elegantlion Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I am pleased to announce that the Nanowrimo 2009 social group is now in place. Thanks for the reminder to dust off the desks, clean out last years notes, and redecorate with 2009 decor. You can find the group here. If you are not sure what NaNoWriMo is all about you can read the official information at their site. http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node Basically you create a 50k word novel during the month of November. The goal is not to finish the next Great Book, but to challenge yourself by committing to finish the word count. It's great fun. I've participated in Nano in 2007 & 2008 and other challenges spun off from Nano. The social group is open to anyone interested. It is not a commitment to complete the Nano so don't feel pressured. NaNoWriMo also has a Young Writer's Program designed for students. It's a great way for your budding novelist to compete as well. I look forward to having a great time again this year. Here's to writing! :cheers2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I loved doing this last year, but I am pretty sure I don't have the brain cells to do it this year. Although, it does spur you on pretty well. I'll have to think on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Count me in. I pretty much came to a full stop on rewriting my 2007 Nano. Going to spend the next few weeks researching and outlining my new story. Yeehaw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I've thought this sounded fun, but I have been so overwhelmed already in the past that it just seemed like one more dang thing! This year I'm feeling a bit more in control of my life (which, from past experience, means the other shoe is just about to fall) and have been considering giving this a try--not to actually try to publish anything, but to chip some of the rust of my writing skilzzzz and have a little fun. Only I don't know where to start and I don't know that I have time to dig in and research the process. Is this social group the sort of thing where someone will hold my hand and crack the whip for me a little and tell me what it is I'm supposed to be working on next? How would I get started? What kind of preliminary work do I do before November smacks me upside the head? Do I need an outline or something before then? How does one go about this sort of thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanda7 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I've been reading novel-writing books in anticipation :) I won NaNoWriMo last year, and it was a great exercise for me. I have no idea what this year's book will be, though :scared: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I've thought this sounded fun, but I have been so overwhelmed already in the past that it just seemed like one more dang thing! This year I'm feeling a bit more in control of my life (which, from past experience, means the other shoe is just about to fall) and have been considering giving this a try--not to actually try to publish anything, but to chip some of the rust of my writing skilzzzz and have a little fun. Only I don't know where to start and I don't know that I have time to dig in and research the process. Is this social group the sort of thing where someone will hold my hand and crack the whip for me a little and tell me what it is I'm supposed to be working on next? How would I get started? What kind of preliminary work do I do before November smacks me upside the head? Do I need an outline or something before then? How does one go about this sort of thing? It is really fun, even when you don't finish. I've done it three years, and finally "won" last year. Even when I didn't get much written, I had at least written something. You don't technically need to do any preliminary work before November. I know some people start without having any idea, and just write. I do better with at least an idea of my plot, and a (very) rough outline, and even some rough character sketches. Oh, the book No Plot, No Problem is helpful and a quick read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 I've thought this sounded fun, but I have been so overwhelmed already in the past that it just seemed like one more dang thing! This year I'm feeling a bit more in control of my life (which, from past experience, means the other shoe is just about to fall) and have been considering giving this a try--not to actually try to publish anything, but to chip some of the rust of my writing skilzzzz and have a little fun. Only I don't know where to start and I don't know that I have time to dig in and research the process. Is this social group the sort of thing where someone will hold my hand and crack the whip for me a little and tell me what it is I'm supposed to be working on next? How would I get started? What kind of preliminary work do I do before November smacks me upside the head? Do I need an outline or something before then? How does one go about this sort of thing? It is really fun, even when you don't finish. I've done it three years, and finally "won" last year. Even when I didn't get much written, I had at least written something. You don't technically need to do any preliminary work before November. I know some people start without having any idea, and just write. I do better with at least an idea of my plot, and a (very) rough outline, and even some rough character sketches. Oh, the book No Plot, No Problem is helpful and a quick read. :iagree: I truly had no clue if I could write 50k in one month when I started. I have very vivid dreams and use those to build plot and character. :D It really is fun and even if you don't achieve 50k you learn a lot about yourself and your writing. I'd encourage you to poke around at the nanowrimo.org site. the social is all in fun, we're not uber competitive. If you need encouragement or a kick we'll provide. The one thing that helped me was getting my family behind me. They agreed to let me "disappear" for certain hours during the month. They were my biggest cheerleaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Thanks, EL! Since last year's challenge I've read Chris Baty's book, No Plot, No Problem, a terrific guide to speed-novel-writing. It was entertaining and will be helpful for this coming year. It was in my local library's collection. recommend it for hopeful NaNoWriMo novelists. I don't know where I am going to find the time, but I will strive to carve it out. Now I just need to come up with a fresh idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 To NaNo or not to NaNo, that is the question... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe I'll join the social group and at least lurk...hmmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Lynn Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 My dd has "won" the past two years and has her copies of her books. She is so proud of them. Two of her friends also won last year. They have enjoyed doing it together for encouragement. I have no idea, if I could actually write 50k in a month, though dd wants me to do it. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiana Daniels Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Oo oo oo, I think I can do it this year. The last 2 years I was smack in the middle of other novels, but this year I can start a fresh one at the beginning of November. The one year I did it was totally fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Oh, Mamasheep, don't be a chicken. (I crack myself up sometimes!) I started last year's NaNo feeling overwhelmed and without a character or plot in mind. Literally on Nov. 1, I started typing. When I hit a wall or a block, I wrote in a new character, caused an accident, or made my characters travel somewhere. It was the MOST FUN I've had writing ever in my life. My 50,000 words were accomplished in 25 days because I needed time off for Thanksgiving and family stuff. You do NOT edit, you do NOT erase, you wrie FORWARD. If you change your mind about something just begin writing that way. Someday you'll go back and fix it all. That's FREEING. Whatever you write is way more than you would have written otherwise. Go to the website and register so you get the weekly pep talk emails. They are awesome. I have read a copy of "No Plot, No Problem" and loved it. I read it week by week to keep myself pumped up. In the book they recommend that you only spend a little time prepping. The key is to write. Several things I learned about my writing last year... I can write every day. I can write a lot of words (Some days 2-4 thousand words) I can write in lots of different places...Starbucks, the backseat of a car, a corner of the church building, etc. I can start and finish a book length story. It's a blast! Please join us, if you can. We promise to make it fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Cluck....cluck cluck...cluck....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiana Daniels Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 When I hit a wall or a block, I wrote in a new character, caused an accident, or made my characters travel somewhere. It was the MOST FUN I've had writing ever in my life. That's FREEING. Here, here! The first (and only) time I did Nano I wrote an entire novel, which ended up being the worst drivel EVER. My characters were AWFUL, and the only one I halfway like I killed off in the middle of the book. HAHA!! But it WAS freeing and it taught me that I can, in fact, complete a project. (Have since written 5 "real" novels.) And you're right, it's just fun!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saille Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I think...I think I may be in. I signed up on the site. I am nuts. My library doesn't have the book. I am nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 The one armed gimp issue is a huge deterrent. I finished 50k by the 18th the year before my injury...now I'm not sure if I can get even 20k done... But I'm in. Heaven help me, and get the IV of meds blended with caffeine prepped...:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thank you. I had no idea there was a Young Writer's Program too. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedwithboys Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 One of my ds's has decided he wants to participate in the Young Writers program. He is very excited and can't wait to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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