NaNo 2006

[Mana]

UPDATED 9/29/06: 2 Days until signups begin ^o^ Mark those brains and remember to sign up. Feel free to share your username. Mine there is "LadyKirie," and I'm a part of the Illinois:Naperville group. I'm more than willing to help people and answer questions, so ask away :3

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's almost that time of year again. Last year, I started my thread rather late, and most people weren't prepared enough to join in. So, I figured I'd start a bit earlier this time.

For those who forgot (or who weren't around for my spiel last year, NaNoWriMo (http://www.nanowrimo.com) is an online event held every year in November for writers and aspiring writers of all ages. It stands for "National Novel Writing Month," and involves people from all over the world getting together and each one, well, writing a novel.

The details:

- The event lasts throughout the whole month of November (from midnight of the 1st to 11:59 of the 30th), although signup on the website officially starts on October 1st.
- The goal is 50,000 words of a single cohesive writing project, generally fiction novels of any genre, although things like (auto)biograhies and non-fiction also apply.
- Whenever your finished (and at any time if you're just curious) you can submit your novels into the servers for word count validation, and if you're at or over 50k, you get a nifty little certificate naming you a winner. You can handwrite your novel as well as type it, and although handwritten works can't be submitted for validation, the creators of NaNo stress that it's more about completing a work and being satisfied with yourself than getting recognition; the certificate is just a bonus.
- One of the nifty things about the website is it's forum, which all people who register for the event and automatically signed up for. It's various forums have all kinds of resources for writing, whether it's technical advise on a certain aspect you want to include (not everyone knows how to hotwire a car, but if you want to include a realistic scene that involves it, someone is bound to know and give you enough of an understanding on how to write it well), support for writer's block and other troubles, celebrating together when your novel is going well, and listening to rants when it isn't.
- In addition to the online support from members on the website, there are also Regions all over the world where novelists participating in the same area can get together to hold write-ins, parties, and all other manners of getting together. While the most are in the US (where NaNo was founded), there are also groups throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia.

So, why should you do it? What's there to gain? I could talk in length about my own experiences and my Novel which barely made the deadline (but still won :D) last year, but I really hate tooting my own horn. There are, however, some quotes I picked up from the mainpage that I think describe things really well.

NaNoWriMo is all about the magical power of deadlines. Give someone a goal and a goal-minded community and miracles are bound to happen. Pies will be eaten at amazing rates. Alfalfa will be harvested like never before. And novels will be written in a month.

Part of the reason we organize NaNoWriMo is just to get a book written. We love the fringe benefits accrued to novelists. For one month out of the year, we can stew and storm, and make a huge mess of our apartments and drink lots of coffee at odd hours. And we can do all of these things loudly, in front of people. As satisfying as it is to reach deep within yourself and pull out an unexpectedly passable work of art, it is equally (if not more) satisfying to be able to dramatize the process at social gatherings.

But that artsy drama window is woefully short. The other reason we do NaNoWriMo is because the glow from making big, messy art, and watching others make big, messy art, lasts for a long, long time. The act of sustained creation does bizarre, wonderful things to you. It changes the way you read. And changes, a little bit, your sense of self. We like that.

If I'm just writing 50,000 words of crap, why bother? Why not just write a real novel later, when I have more time?

There are three reasons.

1) If you don't do it now, you probably never will. Novel writing is mostly a "one day" event. As in "One day, I'd like to write a novel." Here's the truth: 99% of us, if left to our own devices, would never make the time to write a novel. It's just so far outside our normal lives that it constantly slips down to the bottom of our to-do lists. The structure of NaNoWriMo forces you to put away all those self-defeating worries and START. Once you have the first five chapters under your belt, the rest will come easily. Or painfully. But it will come. And you'll have friends to help you see it through to 50k.

2) Aiming low is the best way to succeed. With entry-level novel writing, shooting for the moon is the surest way to get nowhere. With high expectations, everything you write will sound cheesy and awkward. Once you start evaluating your story in terms of word count, you take that pressure off yourself. And you'll start surprising yourself with a great bit of dialogue here and a ingenious plot twist there. Characters will start doing things you never expected, taking the story places you'd never imagined. There will be much execrable prose, yes. But amidst the crap, there will be beauty. A lot of it.

3) Art for art's sake does wonderful things to you. It makes you laugh. It makes you cry. It makes you want to take naps and go places wearing funny pants. Doing something just for the hell of it is a wonderful antidote to all the chores and "must-dos" of daily life. Writing a novel in a month is both exhilarating and stupid, and we would all do well to invite a little more spontaneous stupidity into our lives.

