NaNoWriMo 2004

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Holy shit, this is in less than a week! I almost forgot about it! Is anyone on ILX doing this this year?
Sarah is still working on her novel she started last year, and has started a new one already. I started one novel last year, gave up on, started another one, and gave up on that one too. I wouldn't do it this year except I actually have a plot I've been mulling over for a while so I may try and write it, using NaNoWriMo for motivation.

― n/a (Nick A.), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

― n/a (Nick A.), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah, ya punk, I was going to start this one! (I am very much in this year again -- though I strongly doubt I'll complete it in five days' time like last year.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess I should try and make an outline. Or maybe I should abandon my plot line and write a terrible experimental novel.

― n/a (Nick A.), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm doing a solo album instead.

― 57 7th (calstars), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:31 (twenty-one years ago)

BTW, 5 days ?!?!

― 57 7th (calstars), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:31 (twenty-one years ago)

That would be awesome if I had time I could take off from work just to plow through one this year. I think I'll do it again with my new novel. I can use my first one as a way to relax my brain in between working on the new one. I did get my final word count, but still have a lot of editing to do on last year's novel.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:33 (twenty-one years ago)

BTW, 5 days ?!?!

Yup, 5 days. Not kidding, either.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned, do you find it helpful to write an outline first?

― n/a (Nick A.), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't really have an outline for the last one. I had an idea and then when I started writing it everything changed rather rapidly, but still worked.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm out this year; I have too much work in progress to want to put it aside for a month. I do recommend it, though; it's both more and less hard than it sounds (i.e. the people who scoff at how easy it would be are usually the ones who quit after a couple K; the people who scoff at the idea that you can write anything good in only a month are usually the ones who couldn't write anything good in a year, either).

― Tep (ktepi), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm in.

― luna (luna.c), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm in again, I've knocked last years into almost serviceable shape, too. Should be interesting.

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 21:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm seriously considering it this year, if I can get over being painfully self-concious about my writing.

― Leon Czolgosz (Nicole), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I actually could try doing it this year, hm. I theoretically have the time.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 21:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I have a really good idea, but I don´t know if I want to try and rush it to finish in a month. It´s something that will take lots of thought and planning and accurate writing. Maybe I could quickly write up something and edit the living daylights out of it afterwards...

― A Nairn (moretap), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 22:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Worked for me, sort of.

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 26 October 2004 22:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Not sure if I'm gonna join in this year. I made it about halfway last year, and I'm thinking about just going back to work on that manuscript instead. Plus, I've started another story that I'm not sure where it's going to go. Time'll tell.

― Hey Jude, Tuesday, 26 October 2004 22:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmmm, okay, I'm in.

― Huk-L, Wednesday, 27 October 2004 13:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, I have no time again this year. Two dreary library essays to write. "Dead dude in a freezer" will have to wait for another year. It will be finished, oh yes, it will be finished.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 27 October 2004 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Um, so. What should I write?

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 28 October 2004 18:47 (twenty-one years ago)

You know... stuff.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 28 October 2004 18:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I down for this, but what if I wanted to write a series of short stories rather than a novel. I don't think I have the attention span for a novel.

― Dale Panopticalis (cprek), Thursday, 28 October 2004 18:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I may just pastiche various ILE posts into a vaguely coherent story.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 28 October 2004 18:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Make 'em interconnected, Dale. Be bold!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 28 October 2004 18:55 (twenty-one years ago)

No, really. What would you guys like me to write about. I have no imagination for this sort of thing.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 28 October 2004 18:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Look out the window and note down every detail about the first five-or-so people you see. Pretend they all know each other or are connected somehow. Make up those connections. Pretend they have to deal with a giant baby-eating slug in the next 24 hours. What do they do? What happens? Can they stop the slug or is it bye-bye-baby?

Then start writing.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm just going to post my plot idea here since the chances of me actually writing the whole thing are pretty slim. There is a man. In each chapter, he falls in love with a different woman, and as a result, suffers an accident or illness that causes him to lose a limb. First he loses his right arm, then his left, then he loses his right leg, then his left, and then he loses his head, each time as a direct result of him falling in love with a particular woman. It ends with his torso being kept alive by a variety of support systems in a hospital, and he falls in love with the nurse who has tends to him, who has always been in the background in the hospital each time he has to go in for one of his lost limbs. It is a macabre romance.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I'm going to give this a go this year. I don't do anything anyway, and I haven't written anything since I became unwell, so I figure this will be good. Don't know what I'll write though - I'll see how the spirit moves me.

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

OK, that's one vote for baby-eating slug. Any other suggestions?

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

I am basing mine on "dear [random person I saw today}, I love you"

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Start there, Casuistry, and extrapolate.

Mine involves bizarre cults, unsavory business practices, film crews, shellac and Deef the Wonder Horse!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh and old but faithful beagles. And disorganization. And a mom and pop store struggling against a multinational.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:07 (twenty-one years ago)

You can always write about this

― W i l l (common_person), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I need suggestions for interesting ways in which a person could lose limbs. The only one I've thought up so far is that they are at an old-timey dance with a big band playing, fight breaks out over girl, guy tries to punch other guy but misses, gets arm stuck in tuba, arm has to be amputated due to loss of circulation. Others? I need one other arm, two legs, and head.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:24 (twenty-one years ago)

One of the legs should be lost to a steamroller.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Just the one?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

OK.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Also the guy should get trampled by a llama.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

You got it, dude.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG you need a scene where, after he's lost the first arm, he's doing a comic routine on people where he lets them shake hands with the prosthetic and OH NO HIS ARM COMES OFF ARRGH only he messes up one day and someone actually pulls his other arm off!

