The Color Abi's picture
The Color Abi from England is reading Firestarter by Stepehen King October 2, 2011 - 4:17pm

So, is anyone taking part this November in NaNoWriMo and if so, what do you plan on writing about?

Charles's picture
Charles from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones October 2, 2011 - 4:23pm

ive done this before, and the pace is hectic, and i felt like while i might produce an idea, i would have to produce too much just in volume to have anything meaningful (in my estimation) for all that work. but if it helps people get something done, and offers them a workable deadline im for it.

although, it would be cool to start that with an outline, or a really solid idea and just produce produce produce for 30 days and see what you get.

The Color Abi's picture
The Color Abi from England is reading Firestarter by Stepehen King October 2, 2011 - 4:25pm

I tried it last year but I was in hospital for a lot of it so I only managed just over seventeen thousand words. Personally, I see it as an amazing challenge that doesn't just end in November. It ends in the coming months when you finally get down to editing and adding to what you've written in those thirty days.

Brandon's picture
Brandon from KCMO is reading Made to Break October 2, 2011 - 4:32pm

One the one hand, I like the idea of NaNoWriMo in that it encourages a sense of urgency with writing and it's a community of many people all trying to do the same thing.  The goal and the heart of the project are in the right place.

What I don't like is that it's production for production's sake.

I'm not saying you can't write a novel in under a month.  Stephen Graham Jones has done that many times.  Guy is prolific as all hell, but he's also a pro.  He's got the experience and the mind to be able to do something like that.

In more rudimentary hands, it's usally nothing more than 50,000 words of garbage.  Call me old fashioned, but I never understood the point of rushing a novel.  Take your time with it. 

Allison Urban's picture
Allison Urban from the bodies of people she's never met is reading Frankenstein October 2, 2011 - 6:27pm

I've participated the past two years and plan on doing so again this year. I always seem to find myself writing epic, weird, adventure science fiction. I've found that the more you know about the story and the characters going in the less time you'll spend flailing and the better your proportion of good writing to useless crap will be. But regardless, if you want to write but have fallen out of the habit, I can't think of a better, more inspired, more supportive setting than NaNoWriMo.

Nav Persona's picture
Nav Persona from Purgatory is reading The Babayaga October 2, 2011 - 6:25pm

I've done NaNo for years, and love it. My first year I just dove in and wrote like crazy on an idea I had. I made the word count, but it sure was a lot of crap. I still liked the idea, and every once in a while I go back and do some editing on it, as I think it actually might have some appeal to a certain audience.

After that, I just looked at NaNo as a time of dedicated writing. I do a lot of preparation beforehand, such as character development, plotting, a bit of outlining, etc. Sure, I still produce some rancid paragraphs, but that's what a CFD is for... get the story down on paper (or screen) and go back to edit, refine, rewrite, tighten up, do some word resections... in January, lol. I just don't allow myself to do any second-guessing in November. Just write it down.

It can be fun or it can be frustrating, all depends on how you look at it.

So yeah, I like NaNo, but I also think it's an acquired taste, and not for everyone.

Daniel Brophy's picture
Daniel Brophy from Taunton, MA is reading The Power of One October 2, 2011 - 8:46pm

This will be my first crack at it. My idea is a sci-fi deal about monks protecting a library. Think Alien 3, but without the religion. Or some such nonsense. I haven't written one thing down about it, even though I've been running ideas w/r/t the story in my head for nearly a decade. I'm writing a different sci-fi story now and plan on November being a break from that (It's been nearly a year with this, I need to step back for a bit). I'm going the Stephen King route: just write, and see where the story takes me. Never done that before: always outlining, notes about chapters, character bullshit. It will be nice to just write and not have to refer to some beaten notebook I've been carting around for six months every two minutes.

lyndonriggall's picture
lyndonriggall from Tasmania is reading Going Bovine by Libba Bray October 3, 2011 - 12:55am

November is exams month over here, which really sucks, but I might try to catch up if all goes well.  Would love the motivation of the thing.

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts October 3, 2011 - 6:50am

I will probably be doing this. I tried out the 3 day novel last month, broke my brain a little bit, but got a good bit of writing done and developed some alright ideas. My goal was to increase my daily writing routine, it worked out alright.

I've got a backlogue of a couple big wordcount ideas, lots of period piece ideas, and maybe a few inklings for something brand new. It will probably be crime oriented whatever the way.

Howard_Rue's picture
Howard_Rue from Mount Dora, Florida is reading Heart-Shaped Box October 3, 2011 - 2:27pm

I think I might try it. I'm thinking of keeping the page or word count low and having it go beyond the month.

