don't even think I have an active imagination anymore. Unless it comes to ways of making dull, boring material reader-friendly and accessible . . . *rolls eyes*
I don't think I much like being an adult, frankly. And I've been one of those for as long now as I was a non-adult. Maybe it's just the mid-30's funk - I hate life, I hate me, I hate just about everything at the current moment. Bleah. And if the rain doesn't turn off and stay off here soon, I'll permanently mildew.
*ends rant*
Carry on. Thanks for the ears. Just ignore me. I'll go to bed soon, and it will all be better in the morning.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Shan, you do whatever works for YOU. That's the bottom line. Some people need to hear the "write crap, it doesn't matter" bit, others don't. What works for YOU?
What do you want to write about? Do you want to brain dump a first draft? Do you want to plot it first? Do you need an outline, a detailed road map of where you're going? Do you write better when you work by the seat of your pants, letting your characters dictate all direction?
What works for YOU?
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Nothing seems to work, quid.
I have it down pat, the research/planning/and then jamming out articles, training guides, essays, lectures/speeches, etc. I gather lots of information, let it stew, tag a couple of "don't forgets" and at some point in the internal process, the start gun goes off, and off I go. Usually, with very good results, and minor editing.
But that's all . . . y'know, "real" stuff.
Long ago, when I was a kid, I just wrote. Prolifically. Everything.
I was hoping to free up some of those creative juices doing this, and there just don't seem to be any left at all. I've become entirely too pragmatic and focused on raising a child and making a living.
I'm sure I could crank out about 200 pages in the next few days on "parenting techniques" or "low-income and early childhood education" or "welfare and public policy", "family friendly nutrition education", etc.
But that's not what I want to do.
I want some damn creativity back.
And the well done gone dry.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
It's temporary. I've been there, done that. My dry well lasted a good half year, but I was emotionally ruined after the tsunami. I got it back. You can get yours back, too.
Have you written any fiction lately? Do you know how you write fiction best? How you write non-fiction is not necessarily the same way, so toss that out the window.
Do you have a story in mind? What do you know about what you want to write? Would writing prompts help? I've got a few hundred of those.
Is it possible that you've spent so much time writing non-fiction that your muse took a vacation, not knowing that you want her back? You could try writing a letter to her - and yes, I'm serious about this - and allowing her to answer back and interrupt you. Find out what she has to say. You could also write your internal editor a letter and tell her to take a vacation until December 1st.
How can we help you?
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
Maybe you could write something that uses all that information about child raising and such in a creative way. Like a story about a low-income family struggling to get by with a new baby who it turns out [has superpowers; is actually an alien; is secretly performing psychological experiments on the parents; is the reincarnation of Elvis]. Write what you know, afterall.
I'm one of the people who is trying to go at nanowrimo with less concern for quality, but I don't think what I'm writing is actually crap. When I'm normally writing I have a large hangup with trying to get every word exactly how I want the first time through, rewriting the same paragraph far too many times before moving on. So for me, this month is about freeing myself from a ridiculously high self-standard and letting my first draft actually be a rough draft. That's what my writing skills need, but it's not what everyone needs.
And I'm at 7840 right now.
--Enigmatic
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I'll give the letter a try, quid. I've been (for the sake of disciplining myself into the "just keep going" bit) to allow section breaks where I go free-form with whatever happens to be on my mind when I feel particularly stuck. Which ends up usually being my rambling attempt at working out problem/situation # whatever in the on-going drama of life . . . and that gets pretty tiresome, too.
(Maybe that's all it is . . . I'm tired. I did put in a pretty big amount of overtime with lots of work-required travel last month - and I can still feel it . . . Our fiscal person was shaking her head at the OT.) *********
Hey! 7840! Good for you, Enigmatic. *smile* I'm at 7000. Since early this a.m. The fingers have gone on strike. And the spirit absolutely refuses to participate in anything that gets too close to the work.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Shan, I know some people who are taking a total departure from what they normally write and are just writing for play. Do you know what I mean? They're writing whatever strikes their fancy that they'll have fun with. That can be a useful tool to break through a block. You could try that, too.
I'm at 943 words. Yay! *cough* *ahem* Yeah.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I just signed up...
I plan on writing complete rubbish. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Well, I'm now at 1680 words. Yay. I'll squeeze out more yet. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yay, imogen! We're glad to have ya! Yay!!!!!!
Who else wants to join the insanity?
(Oh! I gotta go get lunch!)
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Well, after writing for a total of 2 hrs and 40 minutes with altogether too many breaks (and Fahim heartily agrees with this), I have a grand total of 3,836 words.
I have only 2 more hours of writing left. And I have to find dinner in there somewhere for Fahim and I. Luckily, there are sufficient leftovers, and they are good.
I'll be doing another MAD day tomorrow, cuz this day doth have suckage thus far.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I haven't had any time to write over the past two or three days. I've been sick, I've had tons of homework, I ended up going home and I had a friend over... all these things combined made me not have time for NaNo!
Today I have to restart again, I'm suddenly behind!
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
>>How do you guys measure your word count?