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Dan, no retelling of regular daily events in your life, please.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha ha, yes. He will join the circus as the man with the amazing removable arm, and will fall in love with a trapeze artist. The semi-retarded strong man will accidentally pull his other arm off. Then IN ROLL THE STEAMROLLERS AND THE LLAMAS!!! This book sounds like it will be more humorous than originally intended.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:34 (twenty-one years ago)

This happens to everything I touch. At least this is what I tell myself when girls laugh at my penis.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 28 October 2004 19:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Nick, you'll be wanting to watch some Guy Maddin films, I'm thinking.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:00 (twenty-one years ago)

C´mon, it´s simple. His leg turns evil and he has to kill it.

― A Nairn (moretap), Friday, 29 October 2004 01:48 (twenty-one years ago)

caught in trap...must...extricate...self....

― Begs2Differ (Begs2Differ), Friday, 29 October 2004 02:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm wavering this year for a few reasons: the last 2 attempts I have failed horribly, Ned's inhuman effort last year made me want to tear my hair out (heh), also I have serious writers block lately and CANNOT IMAGINE UP A THING.

Not even silly things, baby eating slugs or whatever. Its awful!

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 29 October 2004 02:41 (twenty-one years ago)

caught in trap...must...extricate...self....

-- Begs2Differ (expresso222...), October 29th, 2004.

because...love you too much... baby....

― Pangolino (ricki spaghetti), Friday, 29 October 2004 02:57 (twenty-one years ago)

OK, I think I have my idea.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Friday, 29 October 2004 16:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I just posted this elsewhere -- simple and basic:

My NaNoWriMo advice -- because I'm thinking of doing it after all:

1) Have an idea, today. Know the answers to the following questions:

a) Who's your main character?
b) What do they want?
c) What is the first/obvious obstacle keeping them from achieving it?
d) Who, if anyone, doesn't want them to achieve it?
e) Who are three other characters, and how do they divert the protagonist from his plans?
f) What is the first image of the novel? Not what people are saying, not what they're thinking, not what's going on: if it was a movie, what's the first thing we see when the previews are done, and why is that what you're showing us?
g) What happens ten thousand words from now?

2) Fuck message boards.

3) Seriously, fuck message boards. Fuck talking to other writers. Fuck mailing lists. Fuck getting coffee to cheer each other on. Fuck reading over each other's work. Other writers don't exist. Fuck them. Writing communities exist to prevent you from writing. You may as well cut your hands off and feed them to lizards.

4) No, seriously. All that time you spend talking about writing is time that satisfies "the writing urge" while getting nothing done. You're grabbing a snack before going to dinner, when your goal is supposed to be cleaning your plate. Stop it. This, above absolutely everything else, is the number one thing would-be writers do wrong. You can be cool later. You can praise and be praised later. You can share anecdotes later. You can Be A Writer later. Writing is a solitary activity, and if you find you keep trying to make it a social one, keep trying to make it a spectator sport, then it just isn't for you.

5) Write every day. If you don't have time ... yes you do. If you have time to tell me you don't have time, fuck off, that's time enough to write a sentence. Writing a sentence is better than writing nothing. Not at the computer? Write it on your shoe.

6) Stop thinking about all the reasons you aren't writing, and just write when you have time. Worry about word count once a week, and figure out where you can make more time. Figure out if you're wasting time when you're writing, and not just making enough time to do it -- are you staring at the screen a lot? Stop that. Type.

7) Figure out, today, where your tough spots are going to be, time-wise. Are you hanging out with the extended family for Thanksgiving weekend? Don't plan on getting anything done. If you tell people you need to take a couple hours away from them to write, they'll just think it's cute, and want to talk about it, and you'll end up spurting out your writing urge like in #4. No one has an inherent right to know about your work. Write it. They can read it later.

8) Assume that twenty thousand of your fifty thousand words will go slower than you expect them to, because plot points will develop that you didn't anticipate, and they'll throw you off.

9) Begin immediately. If you're awake at midnight tonight, write out that opening image. If you're not, do it tomorrow morning. If you don't have time tomorrow morning, yes you do. Get up half an hour earlier. No one's ever crashed a bus because of thirty minutes of lost sleep.

― Tep (ktepi), Sunday, 31 October 2004 15:25 (twenty-one years ago)

a) some girl
b) love
c) some guy
d) some guy
e) three funny old men
f) the woods
g) marriage

― A Nairn (moretap), Sunday, 31 October 2004 23:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmm. I still have no ideas, and it's 11:45 here.

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Sunday, 31 October 2004 23:40 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd love to do this but I'm shit at writing. Maybe when I'm retired.

(alternatively, I'll write a novel based on each song played on shuffle on my ipod on the way in to work tomorrow morning)

― Markelby (Mark C), Sunday, 31 October 2004 23:47 (twenty-one years ago)

wait, don't start yet. Did you remember daylight savings time?

― A Nairn (moretap), Sunday, 31 October 2004 23:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I think so - it's now midnight in the UK, unless I have become massively confused. ('Massively confused' - my novel is going to be great!)

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Sunday, 31 October 2004 23:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I have a vague idea now. It isnt a proper novelly kind of novel, it'll be more like some whacked out Joycean/Proustian memory moosh I think. But hey thats cool too.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 1 November 2004 00:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Mine's a choose-your-own-adventure book. I started a few days early, but meh.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 1 November 2004 00:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually it's not even a nanowrimo book, really.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 1 November 2004 00:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah, I just use this month as an excuse to actually *do* some writing. Off to a bad start already tho what with being distracted by work-last-day activities, the fact I still cant lodge my fucking e-tax (yay for server busy) and I've lost my ATM card.

EVERY YEAR SOMETHING GOES WRONG WTF.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 1 November 2004 00:31 (twenty-one years ago)

You're looking for excuses, just start writing!

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 00:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I am arent I :(

Well right now I'm at work, so I really do have an excuse sadly. But once home... onward!

