National Novel Writing Month

Kyrra

Is anyone else planning on participating in National Novel Writing Month, this year?

For those not familiar with NaNoWriMo, you basically write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.
It's deliciously frustrating fun!

Has anyone participated in the previous years, and if so, how well did you do?

Alyssea

That... sounds like it would take an excruciatingly large amount of time.

Jonathin

Alyssea said:

That... sounds excruciating.

Kyrra

Alyssea said:

That... sounds like it would take an excruciatingly large amount of time.

It is and it isn't. You can break it down to writing a little over 1600 words a day, which isn't really a lot.

When I wasn't working, I found I finished within 20-25 days. It was a little bit of a struggle to want to write after coming home from work though.

Nellaundra

I think I'll give it a shot if I can find time.  I can pretty easily sit down for a thousand words or so per day, though -quality- isn't assured by any means.

Chryenth

Signed up.

This may be the worst idea I've had since...ever.

Mishgul

Collaberative three word per person story thread you say?

Trilliana

I was thinking about it... BUT I've got so much other stuff on my mind that I'd probably quit halfway through -for the third time-

Kyrra

I did quite well for my first two years, but I didn't participate last year. November came around before I realised and I was just far too busy to devote the time.

2009
Novel: Lingering Darkness
Word Count: 50,425

2010
Novel: The Shalaeran Dreamers: Secrets of the Seer
Word Count: 53,106

I've really missed writing and I think I am going to look forward to the grind. If anything, my need to succeed at anything I try my hand at won't let me give up for more than a few hours.
I can't speak for my state of mind in a few weeks time though.

Good luck, @Chryenth!

Daklore

50,000 words is nothing. Actually finishing something when you've hit the 200K+ mark and suddenly get a five year writer block is another.

And I've never done NoNaWriMo before... mostly because I can't write on demand.

... I've never actually EVER finished writing a story before. I either get writer's block on the story, or I get inspiration for a new one and move on to that(rinse and repeat). S'great hobby, though.

Kyrra

50,000 words within a 30 day limit is quite a lot for most people. Granted there are a few folks that will write two or three novels in the next month, the majority of entrants will drop out before they reach the half way mark.

Personally I enjoy the challenge because writing blocks simply aren't acceptable. It's another form of creative writing exercise and the unpolished material is there for me to work on whenever I wish. I will likely end up re-writing a lot of what I write but November is all about writing and not editing.

@Daklore, I hope you get your inspiration back.

Amunet

I haven't missed a year since 2007. It will be a challenge, with school, but I'm going to try to power through it.

@Chryenth, you'll manage. The first week or so is always the roughest as you try to squeeze writing into your schedule and work past the tedium of writer's block. If you've got a local group participating in the event, I'd suggest trying to go to as many write-ins as possible. I did that my first year, and it really helped to keep me focused. 

If you have a short attention span, try snatching up a programme like Dark Room. Try not to go back and edit your work until you've managed at least 1,600 words for the day - that's a definite morale-killer. Also, it isn't necessary to write your story in chronological order. If you're having trouble with one portion, but you know how you want your plot to progress, skip to another part of the story and come back to the frustrating bits later. 

Finally, remember that the point of National Novel Writing Month isn't to produce a work worthy of publication. A lot of authors deride the event because they feel it encourages amateur writers to strive for length rather than quality of content, which isn't really the case. I've scrapped every single NaNo novel I've written; if someone were to come across one and attribute it to me, I'd likely deny it with vehemence. They were all terrible. The goal of NaNo is to raise literature awareness, and to encourage writers to write something. It's essentially a worldwide writing workshop; not a fast track to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. If you don't manage the 50,000-word minimum, it's no big deal.

Once I get home, I'll post links to a bunch of the resources that have helped to keep me going through past Novembers. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one gearing up for the torture.

Chryenth

It's good to see there are other Achaeans getting involved. Including some of the most respected literary figures active in the game (IMHO).

Guess it's time to start working on plotlines.

Morro

I was going to sit it out this year, but the nerdiness is tempting. Now all I have to do is come up with a story!

Jhaeli

I've tried it a few times before but never managed to finish. Might try it again this year, as there isn't too much else I can do these days and I'm going on mat leave in a couple days. :P

If I do get started, an online write-in might be a good idea too. Or at least a nicely distracting chatroom where we can all motivate each to do less chatting and more writing.

Morro

I actually haven't completed one, yet, but all of the hype is nice. If you're on Facebook, you can join the group for your region and talk to people there about it and whatnot for motivation.

Kyrra

I still kick myself for not participating last year. I don't even have any valid excuses.

My region has a few really awesome folk in it.

Morro

I didn't participate last year, either, for no reason other than I just felt rather terrible.

Chryenth

Just out of interest, is anyone else following NaNoWordSprints on Twitter?