NaNoWriMo!

[Chiroptera]

It's that time of the year again, and I hope that everybody is participating so that we can have massive group complaining sessions when we all get writer's block halfway through November.

Go to nanowrimo.org and sign up NOW!
:D

No, but seriously. For those who don't know, National Novel Writing Month takes place during the month of November, and during that 30 day period all the participants struggle together to finish 50,000 word novels of any genre. You win if you finish, but if you don't, you can always try again next year! Since it is a lot of writing, the goal is more quantity than quality oriented, but it's a lot of fun to find a community of fellow writers who'll propell you along the path to authorship, and it's always good to have a finished book under your belt.

There were some peeps who did it last year, but I can't remember who. Maybe they'll impart some wisdom for us newcomers.

Who's game?

[Amaril Torrun]

Is it only for 12 year olds and under?

What do you get if you win? An award? Self-satisfaction?

It looks like a great idea to inspire writers to achieve their dreams of finishing a novel though. Some people need a push.

[Seth_Rahl]

I think I did this once....a long time ago. Didn't really help me, but hey, I can't say the same for others. I think you get some free trip to a writer's convention or something....or is it something else i'm thinking of?

[Serilliant]

Is it only for 12 year olds and under?
Absolutely not! NaNoWriMo also hosts a "young novelists program" which caters to a younger audience, but the main site itself is for any writer young or old. I've met many people in their 40's, 50's, and older who have participated a number of years.

As for the award, it is mostly self-satisifaction. Most people have an idea that they'll write a novel... 'someday'. NaNoWriMo is about making that day today. It doesn't have to be a good novel and it doesn't have to be a coherent novel, but there is some pride in being able to say, "I did it". Also, there is a publishing company that has worked with NaNoWriMo the past two years that has agreed to publish and send you a free copy of your novel if you reached the 50,000 word goal. My copy from last year is on my bookshelf right now, and yes, it looks like a real book and has my own custom cover that I designed and everything. It's not some spiral notebook or anything, but a real, perfect bound novella. It's a novelty item more than anything, but it's cool to have.

As far as a free trip to a writer's convention... I haven't heard of that. There are designated 'municipal liaisons', however, which will coordinate events in your home city for any participants to join. Many major cities have their own forum in the NaNoWriMo forums and feature invitations to several events that people host to come, discuss your novel ideas, and to write. They're great fun to attend.

I've only participated for one year now, but I'm definitely planning to do it again. I already have another story idea and have even moved my novelling program to my dock to be ready to launch on November 1st. I encourage anyone to participate. Even if you think you can't make it to 50,000 words in a month, it's still fun to try.

[Karuka]

H'mm... maybe I'll do it this year, but I don't really have any ideas.

50K words isn't too much if you put in a lot of time and not much effort. A little less than 2K words per diem average.

[Amaril Torrun]

I like the look of the site and I'll probably give it a try. I don't have any ideas, but I know that I'm going to make sure not to put quantity above quality. The idea of getting my first book into print so soon is very enticing since I have procrastinated so much on that endeavor.

Thanks for the information Serilliant. It has inspired me.

Good luck to anyone else that gives this a try.

[Elijah_Morendale]

With school, work, and Guitar Hero 3... I don't think I'll be doing it this year.

[Nirov]

I might be doing this. My idea? Well, we'll just have to wait and see on that. I do believe, though, that I'll need to work extra hard to handle this. No doubt I can do it though.

[Atzar]

I have nothing to do at the moment. I'm doing it - maybe it'll get me interested in RPing again.

[Caden Law]

Already done. I've already survived NaNo two years running now, but only barely; software malfunction in year one and a Great Deal of Real Life in year two. This time, I'm gunning for 100,000 words of bloody mayhem and excellence.

Then I'll donate a good $20 or 30$ to the cause. Because I can.

[AdventWings]

Way ahead of you guys. I alreay have a cast and a plot to work through two days ago. I'll be rewriting the one I had from last year as well, from the ground up. So it's like I'm writing a 100,000 words novel...

