NaNoWriMo Writing Competition

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

Hi everyone! I'm wondering who's interested in doing NaNoWriMo this year. The following is posted from the NaNo website, the address of which is posted at the bottom in case you want to find out more. I've managed to do it for two years running now (2004 and 2005, both times successful), :D and I'm thinking I'll do it again this November 2006. !thumbsup! I don't know what I'll be writing yet, but I don't think I can just sit by through November and do nothing, knowing that it's going on all over the world and I'm not part of it... :rolleyes:

Basically the challange is set for all contestants - to write a 50,000-word novella in the space of one month. November. That's 1,667 words a day. I'm undertaking this challange beacuse I tend to grind to a halt in the process of trying to make my plot flawless (no wonder THAT'S not working, lol), and NaNo is all about QUANTITY, not QUALITY. In short, there will be no time to be as careful with your grammar and plotting. It's about breaking free and just writing whatever comes out of your head. No one reads it. The words are counted using an automated word-counter, so it doesn't matter if it's all just complete bosh, as long as you reach the word count. And no doubt there will certainly BE a lot of bosh in there...but there are also sure to be some spectacular diamonds in among it all. :)

What is NaNoWriMo?
National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over talent and craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.

Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crud. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.

As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and -- when the thing is done -- the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.

In 2003, we had about 25,000 participants. Over 3500 of them crossed the 50k finish line by the midnight deadline, entering into the annals of NaNoWriMo superstardom forever. They started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work actors, and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists.

So, to recap:

What: Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month's time.

Who: You! We can't do this unless we have some other people trying it as well. Let's write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together.

Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era's most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from your novel at parties. To be able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on, taking far longer than 30 days to produce their work.

When: Sign-ups begin October 1, 2004. Writing begins November 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach the 50,000-word mark by November 30 at midnight. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins.

http://www.nanowrimo.org/index.php?s=2

I hope that some of you take up the challange to write, write, WRITE!!! haha! :D

Cheers,

Nessa-C

[wgjones3]

That's a good little program. When I do write, my daily goal is 2000 words, but I'm finding the days I write are getting farther and farther between (though on good days I'll crack 4000 and sometimes 5000 words in 4 hours or so).

I remember last year a lot of NaNoWriMo entrants tweaked their novels and entered them into the Christian Writer's Guild contest. Not sure if any of the four published finalists came from NaNoWriMo but it's still in spiring to know that you can turn a hasty 50,000 word draft into a real novel.

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

Hi Jones! Can I call you Jones?

That sounds kewl; I haven't heard of the Christian Writer's Guild contest. When does it start and what do you have to do to enter? Do they have a website?

Thanks for replying!

Cheers,

Nessa-C

[wgjones3]

All the info is on their page. A quick google search will turn it up.

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

Kewl, thanks for that. :)

And YAY! Someone is taking up the challange!! :D !thumbsup! !thumbsup!

Cheers,

Nessa-C

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

So, who's up for NaNo again this year, 2006? :D

YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :p :D :cool:

[MsSherry]

I barely got started last year before I wimped out. I hadn't really thought about my story or the characters beforehand. I might give it a go again. If nothing else, it did keep me writing for awhile. :)

I have been playing around with a character or two and I have a setting all layed out in my head........It's the putting it on paper that doesn't seem to get done very often.

[ProfessorAlan]

I love it. I "won" in 2002 and 2003, skipped 2004, then was on pace in 2005 before a family situation made me lay it down, but I am ready for 2006! Not ready, actually, because I don't know what I'm writing about, but I'm "ready," you know?

[David Meigs]

Last year still looms huge in my memory. Nothing worked out. Hospital visits, alien abductions (don’t ask about the probes) and once my dog ate my keyboard. It didn’t go well, and what I wrote was garbage.

The problem is that I know I can do it. In the last 8 months of 2003 I had well over 300,000 words. I did about the same in 04 and the first half of 05. It was like a machine gun... but maybe I’m in a different place now. I can’t turn off that internal editor and just go for it.

