NaNoWriMo Ireland 2014

Sherlof3 · 18-09-2014 1:00pm #1

Anyone taking part this year?

Das Kitty · 18-09-2014 1:05pm

I might sign up and see how I go.

I did it in 2012 and won. It was an amazing (if tiring) experience. It really shows you how much you can produce if you just sit down and write.

For anyone unfamiliar with the concept, you commit to writing 50,000 words in the month of November. You win if you achieve this goal.

http://nanowrimo.org/

echo beach · 18-09-2014 1:56pm

Had you done any preparation for it DK, or did you just sit down on November 1st and start with a blank page?
It looks to me as if it would involve putting 'normal' life on hold for a month to get close to the target and I don't know if I want to make that sort of commitment, although I know it is what would be needed if you are serious about writing.

Das Kitty · 18-09-2014 2:11pm

echo beach wrote: »

Had you done any preparation for it DK, or did you just sit down on November 1st and start with a blank page?
It looks to me as if it would involve putting 'normal' life on hold for a month to get close to the target and I don't know if I want to make that sort of commitment, although I know it is what would be needed if you are serious about writing.

I had a rough idea but mostly I just sat down and wrote and saw where the story was leading me.

It does consume some of your spare time, and I hadn't much to spare with a full time job and a toddler and my best friend's wedding in the middle for which I was bridesmaid. I did miss out on sleep, but tiredness can be useful for turning the inner critic off.

Setting out I never thought I'd try to reach the target, that every few words down were a few more than I would have written otherwise. What I came out with was a big chunk of a novel that I've been working on since and have added more to.

There are patches that I clearly wrote with my eyes closed, and I did put in sections of gratuitous sex just to fill out the word count, but that's all fixable!

Sherlof3 · 18-09-2014 2:11pm

Das Kitty - did you keep writing afterwards?

I am 52,000 words into a book but I have been writing since January 1st! Do you need to start from scratch? Feel like this could be the final push I need!

Das Kitty · 18-09-2014 2:39pm

Sherlof3 wrote: »

Das Kitty - did you keep writing afterwards?

I am 52,000 words into a book but I have been writing since January 1st! Do you need to start from scratch? Feel like this could be the final push I need!

I did. I've another 30K added to date and some plot holes plugged up. I had another baby in the mean time and have been distracted by short story writing for the past while.

You don't need to start from scratch, you can just keep going from where you are. That's what I'll be doing if I'm doing it this year. Getting to the end of the story.

echo beach · 18-09-2014 2:50pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

Setting out I never thought I'd try to reach the target, that every few words down were a few more than I would have written otherwise.

That is probably the best attitude to take.

Sherlof3 · 18-09-2014 3:02pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

I did. I've another 30K added to date and some plot holes plugged up. I had another baby in the mean time and have been distracted by short story writing for the past while.

You don't need to start from scratch, you can just keep going from where you are. That's what I'll be doing if I'm doing it this year. Getting to the end of the story.

Wow - you are really productive! Have you written a book before?

Das Kitty · 18-09-2014 3:28pm

Sherlof3 wrote: »

Wow - you are really productive! Have you written a book before?

Ha ha. Nope, it's my first, but I generally am a productive writer. It's my way of getting the million words of rubbish written before the good writing magically begins. :P I'm about halfway there now.

I have an idea for a second novel. But I've got it on ice at the moment and I'm not letting myself think about it.

Sherlof3 · 18-09-2014 3:36pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

Ha ha. Nope, it's my first, but I generally am a productive writer. It's my way of getting the million words of rubbish written before the good writing magically begins. :P I'm about halfway there now.

I have an idea for a second novel. But I've got it on ice at the moment and I'm not letting myself think about it.

Fair play to you for keeping on going! Have you thought about entering the Irish Writer's Centre Novel Fair competition?

Das Kitty · 18-09-2014 3:40pm

Sherlof3 wrote: »

Fair play to you for keeping on going! Have you thought about entering the Irish Writer's Centre Novel Fair competition?

I need to finish the thing first.