So, what are you waiting for? While the Event doesn't start until November, and signups don't officially start until October, it's never too soon to start planning and brainstorming. I've had my plans for this year floating around my head for a couple months already now, and personally, I'm just itching to write.

Even you can't officially join right, the main website itself is open for browsing and information, and you can still read through the forums even though you can post yet. If you have any questions or anything, feel free to post them here, and I can impart my sage advise and knowledge upon you.

And just in case people are prone to forgettfulness (as I know I am), I do plan on reviving this thread once signups have opened, and one the event itself has officially started.

Links:
www.nanowrimo.com - The Main Page; it hans't been fully updated for the new year yet, but there still lots of info there.
http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/xoopsfaq/index.php?cat_id=1 - The FAQ page, more questions and information, as well as the place where I got my nifty quotes from.

[Javer]

Geez, already? It always sneaks up on you.

[Mana]

There's still a couple months left, I just wanted to make sure people were properly prepared this time :p

[Javer]

Why, how considerate.

Is there a place where we can read submitted projects of past years?

[Mana]

Novels are only available to the people who write them and the people who those authors shared with. No one at NaNo even reads the novels, they're just submitted to be word-counted (to help protect copywrite infringment).

However, there may be people on the forums who are willing to share their past works, so it's something to look into (though I don't know in what forum that would be posted...). There are also a few NaNo novels that have been professionally published (I believe they have listing on the main site), and some people have their novels published through lulu.com (again, that's something to look through the forums for).

If people are interested, I could post up mine, but I'll warm you ahead of time that it's in it's pure format currently; I didn't do any sort of electronic editting afterwards before mostly scrapping the project. It's filled with a few odd scenes, probably some minor plot holes, a lot of stuff not described as well as it could be, and all contractions were broken up to boost word count. (>.>) So some parts might read oddly. I would also need some sort of hosting x_X;

[Nicotine]

Thanks for the early info. It school doesn't eat me, I'm sooo doing it!

[Griveton]

Let's just hope November doesn't get me swamped with work like last year. I'll be in.

* Griveton prays for a normal, leisurely november, althought knowing it'll be a futile prayer.

[Two-twenty]

Shit, this again? This time though I may actually be able to do it as I actually have a computer, and it's at my home and everything! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/v.gif

It'll be at the end of the uni semester and I now have a few university creative writing courses under my belt and a few good ideas to boot! This year will be much better than the 3000-ish words I got to last year (work-swamping notwithstanding).

Thanks for the early info Mana, I would've never remembered! :D

[Mana]

Ah, wow, already more interest than I was expecting xD; Ooh, this'll be fun ^^

[soundchazer]

Maybe if i could squeeze a chapter each week.... hmm...

I just hope people don't laugh at my grammatical errors...

[Mana]

No one would laugh at you, SC :p No one even needs to read it if you don't want them to.

Broken down, the 50k words comes to about 1667 words per day, which is little over 1 page, single spaced. It doesn't seem like it's all that much when you think about it that way, and the good people who run NaNo have stated before that this is so that people who have lives can still participate in the event and have a good chance at succeeding.

[Mana]

I don't mean to double post, but I said I was going to revive it for sign-ups, so I am. Maybe now some new users or people who didn't see this thread before will also have knowledge and may choose to sign up as well ;) Despite the fact that I turn 21 that month, I hope to have a fun November full of fun and frantic novel writing ^^.

[Two-twenty]

* bumpu *

The new forums are up and everything! This year I actually intend on finishing it so I best start planning now.

Edit: My NaNoWriMo name is 'Laurence_Linson'.

[Minnie]

I may or may not be participating this year (although I sorta promised myself last year I would at least try it), but I'm always excited when NaNoWriMo comes around; it's the sense of giddy anticipation amongst creative types bouncing ideas off of each other, followed by the dread, the angst, and the copious amount of coffee-drinking on the last remaining weeks. And then, the sigh of of relief on the 30th. It's really quite entertaining to watch people's reactions to it all. XB

Someone sent this to me last year. Thought It was cute embodiment of the sentiment of this event:

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5453/8526696nh9.gif

[Mana]

* bumpu *

The new forums are up and everything! This year I actually intend on finishing it so I best start planning now.

Edit: My NaNoWriMo name is 'Laurence_Linson'.

Huzzah! /me glomps 220 Glad to hear you're crazy enough to do this ;) And thanks for mentioning the forum bit, I was moving and without Internet during that time, which is why I bumped a few days early.

@Minnie: Love the Icon, it makes too much sense for its own good. You should definately give it a go; no harm in trying ^.^

[soundchazer]

I'm in. I went with the same nick I use everywhere, so you will find me easily.

