So*, who's in? Other than me, I mean? Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
What the heck? I'll give it a shot. I've been wanting a reason to spend at least an hour a day writing (besides, you know, the pleasure of writing, which apparently is not enough to motivate me right now).
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
I absolutely detest this time of year.
I have three friends who psych themselves up for the project, get in with the 'scene,' start writing, drop out of contact with us, fail miserably to keep pace, start hating what they're writing, burn and or delete everything, and sink into actual honest-to-god seasonal NaNoWriMo depression. Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Can I write my papers as part of the story?
I'll think about it, but as I just mentioned, I've got class-type papers to get done. I tried it couple years ago and got about halfway through before class caught up with me.
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
It's that time of year already? Or, what's more disturbing, its been a year since last NaNoWriMo? Tempus fugit ...
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
I'll probably sit out this year, unless I get some brilliant idea that demands to be written. I've tried NaNo the last few years, and have failed miserably, and I don't really care to fail miserably again. Plus, I've been doing plenty of writing lately. It's not fiction or anything that will be properly published, but it satisfies the writing urge, so I'm quite content at the moment.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
quid... I was going to post a question about this year's NaNo in the flash fiction thread, but this will do. I think I might be ready for another go at NaNo this year. I've got a month to come up with a story plot and characters. No pressure.
Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
Is it that bad, guys? Now I'm scared! Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
Man... I'd love to participate. But... school... work... so many existing independant projects. It just ain't likely to happen.
But maybe I'll see what happens.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Logged in first thing this morning. Now, ideas, ideas, ideas...
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'll give it a shot again this year.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Last year I signed in...then got diagnosed with cancer and spent the last part of October and first of November in the hospital so never got to participate.
I'll try again this year.
Oh, post your username so I can add you as a writing buddy.
I'm AdrianW
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'm...SteveRogers.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I hate you.
I hate you all.
You are making me do this again.
Its all your fault.
yes. i signed up.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
I do not understand what they want me to do, have yet to sign up Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
You don't have to do much.
Just write a large novel
in October.
Not part of a novel, not a good novel, not a few pages or even an outline.
Write the entire novel in 1 month.
You can go back during other months to edit, fix spelling, grammar, plot holes the size of Minnesota or any other minor inconviences.
Just write and don't stop until the story is done.
Then right some more.
Just to prove you can.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dan_raven: You don't have to do much.
Just write a large novel
in October.
Not part of a novel, not a good novel, not a few pages or even an outline.
Write the entire novel in 1 month.
You can go back during other months to edit, fix spelling, grammar, plot holes the size of Minnesota or any other minor inconviences.
Just write and don't stop until the story is done.
Then right some more.
Just to prove you can.
That would be a huge commitment for me, I'd definately have to write while at work, and I use that time to do homework. Hmmm, and I am already 2 days down on my time limit.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
I'm kase1266
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
quote:That would be a huge commitment for me, I'd definately have to write while at work, and I use that time to do homework. Hmmm, and I am already 2 days down on my time limit.
Actually, you're not allowed to start doing any writing until November 1st - all you can do before that is think and plan. And it's mostly just for fun - I signed up for it last year and ended up not writing a single word ( ). I haven't decided yet if I'm going to actually go for it this year.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I've signed up. I'm blacwolve.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I signed up. I'm JoeIcarus. Now I will assume that anybody who doesn't friend me hates my guts.
-o-
I signed up last year and failed miserably. I was teaching a class called senior project, and November was when we worked on our first eight page research paper of the year. I was buried. I also gained like fifteen pounds. I'm hoping this year will go better.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
When will the new participant icon be out?
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Okay, I signed in this afternoon and updated my profile. I'm larisse (surprise). Now, I shall add all of you to my writing buddy list.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm... quidscribis. Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
Ahh, hell, I'll sign up. Can't promise anything will come of it though. I'm Alcon.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
You're now all my writing buddies.
Now if I could figure out what writing buddies does....
I can't add you. Are you sure that's correct?
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Or maybe it's just the profile that's buggy. I seem to recall it was buggy last year. I have a few people that I've added that don't show up on my profile.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Thank you Belle! Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I signed up as kojabu. Who knows if I'll be able to write anything though... I'd like to try!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I've got a thread started for us in the writing groups section.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Now, that is cool. Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm finding that the friends thing isn't working for me. And then, when I just plain search for some of you, you're not coming up on the search engine.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
*frown*
I wonder if there is a maximum number of buddies.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Huh. It seems to max out at ten. If you have more than ten buddies, it shows you a random ten each time. So if you don't see your name on my list, you're probably still there.
Unless you never added me last year. Then I deleted you to make room for new friends. You're not my friend anymore, bye! Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
btw, I really like the coloring of that participant icon. It looks beautiful on my web page, which has just about the same shade of light blue. Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
You've just got to want to succeed with all your heart, or whatever internal organ you have vested with the drive to not slack off.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I'm in as Chris Bridges. (waves)
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
See, this is where I start to get confused, which really isn't as difficult as it sounds....
Hi Chris! And I knew that, but I read it in the other thread... *sigh* It's my own fault, I know that...
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Fine. Fiiinnnnneeeee. Fine! I'm done facilitating statewide trainings November 2, so theoretically I could crash and burn the 3rd and start writing the 4th.
Does it have to be a novel? *whine*
I'm so much better at writing training manuals. *grin* And Poetry. *sappy grin*
Edit to add: Oh -- under HopeSprings
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Everyone else has their genre in their profiles, but when I go to profile, I don't see where to enter it. Anyone care to point me to it?
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Under My NaNoWriMo in the navigation bar, click on "My Novel." That's where you can enter the title and genre.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
*hits self on forehead* I knew I'd see it somewhere!
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Hmmm. I finished last year. Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead.
That and the fact that my freshman year is probably a good one to sit out. I really do wish I had time though.
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
Here I go again.
I have failed twice, the first because I was lazy, second because I was busy, will I make it the third time?
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Ditto what Vadon said.
I am re-signed up as ... CaySedai, of course.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I'm even considering inviting people to the local library for a NaNo group write-a-thon or something. I saw that someone posted they are about 25 miles west of the town where I work, so maybe ...
