I ran a search and there are threads going back to 2002 on this. Weird.
Quid was mentioning in the "stuck" thread that it takes 5-10 novels to learn to write a novel, so why not get out and do it now? I know, you love your ideas and characters you have now so much, you can't bear the idea of blowing them on a warm-up novel.
My first novel was an autobiographical account. This time I am going to write a techno-thriller disaster novel. I mean, what's the worst thing that can happen? I do well, I sell it, and I'm stuck in that genre for the rest of my career. The worst thing that can happen is that I'm 20% closer to my goal of learning how to write a novel.
How I worked NaNoWriMo last year: I prepared an ouline of 25 chapters, so I could work on one chapter at day. I did my writing in the morning, but after doing an hour of housework. If I didn't do the housework first, a fog of procrastination would stymie the writing.
While the 50,000 word goal is 1666... words a day, I shot for 2000 a day so I would have some breathing room and be able to take at least one day a week off.
I was so happy when I printed my "winner" certificate at the end of the month.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 2240) on :
Of course I'm doing it. My username there is the same as it is here.
Last year was a complete bust for me - my husband was in Ramadan, a month of fasting for Muslims, and we didn't have a microwave, so the only way he could get enough sleep AND eat enough that it didn't kill him was for me to get up and make him brekkie. At 4:15 every a. m. I was toast.
The year before, I didn't have internet, but I managed to write 195 pages (about 47,500 words) in October.
This year, last July, I wrote 210 pages in one week, and another 70 some pages in the next week and a half. Well over 50K.
In other words, theoretically, it shouldn't be a problem.
My goal for NaNoWriMo is 150K or more. Because yes, I'm that insane.
To prepare, I plot. Detailed plots - with assistance of aforementioned hubby. He's the king of plotting - makes my stale stuff come to incredible life. With that in place, it's the best way for me to sit down and churn something out. I plan to have 3 novels plotted before November begins so that I can (in theory) just crank out the pages.
And no, I have no job and no children. Just a husband and a cat. And yes, I'm insane. I think I mentioned that already.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
I'm in again this year. This will be my 5th time. Maybe I'll get it right this time.
I try to do 1666/day but I end up doing 4k or 5k then taking a few days off. Last year I finished about 2 hours before midnight, which is cutting it a little closer than I like.
I plan a lot before I begin, but always feel free to scrap the plan and write something different.
It's fun.
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
I will be particpating, though I doubt I'll take it this year.
My plan is to work on my 'no editor' writing. I hope to create a large series of words with no real plot, a lot of random stuff and plenty of stream of conciousness (which I can't spell when at work, because it's a bad word). All in all, I'm taking the Douglas Adams approach to this NaNo.
Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :
I'll be in for the first time this year.
Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :
I'm planning on doing it this year too.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Oh, what the heck. Maybe I'll write a fan-fic based on Warhammer 40K or something.
Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :
Alas, I will not even be attempting to participate this year. I'll be taking November and December off almost entirely while I get used to being a new mom. But wish me luck in my goal of finishing my current novel by October 31st...I'm currently just over 40k and am hoping to completely wrap it up (about 100k). Early next year I'll hit revisions, after it's had a few months to settle.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
The time it takes me to finish a novel has varied from novel to novel. Shortest: one week. Longest: five years. (Not including conception and gestation, just the actual writing.)
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 747) on :
I work full time and am often busy in the evenings and on weekends, so I won't be doing it. But I do want to try the write-a-novel-in-a-month thing this March if I can.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
I doubt I'll do NaNoEdMo again, so if you want to have a buddy on the March write-O-thon, keep me in mind Brinestone.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
Hey, what was nanoedmo like? It's never quite the right thing for me but I'm curious about what you thought.
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
I still haven't decided if I'm going to attempt NaNoWriMo this year. I haven't had single good story idea since June, let alone one I could expand to novel length. I've considered expanding my flash #2 story, "Garden Love", but I'm not sure it interests me enough.
If I don't write, I will again be offering my services as a writing buddy. Someone to nip at your heels, bounce ideas off and help you stay focused.