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 1 November 2004 00:53 (twenty-one years ago)

It's 9:40 here, I just flipped through a copy of Strunk & White and I decided my idea would be much better as a childrens book, so I'm going to work on illustrations instead.

― A Nairn (moretap), Monday, 1 November 2004 02:39 (twenty-one years ago)

A 50,000 word children's book? Or does each illustration count as 1000 words? A 50 panel comic seems totally doable in a month.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 05:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Very good advice. I have nothing to do with anyone else involved with this thing when I'm working on it (aside from chatting on this thread here with you good people. :-))

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 05:32 (twenty-one years ago)

And WE'RE OFF! Good luck everyone!

― spap oop (ernestp), Monday, 1 November 2004 05:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, no, I have another two hours and change before I'm off.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 05:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Good lord, I'm not doing anything about it until sometime towards noon tomorrow.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 06:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you take the first week of November off to pump out another novel?

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 06:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Or is it just for miscellaneous pumping?

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 06:30 (twenty-one years ago)

My friend, read upthread. I specifically said I would *not* be going that 'novel in one week' route this time. Er, unless I do anyway.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 06:32 (twenty-one years ago)

You are the gold standard which makes us all feel like crappy useless silver.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 06:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Aw.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 06:49 (twenty-one years ago)

TARNISHED, even. Maybe I won't bother, I'll never compare with what Ned did.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 07:01 (twenty-one years ago)

900 words in the first hour. Now it's bed time. I didn't realize I could write 900 words in an hour.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 08:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I just did 2000, I've rather surprised myself. Off to a flier!

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 1 November 2004 09:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I would do this if I actually thought it would help me to *finish* a book...

Gah. Last night, I found yet another story that I started, and had a good time with, and then it petered out around 40,000 words because I just got bored with it. Why do I do this?

― Two-Headed Zombie With No Face (kate), Monday, 1 November 2004 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm starting this tonight. But first, I'll do some prep at work, like making the spreadsheet I did last year with my word count goals for each day. I think this story will be a LOT more weird than my last one.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 1 November 2004 15:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, first chapter down, 2000 words in. It is starting off as ridiculous as I figured. I'll get it up on HTML here shortly.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 16:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I already had a couple of paragraphs down before today because I somehow (WTF?!) forgot about Nanowrimo. Then I realized I could use this - albeit very vague - story idea. So I guess that's cheating?? But I'm not REALLY starting until tonight.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 1 November 2004 17:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I got about 2000 words and all the names I'm using I got from Finnegans Wake. This is going good.

― A Nairn (moretap), Monday, 1 November 2004 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Up to 4000 now. Hmm.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 19:29 (twenty-one years ago)

6000. I think I'll post these chapters tonight or something.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 21:47 (twenty-one years ago)

You did take the day off to write your entire novel in one sitting!

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, no, I'm sitting here at work.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I did a little planning and sketching today at work, but you, sir, are ridiculous. I hope you thank your employer when your novel gets published! ;-)

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 1 November 2004 21:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Argh. I still haven't started yet - not even an idea. This is why I don't write anymore! Drives me nuts.

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Monday, 1 November 2004 22:08 (twenty-one years ago)

I have lots of vague ideas, but no real direction. I copied Tep's questions to consider above to brainstorm after I type up my opening scene tonight.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 1 November 2004 22:32 (twenty-one years ago)

i am up to about 4000 words. i'm super tired and my back is in agony but i can't stop typing. i have the feeling i'll be stuck for ideas in about three days.

― sophie, Monday, 1 November 2004 22:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I have decided to defect to NoSoAlMo because the chances that I will complete a solo album in a month are much much greater than those that I'll finish a novel in that time.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 1 November 2004 22:50 (twenty-one years ago)

And up to 8000 -- I've got most of the major characters introduced now, happily.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 23:48 (twenty-one years ago)

You are a machine, Raggett.

― luna (luna.c), Monday, 1 November 2004 23:51 (twenty-one years ago)

*bows* One tries. Will get up the links and like to it all later tonight.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 November 2004 23:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Can I just say I hate the word count function in Word? :( I keep clicking on it but the words dont get any higher argh.

Writing without a clear sense of structure this time round is possibly not a good idea.

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 02:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Ok, well, I've started now. I've only written about 500 words though, and now I'm tired (well, it's 2 in the morning, and tomorrow is going to be a long day). I don't know if I like it or not yet - It's kind of a 'Notes From The Underground' thing, and I'm worried that seeing as I haven't read that in years, maybe I'm ripping it off completely. Maybe I'll make him an astronaut to distance myself from it...

X-post you're lucky! I'm using notepad or something. I haven't written on this computer in years and haven't got Word installed. Grrr.

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 02:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Kevin, it's ok to rip it off completely.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 03:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Also the little wordcount on the bottom of the window goes up automatically. Makes things easier!

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 03:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I like n/a's ideas.

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 03:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, over 10,000. A good start.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 03:33 (twenty-one years ago)

10, 000 words?

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 03:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes'm.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 03:34 (twenty-one years ago)

how many of them are "ladder"?

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 03:35 (twenty-one years ago)

As yet, none.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 03:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Damn you Ned!

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 04:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned is a monster.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 04:07 (twenty-one years ago)

500 words, and already I'm finding a curious voice I hadn't really planned on, it seems to be coming out of me by itself. Funny memories srufacing... I'm trying to get a childs eye view. The thread recently about weird behaviour as kids is my jumping off place as it were.

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 04:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, now at last I have some links ready, so behold the opening fifth of my Nanowrimo 2004 entry:

Dead Gay Men, Inc.