Nano? I doubt it..., but it’s still a few months off. We’ll see what things are like in the middle of Oct.

[Merry]

Having just returned from my own abuduction experience, (and may I say, I was appalled to find aliens believe earth girls are easy) I have a great deal to write about. Well, either it was an abduction experience or I've been spending a lot of quality time with Al Gore...hard to tell.

[waterfallbooks]

I'm in the midst of a 2 year novel writing course, so I won't be trying NaNo this year. Maybe next, though.

[DrRita]

Hmmm, do screenplays count? I would be up for doing a screenplay in 30 days. But dont' know if I will do a novel. Though maybe . . .

[Rebecca]

I entered last year, but wasn't able to complete the month because of a family emergency. Dare I give it another go? :eek:

Bekka

[noodlegirl]

I'm in. Again. Last year, a friend and I made NaNo a nice little competition and raced each other to the finish line. It was great to finish the thing. It was better to get the bragging rights of beating her to the 50k word mark.

[ProfessorAlan]

Last year, a friend and I made NaNo a nice little competition and raced each other to the finish line.

Amen to that sister -- I got into it as part of a writers group -- the group was founded to be specifically a NANO group, and that community/accountability/motivation/support was very helpful.

[David Meigs]

...I've been spending a lot of quality time with Al Gore...:eek:
I never got to meet the inventor of both the internet and global warming, but when I was in DC, I did get my picture taken alongside a cardboard cutout of Bill and Hillary.

[whitehawke]

At the moment I can't see me doing it this year. Last year was my first time and well, I fell flat. I'm just not that competitive. I couldn't write a thing when it was finished. I'm only just getting back into writing again.

Busy working on an outline to a new novel and I'm loving it. But, who knows???????

[David Meigs]

I don’t know Hawkie, NANO might be just the ticket for you. With all the outlining and research done, writing your “Dylan” novel should be a breeze. Wouldn’t it be cool to have it done by Christmas?

[whitehawke]

I don’t know Hawkie, NANO might be just the ticket for you. With all the outlining and research done, writing your “Dylan” novel should be a breeze. Wouldn’t it be cool to have it done by Christmas?
Good point, David. But nano doesn't start until November and I want to be well into writing it by then. Or at least I hope to be. :D

Don't you think the wait would drive me up the wall? After all, I am already chomping at the bit. :D

[David Meigs]

The goal is not to write a 50,000 word book, it’s to write that many words or more into a novel in November. Think of it as half your novel. You could start anytime. It’s just a thought anyway.

Besides, if you do it, then I won’t have to. I could just live it through you.

[whitehawke]

lol. Now we know. he he. Live it through me, huh? :D Isn't that a bit like cheating? ;)

mmm. Guess it might give me a bit of a boost. I'll have ta set and think on it a spell.

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

The first year I did NaNo, I started the story from scratch, with only an outline to help me. The second year (last year) I had written 30,000 words of a new story in something like two months, and so I figured I'd use NaNo to add 50,000 words to that.

Technically, you're supposed to start from scratch on November 1st. What I did, however, was only count the words I wrote for the story from November 1st onwards. I was happy at the end because I had an 80,000 word novel (not finished yet). The problem was, I haven't been able to touch it since, and that was a year ago. :eek:

Seriously, it's like I can't bear to go near it any more. Maybe I got sick of it or something, having to write so much of it. It took me a while to get back into writing again. I thought I could add another 50,000 words this year, and maybe finish it at 130,000 words... Here's hoping. ;)

I don't think there's anything wrong with adding the 50,000 NaNo words to a story you're already writing, as long as you don't count the previous words you've written, and only the ones you write between November 1st - 30th.

I say go for it, Hawkie! :D

Cheers,

Nessa-C

[Invisionary]

I've wrote about 25,000 words in two weeks, but man I felt like I was half dead afterwards. When I get hit with a wave of inspiration it often exhausts me and I feel even physically weak, being it feels like it drains the life out of me. I don't think I would have the energy to do 50,000 words in a month unless it came supernaturally.

