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Harry Potter discussion forum for movies, books, and more! - The Leaky Lounge _ Writers: Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop _ NaNoWriMo
Posted by: LePetitCanard Sep 2 2005, 05:37 PM
I just discovered this insane thing called NaNoWriMo, standing for National Novel Writing Month. For the past five years, thousands of people from around the world have started and finished 50,000 word novels within the month of November. I was shocked and impressed, and have decided to participate myself. Is anyone else? If so, this thread should be used for support and discussion of our novels and progress through the month of insanity. It would be fun to have a little Leaky Lounge group involved in the madness!
If you're interested, the website is http://www.nanowrimo.org. Read through the info; it's hilarious!
Posted by: lightwarmth Sep 2 2005, 06:08 PM
I've done it 4 times. Fun , and veyr productive. A worthwhile experience, really. However, if only I could take time to edit one of my novels...
Posted by: LePetitCanard Sep 2 2005, 07:17 PM
If you have time to write it, you should have time to edit it afterwards...right?
Did you manage to write 50,000 words in any of those four times?
Posted by: LilyRose Sep 3 2005, 06:20 AM
LePetitCanard - that site looks great.
If anyone is 'half-thinking' about writing a novel they should sign up!! Being under pressure like that and having a deadline is a good way to make yourself acheive something.
It looks a bit like 'weightwatchers' for writers- submitting how many words you've done, not how much weight you've lost. 
You must think it's good if you've done it 4 times lightwarmth -are you doing it this time?
I am tempted but I just don't know if I've could make time to do it. I guess there's nothing to lose though.
Registration starts on 1st October doesn't it? I'll think about it. :ponder: It would be great if a few people at Leaky did it.
We could support each other :hug:
Posted by: lily ann Sep 3 2005, 10:11 AM
I'm thinking of it myself. By my estimation it takes about 54 pages to write approximately 50 000 words. It should be possible to do it in a month. We should definately support each other. :group:
Posted by: lightwarmth Sep 3 2005, 11:46 AM
Did you manage to write 50,000 words in any of those four times?
Yes, I managed it all 4 times.
And, I'm not sure if i'll be doing it this year. University applications are calling and (I'm a composer) so I have to finish a lot of pieces and get recordings. In short, I'm a little busy...
However, I may try. I like craziness 
And I'd love to edit one of my novels but editing takes quite a bit more time than Nanowrimo... for you need to rewrite, tune, perfect, etc... I just don't have the time at this point. However, my goal is my first rejection slip this year so I better get cracking 
Posted by: LePetitCanard Sep 3 2005, 09:01 PM
It's more like 200 pages, rather than 54!! I like the group idea. It'd be fun and entertaining. We could post our word-count in our siggys.
And lightwarmth...I got my first rejection slip a few weeks ago and it was a wonderful experience. I'm serious, it was awesome.
Posted by: lily ann Sep 4 2005, 05:22 AM
It's more like 200 pages, rather than 54!!
And I checked it just now. I think I'm right.
Posted by: LePetitCanard Sep 4 2005, 08:04 PM
Hm. Well, I have a story that I previously wrote and it's 100,636 words, with 369 pages, double spaced, Times New Romans size 12 font. So half of that would be 50,318 words with 184 pages. I just copied 184 pages of that document onto a separate page and it's 50,351 words. Single spaced, it is 91 pages. What you copied was a four letter word 50,000 times. Most of my words were probably longer than four letters.
But let's not get into an argument over this. I'm just telling you what I figured.
Posted by: wildCat Sep 4 2005, 08:21 PM
I tried it last year, failed miserably! 
But it's an awesome concept. And maybe I'd get further along this time with a support group from my Leaky friends!
Posted by: lily ann Sep 5 2005, 05:15 AM
I can live with that. I always write it single spaced. No arguments will come of this. Believe me. That was just a guess. :hug:
Posted by: LilyRose Sep 5 2005, 07:48 AM
But it's an awesome concept. And maybe I'd get further along this time with a support group from my Leaky friends!
At least you tried! Can you use anything of what you did last year or would you start something different?
I think there's nothing to lose, I can't imagine I'd be able to write 50.000 words to be honest, but disciplining myself to put the time and effort into trying would be a goal in itself. :towel:
Only problem is I don't have any story ideas at the moment! :forehead:
Posted by: LePetitCanard Sep 5 2005, 11:34 AM
But it's an awesome concept. And maybe I'd get further along this time with a support group from my Leaky friends!
At least you tried! Can you use anything of what you did last year or would you start something different?
I think there's nothing to lose, I can't imagine I'd be able to write 50.000 words to be honest, but disciplining myself to put the time and effort into trying would be a goal in itself. :towel:
Only problem is I don't have any story ideas at the moment! :forehead:
I don't have any ideas, either, but November is two months away, and that's a lot of time for planning and digging through my crate of story ideas! (Serious, I have one of those...)
Posted by: MonieLou Sep 5 2005, 11:42 AM
I think it would be a great thing to do. But maybe that's because I am happy about an epiphany I got for a story last night. *shrugs*
Random note:
Everytime I see NaNoWriMo, I think it's talking about me. One of my more favorite nicknames is Mo, so....
Posted by: LePetitCanard Sep 5 2005, 11:50 AM
Random note:
Everytime I see NaNoWriMo, I think it's talking about me. One of my more favorite nicknames is Mo, so....
You have no idea how funny that is to me. Or why. You might soon, though... 
Posted by: LilyRose Sep 5 2005, 12:01 PM
Random note:
Everytime I see NaNoWriMo, I think it's talking about me. One of my more favorite nicknames is Mo, so....
You have no idea how funny that is to me. Or why. You might soon, though...
I'm really curious now!
LePetitCanard you have a crate of story ideas!
That is not not having any ideas!
I've been trying to think of ideas when I'm lying in bed, but unfortunately I keep falling asleep.
Posted by: wildCat Sep 5 2005, 12:32 PM
With NaNoWriMo you have to start from scratch every year! My major problem was getting behind at the beginning (you really need to write about 1600 words a day to keep up).
This year, I bought a book that the founder wrote with tips and I am so ready! I have some ideas but I can't actually write anything down until November 1st.
I think it would be great if we started a support group here!
Posted by: LePetitCanard Sep 5 2005, 03:41 PM
Random note:
Everytime I see NaNoWriMo, I think it's talking about me. One of my more favorite nicknames is Mo, so....
You have no idea how funny that is to me. Or why. You might soon, though...
I'm really curious now!
LePetitCanard you have a crate of story ideas!
That is not not having any ideas!
I've been trying to think of ideas when I'm lying in bed, but unfortunately I keep falling asleep.
Sign up for sugarquill.net's forums if you're curious. It's 87 stuff. Weirdness. PM me if you're interested and still curious.
Anyway, about NaNoWriMo and my crate of story ideas...see, I a lot of them are stories I already started, and most of them are stories that are complete and utter crap. Seriously, I don't want to write my NaNoWriMo story about a girl who turns into a crayon at will (not kidding about that...I wrote a story about that once!!). I'll probably start fresh.
Posted by: unjeu Sep 6 2005, 07:47 PM
I'll join a support group if I can find an idea in time and if work does not keep me in the sun for weeks at a time. I considered trying NaNoWriMo last year, but I was in that place where I was changing jobs, packing up a life, and trying to figure out how to place the old in the new space. Now, we just need to remind each other.
Posted by: LilyRose Sep 20 2005, 07:03 AM
This thread has been a bit quiet for a couple of weeks now so I thought I'd check in and announce that I still don't have any definate plot ideas.
Beginnings - yes, Middles and Ends - not really.
Is anyone definately going to sign up?
Posted by: lily ann Sep 20 2005, 02:32 PM
Yes.
Posted by: wildCat Sep 20 2005, 10:23 PM
I'm definitely signing up as well!
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 1 2005, 07:37 PM
It's started! There are a million people on the forums and it's taking forever to load, but it's started! Madness everywhere! Can't wait!
I signed up as Arya, just so you know.
Posted by: wildCat Oct 2 2005, 12:56 AM
I thought it was November, did I miss it?
Posted by: wildCat Oct 2 2005, 01:00 AM
WHEW! It is November, I have a whole month to get ready, thank goodness!!
I can't wait!
Posted by: lily ann Oct 2 2005, 07:26 AM
I tried to open the site, but I couldn't? Can I still sign up?
Posted by: LilyRose Oct 2 2005, 01:06 PM
Don't worry, they're just on hold while they get a beefier server!
I haven't been able to register either. Hope they get sorted soon.
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 2 2005, 02:41 PM
The site's up, but signup is down because so many people were on.