[This message has been edited by Robyn_Hood (edited September 16, 2005).]
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 747) on :
franc li, I would love that! And if we feel our novels are worth salvaging after the mad write, maybe we could be edit buddies too. Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :
I'm not going to do it this year. Or rather, I'm not going to write a novel in November.
I would, however, like to write 50k, and still plan on joining up again. I did it last year under the same username I have here.
The reason I don't want to tackle a novel right now is that I am still learning the short story trade, and having a lot of fun with it.
Plus, I have about 4 or 5 stories that need to be written down, ranging in length from 5 to 20k. So I have material. It's just that none of it happens to be for a novel.
Posted by Warbric (Member # 2178) on :
I'm in, too. Same username over there as here.
I'm back and forth playing around with last year's product and, if I can get the inconsistencies in it somewhat ironed out before the end of this month, I should be able to start on its prequel this NaNo.
I plan to do much more advance groundwork in October for this go around, though -- plot outline, rough synopsis, characters' datasheets (I was just designing a new one when I logged in tonight, too). Not going to go by the seat of my pants this November. That was just too weird last year.
I still liked seeing all the Hatrackers' bars filling up like mad. It was pretty awesome to watch.
Posted by Ahavah (Member # 2599) on :
Good luck with new mommy-hood, Christine!
Although I am also a new mommy, I'm still going to try to do it this year. I'm not sure how that will work out, especially since I'm (mostly) no longer able to spend my days at home.
I've never attempted a novel. Ok, I have several times but gave up quite early in the game. I have no idea how to outline or anything. I am madly switching between various writing books that were recently mentioned here and research for the fledgling bit of idea I have. Hopefully I will finish all this by November and have a clearer concept for a novel.
It's detailed and a fair bit of work, but if plotting helps you (it doesn't help everyone - for some, it kills the story) then it can hugely save you time when you sit down to write.
Posted by cvgurau (Member # 1345) on :
Last year around NaNoWriMo time, I gave up writing for a month and a half, hoping to gain some perspective on my craft. Whether or not I succeeded is up for debate.
I tried NaNoWriMo for the first and last time the year before that, and very nearly went insane. But then, I was starting a new idea from scratch; my mind was so overworked, I could smell the smoke.
This year, I plan to take it a little easier. Have the novel plotted by Nov. 1st, and sweat the small stuff after Nov. 30th. Just get from A to Z with as few bumps and inconsistencies as possible.
I wonder, in case I don't hit on an idea worth writing 50K+ about, can I write a series of short (and probably unrelated) stories? I seem to have so many buzzing around, nowadays.
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
A series of unrelated stories is not far off from I'll be doing. For me the goal will be reaching (and hopefully exceeding) the word count, regardless of quality.
I'm hoping that when I'm done I may even have a couple of stories or even just a few good phrases and descriptions that can be harvested for other works.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 2240) on :
Go to the NaNoWriMo site and look up in the rules. You're surely not the only one to ask that question, so it's likely to have been asked before. Failing that, pose it on the forum - it's what they're there for.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
Beth- I think only 200 people finished NaNoEdMo. But not as many people joined either. I was excited about my novel- still am, but it's not nearly as exciting to edit as to write. I think the editing part of the brain is motivated by different things than the writing part of the brain. Putting in two hours a day of editing your own stuff is a lot harder than spending that same time being a writing fiend.
I did a lot more rewriting than editing, to be honest.
Posted by thexmedic (Member # 2844) on :
I have two friends visiting from England in November, plus I'm taking an advertising course that meets every Wednesday. Plus I suck at actually sitting down to write...
But screw it, it sounds like a lot of fun. If no voice of sanity talks me out of it then I may well at least attempt it.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
www.nanowrimo.org The FAQ page has a section adressing the "can I write a series of unrelated shorts." I think. If it isn't there, it will surely be one of the first questions posted on the support boards in the forums after October 1.
