NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)

[Earthshine]

Yup, it's that time of year again for creative minds.

Starting on November first the ultimate (and I use that term loosely) challenge is opened up for anyone to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. There is traditionally no editing allowed except for minor grammar corrections (the fun of full scale editing comes after the 30th!).

The point of this challenge is quantity not quality, it can be used as a tool to help a writer to think of ideas quickly and put them down on paper, and to forgive themselves if things sound just plain silly. Such as one my friend's famous blunder of; the twirling flashing on her skirt was rainbow and pretty.

And my personal favorite blunder from my own NaNo; you think that by put all their lame you might get something average!?

Granted everyone wants to write something really good, but the point of the challenge is to just get 50,000 words in a semi-coherent stream.

But then again you can bypass the rules if you want to and just do all the editing that you want to make you feel more comfortable.

The website (should you desire to sign up officially) can be found here; http://nanowrimo.org/

On this site you can connect with other writers (like me) and get access to pep talks and resources (even publishing tips), but joining is not needed.

So is anyone interested in joining me in this challenge? It's a tasking challenge but worth it if you can do it. Also, traditionally fanfiction is off-limits for this challenge but I've known many that decided to do it anyway because a novel is a novel.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Looking back in my closet of unwritten story ideas, there is one that I've wanted to do which was a sci-fi story along the lines of Carl Sagan's Contact. In-fact I realized that I could actually do it as a sequel to Contact, as a way to bootstrap myself. I actually have a small outline written, and the first paragraphs of an opening chapter. I could use those resources as starting source material and give it a go.

It would sorta still be fan-fiction in that I'm basing some OC's on existing characters, some of the OC's might make a cameo appearance, and a bit of the original plot might be mentioned in flashbacks. At the moment, that's my best shot at doing something like this though.

The only drawback might be pissing off a few people who are waiting for updates on two Astroboy fan fics I'm in the middle of on FF.net (I'd have to put them on hold).

On a good day, I've managed to do 2k words of a story in a single sitting. Over a month, that would do it.

I'll check out the website you posted and see what happens.

[MrsEclipse]

I used to do it every year, but no one I knew would ever write with me and I could never make the meet-ups. Thus, it lost it's appeal and I stopped doing it a few years back.

This is the first year that I have both the availability to go to the local groups as well as people I know willing to write with me... and I can't do it because I'm editing and finishing a book to come out on December 1st. So, I guess technically that's a good thing, but still.

[Earthshine]

Whatever you choose to do is entirely up to you. It's just something fun that my friends and I like to do and have a laugh at when it's all done. Last year on the first of November we had a writing party where we all got together at my house and wrote for five hours straight while listening to music.

It is a little hard for me to get started, and I struggle with getting into my rhythm but after about 10,000 words I can write much more fluidly.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Just started today. Chapter one, 2565 words (according to Libre Office Writer)

[Astro Forever]

I gave it a try one year, and I didn't make it very far. I'm just not too good at coming up with stories. Perhaps I should have gone with a fanfic, it would have been easier with already existing characters and settings. I'm more comfortable with essays, but 50 000 words would be way to much. Oh well, at least I tried it. I don't think I'm going to try it again (and especially not this year, I never have enough sleep these days!), but good luck to all the participants. Keep us updated!

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Three days in and I've cracked 14000 words.

[AprilSeven]

Can I use the fanfic I've started, or must it be an original from the first word? I didn't see anything on the website to indicate their rules on something like that.

[MrsEclipse]

Can I use the fanfic I've started, or must it be an original from the first word? I didn't see anything on the website to indicate their rules on something like that.

From the FAQ
Do I have to start my novel from scratch on November 1st? Can I use an outline?

Can I reuse an old idea I already started writing?