I've an offer from a friend of mine to have her assistant look over it for a reader review once I get it into first draft. She is apparently very good. So that's the incentive to finish. Then the pain of draft 2. Then I'll probably hire an editor. I owe it to myself to get it as good as possible.

Sherlof3 · 18-09-2014 3:45pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

I need to finish the thing first.

I've an offer from a friend of mine to have her assistant look over it for a reader review once I get it into first draft. She is apparently very good. So that's the incentive to finish. Then the pain of draft 2. Then I'll probably hire an editor. I owe it to myself to get it as good as possible.

Good luck

FouxDaFaFa · 19-09-2014 11:17pm

I'm planning on participating this year. I've been doing it on and off since 2005 (the stellar work of a 15 year old). Not always completing it but always coming away having written more than I would otherwise.

I would encourage anyone thinking about doing it to get involved in the forum and local meetup groups. They're great motivation (sometimes you do things like timed word races with people online) and a source of inspiration and guidance if you need it.

Clockwork Owl · 20-09-2014 9:03pm

I tried two years ago, when I first moved to Ireland, and failed miserably. I think I'll give it another shot this year!

Brian Lighthouse · 21-09-2014 4:28pm

I had a quick look at the website and the FAQ section.

I couldn't find the answer to who owns your work when it's over.

Anyone know?
Thanks

Das Kitty · 21-09-2014 6:26pm

Brian Lighthouse wrote: »

I had a quick look at the website and the FAQ section.

I couldn't find the answer to who owns your work when it's over.

Anyone know?
Thanks

Seeing as you don't upload it, it's you.

There's a word count check on the last day but it doesn't do anything else.

ciaranmac · 24-09-2014 1:52pm

I'm planning on doing it again. I did it last year adding 20000 words to a work in progress, which is still in progress. I'll be getting stuck in to it again then.

Sherlof3 · 25-09-2014 10:14am

Are there any meet ups for it in Dublin or like a local co-ordinator?

Kovu · 04-10-2014 6:19pm

I've just signed up to it. I often write stuff but have been meaning to give a more concentrated effort recently. Here's hoping it'll keep me on track!:pac:

FudgeBrace · 05-10-2014 2:33pm

I attempted it two years ago but school got in the way, but now I think I just used school as an excuse. I'm going to fully commit to it this year, no excuses. I have a little idea that I'm going to keep an eye on until November, and then the real fun begins

Mr E · 07-10-2014 6:44pm

Storybundle have released a batch of books to help with nanowrimo... Looks useful.

http://storybundle.com/nano

femur61 · 16-10-2014 7:26am

I have signed up I hope its the discipline I need!

Fidge13 · 17-10-2014 12:18pm

I signed up too, and have the best of intentions. But I fear I won't win. I have never competed before.

Sherlof3 · 20-10-2014 5:27pm

Would Dublin-based folk be interested in a meet up?

Hesthea · 21-10-2014 6:29pm

I've signed in for the 1st time this year. Let's see how many words i can write in 30 days.

Clockwork Owl · 26-10-2014 9:49am

My best advice would be: DO NOT EDIT. Maybe allow ten minutes max a day to re-read the previous day's work and get into the vibe, but I failed spectacularly last time around because my Inner Editor took a red biro to basically everything and ruined my daily productivity.

Another handy tip: if you get stuck on a place or person name, or a word that you can't quite think of, just put down TK or QX. These letter pairings rarely show up in natural writing, so it's nice and easy to use the Find tool and go back to them later.

Hesthea · 26-10-2014 6:25pm

Thanks, Clockwork Owl. Though it will be hard, since i have the tendency to re-read everything and edit =/

I've already decided in what its going to be about and its title.
How about you, guys?

donfers · 28-10-2014 8:03pm

What's the point of the meet-ups? Writing generally is not an experience that is conducive to social interaction. If I want to produce 50,000 words in a month then is it advisable for me to be spending time chatting to young wans about how their dystopian YA novel is set to revolutionise the genre because s/he really gets teenagers?