L'Envoi -- in which a curious incident at a breakfast table results in a multinational

Chapter 1 -- the status of Dead Gay Men, Inc. in the present day, as well as some of the concerns of its CEO

Chapter 2 -- a young woman, a beagle, a Dead Gay Man and a mysterious online chat

Chapter 3 -- when a grandmotherly traditionalist confronts the forces of progress

Chapter 4 -- a Live Guy Man gets a sudden opportunity to investigate things further -- but with a surprising caveat

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 04:41 (twenty-one years ago)

That should be 'Live Gay Man' but I kinda like 'Live Guy Man' at that.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 04:42 (twenty-one years ago)

DEAD GAY MEN, INC.?!

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 05:04 (twenty-one years ago)

I was wondering what reaction that would garner.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 05:06 (twenty-one years ago)

All right, I guess I should get back to writing mine.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 05:09 (twenty-one years ago)

My non-nanowrimo effort is just past 2,000.

Use OpenOffice, you nongs. It's good and it's free.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 05:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Another hour, another 1000 words, basically. That's about as long as I can sit still.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 06:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Word suits me fine, innit. I didnt pay for it or nothin. Came with the laptop.

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 06:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Strange thing this year is that, due to g/f moving in and the computer being in our bedroom, I'm having to write in the mornings rather than late at night. And I've just discovered that I work much better in the mornings. WTF? WHY DID I NOT WORK THIS OUT BEFORE?

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 09:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, 12000 is the count now...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 16:47 (twenty-one years ago)

It seems to me that Ned always takes the offensive approach with links to his novel in hopes that us other writers will be distracted away from working on our own.

― A Nairn (moretap), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 16:50 (twenty-one years ago)

or at least disheartened by comparing our own progress with his.

― A Nairn (moretap), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 16:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I started typing in Notepad on my computer during my break this morning. That would be so awesome if I could just get away with writing my entire novel here. Damn having to do actual work! I want to be paid to write my story!

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Whee! 14000!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 19:01 (twenty-one years ago)

8355 so far. i am having such fun doing this. apart from the RSI.

― sophie, Tuesday, 2 November 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Nothings getting done to mine until sometime tomorrow. I'll see if the election results change my attitude towards the thing. If Kerry wins, happy ending. Bush wins, some sort of massacre? (in the story, I mean)

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned, you've got the whole month.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

It's not called NaNoWriSixDays.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned should have to write four novels.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Agreed.

1 x comedy
1 x thriller
1 x biography
1 x costume drama

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude, that IS my novel. (Sorta.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Awesome.

I was just typing in Word, came to a pause, and discovered I was holding down the Shift key while I was waiting. Then a message popped up, informing me that since I held down the shift key for so long, the computer assumed I was disabled and reset the keyboard controls. :-(

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 21:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I really hate Windows.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 21:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Seconded.

Use Linux and OpenOffice.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 21:06 (twenty-one years ago)

16000. No, really.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 November 2004 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Here we are assuming Ned's writing an actual story, when in actual fact it's just cut-and-paste PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS PANTS for 500 pages.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 00:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahah :D

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 00:50 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, I was thinking about ending mine with "Yay Yay Yay Yay Yay ..." until I reached the word count.

― A Nairn (moretap), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 01:10 (twenty-one years ago)

This is why I provided you links, my friend. So you can click on them and VERIFY.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 01:18 (twenty-one years ago)

It's what Joyce would have done. (x-post)

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 01:19 (twenty-one years ago)

This is why I provided you links, my friend. So you can click on them and VERIFY.

Blimey, so you did.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 01:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah, 20,000. Links tomorrow, not tonight. Other things on my mind, obv.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 07:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe the election will spur my creativity. I think my story might turn suddenly angry and sad. :-(

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, up to 22,000 today. Slower going, admittedly! But the halfway point is within sight...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 21:09 (twenty-one years ago)

You should make a career of writing, Ned.

Oh wait.

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 21:42 (twenty-one years ago)

*bows*

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm trundling nicely along, ahead of word count, pretty happy with it.

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 22:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I HAVENT DONE ANYTHING! Work's been distracting me, and well, yesterday I got too upset/angry with that hilarious hoo haa. So I went home and drank. And didnt write. Poop.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 23:46 (twenty-one years ago)

When in doubt, drink another Coke/coffee/tea/etc.!!!

Don't take a nap! You won't get up!!

Keep your fingers over the keyboard, even when pausing to ponder your next paragraph.

If you are blocked, then have your characters chat idly with each other. Dialogue = easy word count booster!!

WRITE, DAMN YOU!!

― spap oop (ernestp), Thursday, 4 November 2004 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Dialogues the one thing I stall massively on. :( I'm such a short story writer it isnt funny anymore.

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 4 November 2004 02:22 (twenty-one years ago)

If you are blocked, then have your characters chat idly with each other. Dialogue = easy word count booster!!

For me it's the reverse. I love description, dialogue's always been a bit of a pain.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 November 2004 15:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Gotta agree with that. I find digression into minutiae to be my favourite tool if I'm blocked. Plus it's fun to write.

― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 4 November 2004 15:43 (twenty-one years ago)

24000 and I admit I like the way this passage has turned out:

---

Eve had continued to flip through the slightly grimy pages, leading her to wonder if the plan was normally stored in a deep fryer. A somewhat cleaner page caught her eye:

PLAN 45143B OF THE BIG PLAN
Keep Secret

If, then yes.
Reverse all angles and then remultiply the great conundrum
Launch all vipers
Return down the scattered elements and then place them in a box
Mock all followers of the true way even though they are right
Ponder the fates and then devour tea
Leave

Phase 1

Control of DGMI must be obtained by means of sanctions further obtained with rocks and sticks. These must be launched by paper airplanes
Having done that, the inverted factory revision then suggests itself
IMPORTANT! No coffee!
Remember also – reflective glasses must not have the mirror side facing inward. There could be problems as a result.

Phase 2

Draft initial speech:

"The takeover has been achieved with the help of friendly aliens. Hark! It shall not be a concern of thine. Release yourselves from the bondage of unhappiness."
Brand the survivors. Release them on the market.
Scrub away that which is wrong and bad. Do not include self in this task.
Begin digging.

