NaNoWriMo 2010 - Who's in? [Archive] - Page 2

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 03:00 PM

I've been for the last hour about how "unproductive" I've been today. Last night I made a list of everything I wanted to get done on my day off, and here is what it looks like so far:

1 Load of Laundry (Done)
3 Hours of Fallout 3 (1 hour done)
2,000 Words Written (Zero)
50 pages read (Zero)
Trip to store (Not done)

So only a fraction of my list has been completed. Instead I've been on COG and watching movie trailers on Youtube. Then it hit me - my life is so damn privileged it's ridiculous. I'm sitting here fretting over a to-do list that includes playing games, reading, and writing? The only even remotely boring thing on the list is the laundry. WTF is my problem? :o

shunoshi

11-01-2010, 03:05 PM

WTF is my problem? :o

Poor prioritization. You played Fallout before writing. I suggest hiring a writing coach. I can be hired for a mere $60/hour. I'll come over, unplug your internet, and hover over you as you write. Anytime you stop typing for longing than 45 seconds, I'll punch you.

Sound like a deal? ;)

Ink Asylum

11-01-2010, 03:16 PM

3346 word mark? Trying to get 2 days worth into every day? Not a bad plan, if you can pull it off. :D

I think he's using the method where you start big and write a decreasing number of words each day, until you only have to write one word on the last day of the month. It's meant to take advantage of the initial burst of energy and not fall prey to late month doldrums.

shunoshi

11-01-2010, 03:21 PM

I think he's using the method where you start big and write a decreasing number of words each day, until you only have to write one word on the last day of the month. It's meant to take advantage of the initial burst of energy and not fall prey to late month doldrums.

Yeah, I'm hoping I can do the same. We'll see how writing session #2 goes.

Xerxes

11-01-2010, 03:30 PM

Mags. Do you really want to be like Xerxes? I'm at work with not a word written. I'm stuck here til midnight.

Truth be told I'm stuck at a computer all day and when my back up gets here. I'm going rotate my chair and focus on my laptop. I have a bunch of stuff kicking around. Relationship building, positions, time framing, motivations and adding filler. All important things but not words. Hopefully they'll translate when I do get to hammering them out.

I was supposed to have 3346 words today. O_o

Couple things the Houston group has brought.
1) One member told me sex scenes are a great way to eat up words.
2) DVORAK keyboard. Do any of you type like this? I wouldn't do it now for NaNo, but sounds like something I wish I was doing before hand.

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 03:43 PM

Poor prioritization. You played Fallout before writing. I suggest hiring a writing coach. I can be hired for a mere $60/hour. I'll come over, unplug your internet, and hover over you as you write. Anytime you stop typing for longing than 45 seconds, I'll punch you.

Sound like a deal? ;)

Edit - Okay, I feel like a perv for typing that, so I'm deleting it. :p

Crittias

11-01-2010, 03:50 PM

Mags, a suggestion:

Make yourself write for a VERY short period of time. Say something like 5 minutes. One thing, like describing the river of lava with the dead pirates, or a conversation between two characters. Or describe your king and what he looks like lying in state. Just one thing, just five minutes.

See what happens after that.

shunoshi

11-01-2010, 04:05 PM

Couple things the Houston group has brought.
1) One member told me sex scenes are a great way to eat up words.
2) DVORAK keyboard. Do any of you type like this? I wouldn't do it now for NaNo, but sounds like something I wish I was doing before hand.

Using a DVORAK keyboard? I seriously couldn't imagine using one. As much as it's touted for reducing wrist strain and increasing typing speed. I've been using QWERTY for FAR too long to switch now.

Edit - Okay, I feel like a perv for typing that, so I'm deleting it. :p

Damn, missed it. :p

Mags, a suggestion:

Make yourself write for a VERY short period of time. Say something like 5 minutes. One thing, like describing the river of lava with the dead pirates, or a conversation between two characters. Or describe your king and what he looks like lying in state. Just one thing, just five minutes.

See what happens after that.

Crittias is spot on here. Just force yourself to write something. It can be anything.

Crittias

11-01-2010, 04:14 PM

P.S. Resign yourself to the fact that speed and quality are rarely congruous. To write a NaNoNovel, you're gonna right a lot of crap. The hope is that, amongst all the dreck, you'll find some gems.

