National Novel Writing Month 2015

[Standard User 2,127]

 

Thread's so nice, we made it thrice!

 

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Welcome to the third National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) thread on MLP Forums! This is being made super late in the year, but who cares? We're writers. We're used to late nights.

 

 

What is this thread?

A place to talk about NaNoWriMo in all of its glory and, hopefully, motivate some on-the-fencers to join us this year in writing some stories!

 

What is NaNoWriMo in a nutshell?

NaNoWriMo, despite its name, is an international contest that anyone can participate in. In a nutshell, it is this: you have the entire month of November, from midnight of November 1st until 11:59:59 of November 30th, to write a novel. Sounds easy, right?

 

Of course, there is a word count: 50,000 words, written entirely in those thirty days. Plenty of "pros" double or even triple that word count goal in those thirty days, so it IS possible! 

 

Sounds cool. Do I need to sign up?

Not necessarily. If you want to be official about it, follow the link above and sign up for an account. It's quick, easy, and free! Once you have an account, you can talk about writing with other writers on the site and upload your work as you write to show off your speedy typing skills.

 

What do I write?

You can write about whatever you want. You can write in whatever style you want. You can have one 50,000 word chapter or fifty 1,000 word chapters. You can write an MLP fanfiction or a series of journal entries loosely based on your life or WHATEVER. There are zero rules when it comes to what to write, aside from to continue writing whatever you begin.

 

Why should I even consider this?

Obviously, not everyone has time to write a novel in thirty days. For those that do, however, NaNoWriMo is one of those awesome things you get to brag about to your friends and coworkers: "Yeah, I wrote a novel in one month. Nothin' too important." In addition, the feeling you get come December 1st is a relief like no other, especially when you get to share the fruits of your labors.

 

What do I get for completing NaNoWriMo?

Bragging rights and, most likely, a severe addiction to caffeine.

 

Couldn't I just type a single letter 50,000 times and submit that?

Yeah, but where is the fun in that? NaNoWriMo is all about you: no one counts your words and no one judges your story. You either complete your personal goal or you don't, simple as that. Remember the honor system?

 

What if November 1st comes and I can't think of anything to write about?

Start planning now! The challenge is to write a novel in thirty days, not go through the entire process of thinking up a full plot. You can have dozens of spreadsheets and sticky notes and character dossiers -- so long as you don't start writing until the clock strikes midnight, you're golden.

 

What if November 30th comes and I haven't finished editing?

Same as before: no problem! It is laughable to expect everyone to write a novel worthy of publishing in one month. Consider NaNoWriMo a rough draft speed write of sorts. As long as you hit 50,000 words (no matter how crappy you might think your story sounds), you've succeeded!

 

Can I write a joint story with some friends/Forum users?

Doesn't matter how you write the story, so long as you credit everyone involved and hit your goal. And this year, I have a plan--read on past the FAQ to find out what it is. Teeheehee.

 

I have this story I've been working on for two years! Can I write another 50,000 words to that and call it good?

You can, but that removes a lot of the fun from the event: writing a novel from start to (almost?) finish under intense time constraints. If you have a piece that you're just dying to work on, then go for it. Otherwise, start with something new and fresh! Who knows? You might find a new project to dote on.

 

I want to participate, but I can't do 50,000 words. Is there a smaller NaNoWriMo that I can do?

I haven't seen any similar events (aside from the Young Writers Program, linked below), but that shouldn't stop you from participating. Maybe your novel idea is only capable of 25,000 words. Rather than dissuade anyone, we'll be treating November a little differently here on the Forums: you can set your own goal and we'll keep track of it here. Complete that goal, and we'll consider you a NaNoWriMo champ.

 

Shooting for 30,000 words? We'll cheer you on. Want to write a 15,000 word story, but challenge yourself to never use commas? More power to you. I'd rather get more people interested in a fun writing challenge than a few people who want to attempt the "full" event.

 

However, remember this: if you write 1,667 words a day, you will finish on November 30 with 50,010 words. Some days, you'll hit a dry spot. And some days, you'll pump out 5,000-plus words! Don't be nervoucited: you'll have every writer,NaNoWriMo participant, and member here on the Forum egging you on.    Don't be afraid to shoot for 50k! Even if you miss the mark, you'll still get a lot of writing done and be more experienced for next year.

