So, is anyone taking part this November in NaNoWriMo and if so, what do you plan on writing about?
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.
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'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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...
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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
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
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!
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!
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 :/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
My username is jacks_username on there. Hey that sounds familiar. I'm so original.
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
I think I am Caffeinated_Pix on there....
I'm lynxchild on the NaNo site. Feel free to add me.
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 >.<
oh please tell me its a server that can actually handle people using it
I haven't even logged in recently...
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?
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!
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?
@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.
@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 :)
@kate: have you read THE LONE RANGER AND TONTO FIST-FIGHT IN HEAVEN? one of the best compilations from a single author ive read.
@Charles: No, I haven't, but that's going on my neverending-list-of-to-read book list :) Thanks for the suggestion!!!
I just did my outline and initial character creation. Now I'm really excited to get started.
But I have to wait -.-
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.
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.
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).
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.