Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

NaNoWriMo 2018

  • 11-09-2018 10:44pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭


    Hello, everyone.


    Nano is around the corner once again.

    And for those who still do not know what NaNo is, its an online writing challenge whose goal is to write 50k words during the month of November.

    More info here: NaNoWriMo


    Is any of you going to participate in it?


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 23 skankrandy


    I've been tempted the last few years and this year looks to be a busier November than most, but somehow that's making me want to give it a go even more. Anyone done it before and have any tips or advice?


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    I only participated in 2014 and it was fun for me even though i wasn't able to meet the goal. This year i am going to be a rebel since i am going to continue with my 2014 story and see how much i can write.

    There is a FB grp for nanowrimos if you are interested. People help each other with supporting words, ideas and even advice. Just join the group and see for yourself ;)

    NaNoWriMo


  • Registered Users Posts: 23 skankrandy


    I've no plans on what I want to work on during it, but I guess I've plenty of time to decide. I've applied to join the Facebook group, now I just have to push myself!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    I've applied for that group too. I'll read what others are doing/saying and that might give me a kick up the arse.

    Writing a book is on my bucket list - this could be the year. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭echo beach


    skankrandy wrote: »
    I've been tempted the last few years and this year looks to be a busier November than most, but somehow that's making me want to give it a go even more. Anyone done it before and have any tips or advice?

    Sign up and do it. You might not reach the target but you will write a lot more than you would otherwise and that is success.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 23 skankrandy


    That's a good point! I'm signed up on the site, in the Facebook group and already thinking of every part of my day I might squeeze a bit in


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    skankrandy wrote: »
    That's a good point! I'm signed up on the site, in the Facebook group and already thinking of every part of my day I might squeeze a bit in

    The important part is to start. Once you do that it will get easier. Even if you do not meet the 50k words goal as long as you have fun that is the most important and it will give you an idea of what to expect next year ;)


  • Registered Users Posts: 23 skankrandy


    That sounds like a good approach. I'm really excited for it now :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Hesthea wrote: »
    There is a FB grp for nanowrimos if you are interested. People help each other with supporting words, ideas and even advice. Just join the group and see for yourself ;)

    NaNoWriMo

    Inspiring group! Some very bright people there. Seriously tempted now. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 23 skankrandy


    Has anyone started planning their project? Seems a lot of people on the Facebook group have. I've yet to even settle on what project to do for the month


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    I am going to continue my project from 2014. The 1st and only year i participated. While i was writing like a maniac to meet the 50k goal (which i didn't) i realized that my story was going in a weird direction/s. Not gonna even start talking about my characters. So i decided to delete everything and keep the part that i really enjoyed writing before getting hit the the 50k word madness.

    Which makes me a rebel. xD

    You can start planning so that you have an idea about what you are going to write. Make some research if you wish or simple write as it comes which is usually my way.


  • Registered Users Posts: 23 skankrandy


    I've got five or six ideas I'm considering and I'll probably just bullet point some stuff on each one of them to help me to decide which I'm going to dedicate the month too. I've not properly written in a while because I've been really busy with my job, but this has gotten me really excited and motivated to get back at it now!


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 36,711 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    So how do people plan out these novel(la)s then, out of curiosity? Wing it until your narrative has a beginning-middle-end? Plan out every potential plot beat in bullet form first? Mind maps for characters, relationships etc? Just curious :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    To be honest, it just came to me while i was participating on nano in 2014. I only took some notes (i'm so glad i did that!) so that i wouldn't forget what it would be about.

    Yesterday, i found those notes and while reading it i realized that there were a few (important) points that i had forgotten and/or changed. So, always take notes no matter how silly it might be.
    In some cases, it might just fit perfectly with a part of your plot later on.

    I have been trying to look for ways to make it till the end without going ashtray. I've found out some people use bullet journals. They look great and very detailed and also an awesome way for you to have an idea of what you are planning to write, your characters personalities and even how your world is like or what you would like for it to be.