Treat it like the Minecraft of creative writing. Now get digging!

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 04:25 PM

I think that's my biggest fear - that I'm going to type and type and churn out nothing but dreck.

I spent 20 minutes cleaning up and re-organizing my computer's desktop, something I've put off for months. I nearly started cleaning my room as well, but it dawned on me that I only clean when I'm putting off doing something else.

I've finally opened up a Google Document. The blinking cursor is staring at me...waiting.

Can't I just copy and paste all of my COG posts and call it a day? :p

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 04:29 PM

I just wrote 42 words! :D

Edit - 168! Wow this is fun!

Generation ABXY

11-01-2010, 04:35 PM

1) One member told me sex scenes are a great way to eat up words.

I call those "when-in-doubt-isms," and adding a sex scene is something of a perennial favorite in certain circles (you'll no doubt encounter more as the month goes on). This year, I added a pirate... since, you know, the other one's more than a little creepy in a children's book. :D

I just wrote 42 words! :D

Edit - 168! Wow this is fun!

And in mere minutes, you've already accomplished what probably took me several hours this morning.

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 04:46 PM

In about 10 minutes I'm up to 434 words. I should have started on this hours ago.

Crittias

11-01-2010, 04:47 PM

I just wrote 42 words! :D

Edit - 168! Wow this is fun!Awesome. Congrats on getting things kickstarted. Sometimes (...usually!) that's the hardest part.

Just remember tomorrow, when you don't want to get started, do it anyway. Adopt the Nike slogan: Just Do It. Worry about quality later. You'd be surprised how easy it is to fix the quality of writing during the editing process. For now, write write write!

shunoshi

11-01-2010, 04:49 PM

In about 10 minutes I'm up to 434 words. I should have started on this hours ago.

Your counting words, not characters, right? ;)

Damn, it took me 1 1/2 hours to get out 800 words this morning. You're on a roll!

National Kato

11-01-2010, 04:57 PM

I'm going to update my title to show remaining words left to write, so that with every post on CoG, I'll remind myself what I should be doing. :)

Generation ABXY

11-01-2010, 05:00 PM

Oh, nice. Now I won't have to fight the site to see your progress, at least.

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 05:05 PM

I'm going to update my title to show remaining words left to write, so that with every post on CoG, I'll remind myself what I should be doing. :)

Good idea! I'm going to do the same. So far I've written 702 words!

Yes, words, not characters. :p

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 05:17 PM

1,067. I don't know how I've typed that much already. It doesn't even look like all that much, to be honest.

I feel like I'm on fire. :eek:

Xerxes

11-01-2010, 05:42 PM

Guess that just leaves me in the late start group. My back up just got here so with her taking the bulk of questions from me, I should have 1 golden hour, and a slow 4 hours tonight.

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 05:56 PM

2,018 words completed.

I think I'm done for the evening. I'm really happy with the progress I made in just 1.5 hours! :)

Xerxes

11-01-2010, 05:59 PM

Using a DVORAK keyboard? I seriously couldn't imagine using one. As much as it's touted for reducing wrist strain and increasing typing speed. I've been using QWERTY for FAR too long to switch now.

http://www.dvzine.org/

Apparently it's not hard to pick up. :D

Ok, going writing.

DoctorFinger

11-01-2010, 06:09 PM

Well I've done pretty much exactly what I do every time I write a story. I have about 2,500 words of story, and about 10,000 words of character blurbs, backstory, and notes. I need to just dive in and write the damn story instead of worrying so much about the backmatter.

National Kato

11-01-2010, 06:15 PM

I need to just dive in and write the damn story instead of worrying so much about the backmatter.

I'm a 'backmatter' writer as well, only I typically find myself doing it as I'm writing, which only pulls me out of the flow and into research mode. I'm not sure which is more detrimental, Doc.

I finished for tonight a few hundred words over quota. I probably could've written more, but I work all day and I don't want to sit in front of the computer any longer than I have to. Weekends will be catch-up/advance time for me.

Plus, games. :D

Xerxes

11-01-2010, 06:24 PM

Working on the Prologue, I just hit 100 words in 10 minutes. Whooo... It's like a roller coaster.

I'm talking about stuff I haven't even mentioned in the outline so this is nice.

Generation ABXY

11-01-2010, 06:32 PM

2,018 words completed.