I don't actually remember what the official answer is. I don't think a series of unconnected shorts constitutes a novel, but since there aren't really any other requirements beyond the word count, I don't know if anyone actually cares.
thanks for the info, franc li! It seems like such a good idea - I've just always needed something more like a rewrite than an edit, and could never quite get into the time-based accounting. I just don't work by time.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
OK, I looked it up. From the FAQ:
How do you define "novel?" Does fan fiction count? What if I want to write interconnected short stories rather than a novel? What if my story is largely autobiographical, or is based on a real person? Can I still write it in November?
We define a novel as "a lengthy work of fiction." Beyond that, we let you decide whether what you're writing falls under the heading of "novel." In short: If you believe you're writing a novel, we believe you're writing a novel too.
So if you think a series of unrelated shorts is a novel, go for it.
Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :
Honestly, I never would have considered asking about a bunch of unrelated shorts. If they're tied together, sure, but...Well, let me put it another way. I think it's great to get writing and if you're a short story writer and want to use NaNoWriMo to get your production level up in the field of short fiction then go for it. After all, no one's playing for money or anything other than personal pride. BUT, it's not a novel and it's not the same as writing a novel (or 50kwords of a novel) in a month. Novels are infinitely more complex and come with many more reasons, rationales, and tight spots that make good quitting points. Short stories provid equitting points too, but then you just start writing the next one. It's just not the same...
Posted by SiliGurl (Member # 922) on :
I love doing the Nano... It's frustrating as all get out, but I enjoy the forced dedication and work ethic I have to have to even come close to 50k. This will be my 3rd year working it. I've "won" once, but have high hopes for this year...
Posted by punahougirl84 (Member # 1731) on :
I plan to do NaNoWriMo this year, and continue as Maryland Liason if they still want me. Unless someone else is dying to do it!
Last year was my first attempt, and I finished over 51K words a bit early - talk about excited! I'm a procrastinator, so completing was a big deal for me. As additional motivation, I have promised myself to finish a couple of other projects first.
Christine - congrats on the new mommy thing! We did IVF to get our twins, now unexpectedly I'm pregnant the natural way (LOL!) - so will be doing the "pregnant mom getting time to herself at the computer" thing, unless I'm doing the "laptop in bed cause I'm on bedrest" thing ;-)
Looking forward to our Hatrack group again!
Lee
Posted by Jaina (Member # 2387) on :
Oh, man, you mean it's time to start thinking about that already? Well. Time flies when you're taking tests, I swear. I've got a novel in the very beginning stages of planning, and I'd love to have that motivation. Maybe I'll sign up, too.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
Sign-ups are now open, though the site is crawling. Patience is required.
Posted by Warbric (Member # 2178) on :
Yeah, I've been getting a lot of connection refused errors and timing out, but I'm reactivated now.
Good luck to all the mad NANOs!
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Wait, you're supposed to sign up? Why?
Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :
It's the idea that if you have a little accountability you're more likely to cross the finish line. When you sign up you get a word counter that shows how far along you are for everyone to see. It's good motivation. Kind of the whole point of Nano is group deadlines and people helping each other get it done.
Posted by Warbric (Member # 2178) on :
There's no Smilie for a belly laugh, Survivor, but I'd post one if there were.
[This message has been edited by Warbric (edited October 01, 2005).]
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
Right now the "Sign-up Now" link leads to a 404 error. I hope that get the servers fixed soon.
*waits impatiently*
--Mel
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Belly laugh is like this
But I still don't get it. I mean, I'm aware that some very smart people have claimed this is the case for humans...but I can't help thinking they also claimed it for the benefit of humans.
It's all moot as long as their sign-in forms are overloaded, I suppose.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
Yeah. They've disabled sign-ups until they can get some better servers going.
You also can't post to the forums unless you sign up; another aspect of the community thing.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
I just realized I forgot to copy down that thread about getting published from the Chick lit forum. Drat. It was just a Q&A from a lady whose Nanowrimo work from 2003 had been published.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 2240) on :
Signups and logins are enabled again.
Yay!
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
yay indeed. I'm now signed up, with a username of theCrowsWife.
:bump: After all my enthusiasm, I probably am not going to be able to do this this year Well, we'll see.
Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :
Earlier I said I was going to just write shorts and try to get 50k. Well, I changed my mind. I got a great idea for a novel, and I'm going to write that puppy, dosh garnit!
Posted by NewsBys (Member # 1950) on :
I'm in this year.
Posted by AaronAndy (Member # 2763) on :
I really want to do it this year. The problem is that I am currently 25,000 words into my current WIP, and I don't know if setting it aside for a month to write something else would be a good thing or not. I am also considering attempting to write the next 50,000 words of the same story as my NaNoWriMo entry, although that would likely cause a serious decrease in the quality of the work.
I guess I've got about a week to decide before starting time.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Here's a question for y'all. I think I'd rather just do NaNoWriMo here rather than sign up at NaNoWriMo site. But am I missing the point or something?
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
Nanoers are strongly encouraged to miss the point if that's what works for them.
Posted by Ahavah (Member # 2599) on :
Beth's right. The only reason you need to sign up at the site is if you want to join in on the forums, or if you really want that pdf Winner's Certificate.
Posted by abby (Member # 2681) on :
Well, since I will be gone the last week of November, I think I will start a week early to get the full month. That means tommorrow. Good luck everyone!
Posted by AaronAndy (Member # 2763) on :
quote:Nanoers are strongly encouraged to miss the point if that's what works for them.
That's the great thing about NaNoWriMo. There are no hard and fast rules, and even the rules that the website says are unbreakable (like not starting a week early) really are. You can do it however you want.
I officially signed up yesterday, using the same username as I have here. I still haven't decided what I'm going to write, although I've deceided against using my existing WIP as the starting point.
Posted by punahougirl84 (Member # 1731) on :
Just read the sections about what NaNoWriMo is, how it works, and the history - you'll get it! I had a good time doing it last year, and did finish/win - with more words than required, ahead of time. A major accomplishment for a procrastinator like myself.
Also, there is a lot of stuff set up there for support, encouragement... people post some cool stuff that you can use any time for writing. Plus you set up a nifty profile, and once the 1st of Nov rolls around, there will be a bar graph to chart your progress, and other things cool things. They (the organizers) put a lot of work into this.
MLs help set up write-ins (or outs, since it gets you out of your house, and into another venue) - give out goodies, etc. - basically, there are all kinds of reasons to do it if you want to - if the thought excites you! It spells the end of the one-day novelist (as in, One day I'll write a novel!).
Also, 8 NaNovels have been sold for publication, or are already published. It's a tiny amount, but it's still encouraging.
It sets a fire under your fingers with a deadline.
It's FUN! It's FREE! Or, you can do good - make a donation, and help support both NaNo AND help build libraries... this year in Laos.
Posted by Ahavah (Member # 2599) on :
What are MLs?
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
Municipal Liasons. They monitor forums, answer questions, and organize group writing activities. They are cheerleaders and administrators and energy centers. Some of them do a lot of recruiting and try to get people to sign up; I just like to chatter and have group writing sessions.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
I think that I like the idea of being a little decentralized.
Posted by punahougirl84 (Member # 1731) on :
No one is required to attend anything - events are great if you need support, cheering-on, a chance to get out of the house... and the MLs get free stickers and buttons from HQ to pass on to writers! Not that they are necessary, but they are FUN (I keep repeating that word - I think for some people writing is not, nor can it be FUN...).
Most people just work on novels by themselves. Some have readers, some have writing groups, some have family. NaNo is the kick-in-your-pants some need to get writing with the goal of FINISHING sometime before they die ;-) Attending a write-in is very inspiring - hearing others typing away gets you going too. At least for a lot of people. It's like a built-in, instant support group - it provides some of what Hatrack does, but with the added knowledge that everyone is going through the same thing.
Motivation is a big factor - your own, plus what you hear, plus the deadline... But NaNo is not for everyone. There is a group in Vancouver that writes novels over a weekend, which is silly, because everyone knows it takes 30 days to write anything of value LOLOLOLOL!
Posted by rcorporon (Member # 2879) on :
What is the overall quality of the stuff written for this Nanothingy? I would think that if I pounded out a novel over 30 days it would be pretty butal.
