NaNoWriMo Any Nano Rebels Out There?

I'm using it to expand a short story I never finished, into a longer novel. It isn't necessarily from scratch like Nano is supposed to be, but it's still in some sense the start of a novel. Sometimes it's difficult to start a novel in November because I'm usually working on several different projects at the same time.

I just aim for the word count goal by the end of the month, whether that's on a new project or on a project I'm already working on.

 

The big thing for me is that it gives me an excuse to say 'sorry, can't wash the hamster today, I'm writing this month'. So I can get a lot of writing done without interruptions.

That said, I've been writing almost at NaNo-speed this month too, so I'm clearly getting better at allocating time.

 

I have started early too. I will be away from home for 8-10 days in November, so I got an early start. I will be taking my yellow pads and computer with me, but ... we all know what happens to the best laid plans.

 

They get forgotten when fountain pens and the best laid paper are present.

 

I completely spaced on the date until about half an hour ago and am not prepared at all, but I searched up a one-word-prompt list so I'm all ready for a story-a-day challenge. If only I'd had about eleven months to get ready for this!

 

If anyone wants another 'writing buddy' on the NaNo site then add me my username is A.S.Ford!

 

I've only ever completed Nano once, I too often run out of steam and life gets in the way and before you know it you have to write 12k words on a Sunday just to catch up and just...nope.

But I'll be doing it this year, or at least putting in a gosh darned attempt. Starting from scratch off an idea ripped from a Black Mirror ep, no outlines, no planning, no nothing. (I'm gritting my teeth even as I type this because I'm a meticulous outliner/character development charter/family tree plotter; never been a good pantser). Wish me luck.

 

I don't really have a specific thing I'm doing, I'm just going to try to write more this month I think a story a day would be cool, but I'm afraid it would take to much time from my current WIP, since I have very little time to write in the first place

 

I wasn't going to do it this year. But I caved just today. i.e. 10 pm the first day. xD

 

Which episode?

BTW, I got the idea that the Orville episode “Majority Rule” was ripped from Black Mirror.

 

i'm going to use this month to write, but it may or may not have anything to do with any kind of WIP. i get in to a bad habit of sitting on the sofa with my laptop waiting for the ideas to come-a-knockin', and well... we know the rest.

instead i want to take each day and start paying more attention to the people around me. find the quirks and the interesting people and write a little blurb each night. nose around for prompts. journal when all else fails. i need to build up my foundation before i start writing; i know your first draft is supposed to be bad... but i want my bad to have a little more depth so i can tease it out later.

that's my plan. it seems realistic enough while actually getting me to do something.

 

The "Be Right Back" ep. Playing around with the idea of advanced AI's in realistic human bodies and a service that provides these as companions/spouses/significant others to people in the near-future.

 

Put me on your reader list!

Be sure to work in an homage to Satisfaction guaranteed, too!

 

Absolutely! My local Maryland Writers' Association chapter has a small group of 5-6 of us who are doing NaNoWriMo, and we keep in touch most everyday to cheer each other on. It helps keep me motivated if I am feeling like I don't have time. We can do this!!!!!

 

What is a “story-a-day” challenge about? Do they mean little vignettes or single scene? And what level of quality?

 

For me it's mostly a challenge to actually start and finish something every day, because I'm a chronic procrastinator, so sometimes they'll be more vignette-like and sometimes I'll put more time and effort into them. They might range in length from flash-appropriate to more in the 5k range, depending, but about 2k is a good average. I make no claims or promises about level of quality

Of the four I've done so far (haven't finished today's yet), two are single scenes, one is sort of a montage, and one is a brief but complete sequence. Today's will probably be a single scene as well.

 

I went ahead and started in October, getting about 35,000 words done for the month. I've added 13,000 so far this month, but I honestly doubt I'll be able to eke out enough good content to hit the 70,000 I want. It doesn't help that I'm writing memoirs of my military experiences, so I can't just add stuff by making things up. I have bought a couple comps to ensure I'm hitting the usual 'wickets' for military memoirs that have done well. (Yes, I know the No stands for Novel, but I won't let that deter me!)

 

Yep, I'm shooting for 10,000 words this November! It's only Nov. 10 and I'm already 99% done with my word count, but I'm only on Chapter 5! So I'm secretly aiming for about 40,000…*grins evilly* be prepared, universe!