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
Maybe next year.
I don't think I can write well, but I'd be curious to see what I can come up with when forced.
And I, too, can't believe it's been an entire year since the last one. I'm too young for time to be passing this quickly.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I'm in. I have the incredibly creative screen name of "KarlEd".
Friend me at your peril. Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Celaeno: the point isn't to write well, it's to write lots.
Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
I'm LibbieGR, by the way.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Okay -- I'm going to throw caution to the wind and write a . . . *gasp* *whisper* Romance. What the heck -- the "Great American Novel" never seems to come to me in a way that I can articulate as all the inner voices argue over every last little thing. But now that I've stunned them into silence . . . *grin*
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
If "The Devil Wears Prada" was a genre ("chick lit" is not a genre), what would it be?
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
I'm such a follower. I signed up again as "Nell Gwyn".
I have more free time this year, so hopefully I'll actually get at least a few pages out.
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
quote:Originally posted by CaySedai: Celaeno: the point isn't to write well, it's to write lots.
I know, but with classes and work, it's just not going to happen. I do think it would be fun to do next year, though.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I'd classify "The Devil Wears Prada" as literary fiction, if "chick lit" or "popular literature" wasn't available.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
quote:Originally posted by Shan: Okay -- I'm going to throw caution to the wind and write a . . . *gasp* *whisper* Romance. What the heck -- the "Great American Novel" never seems to come to me in a way that I can articulate as all the inner voices argue over every last little thing. But now that I've stunned them into silence . . . *grin*
I've always tried to write sci-fi or fantasy, or heck, even literary fiction, and found writing to be a huge chore. A month ago, on a whim, I decided to write a trashy romance novel and found my niche. I know it's looked down on by almost everyone, but I'm having more fun writing than I ever have before, so I don't care.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I'm not a fan of trashy romance but I like good ones. Big fan of Jennifer Crusie.
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
I'm in! Haven't finished a single one yet, and probably won't be able to this year with school and work distracting me, but hopefully I'll churn out at least half of the goal.
In as "Lalobot."
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
The one I'm working on now isn't actually trashy. I meant for it to be, but it turns out my main character isn't a big fan of premarital sex. So no trash. I expect my NaNo romance to have lots and lots of trash though. Sex eats up so many more words than plot.
Mostly what I like about it is that expectations are really low. I don't have to write the Great American Novel. Heck, I don't even have to write well. Not having to worry about whether my writing is any good or not has made it much easier to just write. Plus, turns out that the years I've spent trying to write well left a pretty big impact on my writing.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Kara dearest, I think I'm going to have to add this to my facebook quotes.
quote:Sex eats up so many more words than plot.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Heheheh. You can make those scenes nice and loooong.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
quote:Originally posted by Libbie: I'm LibbieGR, by the way.
Are you sure? Search doesn't seem to find you.
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
quote:Sex eats up so many more words than plot.
I have this same problem with battle scenes in my science fiction stories. I always end up with a plot that's basically just an excuse for page after page of explosions, tactics and action... wonder what that says about me...
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Hmm trashy romance doesn't sound hard... maybe I'll change my mind and do it anyway.
Oh dear. Did I just say that?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:I decided to write a trashy romance novel and found my niche. I know it's looked down on by almost everyone, but I'm having more fun writing than I ever have before, so I don't care.
Considering how many people buy them and read them, um, no, I'd say you're in good company.
Teehee! This is so much fun!
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I don't know about the trashy part of romance novels . . . I mean, I've been celibate for soooo many years, I probably couldn't write a convincing "scene" to save my life . . . *grin*
It'll be a clean trashy romance novel.
Or a depressing one.
In which case, is it still a romance novel?
Oh -- the indecision.
*bigger grin*
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
I came up with a title and a plot! Sorta. It's kinda like stargate, only settled more around the quantum mirror rather than the Stargate. The idea is we find a stargate-like contraption, that instead of taking us to other worlds through wormholes, takes us to other dimensions. And not necesarily parallel ones. The military of course gets a hold of it and starts sending teams through to explore. I plan to have all sorts of fun with alternate universes. Cause, you know, they always end up on Earth. So I can do a million various of present day Earth, each one with different splitting points. For example: The nazi's won WWII. The dinosaurs were never wiped out. Neanderthals won the battle tween man and thal. Rome was taken out by a metero, or some other nation, before it came to glory. The greeks never fell from preeminence in the mediteranean. The chinesse didn't stop exploring the ocean and go inward. Sooo many I could do! And they could be so much fun, I can devote a chapter to each one and make a bunch of goofy stargate references! I'm so excited, I can't wait to start writing now. I just hope I have time to actually go through with it. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Um, yes. *shakes head* A lot of romance novels don't include any sex scenes at all, or even allusions to the hero and heroine ever having sex.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Alcon, you could also make wacky Sliders references. Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Shan- There's a thread in the Romance Forum just for people writing clean romances. So you won't be alone.
Truthfully, I think I'd prefer to write a clean romance novel. Especially since I prefer setting mine in a hazy, nebulous past in which I don't think my protagonist would have premarital sex. However, the word count beckons.
Though some of the discussion in another of the threads in the romance forum got me thinking about having my heroine have some sort of inate magical ability. I think magical ability would take up about as many words as sex. But so much more thought!
Oh, the decisions!
Posted by Samarkand (Member # 8379) on :
Those romance novels depress me. I sit there flipping throuhg the book vainly searching for all the times they almost get it on - but don't. Almost - but don't. And then it turns out it's vanilla romance and nobody ever gets ANYTHING on.
Also I like how if you pic a romance novel in a used bookstore, it falls open to certain scenes. I can't help thinking it's the femal version of porn, and we should leave th poor boys alone about it.
Anyway - I might be in. Really. I think I should do this every month, anything to force me to write.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote: I think I should do this every month, anything to force me to write.
You could always join in on Flash Fiction Friday. Every week...