* soundchazer knows he is going to end up the subject of public ridicule, but then that wouldn't be anything new.

[LadySage]

Minnie, that icon is AMAZING.

I'm unfortunately not participating this year, or probably until I get out of school. November is an incredibly intense month in these here parts, and last time I realized I wouldn't be able to make it about a week in when I only had a page done.

[Mana]

With only a couple days left until the start, I hope people are getting ready ^.^ There's still time to sign up if you haven't done so, yet!

[Two-twenty]

Jesus Christ! I need an inciting incident, PRONTO!

[Mana]

Ninjas?

[soundchazer]

Ninjas?

Drunken Ninjas during mating season.

[Mana]

Drunken Ninjas during mating season.

Now anyone should be able to write 50,000 words about that ;)

[Sorrow-kun]

Oh God, I'd love to just try this, but I honestly do not think I'd have the time. Good luck to everyone who enters, though, particularly Mana (who I'm a little disappointed didn't show us her work from last year).

[Mana]

Oh God, I'd love to just try this, but I honestly do not think I'd have the time. Good luck to everyone who enters, though, particularly Mana (who I'm a little disappointed didn't show us her work from last year).

I was planning on sharing last year's work.... until I started the editting process and realised that teh whole thing would need to be re-written before it was even halfway decent :p I plan on being a bit better with this year's though, so you all should expect it up sometime after November (I may take extra time to finish it up past the 50k words if needed).

[Two-twenty]

Oh God, oh God, oh God, it's tommorow! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/freakout5gd.gif

So, is the final AA head-count down to me, Mana and soundchazer? anyone brave enough to give a premise to their story? I'm really going to give it my best shot this year, because unlike last year, the situation is right to pump one out. Good luck to all! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/tizzy.gif

Ninjas?
As a deus ex machina, that would be so rad.

"and just before they lived happily ever after, suddenliness... ninjas!"

[Mana]

Ninjas and dreams are apparently the 2 messiahs of NaNo as far as plot devices and ++word count goes. As far as premise goes, Soundchaser shared his with me, and I think it's pretty good :p I suppose I can share mine as well:

Melissandra is the sole literate individual in a bleak, dystopian world. Reading through various old books, she hunts for information about the heavenly City that floats in the skies. Through a series of flashbacks and thoughts that have a surreal, story-like quality, we learn about Melissandra's past, the disability that plaques her world, the strange girl who fell from the sky, and the majestic City itself. All of this is set to the backdrop of Melissandra working towards her true goal: finding a way into the city and seeing it with her own eyes.

[soundchazer]

Mine is not as fantastic as Mana.

You could say mine dwelves into the nature of the phrase "looking for love in all the wrong places."

[Mana]

Mine is not as fantastic as Mana.

Nah, I think my story is actually probably going to be shite and incredibly boring :p

[Milkymagic]

The idea I have brewed up is about a man who enters a world where there's characters named after emotions (sadness, anxiety, loneliness, etc) and tries to go on a spiritual quest with them to gain his self-esteem back. This journey actually takes place inside the individual's mind, but it does have moments of outward reflection, such as the man in question thinking about the world he believes to barely fit in. Him and his emotion-based friends debate many subjects on their journey for finding what makes the self so contrary to the individual.

It's difficult, but I hope to develop it into something nice.

[Two-twenty]

Good to have you on-board Milkymagic!

Mine goes something like this: Decades ago, flying cities were created to help battle an encroaching world war (which, as it turns out, was one of history's shortest). Today, these war-machines have been rebuilt and remodelled into cites of history and culture. The year is 2051, and a group of students from a school in a lower-middle class suburb are taking their final school trip before they graduate.

Basically, this school trip will act as a catalyst for the direction their future lives take, and one of them will end up changing the world. As the novel progresses, I'll go into each character from the class and narrow it down. I've thought of serveral minor plots each one can go through, such as:
- one character being enlightened by a religious leader
- one falling in love with said religious leader's son/daughter
- one character getting involved in an incredibly popular, underground wrestling event
- another gets into a row with some residents over the previous world war (previous world war will be between China and co. & America and co. and one of these characters will be of Chinese heritage)
- one will partly screw up the motor-system keeping the city afloat
- Old friendships will be broken/renewed
- New loves made (but considering they are graduating, is it all too late?)
- etc

I haven't decide exactly how it will pan out yet, but the main plot will involve the illegal use of cosmetic genetic body modfication (because in this future world you can get a pair of wings on your back as if it were a tat or a piercing, amoung other nifty futuristic-thingies) and it will somehow tie all the stories in.

