The most magical time of year is coming....

[podperson]

Anyone else doing NaNoWriMo this year?

If you are, have you started planning yet? Or are you a complete pantser and you won't know what you're writing until you start on Nov. 1?

Remember, the time to plan is sloooowly running down.

Comments

[phoenixfire12]

Several friends of mine have done this, but I have never written for NaNoWriMo. All I really know about it is you have to write x-number of words per day for a whole month. Sounds like an interesting challenge. I'm told you can write anything they want to. Does that include fancfic? Probably not. This seems like a serious thing for serious professional and near-professional writers.

[podperson]

"All I really know about it is you have to write x-number of words per day for a whole month."
The goal is to reach 50,000 words during the month of November. As long as what you write is new and at the end of the month can be saved into one doc, you're good.
Fanfic does count. The official site even has a fanfiction section in the forum.

"This seems like a serious thing for serious professional and near-professional writers."
Sure, there are some professional and near-professional writers, but I hazard to guess there are even more amateurs. There might be a fantasy while writing the novel will be published and turned into a hit, but realistically no. The 50,000 words and completed novel is the payoff.

The goal is serious, getting there often isn't. Word wars(timed writing races), silly prompts, insertion of odd characters, and desperation to break a writer's block can add absurdity to a serious goal

[phoenixfire12]

Sounds like aggravating and frustrated fun. I just might try it. I've had this story running around in my head for months now and I've been making all kinds of notes on my universe, characters, places, etc. It would be a re-write of a story I started but never finished when I was in my early 20's (I'm 52 now). I take it that would be acceptable? My writing back then was fast paced and not very well detailed. I've gotten better over the decades and I know I can do better with it.

[podperson]

From what I understand re-writing is perfectly acceptable. You're making changes and typing anew.
For example, it's frowned upon to simply cut/paste 30,000 old words, add 20,000 to it and call it winning the challenge. Adding 50,000 to the 30,000 would be winning. Then again the only person who would know the words are old would be the writer, so it's up to the person to be honest to themselves.
I see the challenge as a great way to make progress with an idea (even if it doesn't reach the goal) and to have a sense of community while doing it. If you have the time, it's a productive way to release some plot bunnies.

[phoenixfire12]

I think some of my plot bunnies have mated with Tribbles. They are evil. They lull me to sleep with their purring, whisper whole scenes in my ears and generally have their way with me. It's embarrassing to say this, but... I LIKE it!

Is there any place in particular we post our daily work or do we keep it on our own computers? I made a community for my writing some months ago and I thought I'd post each day's works there, thought I'm still a little certain about that. Advice from those who have done this before is greatly appreciated. Tips, helpful hints, etc.?

[podperson]

You can sign up at Nanowrimo website to have your final word count verified, and become an official winner. Sign up was free the last time I checked.

As for posting, do what you feel comfortable. I've seen fanfic writers post links to their project on the appropriate fandom comms. My writing is very rough at times so I keep it on my computer. If you have plans to publish the work, don't post it. No plans, and want to share then go for it.

[phoenixfire12]

I've been reading the NaNoWriMo page over on Facebook and even thought it seems imtimmidating I have until tomorrow to decide if I am going to commit myself. I guess this one will be seat of the pants writing even though I have worked with the fandom and story idea before. It's just been re-writing itself in my head and has taken on a life of it's own the past couple of months. The Plotbunny Demons are howling to get out. I might be a wreck half way though this, I may even need a straight jacket. Then again, insanity kinda sounds like fun.