Posted by docmagik (Member # 1131) on :
I can't decide whether to get in or not. I think trying to do this had a negative impact on my marriage a couple of times.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Why? You weren't writing trashy romance novels, were you? Posted by docmagik (Member # 1131) on :
Actually, with my wife, that might have helped. Something about a man and a woman drawn together by their mutual love of a precocious child . . .
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Visualization is a good thing. *grin*
Posted by Samarkand (Member # 8379) on :
I'm in. Kirinlisa.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Guys, it's happening. I wish you all the best of luck and I am super happy that you all can enjoy nanowrimo so much but
but but but .. I know the storm is coming.
Somebody hold me. My friends are all going to go crazy soon. I need your help!
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
I'm in. Same username as here. Last year I got 5,000 words into it, which is at least far longer than any of my other stories. So this year I want to double that at least.
--Mel
Posted by Samarkand (Member # 8379) on :
Does anyone know of a good site that will allow free backing up of documents? Basically free host space? I used to have this through my university, but no more. I've considered just e-mailing to myself and also putting it in post drafts for my Blog and just not publishing. And of course I can copy to a zip drive. Other thoughts?
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Samarkand... You could password protect the blog posts. Also, I am not sure if it has been mentioned before, but if you have a Gmail account you could use an application called Writely. You might not even need a Gmail account.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by Nell Gwyn: Actually, you're not allowed to start doing any writing until November 1st - all you can do before that is think and plan. And it's mostly just for fun - I signed up for it last year and ended up not writing a single word ( ). I haven't decided yet if I'm going to actually go for it this year.
Me, too. But I'll sign up again as [make that "Claudia.Therese" with the central dot. Old email account, forgotten password].
----
Running list of Writing Buddies (just so's we can keep track in one place -- some are from quidscribis' thread at NaNoWriMo and haven't posted in this thread):
[ October 09, 2006, 02:43 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
You can add dan_raven to your list. I haven't been back (big things this week) to put my list together.
I have a great, free, begining location for anyone who wants it.
Lone man burrying a body. Its day time in the middle of a wooded area. Its hot. The bugs are flying about. He has a shovel. The ground has roots and rocks and enough debris to make the digging of a fair sized hole a lot of work.
This scene is always skipped in you basic murder stories. Why? Because its boring. Shovel and dig, dig and shovel. How many words can you use up doing that. Where is the excitement? The tension.
But it also has to be mind-numbingly boring for the digger. What can the digger do by think back on the crime, the reasons why, the plans ahead, and curse the #R$#@$ roots and bugs and dirt. Exposition tool at its basic, and a time tool. The murderer is on a schedule. Are the cops back on the main road waiting for him?
It has potential.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Done.
(the adding, that is -- as for my opening setting, it requires a very long, stiff piece of wood)
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
HopeSprings (all one word) *smile*
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
ooh writely is a really cool idea.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Thanks, CT, for compiling the list of participants across the two forums.
If anyone's interested, and you haven't already read this on the other thread at NaNoWriMo, I'm runnnig a series of NaNoWriMo is freaking me out cuz I have absolutely nothing planned and the clock is ticking challenges starting with this one.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
... this seems like something I'd enjoy if a) I had the persistance and b) I'd ever written anything that resembles a story.
My mind tends to get caught up in settings and ideas and ignores plots and characters, y'see.
--j_k
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
It's all about word count -- you go for it! Join the fun!
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I'm blacwolve. Without the k.
Thank you for the list!
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I've thought a bit more about my possible plot and I'm thinking about doing something from a villain's perspective. Sort of like Magneto, where the villain has some of the right ideas but not exactly the best methods.
Posted by docmagik (Member # 1131) on :
Alright, Mrs. Magik and I talked, and I'm in. As docmagik.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
you can add me: JennyJenJen (because I forgot my password from last year too)
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm finding their forum overmoderated. I posted in a thread that just got locked. Not in response to anything I said or did, but because the thread had drifted to a discussion of the topic, instead of a direct Q and A about plot realism or whatever. The thing is, that conversation could actually have been potentially helpful to people who read it, and it annoys me that my own post will be lost as the locked thread sinks.
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
Is anyone writing a Hiatus novel?
I have tried this twice in the past only to crash and burn within a couple of days. I am undecided about this year.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Frack it, I'm in. The thought of a Hiatus novel is too rich to pass up. As TheTick, of course.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
What's a Hiatus novel?
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
A novel in the 'Hiatus' universe, of course. Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
That means nothing to me...
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Here's a hint.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dan_raven: You can add dan_raven to your list. I haven't been back (big things this week) to put my list together.
Dan, are you registered instead as "DanRaven"? We can't find a "dan_raven".
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
CT told me about this thread, so I have broken my exile to say "Hi" and hook up with my soon-to-be bleary-eyed NaNo Zombies.
I signed up. The time crunch is what will be the challenge for me. I will cease volunteering at school, and hang my children from hooks during the week they have off for Thanksgiving. *wince*
Kinda dark, gritty urban fantasy, is what I'm plotting. It seems to what I am most inspired by at the moment.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I knew there was a piece I was forgetting about -- Thanksgiving holiday . . . *sigh* How big of molly's do you need in order for the hook to hold, I wonder? *grin*
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Olivet! Yay!
*beaming
Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
I'm signed up again too. Since I don't have any more term papers to write (ever, since graduation - Yay!) I might even get to 50,000 words this year. So exciting.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
I like lurking on NaNoWriMo's forums. They have intersting discussions there.
I'm somewhat amused, though, at the sheer magnitude of antipathy toward the Inheritance triology on that forum. Many of it comes from young authors who I suspect are in the same place, skillwise, that Paolini was seven (?) years ago, but generally know better than to try and get published now.
On the other hand, the fact that Paolini shares a spot on the Overrated Fantasy Authors thread with Tolkien, Eddings, GRR Martin, OSC (!!!!) and Robert Jordan may bode well for him.
--j_k, who, to be fair, has not read any GRRM, Eddings, or Jordan
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Soooo . . . how are folks doing with the prep? Settling on characters? Plot? Etc?