Also, the acronym for this thing is the worst ever! I was reminded of the Calvin & Hobbes comic where Calvin says that the phrase "Big Bang" was a poor one, considering the magnitude of the event in question. I would think that a bunch of writers could come up with something better than NaNdEmoMO (or whatever) .
Ronnie
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
Average quality is 6.87.
Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :
nope. 5.73 give or take a few hundreths.
Posted by AaronAndy (Member # 2763) on :
quote:Average quality is 6.87.
6.87 on NaNoWriMo? Heck, I have a hard time keeping my regular stories up to 6.87. I'm not expecting anything over a 4.2 for this one...
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
6.87 is metric, dude.
Posted by thedeathkillersareback (Member # 2894) on :
I just signed up for the thing a couple a little bit ago. Even though the rules are nothing more than smoke and mirrors, I still plan to stick to them. If anyone else is going this route here at Hatrack, hit me up. I'm under a different user name at the NaNoWriMo site. Looke me under "Raised by Swans".
Best of luck to you all.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 2240) on :
I don't remember if I mentioned this before or not, but I'll say it now, officially. I'm in for 150k + words. I don't work, I don't have kids, and my husband is uber supportive, so it's completely plausible that I can do it. So, I'm going for it.
I have one novel completely plotted and ready to go, and I'll be plotting the other one or two or three with hubby's help between now and, er, whenever I need them.
Posted by thedeathkillersareback (Member # 2894) on :
I just signed up for NaNoWriMo. Should be an interesting run. I figure I'd treat it like a marathon fundraiser and make forms for donators and such with all the proceeds going towards the NaNoWriMo library/literacy program.
If anyone would like me to email them the forms for them to do the same thing, let me know and I can email them to you. They're nothing special, just a spreadsheet for sign-ups and some information pulled off the NaNoWriMo site to get potential donators interested, but it will save you some leg work.
Best Regards to All and Good Luck.
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
Unless inspiration hits me like a meteor, I won't be doing NaNo this year, but my offer from last year still stands. If you need a NaNo buddy, someone to help give you those virtual kicks in the butt, someone to bounce ideas off of, someone to read what you've got and help brainstorm, feel free to e-mail me. Just make to put Hatrack and/or NaNo in the subject header.
Next week I'll probably start a thread for NaNo Buddies. Anyone not actually doing NaNo who wants to offer their help can sign up there. Then for the NaNo~ites who need a buddy, you know where to find one.
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
Well, I'm joining the ranks of the Nano-ers, mostly because if I don't do it now, I probably never will. My username is the same over there as here, and pretty much anywhere else you're likely to see me online. Everyone getting geared up and ready to write?
Posted by Ahavah (Member # 2599) on :
No.
AAAAGGGGHHHHH!
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
If by "ready" you mean "completely unprepared," then yes, I'm all set.
Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :
I second Beth on that. I know very little about my novel. This disturbs me, but obviously not enough to do anything about it.
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
Excellent! Sounds like we're all in the same boat, sort of. I'm not even really sure of the genre of my story, but at least I think I know the names of some of the characters!
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
None of my characters have names yet! In the few notes I have, they're referred to as "Our Intrepid Hero" and so on.
I'll give you a genre if you give me some names.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Hah, all you wimps wanting to have stuff planned out ahead of time. Of course, I'm totally cheating by writing in an established universe Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
I'm not sure you really want people around here to start giving you names...
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
Hah! I get to call Survivor a wimp! All I have is a title and a house. No characters, no genre, no plot, no pre-existing milieu, etc.
--Mel
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 2240) on :
So. If I told y'all that I had character names & attributes, completed world building, and a 15 page plot outline, y'all would flog me? Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
nah, not at all. We will just laugh smugly when it collapses around you on about Day 10 and you take off in a completely unexpected direction.
Good luck, y'all!
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
Well, I signed up. Not sure what I am going to do, though. Guess I'll sleep on it.