[whitehawke]

Nessa, may you do very well with it and get that book finished. :)
As for me? I will play it by ear and see what happens. If, when nano arrives, I feel inspired and willing to handle that kind of stress, I may give it a go. But, at the moment, I'm doubtful. :)

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

*cheerfully bouys Whitehawke up*

You go, Hawkie!! :D :D YEAH!! You rock!! :D !thumbsup!

[whitehawke]

*cheerfully bouys Whitehawke up*

You go, Hawkie!! :D :D YEAH!! You rock!! :D !thumbsup!
lol.
Nessa, you are such an encourager. :)
Me rock? Nah, that's just all the trucks that rumble down my road.:D You know, if we had an earthquake here, it would have to be a big one or I wouldn't even notice it. lol :eek:

[aitak]

We’ll see what things are like in the middle of Oct.
yeah, amen...that is, can anyone from anywhere enter? im interested but im all the way down under (my blanket- its very cold)....i will see what things are like in oct too- you never can tell...!

[ProfessorAlan]

It's all online, so you can enter from anywhere!

And down there, you'll get to start like 14 hours before me! Or you'll have an extra 14 hours to finish, I never can figure out how that works! :confused: !

[passionpen]

Yes. I'm interested as well. I don't know if I can do it and I definitely don't want to become sick of the story i'm working on so i'll probably start a new one just for that month and see what happens....I have so many ideas in my head, it wont be hard to start.

Hopefully someone will remind me to register.

[David Meigs]

yeah, amen...that is, can anyone from anywhere enter? im interested but im all the way down under (my blanket- its very cold)....i will see what things are like in oct too- you never can tell...!I hope you do give it a go. I am starting to lean towards maybe. !thumbsup! :confused: !thumbsup!

[whitehawke]

I hope you do give it a go. I am starting to lean towards maybe. !thumbsup! :confused: !thumbsup!

David, are you starting to tilt a little? :D

[David Meigs]

David, are you starting to tilt a little? :D:eek: Tilt*Tilt*Tilt :eek:

[whitehawke]

Here my friend, have a coffee. Can't have you tilting too far. :D
http://bestsmileys.com/coffee/3.gif

They didn't have any tea smilies, so I'll just pretend this next one is me drinking (or should I say, swimming in) my tea.

http://bestsmileys.com/coffee/2.gif

[aitak]

I hope you do give it a go. I am starting to lean towards maybe. !thumbsup! :confused: !thumbsup!
ooh- will you write a sequel to nephilim? wait why am i excited? i havent even read that yet! ha ha
yeah...it sounds like a fun thing to try, and i am keen. just not sure whether i can pull it off with other stuff goin on. but i guess i'll never know if i dont try!

[aitak]

rulan, you are so cute with your tea-drinking (swimming) smilie!

[David Meigs]

ooh- will you write a sequel to nephilim? wait why am i excited? i havent even read that yet! ha ha
yeah...it sounds like a fun thing to try, and i am keen. just not sure whether i can pull it off with other stuff goin on. but i guess i'll never know if i dont try!You could do it, no problem. Piece of cake. !thumbsup!

For the record, I already have six sequels (WIP’s) to the Nephilim......What genre do you read? ;)

[whitehawke]

rulan, you are so cute with your tea-drinking (swimming) smilie!

Glad you liked the smilies. Hey, David's book is great. I know cause I've read it.

