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Original poster

Anyone doing NaNoWriMo 2020?

128 replies

OrangeCinnamon1 · 28/09/2020 20:21

I have a novel outline (romantic) and am just filling out bits and bobs...character development etc. I should be extremely well prepped for November so considering giving it a go. Anyone else ? Hoping for a realistic 900 words plus a day.

OP posts:
youkiddingme · 30/09/2020 11:21

Is the NaNo thing just a motivator - work along with other people? I have looked at it but wasn't sure what people get out of it.

Witchend · 30/09/2020 13:16

I've done it the last three years. It's quite fun, but it works with the way I work. Haven't decided if I will do it or not this year yet.

Original poster
OrangeCinnamon1 · 30/09/2020 14:50

@youkiddingme

Is the NaNo thing just a motivator - work along with other people? I have looked at it but wasn't sure what people get out of it.
Yes ...I think it is just a definite deadline to get a novel written. I was part of an online writers group but I left as I felt I wasn't able to commit due to starting an MSc ...which I have not done Hmm My first term in an age without OU stuff to do so thought I'd try and keep myself busy. I hope it makes being stuck inside in rubbish weather bearable.
OP posts:
elfycat · 08/10/2020 11:25

I am. This will be year 17 for me and Year 5 as an ML (socially distant meet-ups this year of course).

@youkiddingme It's more about solo-writing your novel, but in the company and support of other people. And as it's about the word count it pushes you past the need for perfection and for some writers it pushes them past fretting over an imperfect first few pages and gets them into the middle of their story where the 'stuff' happens. It's not an approach that works for everyone, but it really suits others.

Absolutely no idea what I'm going to write yet, but there's plenty of time to worry about that. Might be the second one in a series; might be that new idea I wrote down somewhere and forgot most of the details. Might be a total rewrite of a previous NaNo that's been shredded for parts and redeveloped into something new. I usually decide in the couple of days before November.

youkiddingme · 08/10/2020 11:52

I see thanks.

QuestionableMouse · 08/10/2020 20:35

Yep I'm totally in. Been taking part since 2004 and I'm really looking forward to it again.

Original poster
OrangeCinnamon1 · 12/10/2020 13:27

I really should do it this year, currently making good progress outlining @elfycat what is an ML? You and @QuestionableMouse are veterans ...feel like a total newbie Confused has it really been around so long ?

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 12/10/2020 14:10

Yep, but it was better back when it was smaller. It's so huge now that it isn't the same (which doesn't stop me from taking part of course :D)

ML is Municipal Liaison who organises the stuff for their region. www.wikiwrimo.org/wiki/Municipal_Liaison

elfycat · 12/10/2020 14:48

I started 2004 as well QuestionableMouse. It first started in 1999, but that was a few friends in the US. It didn't take long to go global.

ML stuff isn't that hard. I'm a sort of local cheerleader waving virtual pompoms. I'll miss seeing the regular attenders and doing plot/character workshops. Hope to get an online group (or two or three) going.

OldLeatherSuitcase · 12/10/2020 15:01

I might try it this year, I'm very daunted though!

Greengrotbag · 12/10/2020 20:12

Yes! I've been planning to do this for the first time this year. Not working so have more time than usual. I'm a bit confused by it though, is it a case of working away in Word then posting how many words you've written per day to stay accountable? Thanks

QuestionableMouse · 12/10/2020 20:39

There's a little word count gizmo that you update as you go.

You can write in any program that you like. 😊

I'll be using Google Docs because it syncs across all my devices unlike Word which doesn't like to update on my tablet.

JuniLoolaPalooza · 12/10/2020 20:46

Hello, I'm planning to do this. I did it twice in about 2008 and 09. Two kids down not sure I'll have the time but I'll give it a go.

QuestionableMouse · 13/10/2020 14:18

Even if you don't hit 50k, you've still got xxx words that you didn't have before. :)

If it makes you feel any better, I'm currently doing an MA, will be working and will probably be doing some childcare for my nephews. The trick is to use any free moment to get down a few words when you can :)

FlamedToACrisp · 13/10/2020 20:29

Yes, I've just announced to my writers' group that I'm doing it. Not feeling at all confident, though - I can't even decide the genre, let alone the plot!

Madhairday · 20/10/2020 08:21

Yes, I'm going to give this a go. Literally just had my second book published this weekend and ready to go for another project but a little different (first two non fiction/poetry) so I'm going for the novel. I've written a couple of novels but not yet gone for publishing those, but this time I have a new idea and loads of it keeps bubbling round in my head so it's a good time to start getting it pinned down.

I'll be going for the full 50,000 but not sure if I'll make it. I can write very quickly when the words are flowing, but sometimes I get stuck, so we'll need what happens!

If anyone wants to chat about it here I'm in!

Ylfa · 20/10/2020 09:39

I’m in, haven’t done nano for years and it’s good to be back. I’m just going for output rather than attempting anything very structured or publishable.

PinkJellycat · 21/10/2020 10:43

I'm also going to give this a try. DD is 9 months so if I manage to put down anything coherent, I'll take that as a win!
This will be my first time doing it. Can anyone share any tips?

Ylfa · 21/10/2020 10:58

My tip is just to write without censoring yourself, without worrying if the words are at all coherent or relevant or useful. You can go back and have fun editing it all in December.

I also used a little guide called Morning Pages for prompts when my mind was particularly empty. Write what you can hear, see, feel etc.? It’s more about maths than anything, statistically the more you do something the more likely you are to improve at it!

Lemming20 · 21/10/2020 10:58

I am in. Have a 4mo DD so unsure how doable... night feeds?!

What software do you all use?

Ready to keep everyone motivated x

Ylfa · 21/10/2020 11:01

I used to use Pages and iA Writer but it will be Word now.

forgetthehousework · 21/10/2020 11:02

I've never done it but you are all inspiring me to have a go.

LadyLazarus20 · 21/10/2020 17:15

I really need to do this.

Have the first and last quarter of a novel planned out and have for some but I don't seem to be able to start writing. Partly because I haven't planned the middle in detail. I keep putting off the writing until I have the perfect plan. I know this is foolish and it's holding me back.

I'm hoping this will get me going as currently perfectionism is killing all creativity!

Does anyone sign up to special groups to do this?

ladybee28 · 21/10/2020 17:17

Would it work for something that isn't a novel? Creative nonfiction, for example?

Or is everything geared toward fiction?

LadyLazarus20 · 21/10/2020 17:56

@ladybee28 I've just signed up to the NaNoWriMo website and you can choose from all different types of writing for your project, including non-fiction.