 

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Links:

 

+ Official National Novel Writing Month site

 

+ Pep talks from famous authors

 

+ List of NaNoWriMo stories that were published Dead link is dead

 

+ Young Writers Program (for younger any users who want to officially set their own goals)

 

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2015 participants / goal:

 

Kolth / 15,000

 

Veolala / 50,000

 

Jaxsie / 50,000

 

Destiny/Cipher/Skeleton/etc. / 50,000

 

Ganaram Inukshuk / 7928.53

 

Count Paradox / 50,000

 

4april / 50,000

 

Group project / 50,000

 

ShadOBabe / 50,000

 

Rubeus / 80,000

 

Swick / 20,000

 

Lagrangian / 5,000

 

The Vengeful One / 50,000

 

Queen Luna / 50,000

 

StoneCold / 50,000

 

Orion Caelum / 20,000

 

 

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News and Stuff:

 

NaNoWriMo Oregon is still emailing me about meet-ups in Salem. Guess they don't know I now live in a different part of the country.

 

No news, aside from many thousands of words have already be written! Keep it up!

 

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Yeah, this thread was made less than two weeks from November. Sue me.

 

Also yes, this thread is largely copy/pasted from 2013. Sue me harder.

Edited November 5, 2015 by Kolth

[-Octavia- 1,176]

Couldn't I just type a single letter 50,000 times and submit that?

Done.

 

Now to spend Nov. 1st to Nov. 29 thinking about which letter to type.

 

On a(nother) serious note. I wish the best of luck to those participating, and look forward to seeing as much of the work produced as I can.

Edited October 18, 2015 by Wubtavia

[Count Paradox 3,548]

I've always loved writing, ant this has always interested me, but I have the problem of never finishing what I start, so I'm afraid to even try...

[Jaxsie (Inactive) 1,343]

Hmm...I'm intrigued I'm strongly considering giving this a go. But lest I be rash, it's probably best for me to think about it. College kind of throws a monkey-wrench in scheduling it in. 50,000 words (or 175 pages) in a month is quite a commitment, haha.

[Denim&Venöm 18,974]

I'm willing to give this group project a shot. I've probably written 50,000 words in my RP posts alone. It'd be nice to have a story to post on Fimfiction and not have it get outright rejected this time. 

[Ganaram Inukshuk 3,682]

As someone who's never had any luck with writing fiction, I can only say that the most fun I've had with writing was writing a 120+ page instruction manual, and not even that was 50000 words, only 24000. Plus, I don't like being subjected to time constraints like this, especially in a group setting; I feel it brings out the worst in me and I'd rather work solo and liberated from a time schedule.

 

Sadly, I'm gonna have to decline the group writing challenge.

Edited October 18, 2015 by Ganaram Inukshuk

[Clawdeen 14,164]

Everytime I do this I always end up forgetting about my novel and never finish it lol.

Of course this won't stop me from trying again lol.

[green 331]

I love to write. But unfortunately I gotta work so Im not sleeping under a bridge.

[Scion of Arcadia 69]

I... really need to take this opportunity. I consider myself a writer, just not a published one. And the biggest problem I have is that I often suffer from severe procrastination. But if it was a group thing? Maybe, just maybe, it'll all work out. Count me in.

[-Octavia- 1,176]

*Sigh* I guess I'll be group member number 4, then? Undoubtedly y'all will have to support me the most out of the group.

[Dark Horse 12,961]

This does sound like something I'd be interested in, but I'd want to check and make sure I can commit to it. Absolutely don't want to find myself starting something and not seeing it through because of some conflict or other heavy workload. It's been too long since I sat down and properly wrote something and yet I've always wanted to try get back into it in my head. Perhaps now is the time.

[Standard User 2,127]

Great to see some enthusiasm already!

 

I've always loved writing, ant this has always interested me, but I have the problem of never finishing what I start, so I'm afraid to even try...

 

No worries there! You can always do what I do and set your own word count to something more doable for you. And even if you miss your goal, you've still started writing a story! That's progress in itself.

 

 

Hmm...I'm intrigued I'm strongly considering giving this a go. But lest I be rash, it's probably best for me to think about it. College kind of throws a monkey-wrench in scheduling it in. 50,000 words (or 175 pages) in a month is quite a commitment, haha.

 

I'm in college too! YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOW YOU MUST WRITE. Nah but seriously you do you, honeyboo.

 

 

Everytime I do this I always end up forgetting about my novel and never finish it lol.

Of course this won't stop me from trying again lol.

 

Great to hear! Should I throw you down for 50,000 words?

 

 

This does sound like something I'd be interested in, but I'd want to check and make sure I can commit to it. Absolutely don't want to find myself starting something and not seeing it through because of some conflict or other heavy workload. It's been too long since I sat down and properly wrote something and yet I've always wanted to try get back into it in my head. Perhaps now is the time.

 

Go for it, tigerfish! Don't believe in yourself--believe in me that believes in you. Yours is the drill that will pierce the heavens.

