National Novel Writing Month

[helen]

Since 1999 there is a group that holds an event called The National Novel Writing Month otherwise known as NaNoWriMo. It's held every November and for that month one has to write a 50,000 word novel, it doesn't have to be good, you just pound out the words. It's quantity not quality that matters here, however there is another event called the National Novel Editing Month that is held in March. There are no prizes for reaching the goal of 50,000 other than saying you done it. There is a web site for it at www.nanowrimo.org (http://www.nanowrimo.org/). While you can view it as a guest, they won't register new users until October 1, 2005.

This will be my 4th year in doing this, scrivener done it at least twice and pzarquon, well cheers us on.

[scrivener]

I'm planning to do it, but how I'm going to do it is a huge mystery to me. These two graduate classes I'll be in the middle of are so far taking up ridiculous amounts of my time. And my math team hasn't begun twice-weekly practices yet. Still, the entire premise of NaNoWriMo is that NOBODY has time to write a novel -- that's why most of us who want to never do -- and while that has been true of me for the past two years, it's even truer now, which means that if there's ever been a year for me to do it, it's this year. So. I guess I'll find a way.

[pzarquon]

This will be my 4th year in doing this, scrivener done it at least twice and pzarquon, well cheers us on.Yep. I expect I'll be continuing my "losing" streak to four years... but I'm on board, nonetheless!

[1stwahine]

Ryan and gang mentioned this to me at the picnic. I've been waiting for it ever since. All I do is register? What is the format? Any advice for one who just wrote in a Blog a year ago? Does it have to be in one subject? Please give me advice. I have a basic IDEA as to what I want to write about...MAMA'S LIFE STORY...that's why I haven't shared it on my BLOG. Ok, I'll be waiting for more information. Mahalo!

Auntie Lynn

[helen]

It's a novel, a piece of ficition. Now you can base it on actual events. You view the NaNoWriMo web site for advice between now and October 1st. After that date you can register and participate in the forums. The HawaiiStories site has a section called Fiction (http://www.hawaiistories.com/fiction/) in which parts of the NaNoWriMo novels are posted. I know I am shamefully plugging one of my previous works but here is a sample chapter from the first novel (http://www.hawaiistories.com/fiction/helen/archives/000825.html).

[1stwahine]

Thank you Helen. I thought we couldn't submit any previous works? That's why I didn't write it as yet. I have it in my head. Can I start typing it out on my computer and save it? I'll go check it out on the link you gave. I'm so excited. The day's are winding down.

Lynn

The link doesn't work. It's ok. I'll go the longer route.

The link "is" working now! ;)

[helen]

While you can plan out an outline and a cast of characters (which to me is my biggest headache) now, you can't write your novel until November 1st.

[1stwahine]

While you can plan out an outline and a cast of characters (which to me is my biggest headache) now, you can't write your novel until November 1st.

That shouldn't be a problem. I just won't take my med's for two weeks...go completely MANIC! WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited!

Thanks Helen, and Ryan!!!!! :D

[helen]

The link doesn't work. It's ok. I'll go the longer route.

which link does not work?

[Ailina]

Excellent! A Nano thread!

This will be my 5th year participating here in Lafayette, LA. The first year, we had 3 participants in our city. Last year, we had around 30.

Any of you intend to blog your novel? I keep a Nano novel site, but I decided to post only excerpts this year, just in case the unlikely publication opportunity presents itself. HA!

Good luck, everyone!

[helen]

We normally discuss this in HawaiiStories, but it seemed more appropriate to do it here.

The only feedback I get from my novel stuff are spammed ads for either porn sites or selling medinces.

[helen]

I'm planning to do it, but how I'm going to do it is a huge mystery to me.
Carry a letter size note pad with you at all times. Whenever there is free time, write the story on that. Of course doing the word count is going take time to do but at least you got something down someplace.

[1stwahine]

Well that's it. From now till November 31, 2005...I ain't going no place. Well, except for First Friday's, my walks, and my usual visits to NANU LAND! :D

Auntie Lynn

It's just like a Blog but keep writing with the characters. I think I got it. I took a look. I don't want to get confused to much that's when I get in trouble.

[1stwahine]

Helen, Huy...You still stay? I think I may be in a bit of trouble. It's not like what I thought it would be. It's more like a play type, a form of speaking parts. I just started to write last year when Ryan approved me for Hawaii Stories.

I got to take a crash course somewhere on putting where to what. I more or less got what in my head. It's going to take alot of work to add on the she said, he told, etc, etc.

Whatever the case maybe...good practice for a personal goal! ;)

Auntie Lynn

[NemesisVex]

Wow. It's pretty soon, isn't it? I've never signed on to participate, but I try it anyway. Funny thing is, the one novel I did complete in a month, I didn't do during NaNoWriMo. Of course, at the time, I was fashionably unemployed ...

[helen]

The central theme to my novels is a space-opera after Earth has been contacted by a couple of extra-terrestrial races. While I haven't started on this year's outline I was planning on the following scenes:

death by laser printer
confuse the bad guys by explaining the vBulletin reputation system
referencing Turner 454 (http://www.hawaiistories.com/fiction/ryan/) in some way

However after reading this thread (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=6491) by scrivener, I think I can add one alien who can do the blue smoke while another can do the green sweat. Or maybe I can change the colors to suit the needs of the novel.

[helen]

They fix the problem with the NaNoWriMo (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) web server so now you can go in and sign up for it.

[helen]

NaNoWriMo finished last week. I only did 6,000 or so words this year. Maybe next year I will do better.

[LikaNui]

NOBODY has time to write a novel -- that's why most of us who want to never do
I started mine:
"It was a dark and stormy night. Somewhere, a dog barked."
And then I got stuck, 49,989 words short.
:p

[pzarquon]

Just got a ping from NaNoWriMo HQ, reminding me that NaNoWriMo 2006 is just over ten weeks away. How time flies!

[helen]

*sigh* I have to figure out which one to write this year.

[pzarquon]

Less than a month to go! Learn more (http://www.nanowrimo.org/), and sign up today.

[scrivener]

I'm still considering it. Last year was my first failure after two very good, very successful, very encouraging years.

[1stwahine]

I want to give a try but I'm still not good in spelling and punctuation.:o

Auntie Lynn

[helen]

It's matter of quanity not quality. Don't worry about mis-spellings what matters is just writing 50,000 words in a months time.

[pzarquon]

Exactly right. Aunty Lynn, chck out the NaNoWriMo (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) site, and the "About (http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=2)" page. It's a fun writing exercise, not a test. I have no doubt you could tell a 50,000 word story in a month. You probably already do on your blog! The only difference is, this would be fictional. And lord knows you've got a hell of an imagination!

With 21 days to go, today the NaNoWriMo site is officially opened for business. Former NaNo-ites should log in to "reactivate," new folks should register.

[1stwahine]

Exactly right. Aunty Lynn, chck out the NaNoWriMo (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) site, and the "About (http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=2)" page. It's a fun writing exercise, not a test. I have no doubt you could tell a 50,000 word story in a month. You probably already do on your blog! The only difference is, this would be fictional. And lord knows you've got a hell of an imagination!

With 21 days to go, today the NaNoWriMo site is officially opened for business. Former NaNo-ites should log in to "reactivate," new folks should register.

heheheh. Ok. I go look again. Last year, I got scared. Remember?:o

Auntie Lynn

[Ailina]

With 21 days to go, today the NaNoWriMo site is officially opened for business. Former NaNo-ites should log in to "reactivate," new folks should register.

Mahalo for the reminder! Glad to see you're participating again!

[Leo Lakio]

Glad to see you're participating again!Same to you - welcome back to HT!

[pzarquon]

Participating and completing are very different things! I've got an unbroken record with NaNo, but it's not the one most participants are striving for. But yes, I'm definitely a fan of NaNo and its other participants as much as I am writing myself.

I'm glad to again serve as the "municipal liason" for Hawaii (http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=20), and even though forming a list of personal journalers and bloggers doing NaNoWriMo is quaint and ridiculous (since it seems all bloggers are doing it sometimes), I'm still quietly running the "Journalers & Bloggers NaNoWriMo (http://www.lightfantastic.org/nanowrimo)" list. If you're a blogger and a NaNoWriMo participant, feel free to drop me a line. Especially if you're going to be publishing your novel online as you write.

[pzarquon]

There are some rumblings in the Hawaii section (http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=20) of the official NaNoWriMo Forum for planning a kick-off meetup. Possibly Sunday, Oct. 29. If you're interested, chime in!

[pzarquon]

Well, there was a kick-off meetup, once again at Pearl City Zippy's. Finally got to try their famous sushi. Scrivener showed up, as did a young Kapolei High School student named Tricia.

http://static.flickr.com/114/283101456_55d6e44170_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hawaii/283101456/)

We talked about writing, of course, favorite authors, college applications, writing, local politics, and writing.

Scrivener's still not sure if he's going to attempt NaNo this year, but after our small meetup, he's got at least two people egging him on. 'Ailina's in, and I'll be reading along. Aunty Lynn? Helen? Anyone else? The madness begins on Wednesday! Just for trying, you get to know weirdos like us, and even collect some cute swag! As always, I'll happily host anyone who wants to publish their novel on the web as they go.

[helen]

Will be making the attempt this year, managed to take next week as vacation (Election day on Tuesday, Veterans Day on Friday) to work on it. On the bad side the story in question might generate a low word count.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

sheesh! I have a hard enough time committing to posting here, and ya want me to write a novel??

[scrivener]

Boy, do I need to lose some weight.

[Keith H.]

Scrivener's still not sure if he's going to attempt NaNo this year, but after our small meetup, he's got at least two people egging him on. 'Ailina's in, and I'll be reading along. Aunty Lynn? Helen? Anyone else?

I'm gonna give it a try this year...trading one marathon for another. Not doing the Honolulu Marathon this year...I've been battling a long-standing case of runner's knee that kept me from getting any significant mileage in... so I guess, why not use the pent-up energy for this?

[U'ilani]

Good luck to those starting NaNoWriMo today--although if you are, you shouldn't be reading this, you should be working on getting those 2,000 words done for the day. As Anne Lamott advises, just take it bird by bird.

[manoasurfer123]

There is a feature on it on Yahoo's Front page right now.
http://dir.yahoo.com/thespark/3750/get-ready-to-write

Good luck to those that par take in it.

50,000 words really isn't a lot... it sounds like a lot... but it's not.

[scrivener]

Okay. I'm doing it. I'm writing a mock-western, set in a modern high school with the school's hallways serving as the town that needs "cleaning up" in the wild, untamed west. I honestly don't think I'll be able to finish this year, as I did not finish last year, but I'll give it an honest go.

If you're curious, you can check out my novel in progress here (http://nanowrimo.mitchellkdwyer.net).

Don't be surprised if, like last year, the final entry is dated November 8!

[Pomai]

Scriv',

I read your entry and left a comment, but it didn't show up. I'm having problems as well with Word Press' comment feature on my food blog. They wrote back to me saying they're having server problems. So dunno' yet.

Anyway, that description about "damsels eyes reflective like an olympic sized pool" was cool. I'll be following your entry. So far so good!

Someone should do one on that "Never Ending Story" we had going a while ago here about "Mr. Coin".

[scrivener]

I have comment-moderation turned on (spam protection), so your comments won't appear until I get a chance to go through my email and give them the oh kay.

[pzarquon]

So we can read along with Mitchell (http://nanowrimo.mitchellkdwyer.net/) and 'Ailina (http://byailina.blogspot.com/) (hopefully!). Keith, Helen, are you posting your works in progress?

Want to know how bad things look for me right now? I have 500 words. My wife, who's never done NaNo before, doesn't fancy herself a writer, and has less time in the day than I do, has 1,400 words.

[helen]

That beats my total of 300 something words from yesterday but I was watching 3 TV shows last night. For sure I can add more words to the first chapter tonight.

[Keith H.]

So we can read along with Mitchell (http://nanowrimo.mitchellkdwyer.net/) and 'Ailina (http://byailina.blogspot.com/) (hopefully!). Keith, Helen, are you posting your works in progress?

I have to think about that. I do have an excerpt written on my profile page on nanowrimo.org (the first few paragraphs...it's meant to be a romance-comedy written in the form of e-mail threads), but I did read in No Plot No Problem (yeah, I actually bought it at B&N...on Oct. 31, no less) that it may be a good idea to keep it to myself. I might set up a temporary blog on my site, but with comments turned off. I'll let you guys know.

[lavagal]

Say, What if I were to start Friday? 11/3?

[helen]

Say, What if I were to start Friday? 11/3?

I don't think it's a problem, I think the NaNoWriMo site is still taking new users. The main goal is to finish 50,000 before the end of the month. It all depends on how much free time you have.

[lavagal]

Probably no free time here, but I was quite envious of those of you who were active with this last year. I write thousands of words a week. Maybe I can weave them into the Perfect Storm of Aquaculture. Or maybe I'll write about life with an office demon. Most of you have office mates. sigh.

[scrivener]

Sign-ups at Nanowrimo.org are taken until, I think, November 21 or something like that, with this note in parentheses: Hope springs eternal. November 3 would be no problem at all.

[Ailina]

Yikes. Family reunion eclipsed Kick-Off, so I'm jumping in 3 days late and 6,000 words behind!!!

Burning the midnight oil tonight, lots of coffee, and squeezing proverbial blood from a rock!!!

Getting the 'okole in gear...

[Pomai]

I'm way too late to begin writing for this year's deadline. So I thought I'd have fun designing concept art for a hypothetical book cover of what I'd like to try...

http://static.flickr.com/106/298998058_8f09a6d119.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=298998058&size=m)

That's my perception of what "Mr. Coin" would look like (imagine his face animated in dialog). Funny how one of those Sopranos look like Gov. Lingle. lol

The story would be loosely based on The Never Ending Story (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=7113&highlight=ending+story) thread started here a while ago.

Next year for sure!

[pzarquon]

The 2006 NaNoWriMo "Thank Goodness It's Over" meetup will be at the Times Coffee Shop in Kaneohe this evening (http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=29592). I'm not sure how many winners we'll have (looks like it was a tough year), but we always have a great gathering!

[helen]

Attempted to sign up to the NaNoWriMo site and it's really slow to load the web page.

Just another 3 to 4 weeks to go and I haven't decided what to write yet.

[Adri]

What do you do with what you write for NaNoWriMo? Do you write just for you, to share with friends, to produce something for publication, or something else?

[TATTRAT]

boy, I though this would be a Loooooooooooooooong read!

neat idea, I wish I had the determination to write a novel.

[helen]

What do you do with what you write for NaNoWriMo? Do you write just for you, to share with friends, to produce something for publication, or something else?
That's up to you. You can keep it to yourself, post it on the web (http://www.hawaiistories.com/fiction/), find a publisher or send it as Chirstmas presents to friends.

[Adri]

I'm considering trying it this year but probably very few people would ever see it *g*