    There is also a part in which u have some sort of graphic in which you take notes of how many words u wrote and how many you are planning to write. Some people even gave links regarding the type of charas you can write about:

    Archetypes for Writers

    And their personalities:

    Personality Types

    16 Personalities


    Nano Bullet Jounal Ideas:

    #NANOPREP

    A tea with tumnus

    Boho Berry

    Page Flutter

    Doing a bit of planning might work best for me because sometimes it seems as if my story is everywhere and at same time nowhere. So if i do at least some characters sheets regarding their personality and such it will be better and less confusing in those times when i might think they are behaving weirdly or being copy/past of other characters. It will be a way to have something to compare with.

    I am also gathering some pics to help with the visuals be it for my charas or for the places/ areas they will be or that at least look a bit like what i have in mind.

    Hope it helps =)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Is anyone any further along with their plans? I think I'm on board, I just need to flesh out my idea. 50k words is intimidating, but 1666 words a day is less so...


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    I am.
    I have been writing a bit to see how many words i can manage per day and so far i am around 1000 which is not much to make the 50k during November but at least is something.

    I am also writing down a list of personality types and linking it to my characters so that i don't end up with them all being copy/paste of each others. That case when i am in doubt about their own personality i read it to refresh my memory of whom they are and what they want and how do they plan to achieve it.

    I also goggled for some images to help me with my characters visuals.


  • Registered Users Posts: 23 skankrandy


    I'm the other end of the spectrum I think... All I've done is narrow down what ideas I'm considering, but even then it was only after I doubled it. I guess I've also done a bit of basic logistical planning in my head too. Just things like when I can fit in bits of writing around work and where. Trying to think of ways of cooking and carrying out chores and stuff on my day off each week that allow me to maximise writing while I'm at it. But so little planning done on the actual project =/


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 36,711 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    I have a draft of an idea, the flimsiest sketch of characters, but 1000+ words a day feels difficult when even 500 is a good day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭echo beach


    pixelburp wrote: »
    I have a draft of an idea, the flimsiest sketch of characters, but 1000+ words a day feels difficult when even 500 is a good day.
    It is difficult but if you write 500 that you wouldn't have otherwise then that is success in my book. If you can hit 500 a day then you will have 15,000 at the end of the month and that is a very good start. If you don't sign up what you have? A couple of thousand, maybe none.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    I'm going for it. I've a second half of a novel to blast out. It won't amount to 50000, but I'd be delighted to get it done. Happy to link with any of you on there. PM me your usernames :)


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,628 ✭✭✭✭Arghus


    I'd love to do it. I haven't anything approaching a story in my head, but I hope I'd unlock something just by putting words on the page. But 1500 words a day is a steep commitment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭echo beach


    Arghus wrote: »
    But 1500 words a day is a steep commitment.

    Look at it as a target more than a commitment. Not everyone will get there, I didn’t, but you will write something and something is better than nothing.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 36,711 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Out of curiosity, to those who have done this: whatever about the word count targets, how do people view the quality of the work at the end of it? (compared with their usual material) I'm guessing they're viewed as drafts sure, to be tinkered with and tweaked, but is the overall ... quality lower than what you'd normal output?

    I'm an awful one for massaging every line and paragraph before I move on, which usually accounts for most stalling as I run out of steam from (say) just getting 5 - 10,000 words written.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭echo beach


    It is all about quantity not quality which is the opposite of my usual attitude.
    Most of what I wrote was rubbish, going round in circles, but it was written down and I could see how bad it was and where the work had to be done.
    Looking at 5,000 beautifully polished words that took months to create is lovely but if they don’t fit into the plot it is a lot harder to delete them than to delete a couple of days work you never really invested in.


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    One of the advice that many people in the Nanowrimo FB page say is: Write. Write and write some more. Do not go back (unless your going to add more words). Do not correct it (unless it is really important for your plot). Do not review any of it. Simply keep writing.

    At the end of Nano you can go back and take your sweet time reviewing it and fixing your novel. So that is what i'm going to try to do.


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    I just announced my novel at Nano. Ended up deciding to write a new one instead of continuing the one i couldn't finish eons ago. Lets see how it goes.