And you've surpassed me... for now.

shunoshi

11-01-2010, 06:54 PM

Well, my second writing session went much smoother this evening. I'm finished off with 2,033 on the day. Above quota, so I'm happy. This has been a much better start than last year. Now to play some games as reward! :D

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 06:58 PM

And you've surpassed me... for now.

I now have a new goal in life. :D

Or as I first wrote, "I know have a knew goal in life". -_-

Congrats on passing me Shunoshi!

I'm surprised I managed to write so much given the fact that my roommate's crazy cat has been outside my door mewling like a banshee all damn day.

shunoshi

11-01-2010, 07:02 PM

Congrats on passing me Shunoshi!

I'm surprised I managed to write so much given the fact that my roommate's crazy cat has been outside my door mewling like a banshee all damn day.

I haven't passed you by too much. Good to see you're ahead of schedule. Hell, to think three days ago you had no inkling of what you were going to write about. Now you're 1/25 the way done!!! :D

Crittias

11-01-2010, 07:12 PM

2643 so far. I think I'm done for the day, but who knows?

MagGnome

11-01-2010, 07:14 PM

I haven't passed you by too much. Good to see you're ahead of schedule. Hell, to think three days ago you had no inkling of what you were going to write about. Now you're 1/25 the way done!!! :D

When you put it that way it really sounds great! :)

Xerxes

11-01-2010, 07:35 PM

After an hour, I'm up to 824 words. Not sure if I'm doing this right. I haven't even talked about the main character yet. O_O

Truth be told while he makes a slight appearance in the prologue, I don't really get into him until the first chapter. About to save with Scrivener and move to another computer. Wish me luck.

Generation ABXY

11-01-2010, 08:05 PM

Nice going, Xerxes.

Crittias

11-01-2010, 09:29 PM

Not sure if I'm doing this right.If you're exploring your story, even if it's something that needs to be moved later, or ends up on the cutting room floor, it's still valuable stuff. Keep it up.

Xerxes

11-01-2010, 09:34 PM

Funny thing is, I think if I went through and rewrote this with the detail I've come to expect from novels, I could probably double the words and hit my goal. ^_^

906.

I'll be up tonight until about 4am.

Crittias

11-01-2010, 09:42 PM

Funny thing is, I think if I went through and rewrote this with the detail I've come to expect from novels, I could probably double the words and hit my goal.If that's what you want to do, go ahead! There are no hard and fast rules here. If backfill is the best means of getting to your daily goal, sounds good to me.

Every day I reread the past day's writing, and do minor editing and filling as necessary. If it's something big, I usually just add a brief note for later. But color and detail are definitely a good thing during the NaNo process.

Xerxes

11-01-2010, 09:57 PM

If that's what you want to do, go ahead! There are no hard and fast rules here. If backfill is the best means of getting to your daily goal, sounds good to me.

Every day I reread the past day's writing, and do minor editing and filling as necessary. If it's something big, I usually just add a brief note for later. But color and detail are definitely a good thing during the NaNo process.

Interesting. I thought not going back was a rule. ;)

I'm STILL talking about a character who is just a lead-in character to a lead-in character to the main character. It's like OMG will this woman drive off the side of the road already. But for some reason I figured I'd explain why this woman is driving in such a world.

shunoshi

11-01-2010, 10:05 PM

Interesting. I thought not going back was a rule. ;)

I'm STILL talking about a character who is just a lead-in character to a lead-in character to the main character. It's like OMG will this woman drive off the side of the road already. But for some reason I figured I'd explain why this woman is driving in such a world.

The only real rule is to write 50K words by November 30. Most people suggest that you not go back because you may try to rewrite. Many times rewriting involves deleting the old stuff and that goes against your final goal. Keep everything you write!

I, like Crittias, reread what I wrote the day before, add some color, get refreshed on where my story is going, and continue writing from there.

So, looks like most everyone made good progress today. Keep it up!!!

Xerxes

11-01-2010, 11:14 PM

I finished this day with 1,408. I'll be going home now to crank out a few more words though.

Ink Asylum

11-01-2010, 11:26 PM

1667 on the dot, and now it's off to bed.