Posted by: LilyRose Oct 2 2005, 03:18 PM
Thanks LPC, I'll keep checking it. I need to register soon or I might just 'chicken out!' :)
Posted by: jreacher Oct 3 2005, 10:16 AM
Are we able to read any of the novels people have completed in previous years?
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 3 2005, 04:08 PM
I don't think so. A few were published, and at the end people swap, but I don't think there are any on the site to read.
Posted by: lily ann Oct 4 2005, 03:24 PM
I signed up. Wish you and me luck!
Posted by: LilyRose Oct 4 2005, 04:40 PM
Good luck everyone whose signed up so far! 
Keep posting in here for support! :lol:
Posted by: endorwitch Oct 5 2005, 01:41 AM
Apart from the first year it was on I have gone in it every year....and failed every year. I either get too many ideas so I start my story like 4 times with in the month OR I get distracted after week one and never finish. I fail.
BUT I KEEP TRYING! thats gotta count for something......right??????
[edited for typos]
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 5 2005, 04:51 PM
Yay for everyone who signed up! And yes, trying counts. This will be my first year and I am DETERMINED to finish and win. I have a schedule, and I downloaded the report card...uber fun.
Oh, someone should make a thread on the forum for us...we could talk on their and procrastonate together! :D
Posted by: wildCat Oct 5 2005, 09:50 PM
I tried last year, and failed only a week in. I'm going to win this time!! I'm glad we're starting a little support group here.
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 5 2005, 10:57 PM
How can you fail in only a week? Just curious.
Posted by: wildCat Oct 6 2005, 11:52 PM
I got behind in my word count so *blushes* I gave up.
But not this year!
Posted by: lily ann Oct 7 2005, 05:32 AM
The report card?
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 7 2005, 04:24 PM
What about it? I downloaded it, and it's AWESOME! You put in how many words you want to write a day, then every day you put how many words you wrote and in how many hours, and it calculates your total word count, number of words per hour, average words, how many more words you have to write, how many you should write tomorrow, % change in pace, at this rate you'll be done on..., % complete, and hours of writing left. It's increadible.
Posted by: lily ann Oct 8 2005, 06:34 AM
Where did you downloaded it? I didn't even hear about it!
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 8 2005, 01:53 PM
It can be found http://nano.fatlilwytch.com/ if you scroll down to where it says Nano Progress Tracker. It's an excel spreadsheet and totally amazing.
Posted by: lily ann Oct 8 2005, 04:55 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: unjeu Oct 10 2005, 03:42 PM
Although, we're still waiting for November 1, so report cards aren't necessary, yet. Or some of us are waiting, but considering that work is going to send me out into the field for three months, I should probably start cheating now so as to make up for all of the things I could not write as I stare blankly at a television after an insanely long day at work.
I'm wondering, though, what happens if you discover on your 30,000th word that the story only has 35,000 words to it, what then? Have you failed even though the story is complete? Do you write drivel for 15,000 words just to let people know that you are a "winner"? This issue has me terrified.
Posted by: lily ann Oct 10 2005, 07:00 PM
Technically you can always cheat! But, hey, if it's finished, it's finished. You're the winner, IMO!
Posted by: lilbird Oct 10 2005, 07:10 PM
I tried to do it last year, but my heart wasn't in it! I signed up this year! I'm going to do it this year! I'm a it rusty on the writing!
Posted by: unjeu Oct 11 2005, 12:32 AM
But if I cheat, where's the sense of principle? I have a couple of weeks to work out what needs to be done, to build up the courage to commit my soul to it and ignore the need for sleep. That's the problem: sleep and work. To all the students out there who are participating: I envy you (to a certain extent).
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 11 2005, 11:54 AM
Why would you cheat? You aren't getting anything out of cheating. By doing it in one month, like you're supposed to, you have the knowledge that you wrote a novel. IN ONE MONTH. That's a great reward. If you're going to cheat...why do nano at all??
Posted by: unjeu Oct 11 2005, 02:35 PM
I agree. Not that cheating is a real issue for me. I mean, I have no more time right now than I will next month, so it's all just an attempt to commit myself to the theory, whether or not it works. You know who I really envy, the landed gentry. All of that time to do silly things. I want time to do silly things, instead of staring at impending doom.
Posted by: wildCat Oct 11 2005, 10:25 PM
Me, too!
But I've heard that you never actually get around to writing, even if you have all the time in the world. Just try it, we're all here for support!
Good luck!
Cat (sitting around staring at impending doom)
Posted by: ILoveAcidPops Oct 16 2005, 06:38 PM
LePetitCanard, just one question: do you have to write your novel only in English ? Or are other languages allowed ?(French or Spanish for example...) ?
Posted by: LilyRose Oct 17 2005, 05:45 AM
I don't think it has to be English - it's only the number of words that matters to the computers checking the word count - and people are going to be scrambling the text that they send in anyway. :wave:
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 18 2005, 05:19 PM
Yes, you can write in another language.
Eek, I'm getting excited!! Anyone else?
If you're planning on participating, you should add the NaNoWriMo picture to your signature. The link is http://www.nanowrimo.org/images/nanowrimo/2005_participant_med.gif. :D
Posted by: wildCat Oct 18 2005, 10:49 PM
I'm very excited! I've been meeting with a local group and the ideas are really starting to flow, I'm outlining like mad. I just can't wait to start actually writing.
Posted by: TheGuruOfSloth Oct 21 2005, 04:45 PM
I may join you fine folks. I have known about NaNoWriMo for a few years; it's always been in the back of my brain, but I never was thinking about it at the right time before. But now I am, so that seems like it should be all the nudging I need. Not a sign, as such, but more along the lines of, now I have no excuse. At any rate, if I do join up (and I have to decide soon), I have a feeling that this little group may be just the support I need to actually give it a true effort. I'm glad I found you all and congratulations to those who have already committed themselves to this ludicrous adventure.
For those who have signed up, have you begun to consider what you will write about? What sorts of genres are we talking here? Just curious, share as little or as much as you feel comfortable sharing.
Posted by: wildCat Oct 21 2005, 11:03 PM
Welcome to the club! (hopefully )
I'm pretty much a SF/Fantasy kind of girl, and I've been working on a Fantasy lately, so I'm doing SF for Nano. Thought I'd take a break from my other world. I have a few ideas of what I'd like to write but mostly I have this character that just showed up in my mind one day at work while I was bored. She's bald and doesn't speak and has just run away from life as a slave. :conf:
I can't wait to find out what happens to her! :note:
Posted by: mrs norris's nosey neighbour Oct 22 2005, 11:50 AM
Yeah, I just signed up. Because of this thread. Go me! And the icon will soon be my avatar. I'm going to make my story semi-autobiographical, maybe.
Posted by: LilyRose Oct 22 2005, 01:50 PM
:wave: Hi everyone!
I still haven't got the whole outline of my story and I think I will be going down the 'Bridget Jones' road. Not a diary but definately some humour.
I am excited but I feel really nervous too.
Posted by: TheGuruOfSloth Oct 22 2005, 05:26 PM
Um, so I signed up. I'm TheGuruOfSloth over there, just like here. I have no idea what I'm going to write yet, and that scares me a little - but that's probably good, so I'm scared about that instead of the fact that I'm trying to write a whole novel in one month.
There are a few story ideas I've thought about over the years - I'm wondering if this would be a good or bad time to use one of them. Well, I'll need something within the next week and change, not to mention that it would be nice to leave myself a little time to plot, outline, and flesh out the characters a bit beforehand.
Posted by: unjeu Oct 22 2005, 06:27 PM
Plot? Flesh out characters? Dear me, that is not happening with me. For all of my hopes that I would be on the road during November, it looks less and less likely, which means I will be at home to be bothered by my sister whenever she chooses. And goodness knows that I cannot commit to a story. Yesterday, it was one; today, it's another. There's no hope for me. Older ideas are tempting, but they're too far along for me to give in and use them. Ugh. I need inspiration and guidance. Maybe I have to go buy Edith Wharton's book on writing. I love Edith, she had such a lovely style.
Too bad so much of my time is spent wondering how I can convince someone at Warner Brothers that Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, and Michael Kitchen need to be in a Harry Potter film.
Posted by: wildCat Oct 22 2005, 07:03 PM
Can't you use both? :wink: OK, so maybe it would turn out like a horror/western or SF/biography but at least you'd have variety.
You'll come up with something!
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 22 2005, 11:12 PM
I created a group at the nano forums. It's in the Writing Groups and Clubs forum, under http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=8109&start=0#forumpost116650. Post, post! :D
Posted by: TheGuruOfSloth Oct 23 2005, 01:01 PM
Thanks, LePetitCanard... I went over there and put in my two cents.
unjeu, you make me smile. It's good to know that I'm not the only one still unprepared for this. Of course, some of you might be able to skate by on talent and experience alone. Not so for me, I'm afraid...