Most short markets (Asimov's, etc.) count word estimates as 250 words per page.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm currently using MS Word's word counter, though.
And I'm at 4,050 words, or just over 16 pages (not publishing guidelines pages, though.)
I'll write for another 15 minutes or so, but that's basically it for today.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Using word counter on MS.
I feel better this a.m., quid's!
Espscially knowing that folks are using it for free-form sorts of approaches - I think I'll just lighten up and write what the muse (whichever muse *grin*) dictates.
I did write those two letters last night, too.
I'll review them after work and see if either of them want to write back . . .
Posted by John Van Pelt (Member # 5767) on :
Fell way behind, but had a great weekend visiting my daughter and her boyfriend and helping her celebrate her 23rd birthday.
Intend to get back to business tonight; have made further progress with plot, which is critical to writing with any speed.
Are dreams of 'great American novel' incompatible with NaNoWriMo? Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Only if you intend to win.
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
I'm trying to write something halfways good, something I may be able to go over and edit or largely re-write later. I'm just being easy on myself and allowing myself to write less-than-perfect material in order to advance the story. I basically see this as a first-draft exercise, where I get a first version of the story down on paper instead of perpetually mulling it over in my head. But I'm not going to write total crap, because then what would be the use anyway?
However, I fully intend to write at least 50,000 words by the end of November. That doesn't mean the novel will be anywhere near finished, though. I have a feeling the story I've started writing could potentially last me for several years worth of NaNoWriMos. Or perhaps not, there's no way of telling from here.
Of course, I will never write a "great American novel," but perhaps I can dream about a "great Canadian novel," eh? Posted by JaimeBenlevy (Member # 6222) on :
It wouldn't be all that great then, would it? Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
*shoots rubber bands at Jaime* *one hits him in the eye*
SCORE!!!!
*runs away and hides*
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
Jaime, look at a map. See who's on top? See who's bigger than who? Yeah, that's right. Keep that in mind. Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
quid, you realize I'm a girl, right?
...dh, you mean canada? or like, the north pole? 'cause I know that Santa is bigger than me.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Other people should not have my name! Posted by JaimeBenlevy (Member # 6222) on :
"See who's on top? See who's bigger than who? Yeah, that's right."
That's going in the OOC thread, buddy.
*tracks down quid*
*throws water balloon at her*
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
HEY! I JUST DID MY HAIR!
*takes BB gun and shoots it at Jaime*
*hits creative writing centre on his feeble, small brain*
SCORE!!!!!
Posted by JaimeBenlevy (Member # 6222) on :
*walks away, feeling dejected and beat*
Are you happy now? Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yeah, I am.
Okay, okay, okay, I'm sorry. Here, have some brains.
*offers Jaime curried brains*
They were taken from the creative centre of a cow. Better?
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
There's always pork brains if you prefer.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by mackillian: Other people should not have my name!
He doesn't. Jamie ≠ Jaime
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm at 7829. Um, not exactly bad for two days of writing, but I was hoping for much, much more. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yeah, I'm stopping today with 9,045. I could probably write for another half hour or so, but hey, I just don't feel like it.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
BTW is Jaime pronounced "Hymie" like the other Jaimes I know?
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Considering Jaime is actually a Spanish name for James, and is pronounced "hymie" that's pretty funny. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
How's everyone doing anyway?
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
I'm only at 8413. I was violently ill yesterday from leaving work to going to sleep, and today is not much better. I stayed home from work, so in theory could have had all day to write, but I can't focus through this headache and if I stay sitting up to long I get woozy and go take a nap. So in other words I haven't written anything for two days and have fallen even further behind.
--Enigmatic
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
*doesn't want to answer quid's question*
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Uh oh.
Hey, if it's any consolation, I'm having a crap day myself. But then, when I mentioned it to Fahim, he said that my third day into writing is always like this, so it's just my usual resistance popping up and wreaking havoc. Eh. It'll pass. Or not.
I think I'll force myself to write 4 pages. Just 4. Enough that it's not 0.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Honestly, I haven't even started. I don't have a solid idea or anything. I'm trying to stuff 48 hours of work each week into 37.5 hours, plus take care of personal stuff. The thing I'm looking forward to each day is a nap to try to make up for the sleep I didn't get the night before. [/whine]
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
CaySedai, I'm in the exact same spot. Well, I don't get naps. But anyway, you're not the only one. Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Okay, misery loves company or something ...
Here's the nap explanation: I work evenings and get home anywhere between 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. most nights. Tired as I am ), I can't/don't go to bed right away. I decompress - sometimes read, watch TV or go on the computer. Last night my husband wasn't on the computer when I got home. So, I went online and was up til past 1 a.m.
I get up at 6 a.m. to get the kids up and off to school. Then, I take a nap to try to make up for lost sleep. Except the days (like today) I have to take DH to physical therapy, since our car is a stick shift and he had surgery on his left knee. So, today, my nap will be delayed.