Posted by Jaina (Member # 2387) on :
Wow, I still live! And I am doing NaNo, which is partly why I've been so scarce around here--I'm taking 18 credits on top of it, and I'm trying to get a head start on the homework so I can focus on noveling. And my internet has been trippy lately, (sometimes it won't access sites and sometimes it won't let me post on them) so who knows whether or not I'll be able to prove that I won even if I do? Ah, well, it's the adventure. I'm excited... nervous (there's only 15 minutes left here), but excited.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
"The Cheat" will do fine.
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
How's this for cheating?
I'm using the chapter outline in the back of the Scene and Structure book as a general outline. I have no set characters or real plot or anything. My goal is word count and quality is being ignored. I am going to avoid dead ends and blocks through copious use of dues ex machina and absurdisms. Also, I will be using the Word of the Day at Dictionary.com for inspiration and other drivel. :-)
Posted by Ahavah (Member # 2599) on :
I stayed up, was going to begin at 12 exactly.
Couldn't think of anything.
Spent the next 4 hours reading blogs and talking to friends.
Yeah, I'm ready. hee hee hee
I really need at least a working title. I guess I'll try to start sometime today, anyway.
Now off to print a banner for hanging above my monitor: "It's OK to suck."
Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :
I began writing and found myself zooming through plot like there was no tomorrow. Less than a thousand words later I was at the half-way point.
So today, my goal will be to EXPAND and SLOW DOWN instead of writing the broad strokes.
Actually, writing long is pretty hard for me. I can write a 100 word story with little difficulty, but writing a 100,000 novel seems quite far out of my reach at this point. We'll see what happens.
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
Add more plot! :-)
Posted by nimnix (Member # 2937) on :
I actually started my nano, and I really nead to write faster than this. 270 words? LAME! I think I have just enough to fill a fragment. *cracks whip*
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
I love Beth's current wordcount. 8. I cracked up when I saw that.
Having written around 500 words, it is becoming clear to me that the genre will be urban fantasy of some flavor. Probably garlic.
I've got two characters (Tony and Uncle Al), a missing mother, and a mysterious embroidered shower curtain. I have no idea where this is going to go *G*.
--Mel
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
Only 42,992 words to go! Woo-hoo!
Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :
I'm totally cheating. I started a short story last year which I realized needed to be a novel. And behold--that's what I'm tackling this year.
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
quote:Only 42,992 words to go! Woo-hoo!
So you added another 7,000 words? I'm so jealous.
--Mel
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
ooops. typo. 49,992 words.
Math is hard.
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
lol
And here I was thinking that you did some special Beth-magic to get all those words so quickly. I can see it now:
bacon bacon bacon bacon bacon...(7000 more bacons here)...bacon bacon bacon.
--Mel
Posted by nimnix (Member # 2937) on :
HEY! You stole my story!!!
*crumples up her treatise on bacon and throws it in the fire... then realizes she lives in southern california and the fireplace has nothing in it but air.*
Guess I'll go with my second-choice story.
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
1500 down for me on day 1.
Brain dead now. Must find coma to crawl into. There is so much exposition and pointless stuff in this first part. I've given info and personality info for each horse in the barn and a bit about the area.
Word for the day today was Alpenglow.
Oh yeah, the other trick I'm doing: The first line is "It was a dark and stormy night." Which I will use to start any area that I find myself staring at screen for 5 mins with no fluff coming.
Coming soon: Cow dropping from sky (I know it will happen eventually)
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
hey, nimnix, no bacon in my novel yet - so run with it. extra crispy, please.
still at 8 words. Really should start typing soon. But oh, look, I think I'll go watch TV first. That's important.
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
I acquired two more characters. Tony was becoming boring so I left him for awhile. I don't know how the two new ones will fit into the overall story yet, but at least they're there.
To generate my two new characters I chose a Ben Folds Five song to listen to ("The Last Polka") which is about a dying relationship, and I just wrote that scene. Ben Folds can be great at describing interesting relationships, which is why I chose him.
I didn't quite make the quota for the day, but I came pretty close: 1188 words.