Posted by: Silver-Fox Oct 23 2005, 02:41 PM
ya i have been looking for people that are doing it i thought i was the only one. but can some one tell me a place to get some new fonts?
.....
lightwarmth youve done it and finished 4 times wow i am inpressed i havent finished yet
Posted by: Silver-Fox Oct 24 2005, 07:29 PM
umm....i entered a while ago but i lost my email adress that i used to use.
Posted by: wildCat Oct 27 2005, 11:29 PM
I'm bumping this since it's almost the 1st. Come visit our Leaky Cauldron group at the nano forums! And good luck on your novel.
Posted by: LePetitCanard Oct 30 2005, 07:40 PM
Yay! Nanoness!!
Posted by: TheGuruOfSloth Oct 30 2005, 07:58 PM
Seems to be a little more activity on the NaNo LL thread than here (the LL NaNo thread, I guess), but not too much in either place. Perhaps this is the calm before the storm. I do hope people continue to check in on one or both of the forums and continue to post; just reading them and knowing that other people are crazy too is very encouraging.
Posted by: Quabble Oct 31 2005, 08:36 AM
I'm think about doing NaNoWriMo this year, but I'm nervous I don't have enough time or won't be able to think of anything to write.
Posted by: wildCat Oct 31 2005, 11:27 PM
Just try it! I had a test run last year (didn't win but learned a lot). Come on, you know you want to...
Posted by: missingpatches Nov 1 2005, 12:03 AM
I have a working title!!!! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!
That is a beginning, right? I need some sort of guideline! I am so excited to be doing this starting tomorrow!
See you at the uploads!
Posted by: lily ann Nov 1 2005, 01:23 PM
I have 952 words. I'm proud of myself. How are you doing?
Posted by: TheGuruOfSloth Nov 1 2005, 02:37 PM
Woohoo! Day One!
1894 words. If it will only be this painless every time...
Posted by: HawthorneAndPhoenix Nov 12 2005, 01:49 AM
WOW, congratulations to everyone who has entered! I didn't learn about NaNoWriMo in time to enter this year ( :( ), but I will definitely be gunning for next year! Keep those plot bunnies a-hoppin'!
Posted by: GwendolynJames Nov 12 2005, 08:52 PM
I'm doing it for the first time and doing it very very slowly. I'm looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday so I can catch up on my word count (which is pathetically low).
Posted by: TheGuruOfSloth Nov 12 2005, 10:13 PM
Thanks for the encouragement, Hawthorne. Since I'm not out, I probably should be writing right now instead of hanging out on the LL. Oh well.
GwendolynJames, there's a thread for Leaky Lounge NaNoers on the NaNoWriMo forums (in the writing groups category, I think). Stop on by if you feel like it (or maybe you have been there already under a different username and I just don't recognize you). Our numbers seem to have dwindled, but there are a few of us still hanging in there!
Posted by: Wriggly_Wrackspurt Nov 14 2005, 08:05 PM
Wow, congratulations to all you guys for being brave enough to get involved! I'd never heard of NaNoWriMo until I saw an article about it in the paper the day before yesterday, and I figured it's probably a bit late to start.
Anyway, I really respect all of you for participating! I write, but I don't think I could write a whole novel in a month... Well, maybe I could if I had more spare time....
Posted by: MegsTheDeadPoet Nov 17 2005, 04:40 PM
I plan on doing it next year. I hope you're having fun!
Posted by: unjeu Nov 18 2005, 10:33 PM
Honestly, I wish it were more fun. But it isn't NaNo's fault. It's the fact that I am loyal to work and my various distractions that has forced me to fall behind. I am trying to catch up during this weekend, but you know, November is just a plain evil month to have this sort of challenge. And now, if I pause in the writing for a moment, I usually end up thinking of a cheer that some girls led last night at GoF. And it is very distracting thinking while a cheer rolls through your mind.
24,000 words down and 26,000 more to be found somewhere.
When I say Huffle, you say puff...Huffle puff...Huffle puff
When I say Raven, you say claw...Raven claw...Raven claw (for Guru)
Posted by: LilyRose Nov 30 2005, 06:31 PM
Well done anyone who tried!! And extra well done anyone who did it! :clap:
I was a few words short! I can't wait till next year. I'll be much better prepared.
Posted by: TheGuruOfSloth Dec 1 2005, 09:29 PM
I was a few words short! I can't wait till next year. I'll be much better prepared.
Thanks! Let me echo your congratulations to all who participated. I won't bother trying to be humble since I stuckk the stinkin' winner's icon in my signature, so I'll just shout it out: I WON!
LilyRose, well done for getting as far as you did. I will be there next year to cheer you on, and maybe alongside you working on NaNovel #2. 
Posted by: Mistressofthedarkarts Dec 1 2005, 09:57 PM
Congrats Guru!!! It's great, now I can say... "I post alongside the NaNo winner!!!"
But it's great seeing so many aspiring authors here.... just goes to show... um... I've forgotten what I was going to post.
Posted by: TheGuruOfSloth Dec 2 2005, 09:24 AM
Congrats Guru!!! It's great, now I can say... "I post alongside the NaNo winner!!!"
Yup, except you'd better say "a NaNo winner", since there were many thousands who finished. Winning means reaching 50,000 words before month's end. In fact, there were several other cool folks from Leaky who did it right alongside me (and actually beat me to the finish line by a few hours... grr... ).
Posted by: unjeu Dec 2 2005, 10:56 AM
I always thought, Guru, that you would be upset that I finished before you, especially since I had languished behind for so long, and even more so because it was only a handful of hours before you. (Although, I am still paying for that late night and wondering if it was worth finishing a night early.) But see, now, you can go and sparkle in the limelight. The expectations are high for the new filk challenge, but at least NaNo is done. Although, it probably begs the question: when will you revise the story if people continue to pressure you for new filk?
Posted by: LilyRose Dec 2 2005, 05:38 PM
Congratulations Guru and unjeu. The icon looks great! 
Posted by: missingpatches Dec 4 2005, 04:05 PM
Yes, congratulations for completion! I personally did not get to write as much as I wanted, and fell short about 25000, oh well, half way there, two children, being pregnant, I am just pleased I stook my head out and tried. Next year, I will definitely try again!
Posted by: Wriggly_Wrackspurt Dec 4 2005, 07:44 PM
Wow, congratulations everyone!!!!! That takes a lot of dedication and determination and you should all be really proud of yourselves!
I was too late to sign up this year and next year I have my final school exams in November, which I need to get into my preferred university course, so it's probably not the best time to be writing a novel... lol...
But I'm hoping to enter some time in the future! Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you all on having a go and getting involved! :clap:
Posted by: Ameena Oct 24 2006, 10:50 AM
*topic revived*
Well, it's that time again- NaNoWriMo.
I've never done NaNoWriMo before, but on a whim, I signed up this morning. I have a week to think about what I want to write about!
Anyone else doing it this year? I know TheGuruOfSloth is doing it (peeked at his LJ!) and I've seen an icon on Overcast's signature...
Posted by: sallene Oct 24 2006, 03:11 PM
I've done it once before, but didn't try last year due to a new baby.
I'm still not sure about this year, but I'm leaning toward it. I have several ideas and need to get them down in writing before they disappear!
*Apparates to the NanoWriMo site*
Posted by: Overcast Oct 24 2006, 07:55 PM
Yay! I can't wait for it to begin! Eight more days left.
I have the setting, a couple of characters and I know it's going to be about time travel but that's it. I have no idea what I'm doing.
Posted by: moochka-dawlish Oct 24 2006, 08:30 PM
I signed up! I don't know what my story is about, but I'm not too worried...yet. Is there a thread for us Loungers in the NaNoWriMo forums? If not I think we should start one. I am going to need lots of support, and I'm excited to chat with other HP fans about the whole thing.
I'm so excited for November! 
Looking around the NaNoWriMo forums I found us! Here is the link if you don't already have it:http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2577&start=0#forumpost181451
[edited for the link]
Posted by: aiels Oct 25 2006, 02:49 AM
help!! I don't think I understood how it works...I sign up and then write on my computer...and nobody will know anything about whatIi do...except that I reload the word counter and, IF I want, I post some extracts....and at the end...what do I do...? send it per email...?
it seems so easy to cheat if i do it on my own pc.... with nobody looking..or even knowing...!
but maybe i have understood everything uncorrectly...!
HELP!!!
Posted by: sallene Oct 25 2006, 07:16 AM
Aiels, You are correct. You do sign up and then as you write you can post excerpts and word counts. You do have to upload your story at the end of the time (or when you reach 50k), so there's really no way to cheat, unless you use something that you had previously written. It's up to you to stay honest!
