NaNoWriMo2009 Resource Post - Now 100% more interactive!
What do you need to do NaNoWriMo? Just you. And preferably some sort of device or instrument for writing. And maybe an Internet connection if you want to verify your word count.
That's all you need. But here are some additional links and fun things I've found that can enhance the NaNoWriMo experience. :) AND! If you have any suggestions of sites or software or interesting things I did not include, please tell me about them! I'll add them to the list! I plan to eventually make a huge writing/NaNoWriMo resource post on my webpage, and I always like trying out new things myself, so suggestions are appreciated!
First, some self-pimping
ahryantah - My NaNoWriMo LJ. I only use it during the months of October and November, for novel planning and then for posting the novel as I write it. Also features daily word count updates, so that I don't spam this journal with them. Friends-only because of the presence of original writing, but I'll add back pretty much anyone, especially if they're doing NaNo, too.
skylar_town - My creative community. Old NaNo stories are posted there, and I'll eventually have an archive post for this year's novel as well. Most of the entries are locked and membership is closed, but as always it is open to anyone on my flist or that I know from somewhere else. Just send me a PM that you're interested and I'll send an invite.
Eight Tips for a Successful NaNo - an article I wrote last year about how you can manage to write 50,000 words in 30 days or less.
Official Sites
The official NaNoWriMo site - This is where you'll find the official word count verifier, but there are also a lot of other fun things: graphics and icons, places to upload novel excerpts, and incredibly helpful and fun forums (just be careful you don't spend all your writing time there!).
The official NaNoWriMo Twitter - Follow for updates and stats and things.
Software
OpenOffice - I love this writing program. If you're familiar with MS Word this software will be a breeze to use, AND it's not a bulky resource hog like Word.
Word counters/report cards
I like simple, easy-to-use word counters with tasteful graphics. Sadly, those seem to be few and far between, and it looks like zokutou.com is down, at least for now. But I've found a couple other word count meters that meet my criteria:
Word meter at languageisavirus.com - The site also includes some other fun NaNo-related things.
Svenja's Word Count Meter - a nice, new meter that is similar in design to Zokutou's.
I might love word progress spreadsheets more than anything. It gives me a real sense of actually accomplishing something and moving closer to a goal, and I don't think I could get through a NaNo without one.
Truckpoetry's NaNoWriMo Report Card - I use this one every year. It opens with Excel.
Spreadsheet for OpenOffice - Simple and clean. Will only work with OpenDocument, if you prefer that over Excel.
Report card from joytoykid.org #1 - Includes pretty graphs!
Report card from joytoykid.org #2 - Same as above, except this one also includes a tab to keep track of individual scenes for those who heavily plan/outline their NaNo. You can also download a Word War spreadsheet from that site.
NaNoWriMo Report card - This one's set up a little differently from the others. A tab to keep track of word wars is included. You have the choice of downloading either a .xls file for Excel or a .ods file for OpenOffice.
LJ Comms
nanowrimo - The main general comm for NaNo participants.
nanoljers - Posts a lot of writing exercises and things to help you warm up and reach your word count.
wrimobuddies - For support and motivation during NaNo.
nano_icons - Of course there's a NaNoWriMo icon community!
And some more self-pimping: Here are some writing and NaNo icons I made last year.
Random, fun things that might help you out during NaNo
Write or Die - For when you really need to kick yourself into writing.
Jedi Knight's Writing Resources - Nice long list of links about writing, plot, character development, writing communities, and more.
Online Stopwatch - When you need to time your writing and don't have a real stopwatch handy.
Random.org - Um, a random number generator with lots of different parameters you can set. What? You never know when you'll need a good random number while writing.
Have you found any other "necessities" that aren't listed here? Let me know!
That's all you need. But here are some additional links and fun things I've found that can enhance the NaNoWriMo experience. :) AND! If you have any suggestions of sites or software or interesting things I did not include, please tell me about them! I'll add them to the list! I plan to eventually make a huge writing/NaNoWriMo resource post on my webpage, and I always like trying out new things myself, so suggestions are appreciated!
First, some self-pimping
ahryantah - My NaNoWriMo LJ. I only use it during the months of October and November, for novel planning and then for posting the novel as I write it. Also features daily word count updates, so that I don't spam this journal with them. Friends-only because of the presence of original writing, but I'll add back pretty much anyone, especially if they're doing NaNo, too.
skylar_town - My creative community. Old NaNo stories are posted there, and I'll eventually have an archive post for this year's novel as well. Most of the entries are locked and membership is closed, but as always it is open to anyone on my flist or that I know from somewhere else. Just send me a PM that you're interested and I'll send an invite.
Eight Tips for a Successful NaNo - an article I wrote last year about how you can manage to write 50,000 words in 30 days or less.
Official Sites
The official NaNoWriMo site - This is where you'll find the official word count verifier, but there are also a lot of other fun things: graphics and icons, places to upload novel excerpts, and incredibly helpful and fun forums (just be careful you don't spend all your writing time there!).
The official NaNoWriMo Twitter - Follow for updates and stats and things.
Software
OpenOffice - I love this writing program. If you're familiar with MS Word this software will be a breeze to use, AND it's not a bulky resource hog like Word.
Word counters/report cards
I like simple, easy-to-use word counters with tasteful graphics. Sadly, those seem to be few and far between, and it looks like zokutou.com is down, at least for now. But I've found a couple other word count meters that meet my criteria:
Word meter at languageisavirus.com - The site also includes some other fun NaNo-related things.
Svenja's Word Count Meter - a nice, new meter that is similar in design to Zokutou's.
I might love word progress spreadsheets more than anything. It gives me a real sense of actually accomplishing something and moving closer to a goal, and I don't think I could get through a NaNo without one.
Truckpoetry's NaNoWriMo Report Card - I use this one every year. It opens with Excel.
Spreadsheet for OpenOffice - Simple and clean. Will only work with OpenDocument, if you prefer that over Excel.
Report card from joytoykid.org #1 - Includes pretty graphs!
Report card from joytoykid.org #2 - Same as above, except this one also includes a tab to keep track of individual scenes for those who heavily plan/outline their NaNo. You can also download a Word War spreadsheet from that site.
NaNoWriMo Report card - This one's set up a little differently from the others. A tab to keep track of word wars is included. You have the choice of downloading either a .xls file for Excel or a .ods file for OpenOffice.
LJ Comms
nanowrimo - The main general comm for NaNo participants.
nanoljers - Posts a lot of writing exercises and things to help you warm up and reach your word count.
wrimobuddies - For support and motivation during NaNo.
nano_icons - Of course there's a NaNoWriMo icon community!
And some more self-pimping: Here are some writing and NaNo icons I made last year.
Random, fun things that might help you out during NaNo
Write or Die - For when you really need to kick yourself into writing.
Jedi Knight's Writing Resources - Nice long list of links about writing, plot, character development, writing communities, and more.
Online Stopwatch - When you need to time your writing and don't have a real stopwatch handy.
Random.org - Um, a random number generator with lots of different parameters you can set. What? You never know when you'll need a good random number while writing.
Have you found any other "necessities" that aren't listed here? Let me know!