Who's Signing up for Nano 2008?

[HeidiC]

It's that time again. I've just signed my November away. Wondered who else was planning too and thought those that were might like a place to go to chat to other Nano's. I'm Nimue1 for nano purposes so if anyone wants a buddy....

[bailish]

I'm seriously considering it this year, but I'd like to hear from people who have done it in the past. Did the experience help your writing, or was it merely busy work?

I tend to write more slowly, usually around 500 words a day, and I'm not sure more words is better. Comments?

[bod]

i'm signing up today.

[mustang6944]

Call me stupid but what is nano?

[HeidiC]

I'd like to hear from people who have done it in the past.

I did it last year and managed 50,247 words. It was hard work no question, but I have benefited from the experience in so many ways. I was lucky if I could manage 50 words a day but during Nano there were days when my word count hit 6,000.

I know it's all about quantity and not quality and I scrapped the actual writing in my rough draft because it wasn't very good but what I did get out of it - which I definately did not have before I began it - was a solid plot idea, some major plot holes filled and characters mapped out.

Problems solved themselves as if by magic and the feeling of having achieved something is priceless. The forum is full of helpful advice and if you have a specific question - however bizarre - there will be tons of fellow nanoers ready to offer advice, suggestions and some really good websites and personal experiences. I found the experience so positive I'm throwing myself into it again this year to write the sequel even though I'm due to move house any week.

Call me stupid but what is nano?

National Novel Writing Month - it's where a bunch of writing nuts sign away their Novembers to pen a 50,000 word novel. Check out the website: www.nanowrimo.org

[c.higginson]

I am going to sign up for it, as I feel NaNo is just what I need to get over the incessant desire to have everything planned out. This way, it'll make me just push forward. I also understand that my work afterwards wont be very good, but at least as the above writer said, it will help me see plot holes, get a good understanding, and possibly (god forbid!) make me realise that the story is faulty, or wont work.

[Gyppo]

I've never taken part, but one thing any concentrated effort like this will teach you is how to get your bum on the seat and fingers tapping the keyboard.  Many people can write the perfect novel in their head, but will never summon the discipline to get it down into some more tangible form.

I have always felt that anyone who completes NANO, even if the work turns out to be utter crap, will never feel quite so daunted again by the prospect of writing a full length book.  For that alone the experience has to be worthwhile.

Gyppo

[bailish]

I know it's all about quantity and not quality and I scrapped the actual writing in my rough draft because it wasn't very good but what I did get out of it - which I definitely did not have before I began it - was a solid plot idea, some major plot holes filled and characters mapped out.

I have always felt that anyone who completes NANO, even if the work turns out to be utter crap, will never feel quite so daunted again by the prospect of writing a full length book.  For that alone the experience has to be worthwhile.

Ah, I get it now. I can see actual benefits to this contest.
I just went to sign up for this year's NaNo and I received a message that their server is down. Oh, well....

[RheaH]

Nanowrimo is a wonderful thing. At least for me anyway. I have this thing where I pretend to be a writer. I talk about being a writer, I spend money on all the writing gear (Coffee, Oversized mugs in which to put the coffee, fountain pens, fancy notebooks, laptop...) But when I think about it, I really don't actually spend a lot of time with my ass in the chair and my hands on the keyboard.

Nanowrimo changes that. It gives me the ability to get past the whole ego thing and just get in the habit of writing copiously, Because, the more you write the more likely something in that mess of jibberish will actually be good.

[HeidiC]

I just went to sign up for this year's NaNo and I received a message that their server is down. Oh, well....

Keep trying. They're having glitches because so many people are trying to sign up at the same time. It will sort itself out.

[c.higginson]

I was reading the timeline of NaNoWriMo on their website, and it is amazing how far they've come!

[HeidiC]

It looks like the website is back up and running but apparently anyone who signed up needs to check they don't have to resign. Apparently the problem they had has wiped out all their backup thingys: new signups and posts are gone. www.nanowrimo.org

[bod]

just signed up. im logged in as daryl baldwin. looking forward to it just for the reasons that Gyppo said.

[HeidiC]

I have added you to my buddy list - you'll be notified next time you log on. I'm Nimue1.

[bod]

thank you