And, I did sign up yesterday, so I'm keeping my appendages crossed! Thanks for the link, Moochka! I posted over there.
Posted by: Ameena Oct 25 2006, 10:51 AM
Glad to see so many NaNoWriMo folks here! 
I'm getting a little nervous myself. I've been a writer for a while- technically. I've not written anything for a while, due to writer's block. I'm hoping that NaNo will be the kick in the... er, bootie that I need to get back into it.
Anyone wants to add me as a friend on the site, I'm jedavid13 there.
Anyone else listen to the promo for WriMoRadio?
Posted by: Theoriser Oct 25 2006, 01:51 PM
I signed up a couple of days ago, completely on an impulse... I've never done this before! I heard about it last year, but by then it was after November and too late to participate. At least I know vaguely what my story's going to be about, and I have some characters. I thought it up about 2 years ago, and never got around to actually writing it (I may have the first page actually, not much though 
), so if I manage to get to 50,000 words whilst juggling all my schoolwork and Leaky, it'll be a miracle!
Good luck to everyone trying this year
Posted by: aiels Oct 26 2006, 02:24 AM
I've sign up yesterday as well. i have a story ( invented yesterday afternoon), the charachters (brand new of course invented before the story) and I really can't wait ot begin..... but i doubt I will be able to write 50000 words in a month...but i try..there is nothing better than trying.. something good may come out of it!!!
Good Luck to everyone!! 
Posted by: Witherwings Oct 26 2006, 02:38 PM
Yay! Glad some others are doing it to. I've never done NaNo and am petrified at the prospect of 50K in 30 days, especially with other Scribbulus stuff going on, but I'm determined to go through the experience.
I'm Pandora Poezen over there if anyone wants a writing buddy. Good luck to all!
Posted by: Witherwings Nov 2 2006, 05:33 PM
So.... everyone who signed up: how's it coming?
Mine is silly and sprawling in every direction, but the point is that it's getting written. Still no title and only the slightest glimmer of a plot, but hope springs eternal!
Posted by: Overcast Nov 3 2006, 09:51 PM
I'm doing pretty good I guess. It's really fun. So far I've been typing from 10PM - 2AM. I've been only getting four hours of sleep, which isn't anything knew, I guess. I tend to stay up late. The story is going okay. It could be better, but I'm a poor judge of my own work.
Does everyone here know about the Leaky Cauldron Go-er's! thread in the Writing Groups and Clubs forum?
Posted by: Ameena Nov 4 2006, 01:30 PM
I'm quite behind- I'm only up to 2200 words. I need to get typing!
(considers putting her nano-widget in her siggy...)
Posted by: Lemon sweetie Nov 4 2006, 08:20 PM
Well, i'm kinda challenging myself, i didn't sign up. I'm actually going to FINISH this one. I constantly start stories and they end up gathering computery dust in the depths of my files... anyways, i probably won't finish it, but i'm trying.
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 4 2006, 08:34 PM
Lemon Sweetie, me too! I come up with ideas, start 'em, and then they sit in various folders in my computer and I never get around to them. I've got a few shorts that I've started and finished.
I was going to do NaNoWriMo this year but unfortunately the time period for NaNo is the same time period I've got to submit college applications I had to sacrifice NaNo.
Posted by: sallene Nov 6 2006, 10:45 AM
I only have about 3600+ written at this point, but in my defense, I just found out we are having another baby, so I'm a little distracted.
Posted by: WitByondMeasure Nov 8 2006, 08:49 PM
I'm doing NaNoWriMo, but I'm such a procrastinator! I've only got 308 words so far, and it's been 8 days...
Posted by: dompeldoris's_favourite Nov 10 2006, 04:49 PM
I've always known about NaNoWriMo but I've never joined. So I decided now was the time!
I just signed up!
I have some serious catching up to do!!!
Posted by: killersharky Nov 16 2006, 10:27 AM
Wow. I'm coming out of lurking to mention I'm doing this as well and am just a few hundred words off the pace right now. Keep writing and remember it's not about quality, it's about quantity.
Posted by: dompeldoris's_favourite Nov 17 2006, 12:54 PM
Did you guys get the 3de week letter? I thought it was totally hysterically funny 
My computer was broken for the last 2 months and I've been posting and everything from my Uncle's house. I finally got it back and I haven't even started with word one with my Novel!!! I am like totally freaking out!
I think if I just inject some writer steroids quickly I can finish it in about a week... That is if I don't eat, sleep or move from my seat until then that is.
here is the letter-
Dear Author,
You remember those overachieving participants I talked about in last week's email? The ones speeding past us with word counts in the 20,000s, and "kick me" signs fluttering from their backs?
Most of them will be cruising into the 50,000-word winners' circle this week.
Sheesh.
But you know what? I've been doing a little research. And I've discovered that thousands of participants haven't written word *one* of their books. Which makes those of us with more than 10,000 words to our name look pretty darn good by comparison. Not as far ahead as we'd like to be, maybe. But nowhere near out of contention.
And this is where I need to talk a little bit about 35K.
To me, there are two milestones in NaNoWriMo. The obvious one is 50k, when the champagne flows and the confetti falls, and your friends hoist you up on their shoulders and sing songs about your heroic novel-writing feat.
My favorite moment of the whole endeavor, though, comes at 35K. There's less singing, mind you, but when you hit 35k, you won't need a word-count tool to tell you you're there. If Week Two had a wall of fatigue at its core; Week Three is built around this glorious, chocolate-covered door called 35K. That portal opens into a wonderland of renewed energy, revived bookish enthusiasm, and serious happy-dances at the computer keyboard.
Because when you pass 35k, the gravity of the whole event changes. Writing is easier. Plotting is easier. And at 35K, you will see something in the distance that is both wonderful and bittersweet.
You'll see the end of this crazy noveling adventure.
We'll talk more about that next week. For now, the only important thing is getting to 35K. For those of us in the lower rungs of the word-coun t bracket, that may seem an impossible feat. But as NaNoWriMo participants, we eat the impossible for breakfast.
And just to make sure you have everything you need for this week's intense writing sessions, I've asked our technical overseer Russ to pack a little something extra into this email.
You see, eight years ago, while trekking across Tibet, I met an old yak farmer who lived alone in a small yurt filled with paperbacks. The older volumes were self-help guides to better living through topical applications of yak butter. But the more recent books included an array of detective fiction set in London, sci-fi tales about interplanetary wars between asparagus creatures, and a sassy series about a young woman just starting to make a name for herself in the publishing industry.
The farmer, it turns out, had written all of them.
When I asked him how he managed it, he explained that he'd found a secret totem on the s teppe that endowed its possessor with superheroic noveling powers.
I excitedly told him about my idea for founding a project where everyone in the world would write a 50,000-word novel from scratch. He wept. Then he went and dug out the brown, wooden totem, and placed it in my hand. "Share it with your people," he said. "I don't need it anymore. Book contracts have ceased to have any meaning for me since Bertelsmann AG bought Random House."
He then lowered his sad eyes, and disappeared, leaving me with the curious object and keys to his yurt.
Thanks to that totem, I've managed to write a 50,000-word novel every year, overcoming dastardly word-count deficits and my own diabolical procrastinatory tendencies.
But now I think it's time to pass the torch. This morning, I ground up the totem, and asked Russ to carefully imbed a tiny portion of it into every Week Three pep talk email. You have it no w, and its magical writerly effects will last at least through the end of the month, and probably much longer.
All I ask in return is that you honor the last request the old man made to me before riding off into the yak-filled sunset.
"Please be at 35,000 words by the end of Week Three," he said. I nodded. I had no idea what he was talking about.
But I know now. As do you.
The challenge is mighty, but you are mightier still.
See you at 35K, writer!
Chris
NaNoWriMo
18,400 words, 4 yaks, and 1 jumbo latte
Posted by: cheekysnake09 Nov 18 2006, 06:17 PM
eek! I only have 10,000. 1/5 of the way there. It seems very depressing since December is coming on fast.
Posted by: dompeldoris's_favourite Nov 19 2006, 07:00 AM
I feel exactly the same cheekysnake
I wanted to write some yesterday but my brother kept hogging my laptop. I doubt it that I will finish...
... one can always hope though!
Posted by: Theoriser Dec 1 2006, 11:44 AM
Did any of you here get to 50,000? Most of us posting on http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2577&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&start=0 did, and it was great fun! I never thought I'd be able to force myself to write that much in just a month, but I managed to And if you didn't manage to finish, don't worry, there's always next year So well done, even if you only wrote one word!
Posted by: Ameena Dec 1 2006, 06:10 PM
I didn't make it, unfortunately. I think it's because I either overthought my novel, or didn't think it enough, lol.
Posted by: sallene Dec 4 2006, 09:35 AM
I certainly didn't make it. Too preoccupied with thoughts of new baby and sick from all day morning sickness.
Posted by: Witherwings Dec 4 2006, 12:49 PM
I did it. Just barely squeaked by before midnight. Afterwards, I remember lying in bed and not having the energy to reach over and scratch my arm. NaNoWriMo is haaaard! Here's to everyone who made it! 
And here's to everyone who gave it their best shot and didn't make it.
Posted by: Overcast Oct 8 2007, 06:51 PM
Is anyone planning on participating in Nanowrimo this year? I'm not because I'm already on a writing project and it's really the one from last year changed and reworked. So, I can't do it again and have no time to do something else.
So, I'm going to be doing it sort of with this one. I'm currently working on the backstory and research.
Posted by: sallene Oct 8 2007, 07:34 PM
I really want to get back on track with writing, but I doubt this year will work out either. No sickness, but a toddler and a new baby plus working full time doesn't give me much time to write.
Posted by: Theoriser Oct 9 2007, 10:07 AM
I was planning on it, but I'll have to think of a story first. Last year I wrote one that I'd had in my head for ages, but this year I don't have anything planned. So if I don't manage to think of anything by the end of the month then I probably won't.
Posted by: Mrs. Puckle Oct 9 2007, 10:08 AM
I'm taking a whack at it this year. I think I'll be able to find enough time, in the evenings after my children are in bed. I'm really looking forward to it, but feeling kind of intimidated too...I wonder how many people actually do manage to complete the 50 000 words on their first year trying?
Right now I'm having a really hard time deciding on which idea to go with??????
Posted by: Lily Luna Oct 14 2007, 10:09 AM
I tried it last year. I had a--what I thought was--excellent story line and characters, etc. But with school and our drama production... there was absolutely no way. Seeing as our drama production is in November again this year, and I'm heading special effects, and I still have school... I don't think it'll happen this year either.
Although, I really should just start then, and finish later because I have three different ideas floating around. But my friend who finished last year said it was an insane amount of work. I'll have to decide pretty soon!
Posted by: pranko Oct 14 2007, 10:18 AM
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.
This is from the faqs at nanowrimo. So does this mean...fanfiction is allowed?
Posted by: nachtweiss Oct 14 2007, 01:49 PM
I dunno. I think they want you to do your own stuff, because technically fanfiction isn't your own idea, but you could probably ask. I mean, they didn't specifically say no or anything.
My plot is currently non-existent, but I have characters. (Without names...so, what, half a character...) And suddenly November is looming.
Posted by: Mrs. Puckle Oct 14 2007, 04:27 PM
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.
This is from the faqs at nanowrimo. So does this mean...fanfiction is allowed?
I'd say it's allowed, as long as it's a fictional story that meets or exceeds 50 000. In the forum there's a "Fanficcers Unite" thread under Other Genres...so I'd definitely say yes.
Posted by: FreedomStar Oct 14 2007, 10:39 PM
I actually already have something in the works, so I can't use that. I have to do a completely new story. *sigh* But I'm going to take a shot at it this year. If only so I can buy the awesome 2007 NaNo t-shirt
Posted by: Lunesta Oct 14 2007, 11:17 PM
How cool! I've actually never heard of NaNoWriMo before. Oh, I think I'm going to give it a try. I never put a time limit on my writing before so this should be intersating.
Posted by: PotterPhreak Oct 15 2007, 06:38 PM
I've seriously been thinking about doing this this year, because I didn't have the time last year. But the only thing standing in my way is the fact that I'm currently working on another book. I'm pretty sure I can do some planning before hand and come up with something, should be quite fun actually to write a book in 4 weeks.
Posted by: Hazey Oct 16 2007, 12:26 PM
I just got the email, after I gave myself up ages ago. And know I'm not sure if I want to do it or not.. 
50.000 words is really intimidating (no where near anything I've ever written before!) and I'm really busy with school. But it does seem like a lot of fun.. 
I've got an idea, one of the only ones I haven't written on paper yet. My other ideas are just notes, though, but I've just been reading the rules, so I'll have to go with that idea. It sounds like so much fun and I can't make my mind up. Or really I just want to do it but my conscious is telling me that I don't have enough time. I'll update when I've made up my mind.
Posted by: FreedomStar Oct 18 2007, 06:44 PM
I'm in! I took the plunge and signed up. I've also started a blog so that I can keep track of my experience the first time around.
Posted by: gillyfizz Oct 18 2007, 11:43 PM
I just found out about NaNoWriMo last month from a vlog on YouTube and it sounds like fun! Very daunting and challengeing but fun. I haven't registered yet, but I think I'm going to give it a go. It might finally help me stop procrastinating and actually get writing! Nice to find other people here who are taking on the challenge too!
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Oct 18 2007, 11:51 PM
Oh it sounds like a wonderful idea!!!! Is there any restriction as to genre etc? Just I've got an outline for a romance novel, but it's a bit lightweight. I'm doing it just to get a feel for writing and i read a lot of romance and so am relatively familiar with the genre.
Posted by: Mrs. Puckle Oct 19 2007, 09:25 AM
I haven't done it before, but from what I've heard/read about it a "lightweight" idea is best, that way you don't take it too seriously, and get all bogged down trying to make it perfect. The idea is to write prolifically, not well (which suits me just fine
).And you can choose any genre. I'm doing a MG fantasy, so that I can share it with my sons as I go along, and because I think I'm less likely to get stuck writing a children's fantasy...I can just have fun with it.
I can't wait for November 1st!
Posted by: Hazey Oct 20 2007, 08:57 AM
Yep, I caved. I joined. And I'm so excited, I can't wait to get started! My story is an adventure type, but the plot is still in early stages.
Posted by: stellasofia Oct 20 2007, 03:31 PM
This is finally the excuse for me to write my ridiculously ambititous romance set in WWI. Lots of murder. weeee! Salome and Julien, here I come!
Posted by: FreedomStar Oct 20 2007, 09:56 PM
If you have already registered, would you please add me as a buddy on NaNo? My name is Freedom Star (how creative of me) and to add someone you just click on authors at the top and type in the authors name, and then click on 'add' which should be beneath the author's avatar. If the person already added you as a buddy then you should get a message when you log in.
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Oct 20 2007, 09:59 PM
I already registered ... I'm ... hmmm sethtaylorsummer
Posted by: treebeliever Oct 22 2007, 03:25 AM
I'm seriously thinking of doing this. It looks like a great experience and good excercise.
If I sign up, will add all of you!
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Oct 22 2007, 03:34 AM
Do it!! I'm doing a bit of planning right now ... and it's already so much fun. Download and read the book 'Nanowrimo for the new and insane' (I think I found the link to it on the getting to 50,000 words forum, can't be sure, but it's on one of the forums anyway) she explains how she does it and why it's so much fun. And Now I want it to be November so I can start.
Posted by: FreedomStar Oct 22 2007, 11:27 AM
If you guys have firefox there is a NaNo app that you can add. And if you have a facebook, there is a NaNo wordcount app that you can add, but you need to know your NaNo ID for this one so that you can link the app to your NaNo acct to get the word count.
Posted by: pranko Oct 22 2007, 12:01 PM
woohoo fanfics are allowed!
I don't have an actual story but it will be about the marauders, but I think I'll just make things happen at random, that's a good way to increase your wordcount. Besides I always wanted to write a soap.
Posted by: Hazey Oct 22 2007, 12:22 PM
I'm Hazey on NaNoWriMo (creativity wasn't my strongest point at that moment either). I'll add you as a buddy.
Edit: Umm, how do you add someone as a buddy or search for someone's profile?
Posted by: FreedomStar Oct 22 2007, 12:55 PM
Found it! Here's the thread, I don't know if you need to be registered or not already to view it.
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/1015796
There's a link to the firefox gadget and another link to several widgets that someone found. On facebook, join the NaNo group, and the link is in one of the discussion threads. . .
Posted by: treebeliever Oct 23 2007, 09:59 PM
Well, I have a little bit of a week to prepared. But I signed up.
I'm treebeliever. Hope to hear from all of you over there!
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Oct 23 2007, 10:16 PM
Hmmmmm ... I tried to add you all and the button for 'authors' is gone. I guess it'll come back on at some point but for right now I guess we can't add each other over there. Just be joyful here I guess
Posted by: racheline Oct 24 2007, 07:59 AM
I'm in, although I haven't signed up yet. I made good progress on my current project with novel_in_90 for a while, but then fell off the bandwagon. I'm hoping I can get through a first draft this way. That said, it's in the midst of my book promo thing, and I'm somewhat doubtful I'll complete the month. That said, I'll be happy with whatever I can get out of it.
Posted by: Lily Luna Oct 26 2007, 02:42 PM
Well... I tried, and failed last year.