--Mel
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
1985 words of very nearly total garbage. That scene looked so much better when it existed solely in my imagination. I really should figure out what genre I'm in.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
2003 words. It took a fellow nanoer threatening me with dire consequences, but it worked.
Oh, the surprises. I had no idea that my MC spent most of his time stoned until tonight. Now I am kind of regretting all the time I spent not hanging out with the stoners behind the gym; I am just making it up. If any of you have extensive experience with being stoned and wouldn't mind talking about it to me, please send me e-mail. I won't rat you out to anyone, promise.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
Yay! My very own the Cheat!
I'm struggling to get off the ground. But then, I did have Ladies Auxiliary Enrichment meeting tonight. It was a children's Christmas book review. Kind of dementor experience for me, really.
I used to date a stoner, it wasn't really obvious. Perhaps because I never knew him before he was a stoner. He was just really pleasant, mellow, and spineless, except for when it came to giving up pot. He's a Presbyterian minister now.
[This message has been edited by franc li (edited November 02, 2005).]
Posted by nimnix (Member # 2937) on :
I think I'll throw in a brushfire and make some bacon...
2-thousand-something words and counting. So far I have 3 nomadic tribes, 3 kingdoms, 2 prophecies with a third on the way, and words like Heuwameix, which is a specific type of prophecy... I have 5 types, and I may only use 2 or 3. Words for types of earthquakes, rain... ooh, need words for fires.
*starts writing again*
Sadly, it's all exposition right now, nothing has HAPPENED.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Wow. I think that I'll totally slack off and coast for a while... Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :
2010 words yesterday, a death and a kidnapping. Woo-hoo!
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
To JmariC,
A poem my mother taught me when I was very young:
Birdie, birdie, in the sky, Dropping whitewash in my eye. Gee, I'm glad that cows can't fly!
-----------------
Congrats to everyone for getting off to a good start yesterday (at least I hope you all have...must go check NaNo boards...).
Only 1667 words per day, that's nothing, right?!
Good luck, and I'll be checking on you...
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
lol. Thanks for keeping an eye on us, Robyn Hood. Way to go, everybody!
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
Robyn Hood: Hehe, I'll remember that one!
As of yesterday's work I have 1 MC and two main animals, although the story so far is filled up with tons of going on and on about each animal in the stable and their history and relationship to the MC. We'll see what today brings!
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
I've figured out the significance of the mysterious embroidered shower curtain. There is a type of magic based on needlework going on in my story. I also have my antagonist (a sweet old granny) knitting in a trance with special magical knitting needles and yarn. She'll read the finished piece to discover important clues about one of the good guys.
I still haven't quite figured out where the pesto fits in, but I'm sure all will be made clear in time.
Nearly 3500 words so far, which is more than I've ever written on a single story before. Yay!
--Mel
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
Way to go, Mel! Sounds much more original than the drivel that I'm pumping out. But at least I'm pumping it out. That drivel pump has been busy enough to put out 5673 words so far.
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
Thanks, Dan. I would like to point out that mine is drivel too, though. The prose is atrocious, but I do like the story that's beginning to emerge.
I mean, my antagonist is a knitting-obsessed granny. How much better can it get?
--Mel
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
Mel, Those little snippets reminded me of this year's Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights. On the website, the tone is set by this little old granny reading a bedtime story. Turns out she's a homicidal maniac, too!
If I can find the right page, I'll post the link -- just incase you need some more inspiration -- in a disturbing way...
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
I'm so far behind, I don't know... but then, I knew a girl last year who went into thanksgiving weekend with 6000 words and finished.
I have decided that since this year's work qualifies in my mind as "family history" I won't feel like it is working on the Sabbath to write on Sundays.
I'm not exactly sure why I picked this week to start reading Harry Potter IV.
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
Like I said in my e-mail last night, you could not write a word until Saturday and still only have to write 2000 words per day to make it.
Since you are writing a family history, you probably don't have to stick to a linear writing format. If you treat each chapter as a vingnette about a particular person/year/time...you could probably write a 2000 word chapter each day and worry about the specific order on Dec. 1.
If you start on Saturday, skip each of the four Sundays and still only have to write 2381 words to make it. Round up to 2500 words per day and you will finish ahead of the curve.