Clockwork Owl · 28-10-2014 8:10pm

donfers wrote: »

What's the point of the meet-ups? Writing generally is not an experience that is conducive to social interaction. If I want to produce 50,000 words in a month then is it advisable for me to be spending time chatting to young wans about how their dystopian YA novel is set to revolutionise the genre because s/he really gets teenagers?

I think the point of meet-ups is that it's nice to remember that you're not alone. It's a little bit of peer pressure meets a little bit of group encouragement. It's actually very possible to spend too long alone and staring at the screen, so an hour out of the schedule to chat to people in the same boat can be very motivational.

I've got most of my plot outlined on Yarny, although I'm still missing a substantial amount of the middle section. I've five consecutive chapters at the beginning where I know exactly what happens though, so here's hoping I've picked up enough momentum by the end of 'em to barrel on through the rest. No title yet, but that's hardly a news flash for me. :P

FouxDaFaFa · 28-10-2014 10:24pm

donfers wrote: »

What's the point of the meet-ups? Writing generally is not an experience that is conducive to social interaction. If I want to produce 50,000 words in a month then is it advisable for me to be spending time chatting to young wans about how their dystopian YA novel is set to revolutionise the genre because s/he really gets teenagers?

Meetups are more "let's all write in silence for a set amount of time because the peer pressure will make me write more than I were alone at home" than what you are imagining.

pixelburp · 29-10-2014 2:42pm

Interesting perspectives on this, as while I've dabbled on and off with the idea of taking part, it has always felt like the writing equivalent of a marathon: a hell of an achievement if you finish, but once done you never want to race again

I am trying to write longer pieces, with people pushing me towards something more like a novel, but I'm not sure a month cramming session feels particularly natural!

Das Kitty · 29-10-2014 2:53pm

pixelburp wrote: »

Interesting perspectives on this, as while I've dabbled on and off with the idea of taking part, it has always felt like the writing equivalent of a marathon: a hell of an achievement if you finish, but once done you never want to race again I am trying to write longer pieces, with people pushing me towards something more like a novel, but I'm not sure a month cramming session feels particularly natural!

It's not natural. However it opens the caverns in your mind live nothing else. It's one of the best experiences I've ever had. And I'd like to do it again. (Please don't ask me to run though :P)

Even if you look at it as practice, it will improve your writing by the act of just writing.

Harmony7 · 30-10-2014 9:27pm

Hi All,

So glad I came across this thread, Kitty you're inspirational and put me to shame

I'm in .. I'm tired talking and thinking of it, Just got to do it at this stage

pixelburp · 31-10-2014 3:21pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

It's not natural. However it opens the caverns in your mind live nothing else. It's one of the best experiences I've ever had. And I'd like to do it again. (Please don't ask me to run though :P)

Even if you look at it as practice, it will improve your writing by the act of just writing.

Yeah true enough, the basic art of just writing is something that still eludes me, preferring the lazier mix of inspiration crossed with procrastination (inspiracrastination!).

Suppose I might give it a go, see how far I get and as you say, it's easily classified as practice

Das Kitty · 04-11-2014 12:46am

3 days.

I've managed to get 2.5k down. Granted, it's easy when you've been pissing about not finishing a novel for 2 years and you know how it's going to go. But I have also been editing some of the start for a class I have on Wednesdays, so I'm still chuffed.

I'm writing the climax, so I don't have enough words left in the novel to actually 'win' and get 50K, but I have a plan. There's what I think is a novella in my head and I'm going to blast into that at warp speed when I run out of story here.

Clockwork Owl · 04-11-2014 10:25am

I'm nearly 4k in - 1,500 words in the first chapter, then little scraps of 100-700 words flung into the abyss, to be used somewhere further down the line. That's a generous estimate, as some of it may not even be useable. Had a very slow start in the first few days, so I'm hoping I can catch up now I've a few days off work.

God, I'd forgotten how tough this is!

ciaranmac · 04-11-2014 2:47pm

Was on holiday so I didn't start till last night. I was planning to finish the work in progress from last year but I was inspired to start a new story instead. Probably doesn't have the legs to be a full length novel but I'm enjoying it.

pixelburp · 05-11-2014 2:54pm

5 days in and a mere 2400 words written; the comp. definitely works as an effective spur to write even if my output isn't on a par with others'. Mostly draft-level stuff, but it's still good to scribble / type away...