Bleh. And I won't even have access to the 'Net on the 30th... Oy.

[Artifex Felicis]

I personally blame Scott McCloud for why I'm not participating.

Mostly because I'm doing the 24-hour comic day in the next couple week. So that'll be really fun for me. I'm probbaly gonna follow the NaNo as best I can though. I only got to 46,000 words last year, but I'll be damned if I ain't proud of it.

[AdventWings]

Hey, Arty. Wasn't the 24-Hour Comic Day held back in September? I remembered reading a DevArt Journal entry on that a long while ago...

Oh, butterz. Now what'll I do! O[]O;

[Maia]

Well, there's one on Saturday. Which is sorta the "Official one."

http://24hourcomics.com/

But I'm doing it with a couple of my friends later. BEcause I need to finish a portfolio soon. And that would destroy my sleeping habits for a week or so.

[Nachende]

I did NaNoWriMo last year -- and failed. ^^; The story in my head was just too long, and I rambled a lot (I got 40,000 words in and was still writing introductions -- oh noes!). I really have no ideas for a novel this year. Maybe if something strikes me before Nov 1 (hah!) I'll give it another shot.

[AdventWings]

Make one about cooking, Nya! I'll challenge you to a Word War! (Along with two of my other works)

[Ashiakin]

I've wanted to do this since last year, but November is always my busiest month. Honestly, I feel like they picked the one month where I actually have things to do. I may do it, but even if I do I doubt I'll get to 50k words. Especially with the FQ and all.

[Nirov]

Maybe you should stop eating lunch?

[Serilliant]

The game is underway! I've cashed in my first 2,000 words. Any other Althanians making progress?

[Elijah_Morendale]

I'm starting tonight. I have plenty of time to kill and ideas as my weaponry.

[Seth_Rahl]

Ugh, I write for my own enjoyment, not for contests. You guys can go waste your lives wrtiing 50k words for something you probably won't get. I'm gonna go do something. Like sit. Or read a book. Or visit my girlfriend. Or kick a puppy. Or...*continues mumbling as he walks away*

[Serilliant]

I don't get it

Summarized for easy reading.

[Cyrus the virus]

WAH I DONT LIKE TRYING

This is somewhat similar to Kakkarot, who barely needs to try to be stronger than the Saiyan Prince Vegeta!!

But really, why be a bitch about it? No matter how dry my barren vagina gets, even I have a whining limit.

I was thinking about doing this, but with midterms and finals coming up, I don't think it's a good idea. November really is a poor choice.

[Red Lightning]

I am a duck.

Summarized for humorous reading.

[Elijah_Morendale]

I write for my own enjoyment, not for contests.

Enjoyment is basically all NaNoWriMo is about. There are no prizes except for the sense of accomplishment of writing a full-sized novel in one month.

Surely, with all the threads that I've seen you start (or raise your hand to be in), this could be something right up your alley.

[Red Lightning]

Meh. I've tried it before, I didn't really feel the drive to do it. Besides, I'm already working on another writing project, and I don't need two.

[Cyrus the virus]

You should make your writing project funny.

[Sighter Tnailog]

You don't "write 50k words for a contest you probably won't win." Instead, you win the contest by writing 50k words. It sets a goal and encourages you to achieve it, and the enjoyment comes from having finally put your thoughts to paper and created something of your own.

In a sense, it's what Althanas is all about.

[Red Lightning]

...

*looks up at Sighter's post*

...

*looks back up again*

Win a contest...by writing 50,000 words.

...

The absurdities that mankind has turned to.

And no, Cyrus, it will not be funny. It will be apocalyptic. Have fun at the end of the world! :)

[Ataraxis]

Think of it more as a challenge than a contest. You know how everyone's always 'I want to write a booke before [insert awful/great moment in life where everything goes downhill/uphill]'? NaNoWriMo is the boot in your ass that makes you do it. If you get the 50 K words, you get your book printed and all, and they send it to you.