    Has any of you announced what are you going to write about? Would love to read your synopsis or an excerpt of your novel =)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Yep, I have a plan. My working title is "Here and There" (this will probably change) :)

    I have two separate threads being told in alternating chapters. One thread is from the perspective of an adult woman who has suffered a personal tragedy and is trying to get on with her life (the "Here" chapters). The other thread is from a young child's perspective in a fantastical land (the "There" chapters).

    There is a connection between the two, but I'll keep that under wraps for now. :o

    I still have a lot of details to work out but it's taking shape. I think most of this week will be planning the other world (characters, locations and rules). I'm going to get stuck into Scrivener this week and start writing some notes and my outline.


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    Sounds like a story i would love to read! =D


    About Scrivener:
    Would you recommend it? Thinking of buying it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    I just got the Nano trial (works unrestricted until December 7th). I need to look at some video tutorials to get the most out of it, though.

    https://www.literatureandlatte.com/nanowrimo

    Good discount if you decide to buy afterwards too (50% off if you hit 50k).


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    I've just realized that i've tried it out in 2014 and i loved it x)

    Unfortunately, i didn't hit the 50k so i couldn't buy it for 50% off. Maybe i'll make it this year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    New email address. ;)


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 36,711 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    So you get a discount for hitting 50k words in Scrivener? So, uh, would just Lorem Ipsum on copy & paste do the job? ;):D


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    pixelburp wrote: »
    So you get a discount for hitting 50k words in Scrivener? So, uh, would just Lorem Ipsum on copy & paste do the job? ;):D

    Most likely.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    pixelburp wrote: »
    So you get a discount for hitting 50k words in Scrivener? So, uh, would just Lorem Ipsum on copy & paste do the job? ;):D

    Write a character with a very bad stutter. :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 146 ✭✭km85264


    Hesthea wrote: »
    Sounds like a story i would love to read! =D


    About Scrivener:
    Would you recommend it? Thinking of buying it.

    I would very much recommend scrivener, I've been using it for ten years, it comes into it's own when you're building up a novel and you can pull the characters, research, timelines etc into one place, and later the synopses, log lines etc. Well worth the cash, also worth the extra cash to get the iPad synchronising version.
    Kieran


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Scrivener is great.

    But don't do the tutorial. It's too long and too much. Watch a few youtube videos instead


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    Das Kitty wrote: »
    Scrivener is great.

    But don't do the tutorial. It's too long and too much. Watch a few youtube videos instead

    Yes. I gave up on watching that one and decided to see some youtube videos. Way better.

    Scrivener seems awesome as a tool for writers. Even if i dont win Nano i will still buy it.

    Thank you all =)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,835 ✭✭✭Falthyron


    I'm going to try and reach 50,000 words in 30 days. I have a relatively well thought-out plot and characters in mind (with some notes in files), but I guess I will be going into this somewhat blind. The word count isn't too daunting as I have a background in writing, but my main concern is making sure what I put down is coherent and, hopefully, it doesn't meander away from what I want to write about.

    As hard as it will be, I think I will just write, whatever that may be - dialogue, description, ideas, arcs. I just need to break through this barrier of wanting to make it perfect...!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    I watched a Scrivener tutorial over the weekend. It's a very cool tool - I'm glad I took some time to learn the basics.

    I'm away for a few days in November on a business trip so I wrote my first 1000 words last night, just to get my feet wet.

    Realistically, 50k in a month is going to be difficult but I have a solid plan, a story structure, characters, some great revelations planned and the ending in mind. That's part of the battle, right? :)


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Got about half the wordcount yesterday. Not bad considering I started at 11pm!

    Hoping to hit the target today.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Didn't get any done yesterday (long day in work). Hoping to do a bit this evening.

    My plan next week is to get up every day at 6am and do 800-1000 words, then finish off in the evening.

    Next weekend is going to be a big word sprint for me - hoping to get a lot done over the two days.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Got the wordcount today, just about. Hoping to do a good sprint tomorrow. Feels good all the same to be getting through all my planned out scenes. :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    Updated my word count today but still below the daily word target needed to end with 50k. But that's ok. I'll just keep writing how much i can in whatever free time i have.

