Here is the starter to the Buddy Thread from last year:

quote:

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It's that time of year again! All those crazy writers who have pledged to write a novel in 30 days, are away to the races as yet another NaNoWriMo begins.
It was suggested that we begin a Hatrack Support Group for those dedicated souls who have taken the plunge this year, and several people have volunteered to participate even if they aren't doing NaNo.

Instead of searching for those names in other NaNo threads, it would be helpful if NaNo participants could look at a short list of volunteers.

So...

If you are willing to be a buddy, please post the following information:

1. What type of support you want to offer. Asking for writing progress reports...Acting as a sounding board for ideas...Sending out encouragement e-mails...partial critiques...etc.

2. What sort of commitment you want to make. As needed...Partner for the month...Weekly check-in...etc.

3. What sort of writing you enjoy, favourite authors, etc. so participants can find good matches.

If you are participating in NaNoWriMo, you can e-mail these volunteers for help as you need it or want it.

Good Luck!!

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Last year I did some one-time sounding board stuff, periodic encouragement e-mails, progress report requests and full partner for the month for one person.

This year I'm willing to the same. If you need a hand with something, or just want to receive encouraging/accountability e-mails let me know.

I'm not actually participating in NaNo, so I am available for the entire month, as long as I have computer access (which is Monday - Friday, 8a-5p MST).

I enjoy most styles of writing but particularly enjoy action/adventure, sci-fi, thriller, mystery, etc.

I'm Quasipsyco on the board.

Type of Support:
I am great with coming up with ideas and fodder, bear(sp?) in mind that it will most likely be absurd and crazy things so if you don't want wild and weird, be warned. I have a limited idea of how to be an idea sounding board, as I am most likely to suggest different paths to take the idea, which is great if you are having a problem, but not so good if you just want a pat on the back.

Commitment:
As needed and as frequently as I can be I will be happy to ask for a progress report, which is part word count check and part idea well level. I promise to help you NOT stop writing as best as I can!

3. I enjoy a wide variety of writing though mostly I'm a fantasy fan. I also have enjoyed thrillers and horror as well as humor. I've dabbled in almost every genre for reading and studying of how to write.

What I'm looking for:
Someone(s) who will check on me, particularly on weekends to make sure I'm writing and not just watching movies. Funny comments and a reminder to NOT take this seriously. I would like someone to kick me if I start to lose the humor I've attached to this.

While I'm not around on the weekends, I could ask for a Monday morning report each week...

Or now, I suppose, for a sounding board.

I don't really like what I have until now, but then, that's not the point, right?

I certainly could use one!

I can do the encouragement thing pretty well, I think. I'm a teacher so I oughta. Critiques in depth or otherwise. Sounding board. Yep, I'm game.

I like to read a variety of genres. Sci-fi, fantasy, alternate reality, military sci-fi. I also read King, Koontz and Crichton(?). Ihave read John Steakley (Armor) Heinlien, William W. Johnston (The Ashes Series) uhm, and of course the DragonLance Trilogy.

I can give words of encouragement, ideas, crits, or whatnot. Just email me (it's in my profile above) and put on the subject line NaNo Buddy or something like that. I check my email everyday.

Robyn,this post is a great idea.

Thanks,

Neither do I.

My SO, said she grabs and axe. I've decided she's going to grab her horse, now named due to this.

If you'd like, I'd be happy to give you a spare flying cow!

Puppies!! Ooh, yay, puppies!! It kinda reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I'm a huge fan of the series). Any time they wanted to show a character as being really, truly evil, they would threaten harm to cute, cuddly puppies.

I think most of us have seen "Galaxy Quest", but it's great.

I'm still offering my help. Just sound off.

"You are our only hope"

Well, back to your regularly scheduled forum.

Oh well.

I feel like starting over too, but I'm loathe to throw away the characters. Maybe. . . redirect the story? Make it about something else? (this is me, thinking aloud. Or in print. Whatever.)

I just found out my fluff character has a secret and a personality, and likes hunting, and I think a couple others might be heading towards a relationship.

I learned my seers have their own gesture language. Just learned today, 4000 words in.

They taught me how to say "duty is pulling us in this direction, and our path is clear", and "we planned this obstacle so that we could stop here as part of my plot".

Each one is one hand gesture. I believe there's an intricate curse gesture that deals with bloodlines and animals... Old ladies have some seriously dirty minds.

I think gremlins are eating cookies in my head and dropping crumbs all over the floor. I wonder what the gesture is for that.

/ramble over

back to writing, before my writing buddy breaks out the whip.

EDIT: Oh, I can try my hand at idea bouncing if anyone needs it.

Here's the key. Have a couple possible suspects, and make sure your detective's prime suspect is the wrong one. That way, everything can click together at the last minute. The fun thing is that you can change your mind about who the real murderer is right up until the end.

Everyone else: I'm in desperate need of someone to read chapters as I finish them and to prod me. I don't need critiques, but questions are enormously helpful. I'll post the first thirteen lines in F&F.

At present, I'm not paired with anyone. I would be willing to read your chapters as you finish them. If I have any questions, I'll ask them.

If you want my email is above. I check my mail at least everyday.

I don't think I've seen any descriptions on this thread that don't look interesting, so . . . anyone?