Publishing a book, absurd? I think not!

[Red Lightning]

My point exactly: if you need a boot in the ass to do it, then why are you writing it in the first place? Meh. I'm not arguing my point out any longer: You little folk can go scurry off to write 50,000 words, and i'll be sleeping. Damn, I do need to work of that s.o.b. though...*slacks* Ah i'll do it later.

Now you can go and bicker.

*leaves thread*

And Cyrus is still a duck.

[Atzar]

If you think it's such a dumbass idea, then why did you even post here? This thread is for people that... well... are interested in NaNoWriMo.

I haven't started yet. The bad news is, I won't be starting until at least Monday night. The worse news is, I probably won't have any time to post on weekends. The worst news is, I'm leaving for about a week later in the month.

I probably have no chance. We'll see where I go with it.

[Seth_Rahl]

*re-enters thread momentarily*I was, at first, until I realized the futility of my effort. That was when my story of how my werewolf fell in love turned into ash as I tossed it into the fire, all 5 pages of it. I was hoping to bring others to my cause (wtf?), but alas, I am not much of an influential being.

Well, its your life. Adios! ;) *pops back out*

[Caden Law]

...y'know, words honestly fail me for Seth's comments in this thread. I want to flame the hell out of him, but I get the distinct impression I'd get banned for it. Likewise, I want to try and reason with him, but I get the feeling it'd be like trying to talk evolution at a televangelist :p

That said: 10,216 words so far. At this point, I'm actually responsible for one third of my region's wordcount :D

[Chiroptera]

@ Caden: Over 10,000 already? That's insane! I'm at something like 2,800 and I was feeling pretty good. Yeesh. Tell me you're taking time off school or something . . . :rolleyes:

[Cyrus the virus]

If you think it's such a dumbass idea, then why did you even post here?

He's an annoying shit?

[Seth_Rahl]

Nuff with the flaming, Cyrus, I already said my reasons for speaking my piece. And I never said it was a dumbass idea, Atzar, just that I couldn't understand why people would participate in it in the first place as it wasn't something I would like to do. But then again, its just me.
Maybe next year i'll try it, but this year I'm too caught up in my own crap to participate. So i'd appreciate it if you left the snide comments to yourselves. "Cyrus is a duck" wasn't snide, it was humorous, before he retaliates with that.
*sigh* Its sad that I have to argue even after i've left the thread.

Anyways, the current project I've been working on is over 35,000 words, but thats only because I've been working on it for a few months now and I don't feel like submitting my work to the "challenge".

Edit: When was humorous opinions considered "annoying shit"? (See below) And speaking of annoying shit, maybe if you didn't spend so much time with the whole "This is similar to..." stuff and commentating on how irritating I am, you would have more done.

[Cyrus the virus]

You guys can go waste your lives wrtiing 50k words for something you probably won't get.


The absurdities that mankind has turned to.


You little folk can go scurry off to write 50,000 words

Theory confirmed!

[Serilliant]

While Seth's borderline trolling is heavily discouraged, your overt flaming, Cyrus, will not be tolerated. Both of you knock it off or take it to PM.

[Seth_Rahl]

Sure, Serriliant. I don't think there is any need to take it to PM...I said all I could and I don't believe Cyrus would say anything.

Anyhoo.....>.>

Is there going to be a NaNo next year? 0.0

[Elijah_Morendale]

You're only encouraging him, Seth.

[Cyrus the virus]

You underscore lovers need to stick together.

I started a little novel thing, got to 3,000 words.

[Sighter Tnailog]

I think Seth is only complaining because he doesn't think he's up to the challenge.

OH BURN.

C'mon, Rahl. I know you've got it in you. Care to share?

[Seth_Rahl]

>.>

...

<.<

...

>.>

...