Das Kitty · 05-11-2014 3:02pm

Draft level is probably better than some of the muck I'm putting down.

I'm not meeting targets either, but I'm not too worried. I'm finally writing the bit I've been putting off. *cries*

Hesthea · 07-11-2014 7:35pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

I'm not meeting targets either, but I'm not too worried. I'm finally writing the bit I've been putting off. *cries*

Same here. Even though i know that i'm not writing enough words per day to win it, i still keep on going because i want to see how much i have achieved at the end of November.

It will still be a win for me since i've never finished anything or written for so many days in a row... 8k words in 7 days and still going

Das Kitty · 09-11-2014 6:06pm

Woo. Draft zero of the novel is complete!

In the push to get it done this weekend I'm only about a thousand words behind target.

Now I have to decide wheter to skip out of NaNoWriMo, or to start the other thing.

Hmm!

echo beach · 09-11-2014 10:15pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

Woo. Draft zero of the novel is complete!

In the push to get it done this weekend I'm only about a thousand words behind target.

Now I have to decide wheter to skip out of NaNoWriMo, or to start the other thing.

Hmm!

You could always turn it into a trilogy. At this rate you will have three novels written by the end of the month.:)
Well done. Don't stop now.

Das Kitty · 10-11-2014 12:22am

echo beach wrote: »

You could always turn it into a trilogy. At this rate you will have three novels written by the end of the month.:)
Well done. Don't stop now.

I was just finishing the one from two years ago

I've enough of my main character now. I've tortured the poor fecker enough. :pac:

Das Kitty · 13-11-2014 9:48am

I started the new thing, but I haven't been hitting the targets. I got about 1K done each day.

I'm about 3k off the pace now.

How's everyone else going?

pixelburp · 13-11-2014 10:08am

Bit like yourself, my pace bottomed out a litle, in the last week managing only about 1000 words of 'doodles', as I call them; disconnected strands that may work in the overall narrative. The poor weather, other work-related distractions and generally low energy levels have killed my enthusiasm.

Plus I can't get my character out of a locked room, which is remarkably more difficult than it sounds!

Das Kitty · 13-11-2014 10:15am

pixelburp wrote: »

Plus I can't get my character out of a locked room, which is remarkably more difficult than it sounds!

Oh no, I know exactly what you mean!

Last time I did this I spent 10k words trying to get my character out of his flat. In the end, I lured him out with sex. :pac:

Hesthea · 15-11-2014 12:42pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

I started the new thing, but I haven't been hitting the targets. I got about 1K done each day.

I'm about 3k off the pace now.

How's everyone else going?

Don't worry about that. Has long you're having fun is what it matters. Due to work i haven't been able to write for the last week so i got stuck in my 10k words =(

Will restart writing as soon as i get some more free time

Littlekittylou · 19-11-2014 9:05pm

I have been doing this each day. I am off the 50 K pace but i am going to keep with it after NOV. I am going to keep doing it.

Is it 3k a day roughly to keep pace? Sorry my head is frazzled. I worry also my quality is ****e!

Das Kitty · 28-11-2014 9:38am

I completely flatlined at 15k words.

I tried to keep going with the second thing, but the main characters are very different in the two, so I found I couldn't edit one and write the other at the same time.

I've rewritten chapters of my first one over the month, but I didn't keep track of the word count.

I don't mind so much. I'm still floating on the wave of having finished a thing.

Littlekittylou · 29-11-2014 1:16am

Das Kitty wrote: »

I completely flatlined at 15k words.

I tried to keep going with the second thing, but the main characters are very different in the two, so I found I couldn't edit one and write the other at the same time.

I've rewritten chapters of my first one over the month, but I didn't keep track of the word count.

I don't mind so much. I'm still floating on the wave of having finished a thing.

Well done you !!

I am over 20k at the mo.

NaNoWriMo Ireland 2014

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