    I have been going to bed a bit early so that i can write on my laptop peacefully for at least 1 to 2h before going to bed.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Hesthea wrote: »
    Updated my word count today but still below the daily word target needed to end with 50k. But that's ok. I'll just keep writing how much i can in whatever free time i have.

    I have been going to bed a bit early so that i can write on my laptop peacefully for at least 1 to 2h before going to bed.

    Same. I missed Sunday due to a charity event I'm involved in running very long. But, I have got 5k words in 5 days. When I look at it that way, I'm delighted. And my story is alive in my head and when I sit down to write it doesn't need any coaxing. It's a great feeling


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 36,711 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Not much to show here: I did have 10k written from a previous draft of an idea, but it was scattered and lacked direction in its plot / story. If nothing else, this thread has forced myself to sit down & write the potted summary of every story beat. At least now I know where the story can go, clichés be damned :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,533 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    I did a word sprint last night with a group on the Nano Facebook page, but I'm still only about 1500 total. Work has been **** for the last few weeks.

    I think need to step back and do a better outline - it will help me in the long run. I have a plan in my head but I need to make it more concrete.


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    Mr E wrote: »
    I did a word sprint last night with a group on the Nano Facebook page, but I'm still only about 1500 total. Work has been **** for the last few weeks.

    I think need to step back and do a better outline - it will help me in the long run. I have a plan in my head but I need to make it more concrete.

    That's really cool.
    As long it is something enjoyable you should keep on writing even if you can't write much. But if it starts to stress you out just relax and take it easy and remember, you might not be able to write the 50k but at least you have started to go on the right direction to it ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 146 ✭✭km85264


    Folks
    I've many times considered signing up for NaNoWriMo but never have. For me, personally, the target of close to 2000 words a day for 30 days straight is simply unachievable.
    However, as November dwindles and folks have most likely either fallen by the wayside or already achieved the goal, I'd love to hear the experiences of those who gave it their best. Was it a worthwhile thing, even if it was too much to achieve in the timeframe? Or should they, as I've often wondered, convert it to National Novella Writing Month (a novella being 17.5k+ words, so about 600 a day)? Or National First Thee Chapters Writing Month might be a good target, albeit NaFiThChaWriMo doesn't really roll off the tongue :-)
    Kieran


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Hesthea


    km85264 wrote: »
    Folks
    I've many times considered signing up for NaNoWriMo but never have. For me, personally, the target of close to 2000 words a day for 30 days straight is simply unachievable.
    However, as November dwindles and folks have most likely either fallen by the wayside or already achieved the goal, I'd love to hear the experiences of those who gave it their best. Was it a worthwhile thing, even if it was too much to achieve in the timeframe? Or should they, as I've often wondered, convert it to National Novella Writing Month (a novella being 17.5k+ words, so about 600 a day)? Or National First Thee Chapters Writing Month might be a good target, albeit NaFiThChaWriMo doesn't really roll off the tongue :-)
    Kieran

    I've written at the moment 28k words and even though Nanowrimo ends in 2 days i am still writing.

    My goal was not to write 50k words in 30 days but to see how much i would be able to achieve if i wrote a bit per day everyday until the last day of November.

    The fact that i have written this much by itself is something to be proud of. Between work and my kid i don't have much "me time" so to speak. Hence the more i wanted to participate.

    It is my 2nd time doing nano and i still haven't been able to write the 50k words. This year i am writing even less than in 2014 (Yes. You've read it right) maybe next year will be the year that i'll make it through =)

    The trick is to not edit anything whatsoever and keep writing but that is extremely hard for me to do since i can't ignore it.

    So, whether you write 600 or 1600 words per day, the important part is that you write a bit per day no matter if you can achieve the 50k or not. As long you feel like you have accomplished (or are accomplishing) something with it that is what it truly matters.

    So, next year, i hope you participate alongside us too ;)


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    I kept with the pace in 2015, this year I knew I wasn't going to.

    I still got 10k words typed up. And I have hand written rough drafts of about 5k more that I haven't typed yet. In that sense I feel it was a success for me. It's a lot more than I would have done otherwise.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement