NaNoWriMo '07 Squad ASSEMBLE!!!

[bionic sheep]

Alright my young shavers, it's that time again.

Are you a masochist?
Do you love writing?
Do you somehow wish you could combine your two hobbies?

Well, now is your chance!

National Novel Writing Month starts in one week. You sign up here (http://www.nanowrimo.org/), and your challenge is deceptively simple; write fifty thousand words of pure novel in the month of november.

The catch is that the month of November is only thirty days long!

Therefore, you have to write 1,667 words every single day just to meet your target. Are you man enough for the challenge?

As a real man, I did this last year and managed to successfully meet the goal within the month. It was utter mindfuck, needless to say, but I'd recommend it to anyone. There's no prize at the end other than personal achievement and pride that you've succeeded, but it's utterly cathartic.

Also, if you don't do it, you're automatically a giant pussy.

So, who's going to be joining me this year?

[basstard]

I'm in.

I know I said I was in last year then did nothing (due to work), but this year I am actually in. I have more free time, and better still, ideas in my head.

[bionic sheep]

Excellent. Lend me some, yeah?

I'm seriously lacking in inspiration right now.

[Sebas]

I think I'll sign up again, although I may well not have the time. Would be cool if I finished it this year.

[katt]

I think i might try it this year. I have always wanted to....although i am afraid by the end of the 50k i would just end up babbling about rabbits having tea parties.

[basstard]

Excellent. Lend me some, yeah?

I'm seriously lacking in inspiration right now.

One thing I like doing is browsing through free creative commons books (http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Books), for something to read and to nick ideas. Not least because one of my favourite ever books, Angry Young Spaceman, is up there. Warning - page contains Cory Doctorow. Edit - sorry, talking crap - AYS isn't CC'd up for free. Two of his othe books are, mind.

To be honest, all I have at the moment is a Big Idea, some punchlines and some things I want to draw from my life at the moment.

You've still got almost a week to think up stuff; there isn't a huge rush. I mean, I know some people who research their topic to death before NaNoing, but loads of people just jump in blindly and come out well.

Speaking of, have you seen the list of guest writers writing pep talks? I was expecting people I had never heard of but I know a large number of them and am eagerly awaiting these!

[bionic sheep]

Yeah, I've had a wee gander, looks pretty good? I really enjoyed getting the little community emails last year. Got a real sense of connection with the community from them, plus they made it completely clear that someone, somewhere, is more fucked than you are, and if they can finish it so can you.

I have a few bits which I thought of on the train earlier. I'm probably going to end up tackling the same kinda thing I did last year, but try and make it less fucked up and more optimistic?

[Mister Qwerty]

Yeah okay, I'll need something to do in the month of November. Aside from 3 GCSE test papers.

[big-chip]

Well this works out nicley as from today i have no job so its not like im short of time. I think i may be able to bang out a few words while watching diagnosis murder and drinking tea.

I however dont promice great spelling. I will however be trying my hardest to hit the 50k.

[Irvine Black]

I signed up earlier this month. Hopefully I'll actually get around to starting it this year, let alone finishing it.

Got some fairly good ideas for this one, though not a lot of them.

Out of interest, what genres are you all writing?

[albie_123]

I'm already writing a story, so I might do this or I might not

My story will be good hopefully? I am not sure?

Bionic Sheep I wouldn't mind reading yours when it is done

[GorillaBearBear]

I'm sort of thinking about it, but I only write Short Stories and I'm not sure I have 18-50 short stories in me at the moment.

[albie_123]

Opposite, I only write long stories and I pretty much never write any out of school, I guess it was just bad timing on my part :3

[GorillaBearBear]

When you say long story, do you mean "books" or do you mean up to about 10,000 words, because 10,000 words still counts as a short story, in my estimation.

[albie_123]

I mean kinda short stories but not really that short actually :3

Current one has just over 6000 but it's nowhere near done, it's gonna have a lot more, about 30000 or something :3

I just write until the ending fits the story really, I don't sit down thinking "This is going to be a short story" or "This is going to be massive", I just write the story I have in my head and don't plan the length.

[Ferg]

I'm in!!!! *suits up*

Questionable gothic fairy tale here I come!!!

[Mat^]

As much as I'd love to write a novel about questionable moral governmental choices affecting the landscape of our society leading to an uprising in rebel extremist groups, I'll have to pass, too much schoolwork.

Shame really, one of the rebels was going to have a mohawk.

[katt]

Out of interest, what genres are you all writing?

Mine (assuming i actually go through with it...as it is a hefty bit of typing) is going to be about life in the south...and the sometimes heartwarming sometimes tragic stories therein.

[bionic sheep]

My current plan is to write something dystopian and dark, but to give it a happy ending of sorts?

Although I am very bad at happy endings, so I might well not.

[GorillaBearBear]

Mine (assuming i actually go through with it...as it is a hefty bit of typing) is going to be about life in the south...and the sometimes heartwarming sometimes tragic stories therein.

Southern Gothic?

[Sebas]

I signed up earlier this month. Hopefully I'll actually get around to starting it this year, let alone finishing it.

Got some fairly good ideas for this one, though not a lot of them.

Out of interest, what genres are you all writing?
Assuming I manage, probably something comic. Even if it were to start out seriously, I doubt I could manage that long without inserting increasing amounts of lousy humour.

[crab]

Whoah go for it
I'm reading Illuminatus! at the moment before delving into the Principia Discordia so it might have some funny themes, but... sure, if there's a support group I can cry to at the end.

Not that this is a really fucking stupid idea with all my coursework happening or anything.

[dead]

I'll give it a shot, aiming for 2000 words/evening with help from coffee.
I have a fully formed idea, I started plotting it in September but got distracted by school work, but I will be having none of that this month!

[bionic sheep]

Guess who forced his Grandma to sign up to do this earlier?

it's me

[Littleshore]

Would, but I have term papers and exams due in november, so i think i'm good

[DangerMouse]

Serious question, what is the point in this? It's going to be a major headfuck with the contestants, the end result will undoubtedly be hurried, disinterested rubbish and nobody will read it.

[Ferg]

Serious question, what is the point in this? It's going to be a major headfuck with the contestants, the end result will undoubtedly be hurried, disinterested rubbish and nobody will read it.


All true, but it actually gets you to sit down and write something.

I don't know about anyone else but the problem I have with writing is that I need a kick up the arse to get started. This novel writing month thing is ideal as even though it'll all be crazy rushed and will erode severe amounts of sanity, it'll actually force you to write and gain some experience.

Good luck everyone!

[basstard]

Serious question, what is the point in this? It's going to be a major headfuck with the contestants, the end result will undoubtedly be hurried, disinterested rubbish and nobody will read it.

You are, of course, right. But here's the nib - it's entirely voluntary. You don't have to take part if you don't want to. It's like running a marathon - on paper, hugely pointless, yet afterwards you feel great.

Furthermore the WriMo raises buckets of cash for reading-related charities every year. And more to the point, I have always wanted to write a book. And frankly I would never get around to it unless something like this gave me the kick up the backside to do so.

Yes, the end result will probably be rushed garbage. However, it's about getting words on paper. Believe it or not, there's a novel editing month around Easter for those who want to rewrite or edit their work. There have been a fair few NaNo entries actually published in the real world, too.

And finally; I am a story junkie. I love reading things. I'll probably read every word of all forumer NaNos, just for the heck of it. And hopefully someone will read more than the first sentence of mine.

[crab]

heh, got a friend or two who say they'll do it
I've already started a bit of a page (which is CHEATING but oh well)
aaand it's going to probably end up about halfway through as well.

[happy-go-lucky]

Whoah go for it
Not that this is a really fucking stupid idea with all my coursework happening or anything.

Yup, me too.

[bionic sheep]

ENGAGE!!!

First words written, now it's sleepytime for martin. Here's to the first of many long, sleepless nights.

[basstard]

Sod starting now; I will write after sleep.

Plus I need to get a rough plan - just an A4 page with doodles, plot, and diagrams to be my guiding info - from my head to paper.

[Splush]

Assuming I manage, probably something comic. Even if it were to start out seriously, I doubt I could manage that long without inserting increasing amounts of lousy humour.
This is my logic too, as much as I like the idea of writing something serious I'll find something silly much easier to get done. Also it'll be science fiction and probably full of horrible clichés, but if it's supposed to be a comedy I can pretend the clichés are intentional.

[katt]

in scanning some of the emails nanowrimo sent out this caught my eye :

3) Tell everyone you know that you're writing a novel in November. This will pay big dividends in Week Two, when the only thing keeping you from quitting is the fear of looking pathetic in front of all the people who've had to hear about your novel for the past month. Seriously. Email them now about your awesome new book. The looming specter of personal humiliation is a very reliable muse.

that does seem to ring true doesn't it

[happy-go-lucky]

I have started, and mine is already slightly trippy.

[Irvine Black]

I have begun. It is riddled with tangents and appallingly written thus far.
It'll get better. I hope.

[Sebas]

Haven's started yet, I think I'll write 10,000 words in the next hour. (May not actually be 10,000 words, or the next hour, but I still plan on beginning today.)

[basstard]

I am curious as to what everyone's first line is.

Here is mine :

"Whilst tonight hadn’t been the worst gig of his life, Simon was sure it was in his top three. "

[Splush]

I'm sitting here with a plot outline done but I'm too scared to write an actual first line so I'm procrastinating like crazy.

[basstard]

I'm sitting here with a plot outline done but I'm too scared to write an actual first line so I'm procrastinating like crazy.

Start a paragraph in. Start the second sentence. Start anything - just get something on paper to start with. You can always change the first line a bit later.