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
One thing I've come up with is the desire to write something similar to the show "Three Moons Over Milford" - something weird happens and people start acting out of character. And I want to use someone's nick for the town's name (went back to check - it's Shan's NaNoWriMo forum nick: Hope Springs) because it sounds like a cool name for a town.
My other idea is to write a very fictionalized idea of my great-great-grandmother's time period and use articles from the local paper as background for what was going on in town at the time. For example, there was a deadly tornado in a town in the area in 1893. In 1906, a young man was in a bar fight and his opponent died - accidental death. The newspaper articles mentioned that his mother was one of the victims of the 1893 tornado. So, my idea is to use things from the newspaper that really happened and link them to my story.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Cool! I always find myself intrigued by the linking of a true-life event to storytelling. (And, of course, I'm not just saying that because you're thinking about using my NNWM moniker . . . *grin*)
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
How's everyone doing on the planning/preparation front? Posted by jehovoid (Member # 2014) on :
I'm in. I should be too busy to do it, but we'll see. Same name.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I've got an outline pretty well fleshed out and I'm actually having trouble refraining from starting until Nov. 1st.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I don't even have an outline yet...
Fahim's my outlining guy. Seriously. He's fantastic at helping me plot, mostly because he sees all the plot holes that I don't, and he helps me make it more interesting and fun. But it's still Ramadan (the month of fasting), so he's tired, groucy, and irritable, so not in the best state to help me. But it's over today! Most likely. I hope. Then he'll get his sense of humour back...
I'm so pathetic.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I have nothing, and am more and more convinced I'm not going to get past 5000 words. Ah well, it'll get me started at least.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I joined under Lyrhawn.
It's interesting, and I don't know if I'll get it done or not, but I'll give it a shot, I just don't think whatever I write in a month will be very good.
Are you allowed to take characters you've already made in another story and use them for a new story? And what program do you write it in, MSWORD?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Use any software you want - it matters not.
Yes, you can use pre-existing characters and a pre-existing world and pre-existing culture and all that. Anything that's not explicitly stated in the rules is open to interpret however you want. The only think you're "required" to do is start a new story from scratch. Other than that, do what you want. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yay! More insane people! Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
The question is - are they insane now or will they be insane by the end of November?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
It can't be both?
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
My boyfriend joined last night!
I can't claim credit for it, my friend talked him into it. But still, my engineering and hard sciences boyfriend is doing NaNo! I'm very excited.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Running list of Writing Buddies (just so's we can keep track in one place -- some are from quidscribis' thread at NaNoWriMo and haven't posted in this thread):
Anyone I am missing or have listed incorrectly? If you said you were signing up but didn't specify "same name" or your writing name, you didn't get added yet.
[Of course, you don't need to be on the Writing Buddies list if you aren't interested in that part of it. *smile]
----
I'm in much the same boat as KarlEd (so to speak). I will go after work today to do more sketches of the St. Roch, the seventh main character in my novelular debut.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
CT, thanks for accumulating the list. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Just getting out of work now. No St Roch today, more's the pity.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I actually started a different story last night since I want to save my original idea for NaNoWriMo. I wanted to see what I'm getting into and I wanted to start writing something. To get 50k words in 30 days, I'll have to write 1667 words per day. I spent about 3 hours last night and got just over 1000 words. But I didn't have an outline and the story was fresh off the top of my head, so I think I'll be alright in Nov. (Not that this isn't going to be hard work, just that I still think it's doable.)
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I have a question for the NaNo veterans. I have an idea for a novel that is like the holy grail of novel ideas for me. I want to become a good writer so that I can learn to write this story properly.
It's also the only story I can think about right now, whenever I try to come up with a NaNo plot, it pops into my head. I don't know that I'd be able to write it with the abadon that NaNo requires, though. Do you think it's better that I just push it out of my head and do something else, or use it for NaNo and rewrite it a bunch of times afterward?
Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
Oh, since I was thinking of NaNo today, I don't think I ever told you guys that my name on those forums is LibbieGR.
I am not having any luck coming up with a plot, so I'm going to do the Hart's Hope thing and just start drawing a map and see where that takes me. Need to find my classical CDs. I have two hours till my husband gets home. Maybe I'll come up with a plan by then!
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
You did . . . look up about six posts. Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
This thread is comedy gold. Too bad some of the people in it can't grasp that it's supposed to be tongue-in-cheek and are getting all huffy over the insulting tone!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
quote:The point of my topic is not to make people feel bad, it's to insult their ideas.
That thread is awesome, Icarus, thanks for posting it.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
So! How is plotting going for everyone?
Here's a question: I've got the basic premise of my plot, about a reporter who accidentally becomes embroiled in political scandal when she starts dating someone involved in one. What I'm trying to decide is how to write the thing. Originally, I started off thinking I would write it as chick lit - frankly, it's a hot selling genre these days, I think the story would be easier to write (only on perspective to deal with), etc...
But I also think it could work as a political drama/triller, more along the lines of a Tom Clancy or Nelson DeMille-type book...still popular fiction but not chick lit. I think it's possible that voice might come more naturally to me (since I'm used to writing hard news...I don't even do features, which is infinitely closer to yet still so far away from chick lit).
The chick lit version would be lighter, more centered on the protagonist's personal dilmmas (dating, ethical, work-related, etc). It would be a sex-related scandal to keep the tone light (hard to write chick lit if it's a lobbyist who is basically killing people in Africa by stealing money, or some such thing).
The serious toned book would probably have a wider variety of perspectives and involve more subplots; also, it would focus on the solving and playing out of the scandal (might be a sex scandal, might be a different kind). The ethical dilemmas would be played up and the relationship dramas toned down.
Anyone have any thoughts? How do you make decisions like this?
Also -- I'm going to the DC-area kickoff party for NaNoWriMo tonight at Union Station, 6-8...any other DC area people going?
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Kasie, my inclination is to keep it light and go for the chick lit and just have fun with it.
Either way, I think it will be great.
My plotting is done, I'm aiming for a fantasy novel aimed at the 5th-8th grade age range.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
Belle,
I think you may be right. I've been spending this afternoon doing character sketches and I think I'm leaning lighthearted.
I'm excited to see what happens with your novel. I'd like to try my hand at young adult stories at some point; I read more during that period of my life than any other and most of my favorite books are young adult fantasy/sci fi type books. Plus, you have a built-in trial audience! Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I went to the Oly KO -- it was fun and I got a couple of good pointers.
I especially liked the one where you did your writing each day as a fresh doc -- thus escaping the temptation to edit what you have already written.
Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
Two and a half hours to midnight here, and I still haven't thought of a plot! Anyway, I wanted to wish everyone Good Luck and Happy Noveling! Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
Tomorrow, it begins. Everyone ready to rock and roll? Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I have only the vaguest idea of my plot, and no clue what the big finish will be. Only a few character names, no descriptions, and a hazy concept of how the first few lines will go.
Some may call it "unprepared" or "lazy." I call it "keeping it pure." Also, "lazy."
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I finally know what I'm going to write, and I can't wait to get started.
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
I am so not ready for it this year. I've been focusing on debate and it keeps slipping to me that NaNo starts tomorrow.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I'm writing a prequel to a story idea I've been working on for years now. Couldn't bring myself to actually do the original idea, I feel like it needs more attention than the month of November.
I have the very basics of a plot, and the characters, but how it'll actually go is up in the air.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
*bounces*
I'm excited.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Yikes. Panic mode is in full swing. I am not sure what I am going to do for a story. Yet, at the same time, I am very excited. I have no earthly idea why. I think this might be the definition of insane.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
My story structure is finally coming together in my head. I've been working more on my outline and a list of characters tonight (but no actual writing of the story yet, so I'm not cheating!!!)
I can't wait to start on this tomorrow!
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Ahh it starts tomorrow! I have no idea what I'm writing or if I'll even be able to start tomorrow!
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
*stretches fingers*
Let's get this party started.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
3% done so far, which puts me about on pace to finish on time!
And the day has barely started.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Fahim spoon fed me a plot last night, so I'm good to go...
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
ARGH! I was going to put in an hour at work before everyone else got in, but looks like a very busy day for me today. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Sorry 'bout that. (I don't even know what kind of work you do...)
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I got 500 words done at midnight last night before I collapsed.
Interestingly, despite my very strong desire to write in first person, I'm suddenly writing in third person. Perhaps I'll switch back and forth and then decide when it's over which I like best.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
blacwolve,
I'm having the same issue! I had intended to write my story in first person but when I sat down and sstarted typing, inadvertently found myself writing in third. Strange, strange world.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I had decided to go with first person, then changed my mind once I sat down to do it. I think I liked the first person idea better when I was reading Octavia Butler. *giggle* So, Third person limited it is!
Anybody know how to get one of those word count meter thingies? The NaNo site is crawling and I'm all hyped because I managed 2500 words after a slowish start (and despite not stopping for lunch, which was a bad idea).
And now i have to run get my big boyto his play. I keep forgetting his performance is today!
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
Olivet,
Go to the NaNo site and mouse over the menus; under one, at the bottom, is "Word Count Widgets", or something involving the word 'widgets'. You need to know your user number, which is the numbers that appear at the end of the URL when you are viewing your own profile.
If you want to use that one, just copy the above and change the numbers at the end to your own user numbers (beware: the images are as slow as the NaNo site).
You have to change it to the img src= html code to put it on a website, obviously, but it seems to work reasonably well.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
So here's a question: How does everyone clock their writing speed, i.e. what is the typical number of words that can be written in an hour? Is it pretty standard or does it vary widely across the board?
I'm trying to figure out how many hours of writing I should schedule for myself over the next 30 days.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I think I'm doing about 500 words a half hour right now. I expect to slow done a little once I reach parts of the novel I don't have planned out.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
When I'm in a complete flow, I can do about, um, 3000+ words an hour. When I'm in a decent flow, I clock in at about 1500-2000 words an hour. When I'm really pushing it, then my hourly word count is really sad and pathetic. But this is with a bit of practice challenging myself to write quickly combined with copious amounts of planning & plotting in advance, which works for me. YMMV.
If you can touch type with a reasonable typing speed, then that, at least, won't slow you down. If it does, at some point in time, learn touch typing or work on improving the skill. Or get a headset and decent voice recognition software and start dictating. If you don't know whether you're a plotter or a pantser, find out.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Thanks, Kasie. The site has been crawling for me, which is why I haven't been able to get one of those. I'll try again every so often.
Concerning speed, I'd say I average about 1000 words an hour (more when it's coming fast, less when I'm starting cold with little idea about how to get the next part going).
I'd say it's different for everybody. I'm sure my typing skills slow me down a bit.
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
Oh goody, I'm going to start. I forgot about it! (*shame*)
I've decided to put the outline I made on hold and start from scratch. A bad move? Probably. But if I have any hope for being motivated to work on it this year, it has to be a light piece.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I got a really slow start last night, probably taking 3 hours for the first 1000 words, even though I outlined before hand and had a good idea of my opening scene and character. But something clicked about when Chris came to bed and I sat there in the dark with my laptop and cranked out a pretty good chunk before turning in myself.
(Oh, and I have a character named Olivia. She's not based on anyone I know, but I've loved the name ever since meeting Olivet at Hatrack, so I'm using it. )
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
LOL! I've been struggling with names of secondary characters-- they all seem to want to start with a D. Heh. I also wasn't sure if I wanted a younger sibling of a main character to be a boy or a girl. I'll have to name somebody nice "Karl Ed", but I haven't really introduced anybody nice yet. Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I've got 1121 words so far. I started it not knowing what I was writing and I really have no idea where I'm going with it either. Nobody has a name yet, but I like it. If anyone wants to read, let me know!
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Damn! Now I'm gonna have to make "Olivia" nice.
(j/k. My Olivia is almost perfectly nice. And so far she's the only character that really knows what's going on.)
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Hmm, that word-count thing isn't quite what I was thinking of. Does anyone remember the chart thing we had last year? I think it was excel-based, and it came up with all sorts of cool charts and graphs...?