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 12:42 AM

There seems to be issues with Scrivener and dropbox syncing. When I reopen the file on another computer the format seems to change. Paragraphs aren't indented for one. I might have to look into this a little more. I did find out my at home computer was on with Scrivener open when it shouldn't have been. I swore I closed. I actually hoped that was the issue. Instead of doing another 200 words before tomorrow I'm going to crash. It's raining cats and dogs.

Funny thing, I totally could keep slapping stuff out. No blocks or anything. Didn't know I was doing a two part prologue.

Ink Asylum

11-02-2010, 05:58 AM

I lost my paragraph indentation on a normal save and reload, so it might not have anything to do with Dropbox.

Generation ABXY

11-02-2010, 06:24 AM

Most people suggest that you not go back because you may try to rewrite.

That's the trap I fall into... more often than not, one little change quickly snowballs into several paragraphs being rewritten.

And now that I've voted, it's on to Day Two!

EDIT: And it seems a good night's sleep made all the difference - I've made today's word count. With any luck, that means I can catch up to the decreasing word count one (about 3,000 more words) with the time I have left.

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 12:12 PM

I lost my paragraph indentation on a normal save and reload, so it might not have anything to do with Dropbox.

It seems like the indentions offered by the program aren't as good as a good ole tab. Those stuck. Tab indentions are about double what they should be, but I'm not fighting with the program now.

Ink Asylum

11-02-2010, 12:15 PM

shunoshi

11-02-2010, 02:16 PM

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 02:30 PM

Alright, another 1980 words knocked out. We'll see if I feel like coming back to it tonight to get some bonus writing in or not. Regardless, day 2's quota has been met! :D

I've been having the same issues with indentation. Every time I reload, my page margins are reset. I tried to use Tab, but that idents the paragraph enough to bother me more than having to fix my margins.

Ugh, no win here. :(

The tabs look like crap and I find it an eyesore, but I like the software and I'm already convinced it'll be better once it's edited. I do wish I had a longer time with Liquid before NaNo. It's just not as easy to pick up and use.

National Kato

11-02-2010, 02:34 PM

Same indent issues here, guys. I'm just dealing with them each day I sit down to start and fixing them in one fell swoop before going over the prior day's writing.

I'm backing up my work in Word, though. I just don't trust Scrivener's beta enough to rely solely on it. If I lose what I've written in some kind of crash, I'll be lost.

evilgoodwin

11-02-2010, 02:59 PM

So, if we tab (which looks odd because of the indents), then load the files, it should look normal after the margins screw up, right?

Generation ABXY

11-02-2010, 03:39 PM

I just don't bother to indent at all, at the moment...

shunoshi

11-02-2010, 03:59 PM

I just don't bother to indent at all, at the moment...

I think I'm going to start doing this. I'll just not indent paragraphs and double space in between. That'll take care of things.

National Kato

11-02-2010, 04:02 PM

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 04:09 PM

I just don't bother to indent at all, at the moment...

I was thinking about just spacing the paragraphs out for now. Can't really set the indents to something reasonable. 1 inch is crazy. I've also been backing up my stuff in Word. Copying and pasting the text just to be safe. I like the software and I haven't lost any work but that's a worse nightmare. I imagine it's pretty nice on the Mac.

I caught up for yesterday, and I'm a 120 words in for today's goal. What's funny, as I dwell on this Prologue, it just morphed into something bigger for one of the main antagonist in the stories. It's like he just got a promotion. Pretty cool watching a story unfold itself.

Anybody else want a prop unlit cigarette to hang out they mouth as they type? Came to me last night.

National Kato

11-02-2010, 04:15 PM

Anybody else want a prop unlit cigarette to hang out they mouth as they type? Came to me last night.

My girlfriend asked me if I was going to smoke a joint while I wrote. I told her to wait until I feel like I have a fucking story happening here. I can't afford to be in 'punch-up' mode this early in the month. :D

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 04:20 PM

3,460 and done for Day 2! I was a bit stymied earlier this evening with about 1,000 words left to meet my quota. Then I wrote some dialogue and that always puts a wind in my sails. Nothing adds words faster than some banter between a few people.

This bring up something I wanted to ask about. I haven't read many novels but they always weave in dialogue with adverbs and gestures and I can't say I have much of that in me. I've been trying but so far I think I've only had 3 characters speak and it wasn't banter. Would it be ok for when things get word heavy between characters to switch a stageplay or script format?