Now I have actually written something (and note all I knew was a two-word idea of what this would be about), I found just after typing a bit I have 500 words already.

[Splush]

How about instead of concentrating my own I sit here and try to sew seeds of doubts about yours by suggesting that the word "whilst" just makes you sound like a ponce because it has literally the same meaning as "while" and has been abandoned by most newspapers for being archaic?

(I'm not very good at this mutual encouragement business, it seems)

[basstard]

How about instead of concentrating my own I sit here and try to sew seeds of doubts about yours by suggesting that the word "whilst" just makes you sound like a ponce because it has literally the same meaning as "while" and has been abandoned by most newspapers for being archaic?

(I'm not very good at this mutual encouragement business, it seems)

You should see the aneurysm people will get when I start using the word 'outwith' once a page.

[bionic sheep]

First line:
"A forum is an online chat room of sorts, except that it’s not live and people have to register first."

I suddenly changed the plot of mine last night, and it's now really evolving as I write it. This was definitely a good idea.

Today's word count: 2,185

[Sebas]

590 words and counting. Fuck knows what the plot is gonna be, I'm making this all up as I go.

[crab]

1727! My first line of chapter minus one is "Before the beginning, there was Void", and the first line of chapter 0 (the main storyline) is "George did not like Mondays."

My friend's is better, "Arthur Pewsey ran as though he were being chased by nineteen bears. This was not the case; he was in fact being chased by eighteen bears, but when you're being chased by bears it's a good idea to stay one step ahead, and besides, he was already late for dinner."

[katt]

I have done 1000 words so far and I am going to aim for 1700 per day. :trex:

They go off pretty fast when you start blathering about something

[bionic sheep]

Just you wait until you're reduced to doing a find and replace on the word "it's" to "it is" for the extra word count. ;)

[basstard]

2,210 words written; a decent amount for the first day.

Having said that I have no idea where this thing is going at all.

My friend's is better, "Arthur Pewsey ran as though he were being chased by nineteen bears. This was not the case; he was in fact being chased by eighteen bears, but when you're being chased by bears it's a good idea to stay one step ahead, and besides, he was already late for dinner."

This I like very much.

[Norbington]

I'm sitting here with a plot outline done but I'm too scared to write an actual first line so I'm procrastinating like crazy.

Once upon a time...

Easy.

I feel rubbish for being too rubbish to write any sort of creative shizzle. i am not a creative person :(

[Splush]

I have a brief opening chapter written which is 1,125 words. I was going to post my first line but reading it back I don't think I like it so I'm probably going to change it now :(

[Sebas]

1314 words so far.

[CENSORED] says:
i only remembered halfway through that you are technically writing in a foreign language
[CENSORED] says:
which maakes me envious

Name blacked out to protect the innocent. First bit can be read here, (http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/139073) but I might change bits of that when I have time in the end cos I'm not 100% happy with it.

[Splush]

I was meaning to ask if you would be writing in English or Dutch, actually. Not that your English is bad by any means, it just terrifies me to imagine writing in another language.

Also I notice the nanowrimo website is really really slow right now. :)

[Sebas]

Yeah, but English for me is not so much a second language as a shared first language. I wasn't raised bilingually as such, but family in England and interwebs made sure I got so much practice that I'm pretty darn fluent at English now.

[Splush]

Oh fair enough then. If I was trying to write a non-english novel it would have to be in German, and it would consist entirely of people ordering food and drink and talking about their pets.

[Sebas]

If I wrote a novel in German, it'd probably be nothing but jokes about the war and people who have stolen my grandfather's bike.

[T-Bear]

I'm shit at writing, so I'll read all yours instead.
Post where I can read it, and I'll tell you it's nice.

[Mister Qwerty]

Currently, mine's about a man who's desperately looking for his missing cheese on toast.

[happy-go-lucky]

Simon was walking home after school, playing with his keys and wondering what his mum had cooked for tea
Mine is 1,300ish words and it already sucks. Ah well.
And contains the words "oh god" 314 times. That's 157 repetitions.

[Sebas]

2101 so far, and counting. I'm really on a roll, so I might end way above my daily goal if I'm lucky. (Daily goal for november 2nd, that is.)

[bionic sheep]

3899. Still fiddling with my overall plot, really.

[Splush]

2354 for me, less than I'd like but I feel as if it's making sense at least.

[Sebas]

Plot? I just make shit up as I go along. Have no idea what's gonna happen next. It's getting increasingly absurdist though :p

[basstard]

Still same as above - haven't written since the 1st and won't until Monday night.

Adds pressure to me, but I have friends over and am full-time entertaining them.

[Sebas]

Still same as above - haven't written since the 1st and won't until Monday night.

Adds pressure to me, but I have friends over and am full-time entertaining them.

Lies. You just give them your laptop and go out to do whatever ungodly stuff it is you do in France.

[happy-go-lucky]

I'm stuck now. I have no idea what happens next. Maybe I'll describe what my character looks like in great detail...:(