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Original poster

Mumsnet MuNoWriMo in February 2022?

91 replies

cloudmessenger · 30/11/2021 09:34

So, it's the final day of #NaNoWriMo21

Drafts that have not reached the 50,000-word target (mine is 10k short) will self-destruct on the stroke of midnight, so best get scribbling Wink

I hope that you all found it rewarding, whether to finish your first story, take a break from other projects, or re-write an existing one. So many committed writers on this board!

I've found it worked wonders for my 'productivity' (ugh, that word) and focus at a busy time of year, at least until the 'flu jab made me poorly, and I switched back to an existing MS that someone asked to see.

I will definitely be doing it again next year, but now I'm wondering about an informal Mumsnet #MuNoWriMo in February 2022? I have another project I'd like to build up a head of steam on, and this would carve out space for it.

Anyone interested?

OP posts:
52andblue · 19/01/2022 15:09

I'm tempted to ask yo join in.
I completed my 1st NaNoWriMo in 2019. It needs revision (poss re - writing?). Certainly, finishing...

Original poster
cloudmessenger · 19/01/2022 20:22

Good for you @Ylfa ! I will draw on your excitement to get my ducks in a row.

I have more than enough to start with @vivariumvivariumsvivaria but the temptation to freestyle is strong…

That said, when you’ve set yourself a goal to get 50k down in a month, something planned is a better idea.

There. That’s my mind made up. Tomorrow I look back over the research and do a bit of daydreaming…

OP posts:
Original poster
cloudmessenger · 19/01/2022 20:24

Do join in @52andblue February could be a rewarding month for you.

OP posts:
Icenii · 20/01/2022 21:27

I have 28000 words now. Really hoping by the end of Feb I'll have a rough first draft I can heavily edit!

Dellabob123 · 21/01/2022 14:57

Hello, I’ve just found you. Please can I join? I need to get my behind in gear and this seems just the loveliest place to do it. I have a tiny seed of an idea that I haven’t even scratched the surface of, so this is perfect timing.

Drybird2020 · 21/01/2022 18:09

Gosh, it's nearly February! I still haven't decided whether to...

A) carry on where I left off with my NaNoWriMo effort. I got to 30,000 words but have not touched it since.

B) start on the sequel to my novel which is currently on submission.

C) start work on my completely new idea for historical YA novel

Excited to gain a bit of motivation from the thread!

Original poster
cloudmessenger · 23/01/2022 20:32

Yep February is coming around fast. Ducks in a row, @Drybird2020 !

Plant that lovely little seed @Dellabob123 !

Everything crossed for you @Icenii!

OP posts:
Dellabob123 · 24/01/2022 09:00

I bought the five minute writer to help free my creative road block…Does anyone else have any good tips?

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 24/01/2022 10:23

Hi, I am in.
My NaNo rules don’t involve writing every day- what I do instead is mark out my writing days and write on all of them.
Normally I am very much a pantser with the first draft but where I am with both the projects I might do for this means it would make more sense to work from a synopsis so I will be putting that together before I start.

Ylfa · 25/01/2022 10:51

There’s a great little book called something like ‘writing down the bones’ @Dellabob123 or just make yourself write about something/anything, write about the creative block itself?

Original poster
cloudmessenger · 25/01/2022 19:44

Welcome @TheCountessofFitzdotterel !

Have you tried morning pages for cleaning the pipes @Dellabob123 ?
I love @Ylfa advice to write about the block, too.

The time-honoured bum-in-chair with writing implement method, and maybe a tomato timer set for 45 mins, might get you moving.

OP posts:
Original poster
cloudmessenger · 25/01/2022 19:45

Also, “pantser” Grin

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StellaOlivetti · 25/01/2022 21:40

Six days till February! Am looking forward to getting started. Also looking forward to the end of dry January which seems to have lasted about a hundred years so far.

StellaOlivetti · 25/01/2022 21:43

Also, @Drybird2020, if you choose option C we can be historical YA friends 😀

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 25/01/2022 22:21

If all else fails there’s always Writeordie.

It looks to be a bit more sophisticated than it was when I last used it but you could set it to play scratchy violin music at you if you don’t write fast enough. It also had kamikaze mode where it will delete what you have done so far if you stop.

Original poster
cloudmessenger · 26/01/2022 06:40

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel oh my goodness, I can’t believe that app exists…sounds like a hard taskmaster

OP posts:
Hippywannabe · 26/01/2022 06:42

I have to admit to needing a shove. I haven't touched my unfinished project for weeks!

Ylfa · 26/01/2022 07:02

Haha that app is brutal! Why would anyone do that to themselves? Meanwhile back at the ranch I have completely reconfigured the house creating cozy writing nooks in every room for ultimate comfort and convenience. My rules are just to say whatever it is I have to say each day in handwriting or pixels, be comfortable with wonky sentences and to enjoy my writing. A hybridised system has emerged with two A4 notebooks (one for morning pages/ideas/contemplations and one for the actual writing of the actual book) plus Dabble because it’s web based so I can add to it whenever. It also means everything gets automatically tidied and polished as I type the handwritten parts in to the main manuscript. This way I think it will be pretty much good to go by the end of Feb. (Have not set high literary goals here.)

Original poster
cloudmessenger · 26/01/2022 10:10

Consider this a well-meaning shove, then, @Hippywannabe Wishing you luck!

That sounds like a lovely plan @Ylfa

OP posts:
Dellabob123 · 26/01/2022 10:29

@Ylfa that does sound lovely- I like the idea of feeling comfortable and enjoying it.
I shall adopt that mantra.

I’ve been pondering my seed for a few days and what I thought would be a gentle story set in the fifties has evolved in my head into something a bit more gritty. I’m not sure I want to go there but it’s nagging at me.
It was how I reasoning my character, their backstory. It warrants a big part of the plot and now I can’t unthink it. Aargh.

Ylfa · 26/01/2022 12:30

You have to follow the chimes! That’s where the magic is!

Dellabob123 · 26/01/2022 13:41

Love that @Ylfa

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 26/01/2022 13:44

You can always go in the direction you are feeling led to go and then if it doesn’t work you can scrub it and go back to your original plan (in which case the wrong turning will probably still have been a useful part of the process). It’s not an irreversible choice.

Ylfa · 30/01/2022 13:50

Only two days to go! I have started a little early but they’re like training runs, finding out where the overuse injuries will occur (handwriting is so ouch when you haven’t done it in years) and figuring out a schedule and a pace that’s achievable etc. I’m so excited! I’m mostly looking forward to March tbh, when I’ll have my first completed nanuscript ever. It’s scary but nice. How’s it going for the rest of the gang here?

AintNoPartyLikeANumber10Party · 30/01/2022 14:08

Late to the party… Can I join too?

I’m c20,000 words into my novel with a full chapter plan - sorry pantsers Grin
It’s going well right now - I do 2 days a week writing during school hours and occasionally more if the mood takes me.
But I’m in fear of hitting another dry spell. I only managed 3000 words for Nanowrimo. Sad
Currently have a goal of 2-3000 edited and polished words per week.