Zombies. I'm thinking zombies. However, I'm keeping it contained to a small area, some tiny rural town.

Peace,

Rue

Kate Winters's picture
Kate Winters from Toronto is reading James Rollins' Sigma Force series October 3, 2011 - 2:36pm

I'm going to at least try it. I have a horrible habit of putting off writing because I get busy, but if I set a goal, it's more likely for me to achieve it. Something... steampunk/dieselpunk-y. I have an interesting idea that came out of an interesting discussion with a friend after a whole hour of endless F5-refresh of They Fight Crime lol...

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig October 3, 2011 - 9:36pm

I have committed to doing it this year, for the second year in a row. Last year was terrible, it was a busy month and my father died, but somehow I still cranked out the 50k (50k of horrible, embarrasing story, that I refused to finish, haha). 

I think I am going to write a sort of psychological thriller based around a woman who's fiance has disappeared, she knows something is wrong, but everyone seems to think he just "up and left". I'm optimistic about getting something usable out of it, as it only really relies on strong character development for one character...here's hoping anyway.

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig October 3, 2011 - 9:40pm

One the one hand, I like the idea of NaNoWriMo in that it encourages a sense of urgency with writing and it's a community of many people all trying to do the same thing.  The goal and the heart of the project are in the right place.

 

What I don't like is that it's production for production's sake.

I'm not saying you can't write a novel in under a month.  Stephen Graham Jones has done that many times.  Guy is prolific as all hell, but he's also a pro.  He's got the experience and the mind to be able to do something like that.

In more rudimentary hands, it's usally nothing more than 50,000 words of garbage.  Call me old fashioned, but I never understood the point of rushing a novel.  Take your time with it.

 

I think it all depends on how you look at it. I have a goal to finish the draft I am currently working on by Nov 1st, NaNo will be my break from it, to get some distance and go back to it clear headed for the rewrite. In the meantime, I will be working and treating it like a writing exercise, so I'll get something out of my month long sabbatical from my "baby".

I also do the fundraising portion because organizations like OLL did a lot for me as a young writer. I am not a marathon runner, so this is like my charity marathon.

lynx_child's picture
lynx_child from Seattle is reading The Dresden Files series October 9, 2011 - 1:07am

I think it all depends on how you look at it. I have a goal to finish the draft I am currently working on by Nov 1st, NaNo will be my break from it, to get some distance and go back to it clear headed for the rewrite. In the meantime, I will be working and treating it like a writing exercise, so I'll get something out of my month long sabbatical from my "baby".

This is pretty much what it is for me, too.  Also, for NaNo I always pick a plot I could have fun writing but am not very serious about it, so when it inevitably turns out to be garbage, I don't mind.  Really it's just about practice and discipline for me.  And I enjoy it.  I get to go crazy writing something without the stress of worrying that it won't be good enough.

My plot this year is a superhero story that follows two different threads, a woman in the 1980s whose psychic powers lead to her death, and a team of petty thieves with minor superpowers who must use their wits to defeat the supervillian who has killed the city's main superhero team.

I've always wanted to write about superheroes, though it's not really my thing.  It should be a good diversion from my main writing project.

A. Mason Carpenter's picture
A. Mason Carpenter from USA is reading The Power of Myth, by Joseph Campbell October 9, 2011 - 1:24am

I plan to participate in the month of November, in general, I know that much.  I might even finish my novel sometime with in that month.  I have been writing like a madman for about six weeks now, getting the draft in order.  So possibly, my answer is yes, but I am having my own NaNoWriMo.  I guess it isn't very national, if it is just me.  How about a Personal Novel Writing NIne Weeks?  Can we have one of those?  PiNoWriNiWee.  Hmm, sounds like a wine.  I'm gonna go drink some wine now...

fummeltunte's picture
fummeltunte from Seattle is reading The Left Hand of Darkness October 9, 2011 - 5:31am

This'll be my second try. The Seattle region is actually getting Denny's to close down on Halloween night for NaNo writers. I guess last year, there were so many writers, people were sitting on the floors typing away for lack of space. I can't wait!

 

Definitely check out your region forums, because the moderators usually get awesome events together so people can write. 

Christine Cowen's picture
Christine Cowen from Phoenix, Arizona is reading The Winter Sea October 9, 2011 - 12:56pm

I'll be doing NANO this year, too.  I've participated before, but I've never won.  I plan to have a good road map this year and hope for the best.  Some one up thread said they end up writing adventure sci fi - that's kind of what I end up doing, too.  :-)

BTW, I'm new here, so...hello to all!