It'll be told from the perspecive of the teacher in charage of them as if he his reminiscing from a 10 year reunion or something, as such, it'll switch between third and first person.

Edit: I just realized I am far more prepared than I thought I was.

[Milkymagic]

Good to have you on-board Milkymagic!

Mine goes something like this: Decades ago, flying cities were created to help battle an encroaching world war (which, as it turns out, was one of history's shortest). Today, these war-machines have been rebuilt and remodelled into cites of history and culture. The year is 2051, and a group of students from a school in a lower-middle class suburb are taking their final school trip before they graduate.

Basically, this school trip will act as a catalyst for the direction their future lives take, and one of them will end up changing the world. As the novel progresses, I'll go into each character from the class and narrow it down. I've thought of serveral minor plots each one can go through, such as:
- one character being enlightened by a religious leader
- one falling in love with said religious leader's son/daughter
- one character getting involved in an incredibly popular, underground wrestling event
- another gets into a row with some residents over the previous world war (previous world war will be between China and co. & America and co. and one of these characters will be of Chinese heritage)
- one will partly screw up the motor-system keeping the city afloat
- Old friendships will be broken/renewed
- New loves made (but considering they are graduating, is it all too late?)
- etc

I haven't decide exactly how it will pan out yet, but the main plot will involve the illegal use of cosmetic genetic body modfication (because in this future world you can get a pair of wings on your back as if it were a tat or a piercing, amoung other nifty futuristic-thingies) and it will somehow tie all the stories in.

It'll be told from the perspecive of the teacher in charage of them as if he his reminiscing from a 10 year reunion or something, as such, it'll switch between third and first person.

Edit: I just realized I am far more prepared than I thought I was.


Man! That's pretty elaborate, but I like what I see. The perspective of all of these students remains the most exciting part for myself, along with what kind of people these students are.

I've just got the concept down, keeping the concept together will happen as I understand what the main purpose of the story should be. The setup's there, but I'm still looking to play around with other feelings and thoughts, alongside the events that occur in the world explained.

Kind of inspired by Arthurian legend when I felt the idea reach me, though I'm not too keen on the legend itself, the basic principles of its characters had me thinking to myself.

Special Note: I signed on as the name I use here, just to make things simple. Hopefully I don't screw up my first attempt at a quick novel, but I feel confidence and cola will help me trudge through.

[Mana]

The idea I have brewed up is about a man who enters a world where there's characters named after emotions (sadness, anxiety, loneliness, etc) and tries to go on a spiritual quest with them to gain his self-esteem back. This journey actually takes place inside the individual's mind, but it does have moments of outward reflection, such as the man in question thinking about the world he believes to barely fit in. Him and his emotion-based friends debate many subjects on their journey for finding what makes the self so contrary to the individual.

It's difficult, but I hope to develop it into something nice.

Yay, there's one more insane person among us :D

@220: Yeah, you definately seem pretty good to go o.o;;; I have a basic outline planned out, but that's about it >>;;;

[Roark]

Well, add me to the list too. I don't really have a detailed plot outline, and I'm going to be sneaking in time when I can (working + 2+ hours on the road every day cuts time a LOT), but the attempt will be made.

My basic premise is something akin to the following:
A group of bored college students decides to trash an upper-class shopping mall.

[Two-twenty]

The idea I have brewed up is about a man who enters a world where there's characters named after emotions (sadness, anxiety, loneliness, etc) and tries to go on a spiritual quest with them to gain his self-esteem back. This journey actually takes place inside the individual's mind, but it does have moments of outward reflection, such as the man in question thinking about the world he believes to barely fit in. Him and his emotion-based friends debate many subjects on their journey for finding what makes the self so contrary to the individual.

It's difficult, but I hope to develop it into something nice.
Yours sounds abstract and intruiguing, however, just make sure it has narrative drive. Remember, what a character does says boat-loads more than what a character says. It sounds like it has potential for some real conflict, so make sure you act on it, for instance, if your character has low self-esteem, it's going to be pretty hard for him to confront the uglier sides of his personality.

Reading you summary has brought up questions (and when writing, questions are very good). Is your main character a bit of a nutcase? How much are these other characters going to reflect on the main character? Will they be different versions of himself or versions of people in his real life?

I like the idea of a world inside a person's head as well, it could be very surreal. And again, it brings up such questions like: What influence will the real world have on your characters mind-world?

It sounds like a good idea.

[Milkymagic]

Yours sounds abstract and intruiguing, however, just make sure it has narrative drive. Remember, what a character does says boat-loads more than what a character says. It sounds like it has potential for some real conflict, so make sure you act on it, for instance, if your character has low self-esteem, it's going to be pretty hard for him to confront the uglier sides of his personality.

Reading you summary has brought up questions (and when writing, questions are very good). Is your main character a bit of a nutcase? How much are these other characters going to reflect on the main character? Will they be different versions of himself or versions of people in his real life?

I like the idea of a world inside a person's head as well, it could be very surreal. And again, it brings up such questions like: What influence will the real world have on your characters mind-world?

It sounds like a good idea.

Thanks, appreciate the feedback. I'll try and incorporate the viewpoints I hold with the true meaning behind the character. It'll be like a juggling act of how the world can make you feel, and how the world can feel when you're thinking through it. One big problem-solving mess that definitely requires some plenty of needed breaks if necessary (I'm sure my head will explode trying to comprehend certain situations).

Nice to see the enthusiasm!

[Mana]

And so it starts :D

From what I can see online, Milky's got a damn good lead in, I know Roark also made the word count goal. Sadly, I also know that both SC and I fell behind *sniff* How goes it for you, 220? You're the only one I don't know >.>; Suspence kills me.

[Milkymagic]

Right now I'm at 3,348 words, and I've submitted everything I've written up to this point in the Excerpt section. If any of you wish to read it, feel free and give me some feedback on what you guys think, but it's no pressure on anybody if they don't want to (it's all good). For anybody else viewing this, I don't think you have to be a member to view Excerpts, just search under "Authors" and type in my name (Milkymagic) and you'll hit my profile and story sample.

Still, even if things are getting pretty sloppy trying to write this fast, it's fun just pushing everything forward and making stuff happen. I also find myself unintentionally slapping in needless symbolism here and there, but all of it seems to be a part of my subconcious tendencies I'm sure. Great to see you guys are hanging in there, I'm rooting for you guys!

[Mana]

I'll wait until after NaNo to tell you what I think :D That way you won't be tempted to go back in and edit anything.

As of now, I'm just shy of 1300. None of it's up, but I might stick the opening few paragraphs in the except section... as least as soon as the site is back up :S

[Milkymagic]

I'll wait until after NaNo to tell you what I think :D That way you won't be tempted to go back in and edit anything.

As of now, I'm just shy of 1300. None of it's up, but I might stick the opening few paragraphs in the except section... as least as soon as the site is back up :S

Understandable, given I've gotta keep my flow going to reach 50,000. Not going to lie, I'm fighting the tendency to go back to flesh out some of my thoughts, being some sequences were pretty brief. But in the end I'm satisfied with the result for now (given the situation).

1300? That's cool, hopefully things keep going from there, and it's no pressure on you if you don't feel comfortable putting an excerpt up. If you do, I'll probably read it...but I'll be considerate and not give you an opinion till NaNo's done ^_^

Update: I reached 7,525 words and added it all to my Excerpt as well. Things are progressing quite smoothly so far, and hopefully I don't run into any writer's block anytime soon. Good luck everyone!

[Two-twenty]

And so it starts :D

From what I can see online, Milky's got a damn good lead in, I know Roark also made the word count goal. Sadly, I also know that both SC and I fell behind *sniff* How goes it for you, 220? You're the only one I don't know >.>; Suspence kills me.
I'm currently officially at 2700 and something. I've written more but I haven't uploaded it yet. I am going to fall well behind during the first two weeks as an assignment and quite an important final exam is imminent, however, after that, I can focus all my energies on Nanowrimo.

When I do set aside time to write, I'm not at all plauged by writer's block and the words just seem to churn themselves out so the is no doubt in my mind that I will reach 50k by the month's end.

I look foward to reading everyone's finished product. Good luck!

[Mana]

I managed to pull myself yesterday, and went to bed with over 3500, just barely making up for the first and getting everything I needed for yesterday, too.

Although.... I haven't been able to load the NaNo site since sometime yesterday afternoon. Is this a problem with me, or is the site having issues? >.>;

[Two-twenty]

Yeah, I'm having trouble with the site as well, and since slow internet = very pissed off 2-20, I might avoid it for a few days.

[Mana]

Wow, guess it really must be bad. The must have gotten a lot more entries this year than they were expecting; I know last year the site was kind of slow, but mostly worked out well. I'll keep checking up on it every once and a while, but I'll probably be mostly avoiding it, too >.>; Ah well, at least less time spent online = more time writing, ne?

Good to hear that your writing's going well ^_^ Definately get your important stuff taken care of first, but it doesn't helps to get bits of writing in here and there just so you don't fall too terribly behind.

[Milkymagic]

#_# I have just finished typing up to 10,005 words, and I feel like my head's going to explode (typed close to 5,000 today alone in a few hours). Everything's going smooth, and I've had much to write everytime I faced the computer so far, though much of it could use more development. Being Excerpts go for 10,000 characters, I'll stop updating what I've posted at this current point in time.

The site seems to be ok at the moment, though I've noticed it being down time and again. Must be a great turnout so far.

That's cool Mana, way to make up for lost time! 3,500 is a great average to have (given 1667 is the daily minimum average to be met). Keep it up!

Good luck with your exams 220, that doesn't sound easy to balance, but it's great to see you have a gameplan for it all. Hang in there!

[Mana]

Wow, Milky, you're pwning everyone >_>;;

Haven't had a chance to write yet today, what with working on the next revision of the newsletter, but I plan on starting... now.

Though, I do have a small excerpt up on the site now, for anyone interested. It's the very beginning.

[Milkymagic]

I'm at 18000 right now, and I'm working on fleshing out what I have written so far (given I've reached my ending far faster than I should have). Still, that can be a blessin in the same token! Plus I have Wednesday and Thursday off, meaning more time to write and get to that halfway point! (25000)

How's everybody else doing?

I wish you all luck!

[Roark]

Mana and I had a bunch of errands to run last night, and it was the eve of her mother's birthday. I know she's gotten a bit further than I, but I'm at about 8500 and still not really into the core of things yet. Dialogue takes time.

[Mana]

Around 9200 meself. Hit a bit of a doldrum, but I should be able to break out of it soon.

SC? 220? How's it going on your guys' ends?

[Milkymagic]

Nice to see you two are both around the same point, and it's great to see you both have an idea where everything's going (never hurts to stop and smell the roses, I know I need to do that soon given the fast pace I've assembled everything), good luck with your busy week guys!

I'm also excited to see how 220 and SC are doing, hopefully their stories are making some good progress.

[Mana]

After some almost painful catch up time last night, I managed to get back on track with my word count at just shy of 11.7k. Today we're supposed to get over 13, and I'm working from noon until nine, so here's hoping...

[Milkymagic]

After some almost painful catch up time last night, I managed to get back on track with my word count at just shy of 11.7k. Today we're supposed to get over 13, and I'm working from noon until nine, so here's hoping...

Woo hoo! I smell a comeback!

[Mana]

I'm bound and determined to finish this puppy up this month, no matter how much lack of sleep comes from it. It's just hard to be motivated sometimes ^^;;

[Milkymagic]

*Should write a story about Mana and her viscous battle with the dragon named Sleep, with help from a Mountain Dew Sprite and Peanut Butter Golem of course!

Mwhahahahaha!

Or have Mana boxing with some sheep!

"Don't jump that fence! The only count I have is the knockout count I give to you!"

[Mana]

Or you could stick it in a novel. ++Word Count :p

[Milkymagic]

Or you could stick it in a novel. ++Word Count :p

Nah, I need 50000, not 500000. XD

[Two-twenty]

As expected, I've fallen well behind. I'm at currently at five thousand five hundred and something. That's the way it'll stay until monday as well as I've got too many things that are taking priority at the moment (Exam study, work, becoming healthy again, sleep). After that, it's all Nanawrimo! I can't wait until I can finally put all my energy into it. I figured out how the story will pan out so it's just a matter of finding the time to get it out of my brain and onto paper.

[Milkymagic]

As expected, I've fallen well behind. I'm at currently at five thousand five hundred and something. That's the way it'll stay until monday as well as I've got too many things that are taking priority at the moment (Exam study, work, becoming healthy again, sleep). After that, it's all Nanawrimo! I can't wait until I can finally put all my energy into it. I figured out how the story will pan out so it's just a matter of finding the time to get it out of my brain and onto paper.

Well at least all this time away has given you some great perspective on how to work through the story, so at least there's that benefit, good luck!

And good luck with all that life stuff too!

[Two-twenty]

Well at least all this time away has given you some great perspective on how to work through the story, so at least there's that benefit, good luck!

And good luck with all that life stuff too!
Thanks! It's not as if it's been completely out of my mind. I know it's no substitute for actually getting in there and writing the damn thing, but in between things I've at least managed to work out in my mind character histories and plot points.

[Mana]

Mental work can be incredibly important. Like you said, it's not quite up there with ++word count, but don't let it get to you. I'd hate for you to get discouraged. If you ever feel you need it, Mana makes an amusing bouncing cheerleader!

[zarahf]

17,335 not including footnotes, of which there are two pages worth. 45 pages in all.
Haven't picked it up in a while. Maybe I should take this as a hint and give it a little love.

Edit: so I only just read the actual Nano rules (or I suppose I could have re-read Mana's original post) but I have to declare myself an inadvertent cheat. A good 10,000 of my 17,000 words were randomly written over the summer. Doesn't count apparently.

[Mana]

Cheating? technically so, but I don't think anyone will hold it against you. NaNo has few formal rules, and most of them are simply made to keep things in order. The true purpose of NaNo is to give people that motivational spark to write.

[Milkymagic]

17,335 not including footnotes, of which there are two pages worth. 45 pages in all.
Haven't picked it up in a while. Maybe I should take this as a hint and give it a little love.

Edit: so I only just read the actual Nano rules (or I suppose I could have re-read Mana's original post) but I have to declare myself an inadvertent cheat. A good 10,000 of my 17,000 words were randomly written over the summer. Doesn't count apparently.

I call something like that "prepared."

Kept telling myself I'd build up a headstart going into NaNo, but it wasn't until it started when I actually became motivated to write. Mana's right, it's purpose is to turn all of us into novel writers! But how successful? As successful as a novel about "ninjas during mating season." (see earlier posts)

Good luck with your novel; I know I've been trying to avoid ninjas, pirates, and terminators for the last few days. I must not put them in! Not unless all else fails!

Edit: At 25000, I'm halfway through! Things are looking good, keep it up guys!

[Mana]

I've slacked and fallen behind again.... I blame you, Phoenix Wright >.>;;;

[Milkymagic]

I've slacked and fallen behind again.... I blame you, Phoenix Wright >.>;;;

I cut a lot of my activities cold-turkey, so this doesn't feel much different from going a diet for myself. If I want to play Okami or watch some anime, I tell myself,"Agh! I must make sure I have 1667 words before proceeding!" Only to barely do anything when I'm done writing. Still, Phoenix Wright is a fun game, but I only made it to the third level before Trauma Center stole that and other games away from me for many months...and at least it's a good game taking up your time! I wouldn't know what to think of you if it was a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen game.

It's like avoiding all the sweets and eating the low cal foods, in which some of them actually start to taste good given time. In your case, it's nice to at least realize there is definitely a fun life to lead outside the work, while I'm all zombified trying to keep the pace up. It's harder than it looks in my case, trust me, it takes mad discipline. On top of that, as much as I love my story's progress, it pains me to see a lot of it is still quite sloppy. But I'm pressing forward nonetheless! I can feel that second week syndrome hitting me, and I fight it every time it tries to come over me. It's quite doable, but it's my mental state which remains the greatest challenge.

A Day in the Life of Milky (November Version)

Friend: "Hey Milky, wanna play a game?"
Milky: "Sorry, gotta type more words..."

Two hours later, I'm ready to play.

Milky: "Ok, I'm done, you ready?"
Friend: "You took too long, so I'm playing FF XII"
Milky: "Gack!"

:dark1:

But it isn't like my life is too bad in general, I'm just trying to keep myself at pace without feelin' lazy myself. Sounds like the rest of you guys go through a lot, so I'm not going to say much else except "Hang in there!"

[Two-twenty]

Right! Now that all that shit my university exams are done, I can finally focus on Nanawrimo, and boy-howdy do I have some catching up to do!

[Milkymagic]

Right! Now that all that shit my university exams are done, I can finally focus on Nanawrimo, and boy-howdy do I have some catching up to do!

Shall I cue a symphonic theme for inspiration? I smell a Double-Comeback!

You can do it!

[Mana]

Right! Now that all that shit my university exams are done, I can finally focus on Nanawrimo, and boy-howdy do I have some catching up to do!

I still have a bit of catching up to do, too, so don't worry, you're not alone *sweat* That's what today's for anyway >.>; ...

* Mana hides her DS so it doesn't tempt her

[Milkymagic]

I still have a bit of catching up to do, too, so don't worry, you're not alone *sweat* That's what today's for anyway >.>; ...

* Mana hides her DS so it doesn't tempt her

*Hands Mana "Brain Age" just in case

xD

Seriously though, it's like Chariots of Fire, just run for the finish!

[Roark]

I still have a bit of catching up to do, too, so don't worry, you're not alone *sweat* That's what today's for anyway >.>; ...

* Mana hides her DS so it doesn't tempt her
I knew I should've talked you out of buying Children of Mana last night...

[Mana]

I'm resisting, I'm resisting ;_;

* Mana scuttles back to writing...

[Milkymagic]

I knew I should've talked you out of buying Children of Mana last night...

You take her out for a night of fun, and what does she come back with?

Children of Mana!