Phase 3

Enjoy strange wonders of the mystic underworld. Consume mushrooms and ride dragons for strength. Avoid flowers.
Envision a world with peace and harmony in it. Then hit self on head and kill.

Phase 4 and Last and Final

WORLD CONQUEST VIA THE MOLES!
Now, coffee

Eve decided not to say anything specifically, but walked over and held it up to the other two, who stopped arguing to read over it.
"What in the --" began Wu.
"That's actually not my plan, happily, that was another one." Lopez had initially started and then relaxed upon seeing it.
"Well, whose plan was it?" asked Eve.
"The guy before me. He had these really strange ideas, see, and – "
"Before you, wait a minute. Have other plans already been tried or something?"
"It’s not a FORMAL organization, really, but I was recruited. And they gave me this as a model because it almost worked last time."
"So a guy out there was sorta recruited by something, came up with this plan, tried to make it work and almost succeeded."
"Yes."
"...so what went wrong?"
"He didn’t follow his own rules and had coffee during Phase 1. He was detected and I think is somewhere frozer in a glacier now."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 November 2004 18:34 (twenty-one years ago)

FroZEN, but anyway.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 November 2004 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

26,000 and I'm over the halfway mark, rah!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 November 2004 23:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Gotta agree with that. I find digression into minutiae to be my favourite tool if I'm blocked. Plus it's fun to write.

Matt I kiss you, this is what I needed to hear. I havent had a chance to write for a few days now for various reasons so I have to really knuckle down this weekend. Now I think I know how ;)

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 4 November 2004 23:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I got 6000 done, but I haven't written anything today yet, and I just realized I'll be going to Kentuky for 4 days over Thanksgiving.

― A Nairn (moretap), Thursday, 4 November 2004 23:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, Ned that passage is brill :D

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 4 November 2004 23:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Yay!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 November 2004 23:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Its just...
"WORLD CONQUEST VIA THE MOLES!
Now, coffee
"

Cracking me up :D

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 4 November 2004 23:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I see Hans Moleman writing that document ;)

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 4 November 2004 23:55 (twenty-one years ago)

this thread title always makes me think of gerardo:

http://www.artistdirect.com/Images/Sources/AMGCOVERS/music/cover200/dre600/e666/e66692bg97o.jpg

― yo! mo ritmo!, Friday, 5 November 2004 00:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I see Hans Moleman writing that document ;)

Haha. Not in this case but that works. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 5 November 2004 00:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I just realized that my post looks like I'm screaming directly at Trayce - sorry!! That was not my intention - I was actually screaming at everyone!!

*whipcrack* Yah! Yah! WRITE! WRITE MORE!!

― spap oop (ernestp), Friday, 5 November 2004 01:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Dammit, still 2,000 words. Will try to hit 4,000 today.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 5 November 2004 03:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I just tried to italicise a word by typing <i> and </i>. God.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 5 November 2004 04:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahaha =) Sorry :)

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 5 November 2004 04:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Furthermore, I've just signed up and will do it properly. That is, a proper novel, starting from scratch. Starting today.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 5 November 2004 04:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay all, more links!

Chapter 5 -- Hayes reflects and LaRue watches and we all learn

Chapter 6 -- Eve meets Greg Lopez while watched by a bird

Chapter 7 -- Another bird ponders others then disappears

Chapter 8 -- Jason flies to NYC but the waters are not yet clear

Chapter 9 -- LaRue's blood enemies sit with him at a table, but they all slightly fry

Chapter 10 -- in New Jersey, a warehouse, and the first clear mention of Deef the Wonder Horse!

Chapter 11 -- Deef eats oats calmly. Other argue.

Entr'acte -- just another day in the universal media netweb

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 5 November 2004 04:53 (twenty-one years ago)

OtherS argue, rather.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 5 November 2004 04:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Entr'acte?

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 5 November 2004 04:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Sure.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 5 November 2004 04:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Are you just like, freeforming bizarro shit or somehting Ned? Cos if so, yay!

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 5 November 2004 05:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I just wrote a 1,000 word synopsis of the first portion of the book. Jesus.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 5 November 2004 05:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Are you just like, freeforming bizarro shit or somehting Ned? Cos if so, yay!

No, it's an actual plot!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 5 November 2004 05:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Woa! I must have a read of it when Ive time later.

Right now, I'm going home early, as I feel like I'm getting a cold. WHY EVERY NOVEMBER THIS HAPPEN ME?

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 5 November 2004 05:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Poor Trayce. Go home and write ffs.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 5 November 2004 05:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Synopsis 2,000 words and I've only just touched on the meat of the story. HOLY. FUCK.

I am so going to enjoy writing this.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 5 November 2004 06:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean it's no Ned, but I'm still pretty pleased with myself.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 5 November 2004 06:21 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm at 10,670 right now. it's really slowing down. the election is to blame.. not my laziness

― sophie, Friday, 5 November 2004 09:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I've just got to the first big showdown. It's ludicrous. But enormous fun.

*reads up* Trayce yr welcome. Best of luck!

― Matt (Matt), Friday, 5 November 2004 10:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Good shit Adam, I hope you churn something out :) I look fwd to reading it.

And thanks Matt :)

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 5 November 2004 10:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not doing Nanowrimo this year after all, because my first instinct was right and I just have too much other work -- which I'd put aside if it weren't writing work, but for the first time this year I'm not ahead on anything, thanks to a month of baseball and a week of election hell.

I am no less agog at Ned's Wally Westian efforts than I was last year, even if it is taking him longer this time.

Sounds like everyone else is having fun and making good progress, which is very cool!

And although my 2003 Nanowrimo novel came out a little too rambly and nonlinear to do much with, I took a chunk of it, whittled out the bits that needed the rest of the novel, and sold it as a short story this morning. So, see, there IS a practical side to all this.