[edit: I found it actually, it's called the NaNoWriMo report card.]
[ November 03, 2006, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: Dragon ]
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
quote:Originally posted by Olivet: LOL! I've been struggling with names of secondary characters-- they all seem to want to start with a D. Heh.
All of my pirate's names want to start with a G. All other names want to start with an M. It's very frustrating.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I wrote in a Karl Edwards. He'll probably die tomorrow, but he's nice. It'll be good though. His death will lead to some nice tension and stuff later. He's like Priest Vallon in The Gangs of New York, there for ten minutes and talked about ever afterward.
I'm up to 5,000 words, 30% ahead of schedule. I'm gonna nead the breathing room when the kids are off school for a week.
Also, I have a cold and feel like crap. I keep thinking the story is going to end up like some fever dream, with flying, multi-colored octopuses or something.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
KarlEd, I totally killed you today. Sorry 'bout that. Over 10,000 words total, though I doubt I can keep up this pace much longer.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I have not written a thing.
I'm out before I even got started. I've got so much going on right now, I know that makes me a wimp...but I just got my final paper assignment and I want to get it written before my father and stepmother get here in two weeks so I can spend time with them. I majorly wimped out. I will be cheering you guys on!
Posted by Samarkand (Member # 8379) on :
All my characters know exactly what's going on. I mean they live there and know each other and all. Sometimes they let me in on stuff . . . sometimes no. I subscribe to the Robin McKinley school of thought on writing - I don't get to pick it, it just shows up in my head and gets dictated to me. I don't create plots, they're revealed. It's kind of creepy if I think about it too hard.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
My story is going the same way Samarkand. They all know what's going on, myself and everyone who's read it are like ahhhh!
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
Well, I've finally finished with debate for this week. So it's November 5th, I have 800 words, let's see if I can catch up!
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Belle, boy, do I feel like a pratt for bragging about my word count. I was just excited, is all.
In truth, I'm amazed that I'm doing this. I could not be more amazed if my dog talked to me. I worked on a novel for three years, on and off, and I still only have maybe 150 pages of it.
I am not supposed to be able to do this. I have 13,000 words as of this moment. I am a talking dog!
So I'm excited. I sit down, and it's just there. Like Samarkand said, it's kind of creepy. O_O
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Do not feel bad, Olivia, I forbid it!
There will be time in my life for writing, now is just not that time. My goodness I have four kids - two of whom are in activities and a third is a competitive athlete, a husband I don't see enough because he works a terrible schedule, a full time college schedule as an English major with lots of papers to write, I'm teaching choir at church....there's just no room right now for writing. I refuse to feel bad about it, I'm just going to accept it and maybe I'll be able to write when I'm done school. Maybe not, because then I'll be working. Maybe writing will wait until I retire. Who knows?
If I never publish anything again I won't consider it a failure though - I HAVE been published, I know I could do this, I just have other priorities in my life right now. That does not keep me from being delighted for my friends who are finding success with their writing, however. I hope you continue to tear it up and I see your name in print, soon.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I've got about 3300 words and my plot just took an odd twist, but I like it.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Thanks Adrian. I won't feel bad. It is funny how priorities change as circumstances do. I'm lucky to have a hubby working from home and plenty of time to write while the kids are in school, even when I'm volunteering.
But I think... something has changed for me, fundamentally. This feels exactly right, like what I need to be doing. Maybe even like what I'm meant to do. Not that means I know why it's right for me to do this now, just that it is. I haven't been in print since college, and if it stays that way, I'm still happy. This is just where I am now. *shrug*
Also, if I'm not nearly to 50000 words by the 20th, I won't make the goal. So I'm kind of flogging myself in the short term. Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Oh boy! I just got back from a "write-in" with 1100 more words to my novel! Yay!
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
Yay!
I was doing so well for the first few days, I was way ahead in my word count. But the past three days have been totally useless, so now I'm only at ~7000 when I should be at ~9000 if I want to be keeping up with my schedule.
I did post an excerpt, though, so at least I have some material that I like enough to share publicly (I'm kase1266 on NaNo if anyone's interested. Feedback is always fun).
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
2700 words. I'm way behind, but beginnings are usually the hardest part for me.
I think I'll do better this week. My goal is to end the week at 12,000 words.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
quote:KarlEd, I totally killed you today.
I'm totally gonna use this as my signature at sakeriver.
And I can't kill Olivia in my story. She's immortal.
In other news, I'm a little over 1100 words now and still have strong ideas of where the plot is headed. Like Olivet, I'm pretty amazed at how this is going. The words are flowing much more easily than I ever imagined they could. I've got a minor fan-club at work begging for the next chapter, too, so I know it's not trash.
I just added my final major character this weekend (as far as I know). His slot was tough to fill, but now he seems like an obvious choice. If anyone is interested I have 5 chapters I'm pretty confident about. (email me.)
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
*bump* to remind people we also have a thread going over on the NaNo site =)
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Hey guys, I know we have a thread over at the NaNo site, but this one is easier for me to get to right now. Fahim and I are leaving for Dubai this evening, gone for three days, (you should know if you check the other threads on the front page, but anyway...) so, yeah, I'm severely behind in my writing, but I'll get caught up when I get back, which is Saturday morning. Um, no, I don't mean I'm going to do all my catching up Saturday morning. I mean I'll start my catching up Saturday morning. Or shortly thereafter. And yeah, you can nag me then. Please.
Happy writing!
Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
Have a great trip, quid! I've been on vacation for the first few days, and sicker than a dog for the rest! Still, I've managed to get about 1000 words done so far, and I have a complete outline. I need to work more on it tonight.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I'm at a little over 4000 with an idea of where to go from here, which is very exciting.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
WooHoo! 10,000 words. It's a milestone. I've never written this much about one thing before.
Well, I guess unless you count school papers. But even then, it's close. How's everyone else doing.
kojabu, That's great! What genre are you writing in?
Also...has everyone put up excerpts on the NaNo site, or no? I'm dying to read more of them, it's my favorite procrastination tool.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I'm up to around 17,800 today. I do have an excerpt up, but it isn't the best bit I've written. It's the opening, which is kind of weak. I'm sure it will need exhaustive revisions. Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
My word, Olivet! Wow! Good work!
How are other folks doing? I'm at about 7400, and I just sent my child away with his dad so I could keep writing, since I'm finally on a roll again.
Trying to decide if I should kill off the husband or let the wife have an affair, since the husband is drinking and gambling the money away, anyhow . . .
decisions decisions . . . and here I thought a romance would be easy to write . . .
HAH!
They were correct in the kick-off get together though -- I have written a beautiful resume as I avoided the inevitable. *grin*
*Heads back to the rolling stone*
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Good on yer, Shan! How's it going with everybody?
I've managed to keep a pace of about 2500 words a day, but these last two days have been painful and unpleasant. It bogged down a bit after I hit 25,000 words. Friday was the day I hit the halfway mark, and it was a fast writing day. Yesterday, not so much. Today, frankly, I'd rather just not. *sigh* But I will. I can do this. Just another ten days or so at this pace and I'm done.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
The brick wall hit me. *sob*
Rats.
Rats, rats, rats.
*sniffle*
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
I didn't think I would be able to do this AT ALL what with the whole college thing, but surprisingly, I'm only a little bit behind, and that's only because I was away for the weekend.
Odd.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Broke 20k words this weekend. Yay!
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I broke 30,000 words yesterday. I think maybe forcing myself to average 2500 words a day has damaged me psychologically. My characters spent yesterday hiding in a hole in the ground. I turned one of them into a bear.
O_O
On the other hand, it would be really pathetic to give up when I'm that far ahead of schedule.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I just broke 6,000 words. November is a really bad month because everything is due in school, so I'm not really trying to make 50,000. I'm mostly just trying to work as hard as I can for a month on something.
With that in mind, I'm pretty proud of my 6,000.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I need to stop reading people's excerpts, it's depressing.
Translation: Olivet and Kasie, your excerpts were really awesome.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Olivia! YAY!
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
blackwolve, I totally promise you that the overall quality of anything written this fast will be spotty. Also, you are probably your own worst critic. I enjoy reading almost anything more than stuff I've written. Just the nature of the beast.
Also, I tend to start strong and end with a whimper, while some people just take a bit of time to warm up.
*tackle hugs CT* I've missed you, fair lady!
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
How we doing?
Me, I got about 1500 words today, though I'm about to try for a few more. Wee boy had his Thanksgiving presentation today, and I brought him home after to get a headstart on his homework and take a fun trip to the library. It was fun.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
I'm at about 17,000. I got about 2000 words today...I'm trailing behind, but I've got a roundtrip international flight coming up so I'm hoping to make up my differences then. Unfortunately for my novel (but fortunately for me), I'm spending a week in Rome, so we'll see how much gets done then...
blacwolve,
I agree with Olivet. Everyone else's story seems soo far superior to mine (i.e. Olivet's... ), I'm sure what you're writing is fabulous.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
quote:kojabu, That's great! What genre are you writing in?
Just saw this now. I'm not really sure what genre it is, I'd just go with weird. There's a short excerpt up on NaNo, but I can probably put the whole thing I've written up, it's only 5412 words so far. I fell behind due to tests, trips to Boston, and schoolwork. I'm hoping I'll get a lot more written this weekend and over Thanksgiving.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I got a thousand words yesterday. Haven't touched it today, but I'm still glad I'm making progress. I'm over 7,000 now.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I was hoping to be a bit ahead by now, but I guess I should just be happy that I'm "on schedule". Just broke 25k words last night and today is the 15th.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I worked on it some more last night, and broke 35,000. I think I have gotten over the hating it and swung back a bit to enjoying it again. This is good, because I don't think I would have been able to force myself to meet the goal if it continued to be so unpleasant. Not with all the other stuff going on with my family right now.
If I'm not within 5,000 words of the goal by Saturday night, I doubt I'll be able to make it. Family stuff comes first, period.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
Got another 3,000 words today, up to 20,000, so I'm within striking distance of the 25,000 I should be at today.
Keep plugging along, all...
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Big pride and congratulations to Olivet, Kasie, and all others who have been making it happen. Awesome!
I was hit by a mack truck of a virus right when November began, followed by a crunch time at work. Plus, only having net/WP access at work (Dave is using the home laptop for work most nights) made it difficult. Nonetheless, I can Make It Happen, too. It might be December, though, and thus all done offline. Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I love Karl because he gives me something to shoot for without being one of those mutants who is, like, done already.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Heh. 200 words today. None of them was "smock," which is sad.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
How're we doing?
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Still only at 5000...
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Just <barely> broke 30k this weekend. Bad weekend for me. I'm glad I got ahead earlier because now I'm a teeny bit behind. I'm gonna be writing a lot over the T-day weekend though.
I have an excerpt up now if anyone is interested. Feedback is always appreciated.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I read your excerpt last night, KarlEd and really liked it. It was painful for me to read in the beginning because stories about the afterlife terrify me. By the end I really wanted to know what happened, though.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Thanks. If it makes you want more, it's serving its purpose, at least. Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I have a tad over 43,000 words written. I may make it, even though the family travel is coming and I'm going to be cooking the family feast in an unfamiliar kitchen. Also, there will be no internet access, so I'll have a big jump in words on the 27th, probably.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
See, I know I'm gonna finish* because I'm taking my laptop to NC for Thanksgiving and I'll have a good excuse for withdrawing from the inevitable drama.
"Did you hear what she called me?" "Nope, sorry. Working on my novel." <typety typety typety>
*"Finish" here means 50k words. Not done with the novel, necessarily.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
*GOOOO KARL!*
Right, 50,000 words. I am taking the laptop, but my Papa has a small house. People will be sleeping in all the rooms except the greatroom, which he will be in until the wee hours with the Gameshow Network or the History chanel going. Gameshows I can ignore, but the history usually sucks me in. During the day, I'll most likely be chasing children and cooking. I think I can make it, though.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
See, Karl -- I soooo like that idea -- I have been alternately dreading and looking forward to the family get-together for T-Day. Perhaps I'll drag my clunky laptop along, too. I am behind . . . but I'm twice as far as I was last year, so that's encouraging.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
I can't believe I'm still doing this. Or that I'm actually on track to finish on time.
This is so odd.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I'm 500 words away from the end. Anybody else finished or close to finishing?
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
*grin
I am within two days of starting.
(Heyyyyy ... I have a different month for Thanksgiving, so what if I have a different NaNiWriMo month? )
Go, Livvy, go!
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
*hugs*
I did it. I just went and validated my novel. It isn't finished, but it IS past 50,000 words. So, YAY!
Sara, dear, you can do anything you want to do.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
*laughing
And a big swinging hug & a kiss for you and your beautiful 50,000+ word novel! What an accomplishment.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Oh, I'm sure it's crap, but it's MY crap, and I'm very proud.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Yay! Good for you! I won't hit the 50,000, but I'm very pleased with being twice as far this year as I was last year. *grin*
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
That's awesome! I read your excerpt, and if you need test readers, I'd be happy to help you out. *grins*
I'm not going to finish, but I made 10,000 words a while ago, which makes it the longest thing I've ever written. So I'm pleased with this month, too.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
I am so very close. 48,000.
Congrats Olivet! I will join you in your winnerparty soon...
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I'm at 47k and change. I WILL finish 50k before tonight!!
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Go, Karl, go!
Go, Dragon, go!
Go, blacwolve, go!
*pause* You actually read my excerpt? o O
You want to read more? *blush*
Maybe I won't burn the sucker Friday night at our TGIO party. Maybe I'll keep it and work on it some more . . . *thinking*
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
*drags out her pom-poms*
GOOOOO TEAM!
I think it would be fun to form a Hatrack NaNo novel crit group, when we're done. Any takers?
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I'm not anywhere near finished, but I'd love to help crit. And if anyone wants to read my 10,000 words, I'd love it.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I suddenly died on the Saturday whenever ago. I've done a little writing here and there. I'm going to just finish sketching it out later and see how many words that leaves me at.
Karl- I saw your excerpt over a week ago, I think it's going to be a very interesting book Okay, I have 32.4 logged and probably another 1,000 laying around.
I also pulled that old landmark about the chess courtship into a screenplay this week. I'm entering it in a contest Friday. That is probably part of why I "quit".
And holy cow! When did quidscribis finish? Were you putting each day's writing into the text file counter? Because I wasn't sure, but it almost seemed like your count went down some days.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I'm in for a crit group.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Well... I didn't really even get out of the gate, but I do have my idea still swimming in my head. And, I am trying to get something down today to at least have some kind of word count. I had some things that came up that just didn't let me sit down and write. (Totally my fault though. I should have made myself write.)
I'd be in for a crit group. Right now, it would be just in a reader capacity. Perhaps, I might get something done to be a full participant later on.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Do we want to run it here, or do you want to join the Hatrack Writer's Workshop? Actually, if we just have an email ring, that's about all it takes. I'm broken hearted about finishing. But I don't think there's anyway to actually make it. There might have been a chance if I hadn't locked myself out of my house for the afternoon. Also, I apparently forgot (as in I really forgot, I don't even remember ever knowing) to give a widow a lift to the doctor yesterday, so I went and raked leaves with her for a goodly while today. Well, those are some almost not totally lame-ass excuses, eh?
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Yay! Just uploaded all I have to this point and it came up to 51,193 words!
I'm really psyched. This is the most I've ever written for a single project, much less in a month's time. Strangely enough I started out with an idea I thought might make a decent short story, and now 50k+ words later I think I might be halfway through the rough draft.
I just hope it's worth reading.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Oy, I'm not even close.
I failed Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
No matter how many words, it's NOT a failure, Lyr. I set a personal goal of doubling what I did last year, and voila! I went over that slightly, and in just a minute I'm off and away to do a little more writing, but depending on what I finish before deadline tonight, that means I'm still under the half-way mark. But you know what -- I'm happy. I made progress. I figure in another couple of years, I'll have the knack and I can get to 50,000.
I'd be interested in a crit group.
*smile*
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
I kind of sorta feel like a failure except that I've written more in the past few months than I have in the last few years thanks to quid's flash fiction friday challenges. (Yeah... I know. I lost the alliteration there.) I feel a lot better about my writing. All I can do is try to keep it up. No pressure or anything.
Congrats to all of those who did make it. I am going to go read your excerpts in the next few days. Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I've read Shan, Karl, and Olivia's excerpts. I've tried to find others, but my internet has been messed up recently, and that's made it difficult to sort through who does and doesn't have one up. If the people who have excerpts up could post saying so, I think that would make it easier for everyone.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
*shrug* I do, but you knew that. I went looking for Shan's and couldn't find it, though I had no trouble locating Karl's.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Was it the smell?
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
LOL. No, no. I loved it, actually. I'm wondering if I had Shan's NaNo name wrong or something...
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Shan is under HopeSprings. It's my old Hatrack Writer's Forum SN.
Tricksy, she is, precious, yes she is . . . *grin*
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Karl... I read your excerpt. I am really liking it and would like to read more. You know what's funny. Your story reminds me of the dream I had last night, and I didn't get to read your story until this morning. They both had the very same feel to me.
Olivet... Did you remove your excerpt? I rememeber reading some of it. I was enjoying that one, too.
Oh and just in case, Shan's NaNo nick is HopeSprings.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I did't remove it, but I have not looked to see if it was there...
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I'm just bumping this to see what you were thinking about a crit group, Karl. I guess if you're not done with the story, it might be good to wait for that. (I'm not done either, I think I'll be re-outlining this morning.)
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't even looked at the story since 11/30. I think I "took a break" and crashed. Truthfully, Chris deserved a bit of attention this weekend since he's been a saint about my writing all through November. I do need to quickly get back on a schedule of some sort. I do like my story, but it's SOOO easy to procrastinate and do "research" and stuff when you're not struggling against a deadline.
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). I haven't decided yet if I'm going to actually go for it this year.
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