I thought you were the responsible one here!

Roark is the proud winner of a slap on the wrist!

And because I am a man of much dignity, I will refrain from making a joking remark about the game in question...just be careful you two! xD

[Mana]

Any game about my progeny HAS to be cool

[/threadjack]

[Milkymagic]

Made it to 30,000 words today, and halfway through the month almost, I can feel quite confident with my pace. It's been slow as of late, but I've been finding ideas everyday to put into my work. Now I feel the second-half stretch dawning on me, with the urge of procrastination growing I've been doing much mental dueling with myself. But it's all working out.

I wish you guys luck!

[Mana]

Roark and I both pushed our way into catching up last night, although I haven't had time to write yet today, so I will feel behind...

[Milkymagic]

Roark and I both pushed our way into catching up last night, although I haven't had time to write yet today, so I will feel behind...

I really want to find the words to push you guys forward, but I just can't be as tough as you guys. Good to see you're giving it your all!

How many words are we looking at?

[Mana]

I'm currently just shy of 22k. Never ended up getting a chance to write yesterday due to gaming and tiredness -_-;

[Milkymagic]

I'm currently just shy of 22k. Never ended up getting a chance to write yesterday due to gaming and tiredness -_-;

^_^ That's around halfway at this point which is a great place to be!

Now you just need an extra 8000 to catch up to me, xD Mwhahahahahaha!

Good Luck!

[Mana]

Oh, I'm not worried about catching up to you :p I just want to be sure to finish.

[Milkymagic]

Behold! I have passed the 35,000 mark! I'm at 36000/50000 right now, how you guys coming?

And for the record, I'm going through some rather bizarre developments as I'm pushing myself forward (made two stories into one project, I've gone on mad personal rants through the characters only to have them inch forward with some action soon after, the main characters have no speaking lines ala' Chrono Trigger, viewpoint seems to be some strange mix of third/first person perspectives, etc), yet I feel such absurdity can lead to a creative boost somewhere...it's all just me trying to make heads appear out of tails with time rifts in my story.

Hope you guys are turning out great with your works!

[Mana]

A bit of an update on my status...

I currently sit at somewhere shy of 29k. I'm in a bit of a doldrums, been working too much, and I did have to spend some time writing a review for that weird website I work for, can't remember the name for it right now...

In any event, I don't think I'll quite be able to finish. Around last year I was about this far ahead and still managed to pull forward, but also last year the place I worked for closed down, I got laid off, and I had a week of absoluetly nothing to do but write... don't think that's going to happen this year.

However, no matter where I stand at the end of November, I do still plan on finishing my novel, and I also still want to post up here what parts of the novel are finished at the end of the month, if anyone is crazy enough to read them.

[zarahf]

Between last night and tonight I typed 3,000 words. I specify typed because I have a few pages more written in long hand. I had a bit of an inspiration while sitting in a cafe this afternoon. Problem is that they really need to be a tale of their own. There was little chance I would make 50K by the end of Nov. But there is no chance if I find myself writing two stories. Oh well, at least I am writing.

[Milkymagic]

Right now I'm at 44000/50000, and with 5 days left, it's looks good for me finishing this year. The progress definitely slowed near the end, but I kept it in there long enough to finish (wrote even when I didn't feel like it).

It's good to see you guys are still into your novels long after November, it's definitely the thought that counts overall.

Keep it up!

[Roark]

Oddly, I'm just warming to the characters, situations, and stylization as I approach just shy of 47k. Things are not proceeding swimmingly, at least for the intrepid band of corporate terrorists. With three thousand words to go, they witnessed the first example of the best laid plans of Men no better than those of so many mice.

In short, I will most likely "finish" by thurday, but Finishing will be delayed until such time as I can actually get this to a conclusion.

[Two-twenty]

Ah yes! Nanowrimo! As it seems this month I've probably had a grand total of about 3 days off, as such I've stalled at 10k and long since bailed on the notion of ever completing it within a month. I'll stick with it though as I quite like the storyline, but consider this year's NaNo a complete failure! :p

I probably won't bother next year as it seems this will be a repeating pattern at least until I graduate.

[Mana]

But even if you don't finish, you've still started and gotten 10k words in, which is more than you would have written otherwise :p

[Milkymagic]

Just finished today, and at an exact 50000 words to boot. Definitely enjoyed the story I've put together, though all I can think about is making it better. Definitely something to look forward to in the coming months...

Good to see Roark's finishing! Nice to see the rest of you are still very much into your work regardless of word count, good luck with those novels!

Now to play some Phantasy Star!

[Roark]

Sleep. How I missed you.