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

Glad you liked the smilies. Hey, David's book is great. I know cause I've read it.
Hang on a minute! We can't be talking about L. A. Marzulli's Nephilim books, can we...? :confused:

[David Meigs]

Hang on a minute! We can't be talking about L. A. Marzulli's Nephilim books, can we...? :confused:Nope, just my humble scribblings

[aitak]

What genre do you read? ;)
historical fiction mostly, but im getting into fantasy. i love stephen lawhead, who kinda does a bit of both rolled into one. :)

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

Nope, just my humble scribblings
Ah, okay. I just saw "Nephilim" and wondered... :p

@ Aitak - I'd say go for it! :D (Well, of course I would, lol.) :rolleyes: You see, whether you actually finish NaNoWriMo or not, whether you reach 50,000 words, surpass 50,000 words, or fall short of 50,000 words, the point is that you have made the effort. What if you only end up with 10,000 or 20,000 words? That's still 10 or 20,000 words! Wow! Some people would never write that in their entire lives! :D Whatever word count you end up with, you would have still made a gargantuan effort, and that's awesome. !thumbsup!

And if life's too hectic come November, there's always next November. :D Muhahahaha! :cool:

[David Meigs]

historical fiction mostly, but im getting into fantasy. i love stephen lawhead, who kinda does a bit of both rolled into one. :)Fantasy is a growing genre inside Christian circles. It’s too bad that it has not been promoted more heavily by the CBA. There seems to be a huge market for it.

Most of my stuff is historical/action adventure/mystery/love story, but I am also venturing more into literary these days. What are you writing these days?

[aitak]

im trying my hand at fantasy! i really dont know if ive got what it takes, but tis fun to try. i shared what ive got so far (ive got basic ideas for two children's fantasy novels) with a friend and she said that i needed to work a bit on disguising my story a bit better (im trying to put gospel in it and she said it was a bit too obvious...anyway, thats what im working on, plus still doing the writing challenge most weeks for faithwriters just to practice. im happy with the last two entries ive done there, and i feel momentum picking up in my writing again so im pretty happy with that!
im also working on the story of my grandmother, mother and me (my biological family etc..but am not really sure whether to make it entirely factual or a bit fictionalised...:)

[David Meigs]

im trying my hand at fantasy! i really dont know if ive got what it takes, but tis fun to try. i shared what ive got so far (ive got basic ideas for two children's fantasy novels) with a friend and she said that i needed to work a bit on disguising my story a bit better (im trying to put gospel in it and she said it was a bit too obvious...anyway, thats what im working on, plus still doing the writing challenge most weeks for faithwriters just to practice. im happy with the last two entries ive done there, and i feel momentum picking up in my writing again so im pretty happy with that!
im also working on the story of my grandmother, mother and me (my biological family etc..but am not really sure whether to make it entirely factual or a bit fictionalised...:)It’s jarring when a fantasy author tries to Christianize things in an unnatural way. It’s far better to have themes of redemption or self-sacrifice than to have gnomes quote scripture.

Taking artistic license in nonfiction is risky business. I’ve heard some here at CW argue that something is either fiction or it’s not. I tend to agree. But if you fictionalize the story, you are free to take it anywhere you desire. Much better.

You write from a deep place in the heart. In the months that I’ve been reading your blog, I’ve been touched again and again. Good stuff!

Let me know if you decide to do Nano.

[aitak]

thanks for that encouragement and the words of advice, curm. and i will let you know if i decide to do nano! *freaking out*

[kimmyell1]

I started last year...and crashed landed quickly. I'm up to the challenge again! I tried to find a local group for some accountability but never found one...looks like this group will be just that ! Looking forward to it.

[Blithe]

I've never heard of this before but it looks like a great idea! I'd probably need someone to race against or someone to keep me accountable though XD;; And I'm such a perfectionist it would kill me to put quantity over quality...

But I still want to try, especially since I do better work under deadlines. Signing up now for the reminder!!

[fiddlesticks]

Sounds like fun to me! I'm not sure I could do it this year though because I already have 3 projects I'm working on. One of them has to be finished by year's end so I've got to focus, focus, focus. If a miracle happens and I finish it by November then I might consider it. Good luck to all who take the plunge.

[aitak]

im still thinking about it...leaning towards giving it a go but pretty sure i wont make it...is that a bad way to start out? ha ha...i just dont see myself fitting that kind of writing schedule in with husband, baby, part time work and all the other stuff in life...but im thinking...still...

