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Original poster

NaNoWriMo 2006

50 replies

GeorginaA · 14/10/2006 14:24

Anyone insane enough to be doing NaNoWriMo this year?

For those not in the know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month - every November, thousands of insane people sit down and attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in the space of 30 days.

I managed it in 2003, but was thinking of giving it another go this year. Anyone joining me?

OP posts:
Original poster
GeorginaA · 14/10/2006 19:31

I'll take that as a no then

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nowanearlyNicemum · 14/10/2006 22:04

must admit, I looked at your post earlier and thought - a novel in a month? she must be barking!!!
I think I'm just jealous to know that there are people out there who can manage such a thing. I'm intrigued... where do you start?
can't say I'll be joining you though... have 2yr old dd and baby due tomorrow so November could be a tricky month for me.
hope it goes well for you.
there must be another mad person out there willing ot give it a shot - quite a challenge!!!

Original poster
GeorginaA · 14/10/2006 22:11

You start at the beginning... flounder a lot in the middle.... and hopefully pad to the end See, it's easy!

I'll let you off though with a newborn on the way

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badkarma · 14/10/2006 22:21

Oh how I would love to do this!!!!!!!

But sadly I am in the middle of a degree and lots of the coursework is novel writing and poems so unfortunately I wouldn't have the time...

Deffo be up for it in 2 yrs time when my degree is in the bag!

Best of luck to you though Georgina!! Was your novel published?

Original poster
GeorginaA · 14/10/2006 22:24

Gawd no ... some of it came out pretty well, but flying bunnies made a cameo when the block hit around chapter 8. It's languishing unedited in a dark file at the back of my computer

This one I'm planning out properly though so I don't flouder too much this time and will hopefully get a very rough first draft I can then edit into something vaguely presentable.

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celticmama · 14/10/2006 23:29

this sounds right up my street. dh has suggested i cheat and start now. as it's my first attempt at a novel then i think this might be ok. november is looking busy but maybe that'll give me plenty to write about- moving house, last month of pregnancy, toddler to toddle with. Will post any progress. Thanks for the idea. I think time with your own ideas and thoughts, however fictional, is good for the heart.

Original poster
GeorginaA · 15/10/2006 08:56

Don't cheat - it's not as fun if you cheat Honestly, the pressure of getting it all done in 30 days makes it much more productive - all too easy just to put it off if you make it longer!

Definitely join in the NaNo forums - great for running by plot ideas, begging for help with titles and generally catching other people's enthusiasm to keep going.

Good luck, have fun

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coppertop · 23/10/2006 19:47

I signed up the day after the new forum opened. Keen? Me?

I was going to do it last year but was suffering a little too much from pregnancy-induced nausea and tiredness.

I've got my outline planned and ready but I suspect it will evolve into something completely different.

Original poster
GeorginaA · 23/10/2006 19:50

Fantastic I've got just over a half an outline finished ... better get my act together

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SoupDragon · 23/10/2006 20:05

Oh gosh yes because you made it sound like so much fun last time...

Original poster
GeorginaA · 23/10/2006 20:06

OI ...

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coppertop · 23/10/2006 21:54

LOL!

So was it really bad last time? Has it taken this long to lose the memories of it?

Original poster
GeorginaA · 23/10/2006 22:04

I enjoyed it ...

... when it was over

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Original poster
GeorginaA · 23/10/2006 22:05

Anyway... I'm doing it again, aren't I?!

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coppertop · 23/10/2006 22:08

After reading through some of the forums (why does that word sound so wrong?) I can only imagine how tough it was. Every time someone makes an appointment or arranges a meeting during November I get that sinking feeling....

What have I let myself in for????

Original poster
GeorginaA · 23/10/2006 22:12

A lot of fun, a lot of stress, lots of screaming WHY AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF, and an amazing feeling of achievement when you're done

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coppertop · 27/10/2006 10:07

Less than a week to go - and 3 more November appointments have arrived in the post.

Anyone else signing up?

RainbowBear · 30/10/2006 19:23

have i left it too late 31st tomorrow - I have signed up but done no planning whatsoever...(unexpected business trip cropped up). So, unplanned and with no idea as yet do I have any chance at all of getting anywhere with this?? experts please..

Original poster
GeorginaA · 01/11/2006 06:45

Just wing it

Think of an opening line, write it down, see what follows. Go where the muse leads you, but JUST KEEP WRITING!

(and oh my god, how come I got up an hour early today to start, and I've only managed 500 words of my 2000 goal...)

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Manoo · 01/11/2006 15:21

would love to do this but am moving house next tue and spending any 'spare' time packing!

good luck with it though, and maybe join you next year. sounds like a great incentive to get writing.

coppertop · 01/11/2006 15:48

500 words before 7am is pretty impressive!

Just go for it RainbowBear. Lots of people don't do any planning beforehand and even those with a plan often end up changing their minds and writing something else instead.

I've managed just under 2,000 (despite dd choosing today of all days to have teething troubles) and am hoping to do more later. I've got to do a bit extra to make up for the times when I have to go to meetings and appointments. So far so good.

Original poster
GeorginaA · 01/11/2006 16:09

I've got to 1750 - want to get to 2000 today. Mind you, feel a bit stressed. I've also had a photo project to do (I take 12 pictures of the same places on the first day of every month), and had to tidy & clean for an estate agent to come round to value the house! I'd write now but I have to make dinner because it's ds1's swimming lesson this evening.

I. Will. Survive. Today.

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RainbowBear · 01/11/2006 16:35

am winging it. god the plot thing is a problem though! will be interesting to see how it goes. have done 750 words today, though would hate to re read them...

RainbowBear · 02/11/2006 18:25

how is anyone doing. i am two days in and finding it really hard! still better get back to it now..

coppertop · 02/11/2006 22:50

I'm not doing too badly so far. I've reached 6,000+ words but I know that I'm going to lose a lot of time this month with appointments etc.

Even though I've written a plan I keep finding the strangest things in my story and wondering how on earth they got there.