 

 

As for the people who expressed interest in the group project--@, @@Denim&Venom , and @--I'll start a group message for us to plan in (maybe move to GDocs?). I have a couple stock story ideas that we could roll with if worse comes to worse, although I think it would be cooler if we could come up with an idea as a group. 

Edited October 18, 2015 by Kolth

[Clawdeen 14,164]

Great to see some enthusiasm already!

 

 

No worries there! You can always do what I do and set your own word count to something more doable for you. And even if you miss your goal, you've still started writing a story! That's progress in itself.

 

 

 

I'm in college too! YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOW YOU MUST WRITE. Nah but seriously you do you, honeyboo.

 

 

 

Great to hear! Should I throw you down for 50,000 words?

 

 

 

Go for it, tigerfish! Don't believe in yourself--believe in me that believes in you. Yours is the drill that will pierce the heavens.

 

 

As for the people who expressed interest in the group project--@, @@Denim&Venom , and @--I'll start a group message for us to plan in (maybe move to GDocs?). I have a couple stock story ideas that we could roll with if worse comes to worse, although I think it would be cooler if we could come up with an idea as a group. 

Yeah you can XD Since this threads here hopefully it'll remind me to keep at it XD

[Standard User 2,127]

Yeah you can XD Since this threads here hopefully it'll remind me to keep at it XD

 

Oh yes, I will be in this thread (along with muh baby the Writing Centre) for all of November. I'm basically gonna be everyone's cheerleader, so GET HYPE. 

[Clawdeen 14,164]

Oh yes, I will be in this thread (along with muh baby the Writing Centre) for all of November. I'm basically gonna be everyone's cheerleader, so GET HYPE. 

I'm gonna plan in advance this time for what I'm gonna write about. Before I would wait till the day it starts and spend most of the time figuring out what I want to write about lol

[Swick (ded) 436]

As much as I would love to participate, my plate is completely full. Like, I-went-back-for-seconds-before-I-even-started-eating full. I do want to wish everyone good luck, though. The only thing really preventing you from completing the challenge is your mentality! I'm pretty curious to see how the group project will turn out.

Edited October 18, 2015 by Swick

[Standard User 2,127]

Ayy peeps, still plenty of room left on the group writing project! Dude four of us so far oh man this is gonna be sick.

 

If you want in on the shenanigans, I'm keeping the sign-up open until October 28. That will give us a few days to figure out an exact author rotation and let everyone get familiar with sending the story around to whoever needs it next.

 

For everyone else, tell your friends! Tell your family! Tell your pets! Tell the homeless guy who lives near your school! If they don't want to participate in NaNo, at least tell them of the brave adventure you're about to embark upon. Studies that I totally didn't just make up show that you are 1000 times more likely to succeed in NaNo if you have friends and family to cheer you on.

[SparklingSquirrels 21,341]

Hmm... sure, why not? If there's any room still open in the group project, then I'm down for it.

 

I've written a group story with some friends before; it was really fun while it lasted, but we never got around to finishing it... Anyway, just let me know if there's still an open spot!

[Standard User 2,127]

Hmm... sure, why not? If there's any room still open in the group project, then I'm down for it.

 

I've written a group story with some friends before; it was really fun while it lasted, but we never got around to finishing it... Anyway, just let me know if there's still an open spot!

 

Welcome to the team! I'll add you to the chat right away.

[mars 4,862]

I'm not much for group projects, but I will be writing for nanowrimo. I never really get anywhere, but it's always fun to try. Good luck you guys!

[Jaxsie (Inactive) 1,343]

After thinking about it...

 

I'm gonna do the challenge -- put me down for 50,000 words! *gulp* I told myself never to make decisions based off of fear; so I'm taking the bull by the horns and giving it a go! Time to start planning my story! 

Edited October 19, 2015 by Jaxsie

[Swick (ded) 436]

Tell you what. If someone volunteers to help out with the art in my game *cough*, I'll definitely join the group story. If not, I might, depending on how much progress I've made near the end of the month.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

Ih, not gonna write a novel, but I am putting together a story which I hope to actually write sooner or later.

[Standard User 2,127]

Ih, not gonna write a novel, but I am putting together a story which I hope to actually write sooner or later.

 

So is this an appropriate time to say "Welcome aboard?" Should I put you down for a word count goal?

[Ganaram Inukshuk 3,682]

I've reconsidered. I'll be re^(Graham's Number)-writing something I've stopped writing a long time ago and hopefully get it to work. I'll be rewriting the whole thing from scratch from what little of the original drafts I have left, but it's really two interconnected stories, so I'm not sure if that counts.

 

Personal word goal: 7928.53 words.