-_-

I feel sorrounded. Fine, I'll start working on making my 35,000 worded piece of crap into a 50k worded piece of crap. Happy? *mumbles about something about going to go kick a pregnant lady and owing the devil his soul before stalking off, hands in pockets.*

[Sighter Tnailog]

I knew all it would take would be to call you chicken. :-p

[Seth_Rahl]

References to food don't work well with me. *has unreasonable fear of zombies*

Plus my weakness is peer pressure. *someone whispers "Peeeeeeer preeesssssuuuuureeee...." from back stage and Seth runs away screaming like a little girl* GODDAMMIT HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU I WILL NOT COPULATE LIKE A MAD DOG WITH YOU!!!!! >.<

[Caden Law]

@ Caden: Over 10,000 already? That's insane! I'm at something like 2,800 and I was feeling pretty good. Yeesh. Tell me you're taking time off school or something . . . :rolleyes:
Around 14,225 now. Give or take 50. At present, I'm not in any schools, and work is going Slower Than Dirt around here so I'm getting free time.

That and I'm hellbent on beating a friend of mine this year. Knowing that pudgy bastard, he'll hit 200k by the end of the month :|

[Slayer of the Rot]

I humored the idea of this, and sat down to start, and then realized I didn't have an idea. So to get inspired, I got a little high.

I ended up eating four packages of Dorito's and ten cans of mild nacho cheese, and then I wrote 4,000 words about how I want to molest the girl from Lazy Town. Then I had an epilogue about how delicious Domino's oreo dessert pizza was. I also drew an MS Paint comic about brutal rape and how it ties to Looney Tunes.

I won't be partcipating this time.

[Caden Law]

I humored the idea of this, and sat down to start, and then realized I didn't have an idea. So to get inspired, I got a little high.

I ended up eating four packages of Dorito's and ten cans of mild nacho cheese, and then I wrote 4,000 words about how I want to molest the girl from Lazy Town. Then I had an epilogue about how delicious Domino's oreo dessert pizza was. I also drew an MS Paint comic about brutal rape and how it ties to Looney Tunes.

I won't be partcipating this time.
...dare I say, Thread Over? D:

[Seth_Rahl]

Bwahahahaha. My 35,000 words that I call a piece of crap has now turned into 37,000 worded piece of crap. Ugh...I envy slayer. Hmmm....*looks for something to get high on*

[Cyrus the virus]

Drugs?

Drugs are encouragable. Hey this is where we can use that peer pressure stuff!

[Seth_Rahl]

*utters string of unintelligible curses*

Anyhoo, I've gotten to slightly over 38000 words so far. Every one else?

[Chiroptera]

Not to be annoying, Seth, but the 50,000 words were supposed to have all been written during this month. The only thing you were allowed to have before was an outline. Not to discourage you or anything . . . if it's something you're working carefully on then it has to be of better quality than the crap that most people are churning out.

On that note, I'm at 24,166, about 4000 words behind. Thanksgiving break is going to be Nano-cram time for me. Woohoo.

[Leaf on the Wind]

40,854; 5-6,000 of which was written today.

I think I just got over my little Curse of November. Here's hoping I can break through to 75,000 and at least relish the warm, ample bussom of victory over the Buddha. :D

[Seth_Rahl]

Not to be annoying, Seth, but the 50,000 words were supposed to have all been written during this month. The only thing you were allowed to have before was an outline. Not to discourage you or anything . . . if it's something you're working carefully on then it has to be of better quality than the crap that most people are churning out.

On that note, I'm at 24,166, about 4000 words behind. Thanksgiving break is going to be Nano-cram time for me. Woohoo.


YAY I'M DISQUALIFIED! *ahem* I mean, oh. Damn. Oh well. That's life. *sneaks away, snickering evilly* Oh, my thing is over 50k now...yaya, I guess.

[Call me J]

I think I might try this next year. Depends on what else is going on then.

[Chiroptera]

Welcome to December! So who actually won?

I reached 50k and finished last night with 51,341 words, but I'm only about a third of the way through my story. I think that still counts.

[Leaf on the Wind]

Hit 50k, but only just. The Curse of November smacked the hell out of me this year.