But I'm starting fresh this year. I've got my characters and outline all planned out. I have a bunch of friends writing too... but I'm not sure that I'm ready to sit down in the same room and just push out a book--no one even knows what I'm writing about yet. I don't know why, but I don't think they'll like it.
I always end up with good (in my mind) ideas... and then I just can't write the story... ugh.
Posted by: gillyfizz Oct 26 2007, 08:32 PM
All signed up! I'm gillyfizz there as well. Hope the author button comes back soon!
Posted by: dompeldoris's favourite Oct 27 2007, 04:26 AM
I've wanted to participate in NaNoWriMO such a long time and I'm ecstatic to say that this year I'm really going to do it!
The idea that my first draft might be finished is absolutely amazing! Its long over dew...
HOPE I SEE YOU GUYS THERE!! and hope everyone finishes and enjoys it all!
Posted by: FreedomStar Oct 27 2007, 05:55 PM
I'm going to be doing some very last minute planning next week, I know it, lol. I've got a plot worked out and I know all my main characters but I haven't fleshed them out yet. so I better get working on those character profiles.
Posted by: dompeldoris's favourite Oct 28 2007, 01:18 PM
I planned mine out some more today and I think that its a trilogy.
It would be impossible to write all three in one month. I'll write the first one but I've planned most of the over all story. This is going to be fun!
Do any of you have stories that might have sequels or perhaps a whole series?
OMG! Only 2 more days! I better get ready!
Posted by: Overcast Oct 30 2007, 10:08 PM
So, I'm going to be doing it sort of with this one. I'm currently working on the backstory and research.
I decided to do it again this year. I figured since people do sequels I'm just going to write the prequel of the story I'm writing now. It's just going to be backstory for me to reference later, but I'm excited! 25 hours to go!
Posted by: FreedomStar Oct 31 2007, 11:24 AM
14 hours and roughly 30 minutes left to go! *for the west coast-ers*
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Oct 31 2007, 02:17 PM
I'm in New Zealand, so we've started already. I have just over 400 words to my name as of 1am this morning. Gee I'm sleepy today!!
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 1 2007, 03:37 AM
So? First day thoughts? It's 1:34 in the morning as I'm writing this and I've just spent the last hour and half writing. I must say that it was a relief to get started on this.
I've got a blog where I'm blogging about my experience so that I have a 'memoir' of my journey through NaNo. If anyone is interested:
http://horsesandpotter.blogspot.com/ It's really like a journal. I don't expect anyone to actually be reading it. But blogging is fun, even if you don't know if anyone is reading.
So...how's it going y'all? Got a good start on your wordcount?
Btw, here's the link to my NaNo profile: http://www.nanowrimo.org/user/215458 If we all post links to our profiles, then we can buddy each other.
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Nov 1 2007, 04:16 AM
I've got about 2,600 words ... but it's 10pm here (first in the world) so I've had all day I'm pretty pleased with that.
*goes to work out how to link to her profile*
Posted by: dompeldoris's favourite Nov 1 2007, 01:52 PM
I'm so excited!
I still need to finish my word count today. Felt a little doubtful but then I got this really motivating email from "Notes from the Universe"
O.k I'm off! I just keep thinking 'this is easy, I can do it, time is only an illusion...'
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 1 2007, 11:51 PM
I've seen that some authors already have up to 10,000 words! 
Now theres some motivation for ya!
I'm somewhere around 2300 words. Pretty good for the first day. So far what i've written feels like semi-crap to me, and my inner editor is pleading to be let out to work it's magic, but i'm being quite firm.
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Nov 2 2007, 12:51 AM
ha! my inner editor gave up and went away on holiday as soon as she realised exactly how bad my prose was in this one. I'm not even sure if she'll return to help me out in December
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 2 2007, 02:58 PM
So...here's the problem with Windows Vista. Microsoft Word 2007 is all hip and new and strange and hard to navigate, but with all of these options. The problem is that there is a word count at the bottom left corner, right next to where it tells you how many pages you've written.
*sigh*
I've got so many word count trackers and whatnot that I'm going to forget one of 'em. You gotta manually enter it for the firefox app.
Posted by: Mrs. Puckle Nov 2 2007, 08:52 PM
Well, I'm done for day 2...my brain has officially turned to mush, and I have a kink in my neck, but I'm over 10 000 words. I have a busy weekend, and early part of next week so I wanted to cram in as much as I could in the first couple of days.
It's kind of fun writing when you throw extraneous things like punctuation, and uh...grammar to the wind (my inner editor is howling, and rattling the bars on her cage!). But I like my story so far.
It's amazing how tired you can be after doing nothing but sitting on your butt for most of the day!? 
Happy writing everyone!
Edited to add: I'm Evangeline22 over at Nano, http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/203685. I'm going to try to add you guys as buddies...that is if the Nano site is actually working.
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Nov 3 2007, 10:28 PM
I can't get the NaNo site to load, so I can't update my word count. Is anyone else having these problems???
*sighs heavily and goes off to write some more words*
Posted by: Mrs. Puckle Nov 4 2007, 09:51 AM
Ya, the Nano site really sucks...half the time I can't get on there at all, and when I can it's maddeningly slow.
I'm worried about what it's going to be like on the last day with 90 000 people trying to submit their novels?
Posted by: Lily Luna Nov 4 2007, 09:59 AM
My mom hasn't decided if she's going to let me make an account. I don't see why she really needs to check--I'm just going to write and submit a bunch of writing. It's not like I'm going to tell everyone my address and phone number.
Anyway, I'm just over 6,500 words. Yay! This is working out better than I had hoped!
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Nov 4 2007, 02:51 PM
Wooh! I have 6,100 words. I'm happy with that because I was only able to write on 2 days, so that's an average of 3,000 per day. I figure if I can keep that up on the days I can actually write I should hopefully be done with time to spare. Ofcourse that depends on me being able to actually keep up the momentum I'll be trying for another 3,000 today (I'm on the morning of my day 5) ... I'll update later
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 4 2007, 03:35 PM
Word count: 7,045/50,000
I'm aiming for roughly 2000 a day, which is about one complete chapter.
What I've written still doesn't make much sense. It's a lot of description and processing...trying to keep up with my word count. The unnecessary descriptions will decrease as I get into the flow of the story but for now it's there as extra cushioning.
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Nov 4 2007, 03:48 PM
I feel like I have too much exposition and not enough description ... I guess if I get to the end and it's all over but too short I can go back and add some more description.
Posted by: Nimthiriel Nov 4 2007, 09:16 PM
I totally forgot about this until I saw it earlier! 
I was going to do it last year but something happened that I realized I wouldn't have much time to do much writing. I have been feeling like writing lately anyway so I think I need some motivation...I really want to finish something for once in my life! lol. So I am now terribly far behind. But I can write 2-3000 words a day so hopefully I will be able to catch up!
Posted by: Madsdagirl Nov 4 2007, 09:56 PM
It's something I have always wanted to do. Sadly, this year I am unable due to a trip to France that will seriously limit the amount of time I have to write. So I’ll have to wait until next year!
Good luck to everyone who has entered.
It's such a great way to learn, hone your skills and get inspired!
Posted by: dompeldoris's favourite Nov 4 2007, 11:29 PM
I have 3,962 words, which I'm really proud of because I've been studying for exams and I've had extra classes and whole bunch of other stuff.
I write as much as I can and when the exams are over I'll go into over-drive!
The POWER Perseverance !!
Posted by: gillyfizz Nov 5 2007, 12:28 AM
Four days in and I am procrastinating already! Not a good sign! I'll have to have a marathon writing time soon to catch up! I'm gillyfizz at the NaNo site...when it is up. http://www.nanowrimo.org/user/221816
Oh and one more thing...someone mentioned the firefox word count thing. I figured out how to put in the number of words I've typed, but what does the red "word count (predicted)" message in the corner tell me?
Posted by: Lunesta Nov 5 2007, 01:23 AM
I've only gotten 3, 495 words but I've barely written for a day and a half. I really need to write every day but its so hard because when I write I wanna write a lot but just a page or two. Weird. And put in college reading and Midterms/Exams right now. But I'm not going to make excusses I can do this. 
But yeah, I'm trying.
Posted by: MonieLou Nov 5 2007, 07:05 AM
I've got 2,699 words. And I just signed up yesterday! I actually surprised myself. Ah. This is going to be great. But I dunno when I'll be able to find time to write this week. Its going to be drilling, no doubt.
My username on NaNoWriMo is MonieLou as well, so look out for me!
Posted by: Nimthiriel Nov 5 2007, 11:03 AM
I started last night and I have 1,168 words. I was hoping to get to 2,000 but I got too tired before I could. I know that I probably won't get much done this week, because I have to finish my 10 page research paper, along with a few presentations. (College is sometimes a big pain for writing goals).
