National Novel Writing Month Is Coming!

[MissyP89]

Those of you who have noticed my icon over the past week or so may have wondered what this whole NaNoWriMo thing is about.

In short, NaNo asks you to do what many people find impossible--that is, writing a novel (50,000 words of fiction) in 30 days' time.

True, you can't expect to write an NY Times bestseller on that schedule, but the idea is that instead of writing fabulously, to just get the ideas on paper. So many of us have stories to tell and add it to the growing list of "Some day I'd like to"s.

You'd be amazed to see what you can accomplish with a deadline over your head. NaNo starts at midnight local time on November 1st, and you write like the wind until 11:59 P.M. local time on November 30th. That evens out to 1667 words a day, but with the way most people type, that can be accomplished in 2 hours or less. Easy as pie, and by the end of the month, you can say you've written more fiction than most people ever will.

It can be a serious mission, but for most of us, it's pure fun. Be prepared to write some terrible, silly, awfully worded things. But also be prepared to dream up brilliant characters, tons of drama and plot twists even you didn't see coming.

Don't worry about planning; it only takes away from the excitement of plotting on the fly. Besides, you might overplan, and when November arrives, you'll be burned out before you even start.

This will be my 4th NaNoWriMo, and I'm going for my 3rd "win" (winning being crossing the 50K mark by the 30th, a certificate, and perpetual bragging rights). I'm a Journalism student, but creative writing is really where my heart is, so NaNo gives me a chance to get out of nonfiction and use my imagination for once. As BG will attest, things get crazy, but you'll never have as much fun or be as satisfied.

If you want to know more, or sign up, check out the official website: [url="http://www.nanowrimo.org"]National Novel Writing Month.[/url]

If enough people get on board from PM, maybe we can compete!

Edited October 11, 2008 by MissyP89

[let_go_let_God]

It sounds interesting, but I don't know if I would be able to do it successfully. I usually only write poetry and short stories, but I have been planning a new story once I get some reasurch done on the place.

[VeniteAdoremus]

Hm. Do you get the bragging rights if you do it in Dutch, or will the computer choke up while counting your words?

Because there's no chance that I'd even attempt that in my third language. (I'd consider it in my second... but my second language is Foot In Mouth.)

[MissyP89]

[quote name='VeniteAdoremus' post='1675071' date='Oct 11 2008, 02:31 PM']Hm. Do you get the bragging rights if you do it in Dutch, or will the computer choke up while counting your words?

Because there's no chance that I'd even attempt that in my third language. (I'd consider it in my second... but my second language is Foot In Mouth.)[/quote]

You can write in Dutch! There are "regional lounges" in the forums where you can talk to and arrange to meet up with people from your area for write-ins, etc. You can write in Pig Latin for all they care, as long as you get it done. [url="http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/120"]There's a regional lounge for Holland & Belgium[/url], and by the looks of it there's a ton of Dutch floating around.

Edited October 11, 2008 by MissyP89

[puellapaschalis]

I tried it a couple of years ago and failed massively after the first week (although during that week I was wayyyyy ahead of schedule). If I dug really hard I might be able to resurrect the plot (what plot?) but I don't have time

[Winchester]

I've written two novels in a year's time.

[philothea]

I really want to NaNo... but I know I shouldn't.

I have people waiting on stuff that needs revision. (I hate revision.) And I still haven't finished last year's NaNo novel!!

[CatherineM]

I wrote the first draft of my book in 6 weeks, and it was 100,000 words. Then they made me edit it back to 70,000. Dang lawyers.

[Kitty]

I would totally do it if I had time.

[Winchester]

[quote name='philothea' post='1675102' date='Oct 11 2008, 03:58 PM']I really want to NaNo... but I know I shouldn't.

I have people waiting on stuff that needs revision. (I hate revision.) And I still haven't finished last year's NaNo novel!!

[/quote]
I'm editing my first and just finished editing a salvo of shorts. I sort of enjoy editing.

[Kitty]

Actually, once I looked at the website, all these ideas started spinning in my head, and so I signed up. I might actually do it.

[rachael]

i always say i will, but i never do

[EAnn246]

I've signed up for it the past couple years, but have yet to come close to completing. I usually stop writing it after a week or two. Nonetheless, I'm signing up again this year.

[jeffpugh]

I like pie. I might do it. See if I get into the rhythm of sceduling school stuff first.

[philothea]

While I was feeling miserable and washing dishes earlier (not related to the dishes... I kinda like washing dishes...) I decided, what the heck. I'll give NaNo a go. I've got a couple weeks to plan, and it's not any crazier than all the rest of the stuff I'm doing. I might as well throw something fun in to the mix.

I wonder if I remember my password...

Missy, what's your name, so I can add you to my buddies? (I'm Amberdine.)