Try not to think of it as having to get caught up to 6668 words by the end of today, that's just too overwhelming.
Also, don't forget, it doesn't have to be great, steller, fantastic, polished, etc., etc. This is flash in the pan, down and dirty, shoot first and ask questions later type writing. It doesn't have to sound great right now, you just have to get it down on paper, so to speak.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
The short story vignette idea is a good one. That is largely how I set up my outline last year.
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
so, anyone doing the NaDruWriNi?
[This message has been edited by JmariC (edited November 05, 2005).]
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 2240) on :
If we knew what that was, we could give you a decent answer. Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
National Druid Wringing Night?
--Mel
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
Oh, that! Of course -- I never miss a year.
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
National drunken writing night. It's tonight, and I'm several drinks in now.
Google knows. }:->
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
This contest must be going mainstream---my local paper had a big write-up on it on the front page of the "Lifestyles" section.
Posted by Monolith (Member # 2034) on :
I just have a quick question.
When is the next NaNoWriMo??
I think I could join that one, if it's like January or so.
I'd definitely ask for a NaNo Buddy for sure. I'm a huge procrastinator.
Just asking once again.
-Monolith-
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
It is every November.
Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :
Well after only getting about 2k all week, and being so terribly far behind, today I got my rear in gear and typed 4291 words in 100 minutes. Whew.
Absolute drivel, I know, but at least it is helping me get caught up. If I do that again, I'll be on target. Hmm. I don't know if I have it in me. We'll see.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
wow, that's really fast. I can reliably do 2k in an hour but that's really fast! I am impressed.
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
Way to go, Autumn!
I've gone through this thread and added you guys to my writing buddies list, so I can keep tabs on you over there (besides, it gives me a target for my innate competitiveness). That is, I think I added everyone whose names are given or the same as what they are here. Happy writing!
Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
I am hoping to get others added to my buddy list.
So, is anyone using the same name on NaNo as here? I know mine's different at Nano, it's Quasipsyco.
Last night, I went into the chat room and learned about this neat thing called a word war. They set a start time and a time limit and you write as many words on you novel as you can before it's over.
I did one last night (time started was 1:10 am and ended at 1:20am) and netted 481 words. I impressed myself with that one.
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
Cool. Hadn't seen those before. Well, I've now added you, now that I know your name over there (hope no one minds). Mine is the same as here. Looks like a lot of the crowd have kept the same names.
Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :
I love word challenges. That's part of how I did so well today. I went to a write-in and we all sat around drinking coffee (in my case chai lattes because I can't stand coffee) and did challenges. I got over 500 words in ten minutes, several times.
Posted by MCameron (Member # 2391) on :
My username is theCrowsWife at NaNo, same as on the other side of Hatrack.
My brain has been oatmeal the last couple of days. I really need to do some of those writing challenges to get my wordcount up.
--Mel
Posted by nimnix (Member # 2937) on :
same there as here
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 2240) on :
I finally started writing today. Days 1-6 were a wash - long story involving a lot of sewing, end of Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr, a lot of my hubby's relatives, a trip out of town, and an article on deadline.
So. Now I'm sitting at 4175 words written today, which is fine since these are the first words I've written in, oh, a couple of months, but I was really hoping for more.
Tomorrow I'm going for a write-'til-ma-brain-bleeds day. Wish me luck!
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
I'm so proud of myself! Okay, maybe that's an overstatement. But at least I'm moderately pleased. I have genre! I'm writing science fiction!
I reached a point at which one of my main characters really had to be told what was going on. Since he was in the company of someone who would have to know, I couldn't come up with any more excuses not to tell him. So I almost quit, because I didn't know what was going on myself. I was thinking about canning this one and working on something else. But instead, I just sat and worked it through, almost Liberty Hall flash style. And now, both he and I know what genre we're in! It's not good science fiction (shucks, it's not good fiction of any sort) -- but at least we now know what it is. I'm so happy! Oh, wordcount of 11851 as of last night -- just on track to finish on time.
Well, we'll see.