― Tep (ktepi), Friday, 5 November 2004 18:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I am no less agog at Ned's Wally Westian efforts than I was last year, even if it is taking him longer this time.

Heh. There's that election for ya.

And congratulations on the short story sell! Hm, must keep that more in mind. Would you mind dropping me a private mail? I'm feeling this year's effort is, as opposed to my other three, more an exercise than an actual manuscript to develop in full, but there are bits in it I like well enough that could stand alone on their own if I can swing it. But more on that elsewhere -- thanks much!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 5 November 2004 18:14 (twenty-one years ago)

7,812 and I have plans to write with my gf tonight. Whooooo NaNo parties!

― Vinnie (vprabhu), Friday, 5 November 2004 20:54 (twenty-one years ago)

28000. Hopefully 30000 by the time I leave work here.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 5 November 2004 21:07 (twenty-one years ago)

You are a machine Ned. A machine among men.

― Vinnie (vprabhu), Friday, 5 November 2004 21:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm full of pride for you, Ned. Seriously. I managed to add 5,001 words today at work! BOO YAH! Every morning, I make up more of the story in my head on the way to work. Then I type up whatever I have so far.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 21:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned, you're losing it, you're way behind last year's pace. You're past your prime, dude. Deal with it.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Saturday, 6 November 2004 08:08 (twenty-one years ago)

I am serene.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 6 November 2004 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Is that a synonym for "fluffy"?

― Casuistry (Chris P), Saturday, 6 November 2004 19:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Pervert. (I am also now up to 32000)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 6 November 2004 19:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I got totally stalled by the election and the post-election sickness and now I am trying to decide whether to bother.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Saturday, 6 November 2004 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

The election took up some of my time and I'm fighting a slight cold and I'm fine! LET ME BE YOUR ROLE MODEL. Or not.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 6 November 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

34000. Whee!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 6 November 2004 22:53 (twenty-one years ago)

778. Whee!

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 6 November 2004 23:12 (twenty-one years ago)

36000. This is starting to pick up some steam. HTML links, if not tonight, then hopefully tomorrow.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 00:26 (twenty-one years ago)

38000! (Actually being under the weather this weekend is helping -- means I'm staying at home, keeping warm, drinking lots of water and alternating between writing and resting.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 03:21 (twenty-one years ago)

40000. I think I'm done for the day, might be able to finish it tomorrow.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 05:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Come on, Chris! you can do it!
stage cue: *dumps gatorade on his head and slaps him on the back*

Today's the first day I didn't work on my story at all, 'cept in my head, but I had already gotten my word count so it's ok.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Sunday, 7 November 2004 07:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Hopefully tomorrow I will feel up to reading over the story, getting excited about the project, and throwing a few more words on the pile. But we'll see.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Sunday, 7 November 2004 07:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I haven't gone back and read what I have yet. I think I did that too much last time and that's why I didn't get to my 50k within the month. Of course, this means there will be lots of bumps and inconsistancies, but I'll deal with it later.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Sunday, 7 November 2004 07:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, I don't generally recommend it, but I got 2000 words into it before I got severely distracted, so I'm hoping to remember what I was planning to have happen next and all.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Sunday, 7 November 2004 08:29 (twenty-one years ago)

42000.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 16:02 (twenty-one years ago)

And 44000. I should get some brunch here in a bit.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

you are counting, here.

― cºzen (Cozen), Sunday, 7 November 2004 17:51 (twenty-one years ago)

The remaining 6000 words will be all about you.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 17:52 (twenty-one years ago)

what a world.

― cºzen (Cozen), Sunday, 7 November 2004 17:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I've still only written about 5000 words - more tommorrow, I promise. I think my novel is going to take a po-mo change of direction though, because it's kind of dense writing, and I still only have one character.

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Sunday, 7 November 2004 17:54 (twenty-one years ago)

46000. The end is in sight!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

48000. Home stretch...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 21:27 (twenty-one years ago)

819. Home stretch...

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Sunday, 7 November 2004 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

You are bold, sir.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

1138! Plus a 2100-word plot summary that's only half finished.

I started on Friday and had the weekend off, so it's probably not too bad really.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Sunday, 7 November 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

And 50,000 and done. Buh. Seven days, hm. Crazy.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 22:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned, you're losing it, you're way behind last year's pace. You're past your prime, dude. Deal with it.
Apparently the rumours of Ned's decline were exaggerated, as demonstrated by his outburst of 20K words in 1.5 days.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Sunday, 7 November 2004 23:02 (twenty-one years ago)

2500.

I'll catch you Ned if it's the last thing I ever do.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:10 (twenty-one years ago)

This thing only serves to remind me why I am not a writer. Because I suck at this, have no discipline, and clearly need to stop drinking or something. Fuck shit poo.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:31 (twenty-one years ago)

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Bah, nonsense Trayce! You are a great writer with your posts here, yer witty and thoughtful. I'm sure that translates over to your fiction. No blaming yourself! :-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm a great short story writer and poet. Its just them things don't make money like novels do (well, relatively speaking anyhow). I keep trying to run a string of short fictions into a novel form but this year I didn't even have a clear concept. I've written some stuff... but I might actually have to start again, though I'm quite behind now. I have real issues rambling I think.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:51 (twenty-one years ago)

(ie, I can't ramble! Heh.)

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Dunno if this will help you, Trayce, but I didn't think I could write a novel until I banged out my synopsis on Friday. If you set out a bit of a plan and just quickly get it down, you can have a novel just waiting to be written. You don't even need inspiration, just think of an event, or a scenario, however weak, and plan it.

My plan's in chapters, and I'm changing it quite a lot as I go. There's a foundation, which means I can always write the next part of the story according to the plan.

I expect mine to be crap, but everyone has to start somewhere. :)

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess the only stumbling block for me is sticking with it through 50,000 words. Nanowrimo has set the goal for me, though, which greatly increases the likelihood that I'll get it finished.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah I've done all that structural stuff in my writing diploma... I just didnt get round to it this time and Ive been playing the Sims all weekend :(

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Ahahaha. Fair enough.

I've not touched a videogame in over a month. I'm considering digging out the N64 and having a retro afternoon.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Geez, Ned!

Trayce, if you're really worried -- not about Nanowrimo, but after that -- just keep focusing on short stories for awhile. The more novels I finish, the fewer short stories I end up writing, which has been a problem on a practical level, and on another one it means I play with a tighter range of ideas now.

And writing LOTS of short stories will pretty much inevitably give you a feel for which plots are hard to wrap up in five thousand words, which ones need longer than that just to get geared up, how quickly you get sick of certain kinds of characters, etc etc.

― Tep (ktepi), Monday, 8 November 2004 01:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I just need to break the discipline barrier. See, Ive had a full time IT job for a long time now that changed my focus totally. I just stopped writing completely. Now I have some time off and a career change staring at me and I wanna start up again.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 8 November 2004 01:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, I so hear you. My job wrecked my writing too.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 8 November 2004 01:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Adam, your book already has a front cover!

― The Midnight ROFFLEr (haitch), Monday, 8 November 2004 01:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh ha ha.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 8 November 2004 01:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I read over what I was doing and realized I had no idea what was supposed to happen next. So I drew from real life and made the main character have to go to the bathroom. 440 words later, he's finally arrived at the men's room, where I'm pretty sure he's about to meet another character. But I'm going to sleep on what that character will be like.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 8 November 2004 08:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I think largely the point of nano is that it is an exercise in and of itself. Mine has the plot sorted, but the tone shifts with my mood. I got up this morning and wrote a couple of thousand words in a style which so far hasn't been in evidence, but I like and will continue with. The point being, I wouldn't beat myself up about not quite knowing where it's all going.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 8 November 2004 11:20 (twenty-one years ago)

i am at 14,457 today. i hardly did any at the weekend since i was so busy.

i got some good advice though which might help someone. i was told, when in doubt, make all your characters go to a party together. also, give each character a job.

i didn't give my characters a job, but i wrote a good page about their personalities, which helped.

― sophie, Monday, 8 November 2004 11:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm struggling! I hate my story and it makes me wince with pain. I just need a total shift of direction so it inspires me again. I half want to kill off all my characters but the main one.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 8 November 2004 15:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I'm in the same boat - except I only have one character. I think O'm going to switch narrator in a bit. I'm too tired though, I'll need to get some sleep before I can write some more.

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Monday, 8 November 2004 15:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned should write another one.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 8 November 2004 15:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahah. You funny.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 8 November 2004 15:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I started this at the weekend, just to get me started writing again. I'm 2,074 words in and even though it's a story I've wanted to write for years I'm getting bored with it. I think it's because I added a plot element to link two sections together and I hate it.
Does anyone else finding themselves doing this kind of thing?

― Greig (treefell), Monday, 8 November 2004 20:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah, have a kitten come into their life and change everything.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Monday, 8 November 2004 21:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Read the nanowrimo email that just went out. Brilliant.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 01:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Something about weasels.

Anyway, the rest of my chapters:

Chapter
12 -- Stolfoz gets some unexpected help

Chapter
13 -- Hayes reveals just what a kind and understanding person he is

Chapter
14 -- Deef flies, others surprised

Chapter
15 -- a tunneller ends up in the wrong place

Chapter
16 -- Hayes demonstrates that it's good to dream big

Chapter
17 -- Herds of hamsters and an unfortunate fascination with sewers

Chapter
18 -- Stolfoz demonstrates that all is not what it seems

Chapter
19 -- LaRue hopes and despairs and hopes again

Chapter
20 -- In which a robot is very much a fool, but a useful fool

Chapter
21 -- the bitter truth of Hayes's background revealed -- except it's not so much bitter, more bemusing

Chapter
22 -- DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEF!

Exeunt -- everyone finally gets some sleep

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 01:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Whoa, that formatted weird. Oh well, it still works.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 01:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Chris, Of COURSE I'm gonna do that, but I have to save something exciting for the second half of the book.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 14:45 (twenty-one years ago)

In the second half of the book, it's revealed that the cute kitten has... a brother!

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I finally started my novel last night! I wrote 1000 words. It's filthy and stupid so far (so no big surprises).

Last year's failed novel started with a man walking in and finding his neighbor having anal sex with his wife on the living room floor, leading to death and dismay. This year's novel starts with a woman catching her husband having sex with the underage au pair on the kitchen floor leading to hilarious hijinks.

I think if I fall into a rut I will write a series of scenes involving people being interrupted during sexual congress; that's my favorite motif anyway. (I guess that one childhood incident involving an unfortunate Mother's Day weighs heavier on my imagination than I thought.)

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought you were going to write a story about SpongeBob SquarePants' blood enemy and the annihilation of Bikini Bottom.

(Suffice to say I think your current idea is more than fine, it is a classic example of, if I have the term spelled right, in medias res.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha I forgot about that idea! Maybe it will be a fever dream in a later chapter.

Right now I'm concerned because I have the main character high on cocaine and, having never done it myself, I have no idea how to describe the sensation. I figure I will get around this by talking massive amounts of shit.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Jesus H, for a second I thought you said TAKING

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahaha yes, because see I'm made of money and I would do that and talk about it in public.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Honesty is the best policy for a presidential campaign! Wait, no it isn't...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm trying to think of a ludicrous idea that a stoned person with some influence might come up with to get out of paying half his savings to a messy divorce. Dance-offs are played out.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:45 (twenty-one years ago)

The A-Team: The Reality Show

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 15:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Claiming his ex-wife was secretly a man the whole time. Then, somehow, proving it.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 9 November 2004 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Just passed 3,000 words. I had an exam today, which seriously put me off my stride all week. Now all I have to do is write a mere 23,500 words per week.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 12 November 2004 07:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Piece of cake!