[aitak]

well, i just did a little experiment with myself to see if i might be able to tackle the nano, and i reckon i just may be able to do it! i just decided to write, without doing any reading back or editing, for an hour straight, then do a word count, and considering that i usually spend about 2 hours a nite on average on the computer, mostly doing nothing much at all really, just unwinding, i might actually be able to pull nano off if i actually write in that time instead of just play around...hmm....leaning more towards a "yes"...

[ProfessorAlan]

good for you -- you can do it!!

[David Meigs]

Good for you Karen, now hopefully everything will come together just right and you can do it. For me, it’s harder to turn off my internal editor than it is for me to write three thousand words each day.

I wish you all the best.

[ProfessorAlan]

I have done this 3 or 4 times, and my prep plan is as follows:

September -- consider a bunch of projects, and pick the one to do -- the one that strikes my interest most, works best in this speed-writing format.

October -- outline, character sketches, reasearch -- prep work on the one that I've picked.

November -- WRITE WRITE WRITE!

[whitehawke]

:eek: Panic. It's almost September. Then it's October then, then, then it's, it's...:eek: Arhhh :eek:
You guys are scaring me.

[aitak]

mmm...now that you put it like that, rulan!!!!

[aitak]

i think i can hear your screams all the way across the ditch! want a cup of tea, my friend? im getting one!

[whitehawke]

Ah, a cup of tea sounds wonderful. Thank you, my friend. :) And don't let me scare you off tackling nano. ;)

[ProfessorAlan]

it's scary, but . . . fun, too!

[aitak]

all right. ill try not to be too scared...im off now to really get a cup of tea! id put one in the post for you, rulan! hey i reckon we should one day organise a CW "pacifica" conference or something. one day when we have a spare minute...ha ha!

[AngelAzariah]

Wish I had time to do something like this, but I have so many things on my plate.

[ProfessorAlan]

Oh, the people who do it don't have all that much free time, either! Trust me on that one!

[noodlegirl]

Amen to that, Prof.

[aitak]

September -- consider a bunch of projects, and pick the one to do -- the one that strikes my interest most, works best in this speed-writing format.



ok prof, i think im gonna go with your plan. i have a question though- how do you know which of your ideas will fit the speed-writing format the best? what kinds of things do you look for?

[aitak]

i told my husband about the nano last night ( i didnt realise i hadnt mentioned it to him)...and his answer was a dumbfounded, "why would you think you cant do it? of course you can do it! i support you in whatever you want to do!"

what a guy...sigh...so i guess that means im *sucks in breath* doing the nano!!!! aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! (wow im freaking out and i havent even spoken the words out loud yet...ok here i go, speaking it out loud "I'M GOING TO TACKLE THE NANOWRIMO THIS YEAR!"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:eek: :D :confused: :eek: :( :o :eek:
*carting myself off for a lie-down*

[whitehawke]

what a guy...sigh...so i guess that means im *sucks in breath* doing the nano!!!! aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! (wow im freaking out and i havent even spoken the words out loud yet...ok here i go, speaking it out loud "I'M GOING TO TACKLE THE NANOWRIMO THIS YEAR!"
lol, Karen. Go girl. It's gonna be fun watching you crank out those words. he he he Perhaps I might give it another try this year.:rolleyes:

Sounds like you should drink tea instead of milo. I'm not a great fan of milo. Tea is much better.

[whitehawke]

You know that's roughly 1700 words per day for 30 days, eh? ;)
or about 2400 if you only write on weekdays. Muahahahaha :D

[ProfessorAlan]

ok prof, i think im gonna go with your plan. i have a question though- how do you know which of your ideas will fit the speed-writing format the best? what kinds of things do you look for?

Ones that I can outline, have a linear structure, don't require a lot of research while writing, that sort of thing . . . fewer POV characters help me, because I'm able to write in only a few voices, and don't have to jump around too much, if that makes sense.