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 7 2007, 01:45 AM
I'm keeping up! Yay! Day six, and I've got 12,724 according to Word. 
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 13 2007, 11:47 AM
Checking in-
how's everyone doing? Anyone crack under the pressure yet? I'm about 200 words behind, so i'll be cranking out closer to 2000 words tonight to hit my mark.
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Nov 13 2007, 02:17 PM
Well I'm about 5,000 words behind (but that's a catch up from being 8,000 behind 3 days ago). I've worked out I need an average of 1,900 words for the rest to catch up. But I figure another couple of 4000+ days and I'll be on top of it
Sadly I'm madly in love with my story, well more my characters, so I let them do whatever they want and then I get in trouble because it's winding the storyline up waaaaaaaaaay too fast! Gotta get more dialogue and decription in there somewhere ...
Posted by: Lily Luna Nov 22 2007, 10:20 PM
I'm about 3,000 words behind because of our high school's drama production. But I'm working extra hard over this break to catch up.
I too love my story, and most of my characters... but I'm having an issue with the fact that I never have enough description. I can see the scene in my head, so I don't think that I need to write what it looks like. Ugh. That's what December is for! I have to keep telling myself that...
Must go type, type, type!
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 23 2007, 12:57 AM
I'm at the point where i think my story is def. not going to be complete by the end of nov, even though I will have written 50,000 words. Simply because of the excessive wordiness so that I can reach my word count. I'm working furiously to try and get to my word count by a decent hour sot hat i can go to bed at a decent hour, but i'm watching a re-run cover of the CMA Awards...and that's a bit distracting. Keith Urban is singing right now.
btw, I'm a bit over 36,000 words right now. I hope to be somewhere around 36,700 by tonight.
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Nov 23 2007, 01:09 AM
I'm at 38,500 words right now and I know my story will be finished when I get to 50,000 words. I already have to go back and add stuff just to pad out the word count. There's only 2 'real' scenes left to write now, and that won't get me to 50,000. Sooooo back I go and add some 'extra stuff' in to the earlier chapters. Like dialogue. I only really got the hang of dialogue this last week. Plus I added a sister for MMC to cry on the shoulder of ... and she needs to have appeared earlier, so in she goes in some early scene or other.
Posted by: sweet_poisen Nov 23 2007, 03:01 AM
my problem is that i definately know some of the scenes or actors in my book, but that i can't seem to write a beginning that i'm happy with, because the dialogue in the beginning sounds so stif, i want it to be candid, and when i try to make it seem that way it's overly cheesy. but what i've been doing is writing out certain scenes that i want to happen. so it's kind of like i have fragments of my story, which i don't know is a good or bad thing, but hey, progress is progress.
Posted by: dompeldoris's favourite Nov 24 2007, 03:33 PM
I' so happy for everyone whose writting is getting along!!
I'm glad to say mine is going pretty good too, only 6 days to go!!!!!
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 26 2007, 11:40 PM
We're in the home stretch! I'm a little over 45,000 words and still writing right now (I'm on a roll!! Don't you love it when that happens?). And I've just come up with an idea that'll hopefully keep me writing everyday after NaNo.
Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Nov 26 2007, 11:55 PM
I finished!!! Actually the story wound up a little shy of 50,000, so I had to go back and add some backstory to round it out.
I am so over it right now, though. I know it needs editing up the wazoo, but I just can't be bothered right now. Is that bad?
Posted by: dompeldoris's favourite Nov 27 2007, 04:35 PM
I am so over it right now, though. I know it needs editing up the wazoo, but I just can't be bothered right now. Is that bad?
Hahaha, nah!
I think you deserve a little break! Congrats!
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 30 2007, 04:27 PM
WOO-HOO!
Calling all NaNo-ers, are you done? My story's not done, but I DID IT! I reached 50,000! *party party party*
Posted by: equuslover22 Dec 17 2007, 08:04 PM
Lots of my friends (ok only 3) decided to do this but then gave up because they had like 30,000 words and nowhere to go! We joked that you could just copy and paste what you already have and say it was deja vu! I would rather read the stories than write them.
-equuslover22 
Posted by: Overcast Mar 27 2008, 10:12 PM
For any of you screenwriters they're having a Script Frenzy that takes place in April. I'm still debating on doing it. I'm already in the process of writing one.
edit: website ---> http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/
Posted by: Potterkid7193 Sep 8 2008, 09:03 PM
A month and some weeks left guys!!
Have ANY of you come up with your plots yet? I have a rough idea from like the 6th grade I'm working with. No character names yet.. but, that's what the 30 days are for right?
Posted by: Larkspur Sep 9 2008, 04:04 PM
Not really...though I have some interesting elements I may cobble together to make a story ;)
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Sep 9 2008, 06:15 PM
Oh, I know what I'm doing. It's going to be fun. 
Posted by: Harry's Horntail Sep 9 2008, 06:36 PM
Well, I have my major characters all nicely fleshed out. That's good right?
Who needs plot or minor characters or any of that other stuff, right? right?
*sighs and gets to work on that other stuff*
Posted by: Overcast Sep 9 2008, 10:05 PM
This time around I'm not going to think about it too much. I just have an idea with barely a plot. I'll see what happens.
Posted by: FreedomStar Sep 10 2008, 12:22 PM
I've had some ideas rolling around in my head for a couple of weeks now. I'm going to start actually writing things out next week, when things will be less crazy and I'll have time to plan before school kicks into gear. But yes, I've got something in the works.
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Sep 14 2008, 06:13 PM
My idea required some reading of a popular book that's been sporked in a few places I frequent on the internet. It's almost like an indirect sporking of the book - which I shall not name at this time - while also experimenting with a different POV that I've never written in before.
Posted by: Harry's Horntail Sep 18 2008, 05:04 PM
Is it bad that I just changed my whole entire story: plot characters etc?
I'm a whole lot happier with this new one though, and have a much better idea of what's going to happen and when. I think the other one will be a good story but not one that can be researched and done in the time I have left. So, now instead of hoping it would take ages to get to November, now I'm wanting it to hurry up and come so I can get writing
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Sep 18 2008, 06:45 PM
I'd be more worried if you changed it in the middle of November.
Posted by: Harry's Horntail Sep 18 2008, 07:54 PM
and I would have if I'd kept that other story. Or rather I'd likely have given up, so it's best all round that that one goes into the 'in pre-production' pile rather than 'in production' and I keep fleshing out my new one in my head which is just so much fun
Posted by: blue4t Sep 19 2008, 04:31 PM
Yesterday, I took a look at the official website and registered an account. This year I am not going to forget and I will participate in NaNoWriMo. Just remind me on October 31.
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Sep 19 2008, 08:10 PM
I'm looking forward to getting regular emails at the start up of writing season. In the mean time, I'm going to be browsing the forums, looking at the dare thread to see if there are any good challenges, and *hopefully* squeeing with glee over who will be sending out the pep talks through out the month. *crosses fingers that Jo and Jasper Fforde will make the cut*
Posted by: SpiceQueen Oct 29 2008, 09:50 PM
I cant wait for Nanowrimo! Only a few more days!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!
O started it last year but unfortunately only got to about 3,000 words...so....EPIC FAIL! I seriously intend to finish this time!
Good luck to everyone who participates this year!
Posted by: Harry's Horntail Oct 31 2008, 02:30 PM
So it's November 1 here and I stayed up til 1.30 last night writing. I have 1800 words under my belt and I'm gonna see how many I can get in around my work schedule today
Soooooo
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Oct 31 2008, 08:48 PM
I plan to have7.500 or better words done by the time the weekend is through.
Posted by: SpiceQueen Oct 31 2008, 10:17 PM
Soooooo
Oh congrats!!! Great start!!!
Posted by: Harry's Horntail Nov 1 2008, 05:46 AM
Thanks
It's just before midnight my time and I'm at 5,014 words. I want to keep ahead of the play this year because last year I fell behind and while I caught up in a couple of 4,000+ days it wasn't good for my stress levels
How's everyone else doing?
Posted by: CedricLivesOnInMyMemory Nov 2 2008, 07:03 PM
I'm at 2,287 words. This is my first NaNo and I'm really excited. When I read the part abotu Philip Pullman in the first pep talk email I waved my arms in the air and said "Philip Pullman!" rather non-quietly.
About two hours before Midnight my time, a wonderful new plot idea floated into my head. I knew I would regret not using it instead, so all of my prewrite took space in the span of two hours. Something tells me this won't be a literary masterpiece, but I'm having a ton of fun with it.
Is anyone planning to go to the Night of Writing Dangerously?
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Nov 2 2008, 09:30 PM
Not going to the Night of Writing Dangerously. Totally on the wrong side of the country.
