National Novel Writing Month 2013

[Standard User 2,127]

 

NaNo is over for 2013! Hope you enjoyed the frantic writing, and see you next year!

 

 

For those who become daunted by NaNoWriMo through reading this thread, read the last bold question.

 

 

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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. I'm also going to poke around the Forum and try to cook up something special for anyone who reaches their goal.

 

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 your story may sound), 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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2013 participants / goal:

 

 

# Handsome Jack / 50,000

 

# Dusknight Haze / 50,000

 

# Rudy Redlin / 50,000

 

# Sepia-chan / 50,000

 

# 00Pony / 50,000

 

# TwilightCircuits / 50,000

 

# lincolnshirepony / 50,000

 

# ILetThePoniesIn / 50,000

 

# Anishna / 50,000

 

# Fluttermena / 50,000

 

# RarityRainbow / 50,000

 

# Geminii / 50,000

 

# NeverNeverland / 10,000

 

# Scootadress / 50,000

# Oleg / 50,000

# Nightmare Diamond / 50,000

 

 

(Unless you state otherwise, I'm just going to assume that your goal is 50,000 words)

 

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News and Stuff:

 

I managed to get a little somethin'-somethin' for those who complete the challenge. @Bronyette cooked up a cool pony-themed pixel badge that you can show off to all your Internet friends, real-life friends, animal friends, and imaginary friends. 

 

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I'm creating this thread now so that people who wish to participate can ask/answer questions and begin planning. Two months may seem like a ways away, but it can creep up on ya', and planning helps a ton. 

 

And anyway, I can't be the only user here interested in NaNoWriMo. Anyone else want in?

Edited December 3, 2013 by Handsome Jack

[Dusknight Haze 161]

Ugh, I want to get in really badly, but not only does MLP start in November (well, at least towards the end), but I have all these crazy tests and tournaments...

 

I'll think about it. If I do get in, I'll most likely fail, but at least I'll have a skeleton of a story to work on later.

 

Put me down for 45k words. Those last five will be time used for studying, lol.

[Standard User 2,127]

I'll think about it. If I do get in, I'll most likely fail, but at least I'll have a skeleton of a story to work on later.

 

That's why I love NaNo: even if you don't succeed, you're still a winner. What a beautiful thing.

 

I might ask my English teacher to make a daily NaNo check-in part of my curriculum just so I stay on the ball. 

[Swick (ded) 436]

Mmmm I don't think I'll be doing this. I just write when I have nothing better to do for the most part, but lately I've been really busy putting together all of the animations for Nevuud. There's no way I could do both, and Nevuud is at the top of my priority list right now. Sorry bro. :/

[Twilight Circuits 603]

Not sure where i'll be during that time but if I have the time available I'd take up the challenge. Celestia, willing of course.

[Sepia-chan 495]

I've been working on a sorta fantasy novel for quite some time so this is of great interest to me. I'm definitely gonna be a part of it.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Sepia-chan

[Obsolete 681]

I'd love to take part in this. Sounds like the perfect way to get back into writing. Problem is I've got other things I must prioritize right now, like my never-ending job search. How frustrating.

[Standard User 2,127]

Not sure where i'll be during that time but if I have the time available I'd take up the challenge. Celestia, willing of course.

 

Want me to put your name on the list, or should I wait a bit?

 

 

I've been working on a sorta fantasy novel for quite some time so this is of great interest to me. I'm definitely gonna be a part of it.

 

Good to hear! Aaand that totally reminds me of one of the NaNo rules, which I managed to completely forget about: they want a fresh story. No "cheating" by already writing 20,000 words before, then either finishing the last 30,000 or tacking on another 50,000. But regardless: do you have a goal in mind yet?

I'd love to take part in this. Sounds like the perfect way to get back into writing. Problem is I've got other things I must prioritize right now, like my never-ending job search. How frustrating.

 

No problem! Set a small goal if that's what it takes to get you moving. Even 10,000 words is progress in the right direction, right?

[Sepia-chan 495]

I guess my goal is to stop writing it (I've only written about 200 words or so anyway) then start over for the competition. Is that against the rules?

[Standard User 2,127]

I guess my goal is to stop writing it (I've only written about 200 words or so anyway) then start over for the competition. Is that against the rules?

 

Nope, not at all (that I know of). I put in a question/answer about this, but you are good to go. Consider those two hundred words a rough draft!

[Standard User 2,127]

Like I said, you can set your own goals if you want. Trying to be all-inclusive, y'know.   So 10,000 words works for you? 

 

Good to see that this is already generating interest, by the way. 

Edited September 14, 2013 by Marcato
Removed quote of hidden post

[Sepia-chan 495]

Nope, not at all (that I know of). I put in a question/answer about this, but you are good to go. Consider those two hundred words a rough draft!

It's a very, very early draft then. I was on like the third page of my notebook and had just started the first chapter.

Either way, super excited for this, should be fun.

[Obsolete 681]

Like I said, you can set your own goals if you want. Trying to be all-inclusive, y'know.   So 10,000 words works for you? 

 

Good to see that this is already generating interest, by the way. 

 

You know what, I'm feeling particularly emboldened tonight so I'll try to meet the other writers halfway. Make it 30,000!

 

Hahaha, I'm so gonna regret this in the morning. Not usually one for making commitments. 