[ProfessorAlan]

You know that's roughly 1700 words per day for 30 days, eh? ;)
or about 2400 if you only write on weekdays. Muahahahaha :D

It is surprisingly do-able . . . . I have not succeeded every time I've tried, but every novemeber I'm surprised at the amount of junk I crank out -- I mean "junk" in the good way.

[whitehawke]

It is surprisingly do-able . . . . I have not succeeded every time I've tried, but every novemeber I'm surprised at the amount of junk I crank out -- I mean "junk" in the good way.
Yes, it's do-able, though I've only entered once and that was last year and didn't do too well. lol What I found hard, was turning off the editor and just banging the keys. :eek:

[aitak]

tea is great. i'm a lover of all hot beverages. well the ones ive tried! im mostly a coffee drinker but im trying to cut back on that, hence the experimentation with different teas and such. but i think during november i'll be ditching my "coffee cleanse" cos i'll be needing all the caffeine i can get!
i'm rather liking green tea with vanilla right now. anyone tried it? it sounds weird but actually tastes really good.

anyway, yes...nano. nano. nano...(practising my mantra- to get, you know, prepared...) *winks*

thanks for the tips prof., and the encouragement from everyone else!

[aitak]

ps rulan you should give it another shot!

[Blithe]

*deep breath* AHH it's getting closer! I'm trying to work out a basic plot for my story and I'm already getting writers block... or pre-writers block, whatever you call it.

In the meantime I'm also trying to get some of my friends to do it with me so I'll be pushed to finish.

[ProfessorAlan]

I am kicking around a couple of ideas, and need to narrow it to THE ONE by the end of the month.

[aitak]

yeah me too...trying to narrow down a good idea . actually i dont know that any of my ideas at this point are good. none of them excite me too much, so that could be a bad sign! maybe when i'm not "trying" so hard a good idea will come to me.

[noodlegirl]

I just realized we're just a little over a month away from NaNo. Like you guys, I have a couple of ideas and just need to narrow it down and focus on one. I am really looking forward to November.

[whitehawke]

ps rulan you should give it another shot!
I'm thinking about it. If I do go into it, I have stricked instructions from my 11 yr old that I mustn't do it when she is home. Guess that means I'll have to work out a time budget.

[aitak]

hmm...that could be interesting! if youo do decide to do it, let me know. we could be "nano partners" across the ditch! just, you know, spur each other on and stuff.

[ProfessorAlan]

When I signed up for my first one, a group in my town sprung up that got an online community going, as well as some in-person meetings and "write-ins." Knowing that I was not the only one doing this crazy event was exrtemely helpful, so I think the CW-ers who do this should definitely get a forum going when the time comes for accountability and encouragement.

[passionpen]

I'm really considering doing this.

One question for those who done this before or attempted to do it:

In general, how did this help you with your writing?
What are the benefits?

I guess what I really want to know is there more to it than seeing how many pages you can write.

[noodlegirl]

Passionpen, there are multiple benefits to participating in NaNo. First, by the mere effort of getting down 50k words, you have to turn off the internal editor that infringes on the writer-side. You just can't dally over every sentence's structure.

Also, if you find it difficult to discipline yourself to writing every day, NaNo is the place for you. While it is possible to achieve the goal without writing every day (my friend did that last year), it is far easier to break the words down per day and to make sure you reach that word count. By writing every day for 30 days, you put yourself closer to making that a real habit.

There are other good reasons to participate, as well. Getting up some momentum on a project, sharing the excitement with a like-minded bunch of crazies, bragging rights.

My advice: If you have the remotest desire to do it, go for it. I've known about NaNo since the first year of its inception but was too chicken to do it until last year. I'll probably do it every year now.

[whitehawke]

hmm...that could be interesting! if youo do decide to do it, let me know. we could be "nano partners" across the ditch! just, you know, spur each other on and stuff.
That would be fun. :D Hey, we could an electric fence wire across the ditch and anytime one of us falls asleep at the key board...ZAP! Muahahahaha:D

[ProfessorAlan]

First, by the mere effort of getting down 50k words, you have to turn off the internal editor that infringes on the writer-side . . . . By writing every day for 30 days, you put yourself closer to making that a real habit . . . . Getting up some momentum on a project, sharing the excitement with a like-minded bunch of crazies, bragging rights.
Those are benefits I get out of it, too.