My excuse for not getting started is that a few weeks ago I began writing a weekly article for the paper where I work. Then they decided that I need to paginate more pages I wasn't doing before - including 7 pages of the Sunday Lifestyle section, which is done on Thursdays (which happens to be the last day of the pay week). Also, a monthly section of 12 or 14 pages, I think. And four Lifestyle pages during the week. Then, two weeks ago, the other full-time paginator quit, and shortly thereafter decided not to work out the two weeks' notice. So, I'm working more during regular hours, as well. And, I'm not allowed to have overtime.
(I checked, the previous list of excuses amounts to 265 words - I should write a book about my life, huh?)
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Um, CaySedai, I have sympathy for you. Really, I do.
Once upon a time, in the history in my life, the last time I was employed, I had a job at this horrible company that had me as it's sole occupant in the accounting department. This company had a sister company in the US, and they had four people in their accounting department. They had 10 stores, we had 12. They had 40 employees, we had over 60. I was not allowed to work overtime, either, and yet. . .
I quit, giving them no notice. They will burn in hell. Of that, I have no doubt.
Like I said, I have sympathy.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I thought your last job was with a travel magazine.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
No, no, I mean last job as in an actual employee. IOW, a slave.
Now, I do freelancing. Completely different.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
OK. Column is done, online election updates are over, time to write something again. Let's see, I'm... about halfway where I should be today. Sigh.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I haven't done diddly since I wrote my letters.
Well, that's not precisely true - I wrote a scathing denouncement (complete with relevant research) on a particular issue for work yesterday.
Hmmph.
Fiction has died for me. Maybe it's 'cause in my life truth really is/has been/continues to be stranger than fiction . . .
dunno -
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Then you could fictionalize your real life . . .
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
quote:Originally posted by quidscribis: Then you could fictionalize your real life . . .
See, that's what I'm thinkin' ... and have started sort of an outline.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Scott, I love that quiz. I consider my Nanowrimo in progress a fantasy novel, and am pleased to say I only answered yes to about 5 questions on that. (Some of them were more "sort of" than yes, too.)
Anyway, I'm still at work at the moment, and am delighted to say that I've kept our queues under control enough that I've had time to write a bit while technically on the clock. So far I've gotten just over 607 more words out if it, which is not bad considering it hasn't taken any of my "free time" to do it.
Also, I've just finished a chapter which I'm sure very few readers will ever be able to figure out what was really going on in. Refreshing.
--Enigmatic
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
Nobody's checked in with wordcounts in a while. Please tell me I'm not the only one foolish enough to still be doing this thing!
11,535 words at the moment. 1000 words of which was today and I'm taking a quick food break. My short term goal is to try to do 5000 today and 5000 tomorrow, because this has been a pretty poor week for me, writing-wise.
--Enigmatic
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I haven't written in the last two days - haven't been feeling well. Headaches, lightheadedness, and the like. But I'm still going. I'm in this thing until the very end.
And even though I'm still at around 11k words, I'll make the 50k and then some.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I have a 28 page outline...
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Unfortunately, I have something coming up this Saturday I need to prepare for. If I can get more writing done, I will. I am going to try and make a last "minute" push in the final week, but I do not think I am going to make the 50,000 word minimum by Nov. 30th. Oh well, writing is still writing. Good luck to all those still working forward or trying to or even just thinking about it.
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
14,534. Only 1000 more words and I can call it a night. This is probably already more than I've ever written is a single day. I'm normally the slow-but-not-all-that-steady one.
--Enigmatic
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
quote:Originally posted by jasonepowell: 3500 words of absolutely terrible, yet somehow glorious, dreck! Look at me pollute the page! WOOHOO!
Holy mackeral, Jason, I didn't know you were still around here.
I guess you post even more infrequently, and in different threads, than I do. Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
22,459 words. This was not a very productive week, and my weekend was too full of other activities to try to catch up.
My only possible saving grace at this point is the four day weekend for thanksgiving and the 6-hour each way car trip to dkw's house with a laptop. Since I know where the story is going I have this fear that I'll hit the end of the actual story at around 40,000 words and have to tack on an unnecessary, rambling epilogue or go back and throw in some more flashbacks. So it goes.
--Enigmatic
Posted by dh (Member # 6929) on :
I had a severe bout of writer's block in week two. I got over it, reached 16,000, and then grew bored with the novel and gave up. I haven't written anything since then.
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
I only just started. I've been far far too busy with classes to even consider writing one. But now classes are over for thanksgiving and assuming I finish my programming project I'll actually be able to write. What's more is I have an idea for a plot and for events and characters, for the first time ever a whole story, of decent length, is sort of forming in my head.
So... 1000 words. 49,000 to go. We'll see if I can burn through them in 9 days (more like 4 since classes start up again right after the break).
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Well... I have finally broken the 5,000 word mark. At least my reason for not writing was a success.
Hahaha... I am still not out of my first scene though. Sheesh. This is what I get for not practicing. I am having to relearn everything. Here's to trying to get to 50,000 in about a week.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I suck. I absolutely suck.
No plot, big problem. No ideas, no words, nothing. No time, etc.
I just suck.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Cay,
Think of it as a mantra. Use it to your advantage. Give yourself permission to suck and then just write. Now, if only I could take my own advice.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
So....where is everyone?
I have no shame. I quit before I even got started!
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So, I went online and was up til past 1 a.m.