Christine

Charles's picture
Charles from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones October 9, 2011 - 1:07pm

This'll be my second try. The Seattle region is actually getting Denny's to close down on Halloween night for NaNo writers. I guess last year, there were so many writers, people were sitting on the floors typing away for lack of space. I can't wait

ive done it twice in portland, and ive never seen that kind of commitment on such a scale. amazing

Spencer's picture
Spencer from Louisiana is reading The Things They Carried October 9, 2011 - 2:22pm

This will be my first crack at it. I've spent a lot of time on a basic outline, some character development and things I know that will be in there. Kind of scared because I've never attempted a novel length story. But I think NaNo is a great way to jump in. :)

The idea I'm working with is a thriller. mmmm thrillers. That's what I'm shooting for at least!

CSrygley's picture
CSrygley from Arkansas is reading This list would have to be updated almost daily, so I'll just say I'm reading a lot of YA right now! October 9, 2011 - 2:34pm

I have never heard of nano, but thanks to this discussion I'm going to do it this year!  No idea what I will write about yet, but it will probably be someting in the young adult/urban fantasy genre.  Maybe even a dystopian romance...who knows?  I'm so excited!

lynx_child's picture
lynx_child from Seattle is reading The Dresden Files series October 9, 2011 - 2:37pm

ive done it twice in portland, and ive never seen that kind of commitment on such a scale. amazing

Yeah, it's pretty huge in Seattle.  I never go to the actual events though. Too many people :/

fummeltunte's picture
fummeltunte from Seattle is reading The Left Hand of Darkness October 9, 2011 - 6:12pm

It totally blows my mind. I did my first NaNo in Hawaii, and the participation was  probably 1/8th of what happens here in Seattle. I'm glad I arrived just in time. :D

 

In terms of "production for production's sake," I agree that quite a bit of what is churned out might be crap. But it also forces you to meet a certain word quota-- meaning all those things you've been meaning to write? They'll probably finally get written, since you're scrambling to get it all out. At least, that is what my experience has been with the last NaNo. It's definitely not for everyone, but sometimes I need a little extra push to write on deadline, especially now that I'm not in school.

Jessica Beck's picture
Jessica Beck from Portland, OR October 9, 2011 - 6:54pm

I'm definitely doing NaNo again this year. I've done it the last...5 years I think?...and finished three of those, but it's always worth it. 

.'s picture
. October 9, 2011 - 7:19pm

I signed up for it, what the hell. I won't be able to finish the novel but this should help with my procrastination on writing it. I only have 6,000 words so maybe this will help.

missesdash's picture
missesdash from Paris is reading The Informers October 9, 2011 - 11:03pm

I'm probably going to do it. I'm outlining two different things now, so I'll start one this month and save the other for NaNo. My last MS was finished at 45k, however. So I might end up with a bit if filler because my first drafts always run short.

Charles's picture
Charles from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones October 9, 2011 - 11:56pm

i just signed up. had to ditch my old account because i dont have that email anymore, so i cant salvage the password

my username is DoktorNein you all can friend me if you want

.'s picture
. October 10, 2011 - 12:05am

My username is jacks_username on there. Hey that sounds familiar. I'm so original. 

fummeltunte's picture
fummeltunte from Seattle is reading The Left Hand of Darkness October 10, 2011 - 1:44am

Haha, you can also find me as fummeltunte on the NaNo forums. I think the launch of this year's new NaNo site is in.... 21 hours. :D

Nav Persona's picture
Nav Persona from Purgatory is reading The Babayaga October 10, 2011 - 3:37am

My NaNo page

Add me on G+ and let me know you're a writer, your genre, and that you participate in NaNo, and I'll share those awesome networking circles :)

 

Charles's picture
Charles from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones October 10, 2011 - 11:25am
ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig October 10, 2011 - 8:20pm

I think I am Caffeinated_Pix on there....

lynx_child's picture
lynx_child from Seattle is reading The Dresden Files series October 10, 2011 - 8:24pm

I'm lynxchild on the NaNo site.  Feel free to add me.

Nav Persona's picture
Nav Persona from Purgatory is reading The Babayaga October 10, 2011 - 11:28pm

Ok. So the site migrated to a new server with Ruby - so cookies are kaput and we'll have to add buddies all over again >.<

 

Charles's picture
Charles from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones October 11, 2011 - 9:51am

oh please tell me its a server that can actually handle people using it

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig October 11, 2011 - 10:08am

I haven't even logged in recently...