[00Pony 286]

Aaah, NaNoWriMo. I remember a friend of mine telling me about this last year. We were co-writing a book through RP format, and she used this as an excuse to just sit down and change it into a more story centric format.

I would love to attempt this but... Oi. Knowing my procrastination and attention span for almost any form of remotely productive action, I wouldn't get much done

But, you never know. I might give it a shot. Put me down for 50,000.

I am so going to regret doing this later.

Edited September 7, 2013 by 00Pony

[Twilight Circuits 603]

Want me to put your name on the list, or should I wait a bit?

 

 

 

Good to hear! Aaand that totally reminds me of one of the NaNo rules, which I managed to completely forget about: they want a fresh story. No "cheating" by already writing 20,000 words before, then either finishing the last 30,000 or tacking on another 50,000. But regardless: do you have a goal in mind yet?

 

No problem! Set a small goal if that's what it takes to get you moving. Even 10,000 words is progress in the right direction, right?

Know what, put me on the list. I have faith that Celestia and Luna shall provide. Now that I think about it, in light of recent event s which equate to me losing a years worth of handwritten work, I might be able to make use of this thing as a tool during the implementation of a new project to replace my lost work.

 

i'll take the 50,000

Edited September 7, 2013 by TwilightCircuits

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Sweet, NaNoWriMo thread. This is going to be my seventh year participating. :B I'm shooting for 50,000 as usual. I think I've got a decent idea for what to write this year, but I haven't done much in way of actual planning. Maybe I can get my act together and actually put together an outline. Or I could just wing it like every other year.

[Standard User 2,127]

Sweet, NaNoWriMo thread. This is going to be my seventh year participating. :B I'm shooting for 50,000 as usual. I think I've got a decent idea for what to write this year, but I haven't done much in way of actual planning. Maybe I can get my act together and actually put together an outline. Or I could just wing it like every other year.

 

Wow, we've got a pro here.   Got any tips for writing or tricks for not going batcrap insane? (I know that, for a few years, I just broke down for no apparent reason)

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Wow, we've got a pro here.   Got any tips for writing or tricks for not going batcrap insane? (I know that, for a few years, I just broke down for no apparent reason)

I think I just stay insane for a decent chunk of November. =P My formula for success is doing well at keeping up for the first few days, fall horribly behind, and spend Thanksgiving break writing X amount of words. It usually works out despite the slip in quality. :B

[Standard User 2,127]

I think I just stay insane for a decent chunk of November. =P My formula for success is doing well at keeping up for the first few days, fall horribly behind, and spend Thanksgiving break writing X amount of words. It usually works out despite the slip in quality. :B

 

That's my plan: a Mountain Dew-fueled Thanksgiving Break where my fingers never leave the keyboard.

 

And you people think I'm joking.

[Dusknight Haze 161]

That's my plan: a Mountain Dew-fueled Thanksgiving Break where my fingers never leave the keyboard.

 

And you people think I'm joking.

 

Yeah probably same, except with Dr. Pepper, since it's the intellectual's drink.

 

But you know what, screw it. Change it to 50k for me. All or nothing now.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Dusknight Haze

[Silver Letter 1,832]

I do not believe I have even heard of this before but it sounds very interesting. Perhaps a chance to work and finish this project I've been thinking about doing for some time. Well, I've got a lot of projects I want to do but this one in particular might be small enough to fit the 50,000 word limit. And I haven't done any work on it. I guess I should get to drafting, although I would have to essentially abandon my other rewriting projects for now. I can't exactly use them for this since they are already written. Oh well, they will still be there when I'm done. It does sound like an interesting and doable challenge. I think I shall try for 50,000 words.

Edited September 7, 2013 by ILetThePoniesIn

[lincolnshirepony 527]

That's my plan: a Mountain Dew-fueled Thanksgiving Break where my fingers never leave the keyboard.

 

And you people think I'm joking.

I think I'll use Diet Coke. :B Thanksgiving break is a fabulous time for playing catch up. It's one of my most honored Thanksgiving traditions. =P

[Thuja 3,659]

Oh gosh, I'm not really sure what to write...  Does it matter that I'm not all that good at writing stories?  I'd like to work on improving that aspect and I guess this would give me more of a goal to work on it...

[Standard User 2,127]

Oh gosh, I'm not really sure what to write...  Does it matter that I'm not all that good at writing stories?  I'd like to work on improving that aspect and I guess this would give me more of a goal to work on it...

 

Shoot for it! I'm using NaNoWriMo this year to guilt me into writing again. I honestly don't expect myself to hit the 50,000 mark, but I'll get quite a bit done regardless. Use it to be your motivation to write! 

[Obsolete 681]

Oh gosh, I'm not really sure what to write...  Does it matter that I'm not all that good at writing stories?  I'd like to work on improving that aspect and I guess this would give me more of a goal to work on it...

 

I can assure you, you're not alone. I've written before but every time I start up a new project I'm like "LOL HOW IS STORIE FORMED" and from what I gather most writers experience the exact same thing.

 

I say go for it. I'm not all that confident about my writing abilities either and I'm gonna do it!

 

@ BTW, I'm sorry to be a bother, but I've been thinking and I decided that if I shoot for novella-length I won't be getting the full experience. I want to try the full 50,000. Who needs sanity anyway?