NaNoWriMo ... four weeks of crap? sounds good

[ralst]

I've seen mention of this year's NaNo writing thingie on my flist a couple of times over the last few days and it got me curious. Last year I became aware of the event just as it was finishing, so although I couldn't participate, I knew vaguely what it was. This year I'm in time and oddly motivated - that could just be the sniffles talking - so was

Comments

[trancer21]

This'll be my second year participating in NaNoWriMo and November can't get here fast enough! More than anything, it helped me prove to myself that I can stay focused enough to actually write a 50,000 word novel. Now, if I could just do it outside the realm of NaNo.

50,000 word novel in thirty days - impossible. 50,000 words of utter crap in thirty days - now we're talking.

Heh, well they do say the goal is 50000 words in a month, nobody said anything about it actually having to be good!

Even better, next year they're planning a screenplay writing month!

[ralst]

A screenplay one could be interesting, as I love writing dialogue, but I've no idea about the form a screenplay should take. Although I guess I've a year before I have to worry about that one.

I'll probably do a weekly word count or something if I do sign up for this year, so if you see me slacking off can you please threaten me with something heinous?

[ralst]

I'm usually a short fic kinda person, but I wrote both my dissertations for university in less than two weeks, plus my still unfinished first story is over 50,000 - although that took years - and I once wrote a 19,500 Voyager story over a long weekend (I think, it might have been four days). So I think it's possible. It'll just take a lot more stamina than I usually possess.

I think you're right about mixing up the elements. Now I need to choose a fandom that'll hold my interest.

[anonymous]

I did it last year and actually got 50k words written. This is what I would do: make sure you have the preliminary work done beforehand. Decide on the genre, storyline, work out the characters. Also, if, in the beginning, you don't get the 1667 words a day written, don't panic too much. You'll get into it, and it will get easier.

What also works: do it together with a friend. Since you won't want to lose when (s)he wins, it'll drive you both to get the 50k words finished in a month...

[mylexie]

sorry, the anonymous was me. For some reason I was logged out..

Good luck with the writing!

[ralst]

Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to do that.

Are you planning on doing it again this year?

[mylexie]

I'm not sure yet. It kind of depends on how what markandeya call "the book" is faring. We're kinda hoping to have it (completely) done by then. If not, we might use November to get it finished.

[theholyinnocent]

I was thinking of doing it myself. So if you decide to jump off the cliff, you won't be alone. :)

[cabenson]

Uhm..add me to the list. It wil be fanfic, but I think I wanna do it this year too.

[ralst]

I never realised it was this popular. This is great, we can all become novelists together. *g*

[ralst]

Yah! We can all jump together. *g*