Charles's picture
Charles from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones October 14, 2011 - 7:44am

as i so far lack the faith in any one idea to last me a month (this could change) i am planning on writing a short story compilation for NaNo this year. thirty stories at five pages +/- would be considerably more than i would need, and would give me a cushion for scrapping some during the editing process. OR it could give me some time to stretch my fingers, since i know i wouldnt actually need thirty pieces.

who thinks im insane? do you think this will be easier or harder than the traditional approach?
bonus question: who thinks i'll be a babbling idiot within a week?

Nav Persona's picture
Nav Persona from Purgatory is reading The Babayaga October 14, 2011 - 12:03pm

I think it's insane. And awesomely challenging. It would be harder for me than, say, you I'm sure, but wow. Yeah. Crazy, batshit, brilliant, ambitious... nervy. I'm jealous that I haven't tried something like that. Oh, wait, I'm only disturbed, not totally insane yet :P

Bonus: I thought you were already a babbling idiot.. but I probably have you confused with someone else, lol

When the site is finished- I'm adding you to my writing buddies again. Can't wait to see this unfold- love the idea!

laurelin gilmore's picture
laurelin gilmore from Sacramento is reading Tropic of Cancer October 14, 2011 - 1:17pm

Also, for NaNo I always pick a plot I could have fun writing but am not very serious about it, so when it inevitably turns out to be garbage, I don't mind.  Really it's just about practice and discipline for me.  And I enjoy it.  I get to go crazy writing something without the stress of worrying that it won't be good enough.

I like that idea.  I have one that I storyboarded for a graphic novel but never did anything with.  I have thought of making that a novel, and I'm not insanely obsessed with.  Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...

i am planning on writing a short story compilation for NaNo this year. thirty stories at five pages +/- would be considerably more than i would need, and would give me a cushion for scrapping some during the editing process. OR it could give me some time to stretch my fingers, since i know i wouldnt actually need thirty pieces.

Now there is an idea!  No, not crazy.  Well...yes, but in a good, good way.  My only concern would be stalling the engine between stories, I guess?  With a novel, you get to hop on and go until you drop.  I wonder if I could maintain that energy if I got to stop and restart every few pages.  I might give in to the temptation to start editing each thing I finished.  No?

Charles's picture
Charles from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones October 14, 2011 - 1:33pm

@lauralin: for me its the opposite. im an analitical person. i'll think something that's goddamn spectacular into a bad idea. so, going the route im going will hopefully kill that in me for a month.

Kate Winters's picture
Kate Winters from Toronto is reading James Rollins' Sigma Force series October 14, 2011 - 1:39pm

@charles: I loved that idea. I think there is just not enough people writing short stories these days. Not all good writing needs to be epics.

I'm katewinters on NaNo :)

Charles's picture
Charles from Portland is reading Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones October 14, 2011 - 1:39pm

@kate: have you read THE LONE RANGER AND TONTO FIST-FIGHT IN HEAVEN? one of the best compilations from a single author ive read.

Kate Winters's picture
Kate Winters from Toronto is reading James Rollins' Sigma Force series October 14, 2011 - 1:42pm

@Charles: No, I haven't, but that's going on my neverending-list-of-to-read book list :) Thanks for the suggestion!!!

lynx_child's picture
lynx_child from Seattle is reading The Dresden Files series October 15, 2011 - 2:02am

I just did my outline and initial character creation. Now I'm really excited to get started.

But I have to wait -.-

Aaron's picture
Aaron from Texas is reading Robert Filmer's Patriarcha October 15, 2011 - 2:37pm

This'll be my first NaNoWriMo. For the past week or so I've been outlining a sort of post-cyberpunk idea, and I'll try to get fifty thousand words out of it. I may end up just writing a bunch of short stories with similar themes, similar to what Charles is doing.

CJ Roberts's picture
CJ Roberts from Salem, MA is reading goodreads.com/cjroberts_dmm October 17, 2011 - 2:14pm

I've been tabling an idea for a couple months now. Something scifi. I will be participating and see what happens. I see it has a kind of boot camp. It doesn't really prepare you for the real business of being a writer but at least it gets rid of the unwanted weight and puts you in the right space.

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig October 17, 2011 - 3:10pm

who thinks im insane? do you think this will be easier or harder than the traditional approach?
bonus question: who thinks i'll be a babbling idiot within a week?

I'm planning on taking the traditional approach and imagine I will be a babbling idiot within a week (okay, maybe two weeks).

EdVaughn's picture
EdVaughn from Louisville, Ky is reading a whole bunch of different stuff October 17, 2011 - 6:16pm

I plan on doing this. Never done it before. I thought it might be a fun and challenging thing to do. I'm red v. over there.