― Matt (Matt), Friday, 12 November 2004 07:26 (twenty-one years ago)

That's only about 120 words per hour. That's nothing. This post will end up being about thirty words and I wrote it in under a minute. so 120 in the hour's remaining 59 minutes should be a piece of cake.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Friday, 12 November 2004 07:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Typo on my part ... only 90 words in the rest of the hour. Simple!

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Friday, 12 November 2004 07:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, you're right! I'm renewed. I love you.

― Adamdrome Crankypants (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 12 November 2004 08:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha I just passed 3000 words too! Sigh.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 12 November 2004 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm barely on target. I set up this spreadsheet at the very beginning with my required word totals for each day. I took into effect nights I had shows, my sister visiting, etc. But right now I'm just up to yesterday's word count, so I need to get to work.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 12 November 2004 14:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Y'all will do fine, just keep working away. :-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 12 November 2004 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm at just over 5,000 words at the minute.
While I'm pretty certain that the plot will hold up to the 50,000 word length, there's just no way I'm going to get to it by the end of the month unless I start pulling major shifts on it.

I've been surprised by how easy writing becomes when you stop revising every word as you go along. In the past, I'd write 200 words and obsess about getting them to be perfect before I'd continue the story. At the minute I'm just breezing through the plot, albeit not at the rate to do 50,000 words in a month

― Greig (treefell), Friday, 12 November 2004 16:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I'm kind of dreading going back and reading this straight through at the end though. Sometimes I'll breeze by a few years in a couple of pages, and then I'll have a scene that lasts 20 pages or so.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 12 November 2004 16:26 (twenty-one years ago)

That's pretty much the trick. Screw perfection, just get everything out and don't look back.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 12 November 2004 16:27 (twenty-one years ago)

How y'all doing?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 18 November 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Bailed. Shortly after election day. This was not the right year for this.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 18 November 2004 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

It's not a novel, but I just reached 12,000 words on the book I started writing on or about Nov. 4. I was definitely inspired by NaNoWriMo to start this project. I confidently project 30,000 words by month's end. But 50,000 seems unlikely.

― Aimless (Aimless), Thursday, 18 November 2004 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, nice! What is it about -- a fiction piece or something else, as you seem to imply?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 18 November 2004 20:04 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a bit like Three Men In a Boat - Not to Mention the Dog by Jerome K. Jerome. It's just me rambling on in the first person, using a week-long 70 mile solo backpack trip as the narrative skeleton upon which I can hang all my Christmas tree ornament digressions.

If it is not charming, it shan't amount to a pile of dust. I realize that attempting to be charming in the first person for upwards of 60,000 words is a perilous feat.

Oh well, if no one else reads it, my 80 year old mother will enjoy it, I'm sure.

― Aimless (Aimless), Thursday, 18 November 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

It sounds Twain-esque. Good luck with it.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 18 November 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, good luck! I got pretty stuck on my story today. Then luna sent me a list of ideas and I used just about all of them. :-D

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Thursday, 18 November 2004 22:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Rah for good help!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 18 November 2004 22:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I just reached 24,000 words. The past two days have been very, very good to me.

― Aimless (Aimless), Saturday, 20 November 2004 20:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Mine's abandoned.

― Daffyd, the only gay in the village (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 20 November 2004 22:10 (twenty-one years ago)

:-(

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 20 November 2004 22:21 (twenty-one years ago)

No time. I'll still write it, but it won't be finished next weekend.

― Daffyd, the only gay in the village (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 20 November 2004 22:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Revive!
And I'm done.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 29 November 2004 14:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Yay! Good to hear. I need to get mine verified today, I suppose!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 29 November 2004 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I am still at just over 3000 words.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 29 November 2004 14:56 (twenty-one years ago)

You've got until tomorrow -- drink lots of coffee and begin!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 29 November 2004 14:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I basically took all of last week off. I was sick, I tells ya! But maybe just maybe I'll work on it tonight (but I'm not much over 30k at this point).

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 29 November 2004 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Matt, is yours posted anywhere a body might cast his glims on it?

― Aimless (Aimless), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 01:12 (twenty-one years ago)

nice job matt coastal
told you that you could do it
I DID NOT DO SHIT

― Haibun (Begs2Differ), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 01:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah, get to writing and think of the children!

― Aimless (Aimless), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 01:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Aimless: when it has been knocked into a more or less serviceable shape then I shall link to it from Coastalblog. Time to get with the editing.

Matt: you did indeed, and many thanks for your support.

Sarah: yes! Think of the children!

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 07:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha Ha. I'm at a little over 36k now. I can 14k in one day. Right guys?

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 15:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Congratulations, Matt!

Sarah, you can definitely do 14K in a day.

― Tep (ktepi), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 15:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Yus. Keep at it Sarah!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 15:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah, the secret to "14K in a day" is all in the adjectives. String them like pearls on a rope.

For example: Think of an epithet for each of your characters, such as "rosy-fingered Dawn", "stout Achilles", or "Fingal, last of his tribe". Use it every time you refer to them, or when they refer to each other, as in:

Rosy-fingered Dawn fingered the handle of her bright blue and yellow coffee mug thoughtfully and said to voloptuous Sarah Jessica, "I can't believe that stout Achilles and green-eyed Hera are getting it on on my stunningly white couch this very moment. Eeeeeuuuuw!"

― Aimless (Aimless), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 17:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Can I quote you on that, Aimless?

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I tried to convince Sarah to incorporate Katamari Damacy into her novel somehow, but she didn't bite.

― n/a (Nick A.), Tuesday, 30 November 2004 18:16 (twenty-one years ago)

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