As for my word count, I'm at 12,643. This will give me time to focus more on class work.
Posted by: Harry's Horntail Nov 2 2008, 09:45 PM
As for my word count, I'm at 12,643. This will give me time to focus more on class work.
Lol, and here I was proud of my 7,300
Still I'm happy and I'm doing better than last year, so it's all good
And I'm in the entirely wrong country for the Night of Writing Dangerously *sigh*
Posted by: PotterPhreak Nov 3 2008, 10:00 PM
I've decided to do it this year, but haven't been near my computer yet this month.
So far I'm at a mear 210 words.
Are any of you looking at getting your books published once NaNoWriMo is over?
Posted by: Overcast Nov 4 2008, 09:25 AM
So far I'm at a mear 210 words.
Are any of you looking at getting your books published once NaNoWriMo is over?
I'm at a little over 5000 words right now. Plan to write on and off today. The story I did in 2006 I plan on publishing at some point. I'm still working on that one. I'm not sure about this year's yet though.
edit: Also, a few of us here started a YouTube channel called Caffeine and Ink Blots to help us get through this year's nanowrimo. If you're interested in seeing it here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/caffeineandinkblots
Posted by: SpiceQueen Nov 4 2008, 02:02 PM
So far Ive got 6,000 w0rds, I plan to have around 18,000 by the end of this week. I would LOVE to publish my story, however being the perfectionist that I am, I know I will be in editing phase for quite some time!
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 5 2008, 04:05 AM
Oh man, it's only the fifth day (well...just barely, 1 a.m. nov 5) and...I have a confession. I did not reach my word count for Nov 4. My excuse is that I was busy watching the elections and doing time consuming things, but we all know it's just an excuse. So now I'm behind which is not fun. I'm going to go to bed then really try to force myself to write because I absolutely cannot fall behind. Last year I fell behind only a handful of times, and I actually scrapped what I had written in the first week or so and started over again, and I caught up in many 2500-3000 word days but it was stress that I did not need. Right now I'm at just over 5000 words. I'm hoping to get that up to 8000 today.
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Nov 16 2008, 07:21 PM
So, how has everyone been liking the pep talks?
Posted by: Harry's Horntail Nov 17 2008, 03:34 AM
I've thought they've been really good. My favourite so far was Johnathan Stroud's. I'm really looking forward to Piers Anthony because he's the only whose books I've read
Posted by: FreedomStar Nov 19 2008, 05:48 PM
They're awesome!
So...bad news...I'm dropping out. *cringe*
Don't yell! I've been sacrificing sleep to get this far with school AND nanowrimo and I just can't do it anymore. I'm going to keep writing but set a more manageable goal for myself. I hate having to give up halfway through, makes me feel like a failure, but I really don't have another option. I'll still be writing, though! Just not for NaNoWriMo.
Posted by: SpiceQueen Nov 19 2008, 05:51 PM
AArrrgggg!!!!! I was writing strong for the first two weeks, but I have hit a MAJOR snag...dang! I am so stuck and I havent even reached half of my goal!!!!!
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Dec 1 2008, 09:59 PM
Now that the madness is over for a year, how many of us won? How many put up a valiant fight but didn't make it? Participant sound off!
Posted by: SpiceQueen Dec 1 2008, 10:13 PM
I made it only to 10,000 words...ugh. Well thats 20 times better than I did last year
Posted by: Harry's Horntail Dec 2 2008, 12:12 AM
I got to 78,408 (just to be specific ) but as I was aiming at 100,000 I didn't quite make it. Still that's more than 28,000 more than last year so woooh.
Posted by: SpiceQueen Dec 2 2008, 12:27 AM
) but as I was aiming at 100,000 I didn't quite make it. Still that's more than 28,000 more than last year so woooh.Oh you make me feel even more like a failure! hahahaha! but congrats on the word count, you did great, even if you didnt reach your goal!
Posted by: MagicDucks Dec 4 2008, 10:55 AM
I'm only just finding this topic now. But I did NaNo this year. I met my goal of 50k after two weeks and three days of writing. My story topped out at 50,130 words.
I'll definitely be doing this again next year. Although I think I'll increase my word goal to 75k.
Congrats to all the winners!
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity Dec 4 2008, 01:28 PM
) but as I was aiming at 100,000 I didn't quite make it. Still that's more than 28,000 more than last year so woooh.One of these days... one of these days I'll write a story longer than 50K.
My story this year clocked in at 50,151.
Since I've been parted from this story for a couple weeks I've been eager to go head long into editing (not that I'm looking forward to it either)!
Posted by: blue_dreamer Jan 17 2009, 10:38 AM
Hi eryone,
I've just signed up (wrong time I know!), same username.
I'm kind of wondering what type of novels people write. I'm also a student and will have loads of essays to do in November - anyone else in this poistion? Does anyone else like to do a lot of prep work on their novel before November: I'm getting ideas now you see and I want to write them all down before I forget, but then I will have started it too early.
Just got the NaNo handbook the site reccomends, very good reading so far, highly reccomended!
Posted by: Cranberriesarenice Apr 5 2009, 01:12 PM
I've just signed up for it, so obviously I've got ages until it starts but I'm pretty excited about it already!
However, the same as Blue_Dreamer I'm going to have a lot of work in Novemeber for school, does anyone know how to find the balance?
Imogen
Posted by: Essence_of_Insanity May 7 2009, 12:49 PM
I've just signed up (wrong time I know!), same username.
I'm kind of wondering what type of novels people write. I'm also a student and will have loads of essays to do in November - anyone else in this poistion? Does anyone else like to do a lot of prep work on their novel before November: I'm getting ideas now you see and I want to write them all down before I forget, but then I will have started it too early.
Just got the NaNo handbook the site reccomends, very good reading so far, highly reccomended!
However, the same as Blue_Dreamer I'm going to have a lot of work in Novemeber for school, does anyone know how to find the balance?
Imogen
Happy to see some newcomers join the thread!
There's no real winning solution that fits across the board writing. Everyone writes differently, whether it's where they have be to write, or what time of day they have to write.
I've discovered, at least this year, I'm having to do more research for my novel than the past two years because I'm writing in a genre I don't write in at all. Some people go in with outlines, some people research the crap out of their stories before starting, others wait 'til after NaNo, some go in with vague ideas, others dive in head first with no kind of specific plans for their novels. It's really about what you feel most comfortable with, so if an outline will help you stay on task, go for it! If you think it might be too restrictive and you want your muse to have more flexibility, don't worry so much.
I'm going to be doing NaNo during the school year (for the third year running, Yay!), so one thing I try to do is get my homework done before and then (attempting to avoid the temptation of the internet) try to reach my daily word count, and not get frustrated over writer's block.
Each person works differently so the trick is to really try to find what works best for you.
Feel free to add me over on the NaNo site, I'm the same over there.
Posted by: LassieLupin May 7 2009, 01:56 PM
I'll be using next NaNoWriMo to do another rewrite for my novel... it needs another reworking and I'm so busy right now, I'm gonna try and do it then... It's summer and I'm losing sleep already with all the stuff that I have to do... I think tonight I may hole up in my room and catch up on everything... like this past year I've really fallen behind on updating here, and I'm now working on another forum site and I actually have some responsibility now, I finally finished editing a podcast that I've been working on for about a month and my finals are done. Rant over
Posted by: blue_dreamer Jun 4 2009, 06:46 AM
I'm discovering that my novel is going to be quite long.
I'm writing about my exciting first year at uni from a third person narrative. I decided to write about it becuase my cardiologist wanted me to keep her informed about how a person with congenital heart disease copes at university.
I also know that people with disabilites have been able to be sucessful authours, like the guy who wrote "the curious incident of the dog in the night time" wrote from a person with Autism's perspective.
I'm also including sub stories of my day-dreams from when I'm on my own a lot... I don't know if it will work yet though. My other problem is that I've been having to try and create a contents while I've been going through the year so I can remember what happened and how I felt about it for when I come to write it up in November... Facebook and Twitter will come in much use methinks...
Posted by: Flora Lovegood Jun 29 2009, 11:16 PM
HI! NaNoNaNo I just wanted to add to this thread b/c i was so excited to see two of my favorite things combined... I did NaNo last year for the first time and 
loved it! It was crazy and tiring, yet strangely energizing and a very productive month. I cannot give any advice on balancing b/c I was lucky to be at home (with kids, etc) but I spent amny nights up late writing furiously. Somehow i passed 50K, though its still an incomplte work. Unless i have (another) fulltime job in Nov I will be doing it all again. The crazy stress rush is part of the fun. An dthe bonding w/ other crazy stressed writers is unbeatable...in fact the only other forum where I have gotten similar feelings is leaky! 
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