My advice: If you have the remotest desire to do it, go for it. I've known about NaNo since the first year of its inception but was too chicken to do it until last year. I'll probably do it every year now.
Yup! !thumbsup!

[passionpen]

All right. I'm in then. I like the sound of those benefits. I need to work on all of those areas.

[aitak]

Also, if you find it difficult to discipline yourself to writing every day, NaNo is the place for you.

that is my biggest problem...( do they have something like "NaNo" for getting you into housework, too?)

By writing every day for 30 days, you put yourself closer to making that a real habit.

...and that is what i hope to get out of it, more than anything. well, apart from fame, riches and popularity...(please, remember i'm australian....sarcasm just oozes out of my pores...i'm not being serious!)

[aitak]

That would be fun. :D Hey, we could an electric fence wire across the ditch and anytime one of us falls asleep at the key board...ZAP! Muahahahaha:D

ha ha! i love that evil laugh of yours! yep, i think electric wire could be the go...

[tanniyny]

My daughter introduced me to nano today, and we're going to do it together (challenging each other.)

I think it sounds like fun. Reading all of your posts over the months, and reading the web information, "fun" seems to be the operative word.

I know, "fun" like a root canal, right?

[aitak]

ha ha! yeah something like that, im thinking! but like others have said, if it get s abit much we can easily just pull out and try again next year. glad you adn your daughter are going to try together, thats a good idea.
God bless!

[ProfessorAlan]

"fun" seems to be the operative word . . . I know, "fun" like a root canal, right?

Yes, but with lots of novocaine! ;)

[whitehawke]

Well, I'm starting to lean toward doing it. But if I do, I'll have to work out a timetable as I have just been accepted into a course and will need to keep up with my study.

[tanniyny]

Okay, people... here's the breakdown (or as they say: "do the math")

50,000 words in one month is 1700 words pre day. (1666.67, okay? OCD satisfied, now??) IF we type at the blazing fast speed of 40 wpm (and I always think faster than I type because my fingers aren't making good connection to my brain anymore), we need ONLY write for 42 minutes EACH day to accomplish our set task.

SOOOOOO... for less than one hour per day of typing time (or 3 20 minute workouts) we can whip this puppy (okay, bad expression...my apologies to my three dogs) (how about... um...)... we can put out some of the greatest nano pieces ever written and never read?

let's do it, people!!!

tanniyny

[ProfessorAlan]

I have thoroughly enjoyed it in the past, and look forward.

I just need to find something to write about . . .

[drwrl4jesus]

Too big for a newbie maybe next year

[aitak]

yeah! YEAH! FREEEDOOOOMMM!!!!! (sorry, i thought i was on the fields of bannockburn...)...wow, you got me pumped tanniyn!

[Blithe]

I'm counting the days til October so I can officially sign up on the NaNo site... Is this going to be like the unofficial support thread on CW? XD;

Right now I have about four basic ideas for stories, though I'm leaning more towards one because the characters are more developed in my mind and I already know I'd be able to do great dialogue with them. It'll be interesting juggling this with school... but I could always just write during study hall, over weekends, or in those 7 or so hours at night I'm usually sleeping. Hmph sleeping... of minor importance, of course.

[aitak]

yeah sleep is highly overrated (she says, yawning off the after-effects of a sleepless night previous...)

[Shell-Bell]

I'm totally up for it this year! I need something to keep my mind off the critiquing my first finished manuscript is about to be subjected to.

50,000 words... here I come!

[Child of light]

Sounds exciting! Having never written anything except poetry, I think I'll practice this year and give it a try next! I am looking forward to learning from you all! God Bless!

[noodlegirl]

Registration for NaNoWriMo opened on Sunday. Are you registered? Are you ready?

[aitak]

yeah im registered...yikes!