Example:
Character 1: Words
Character 2: Words
Character 1: Words

I'll avoid it as long as possible but I start to wonder before "he said" litters my pages. :eek:

National Kato

11-02-2010, 04:26 PM

You'd have to get it into the standard format eventually, no? I mean, write how you want/need to to get the words on the page, even if they end up in some sort of Morrison Jazz-esque stream of consciousness with no punctuation of formatting of any kind.

Or, if you're writing sci-fi and all you rcharacters are robots who secrete typed ribbons of paper whenever they speak, you can leave it as is. ;)

Crittias

11-02-2010, 04:31 PM

I'll avoid it as long as possible but I start to wonder before "he said" litters my pages. :eek:Use "he said" and "she said." It looks clumsy and awkward to you while you're writing it, but when an actual reader reads your story, they blow past those words, only using them to track who's saying what.

Do NOT give in to the temptation to add lots of adverbs, like, "he said angrily." Instead, make the actual dialogue obviously angry! Also don't use creative replacement words for "said," like, "he remarked," or, "she opined." Using clever words slows down the reader and pulls them out of your story. Not good.

Generation ABXY

11-02-2010, 04:31 PM

Luckily, Xerxes, if the banter is just between two characters, it's possible to drop the "he said" part after you establish the order. Even if you don't, though, I wouldn't worry about it too much - some very popular books (like, say, the Harry Potter series) can run on with that sort of specificity for pages, so it might not be as bothersome as you expect.

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 04:39 PM

Use "he said" and "she said." It looks clumsy and awkward to you while you're writing it, but when an actual reader reads your story, they blow past those words, only using them to track who's saying what.

Do NOT give in to the temptation to add lots of adverbs, like, "he said angrily." Instead, make the actual dialogue obviously angry! Also don't use creative replacement words for "said," like, "he remarked," or, "she opined." Using clever words slows down the reader and pulls them out of your story. Not good.

Guilty! I'm NOT going to back and change it. There has already been a remarked and an exclaimed. As if the exclamation mark didn't get the point across.

Generation ABXY

11-02-2010, 04:41 PM

I'm NOT going to back and change it.

Well, not this month, anyway. ;)

Crittias

11-02-2010, 06:20 PM

Guilty! I'm NOT going to back and change it. There has already been a remarked and an exclaimed. As if the exclamation mark didn't get the point across.exclaimed, used sparingly, is fine. "Asked" is also good any time you use a question mark. And a few "said" substitutions like remarked is fine, just don't overdo it (a common mistake for beginning writers. Guilty, myself).

MagGnome

11-02-2010, 06:30 PM

Grr.....submitting my word count at 2am last night counted it towards Tuesday instead of Monday, so now I have a mark that I "missed" one day of writing. I should've submitted what I had right before midnight, then the rest afterwards. Ah well.

I couldn't log on to the site at all yesterday, so it thinks that I skipped a day as well. :(

I should have started writing as soon as I got home, when I still had some energy. Now I've eaten and spent nearly two hours surfing the web, and I'm tired. Drat...

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 07:34 PM

Sweet! 700 more words to go. Ahead of the curve for last night. Tomorrow morning, I'm forcing myself to go to this write in. Should be able to hit my goal and some change between 9am-noon.

Generation ABXY

11-02-2010, 07:47 PM

Best of luck to you, Xerxes.

MagGnome

11-02-2010, 07:57 PM

I took a break away from the computer to do some reading. Now I'm going to sit down and write for an hour before going to bed.

Edit - I'm up to 2,400 words now. I need to just sit and write for the next 40 minutes without thinking about the quality of the work, etc. I keep getting distracted.

evilgoodwin

11-02-2010, 08:31 PM

Just remember, your goal is to hit 50k. You can worry about the quality after you've finished.

I'm making little notes after I finish typing for the day to come back to them (my prologue has a note about a battle that says "MAKE NOT SUCK, YOU HACK") when I have time. That way, I've gotten most of my idea out there and can tweak it as necessary.

shunoshi

11-02-2010, 08:34 PM

Do NOT give in to the temptation to add lots of adverbs, like, "he said angrily." Instead, make the actual dialogue obviously angry! Also don't use creative replacement words for "said," like, "he remarked," or, "she opined." Using clever words slows down the reader and pulls them out of your story. Not good.

Son of a bitch, this describes all of my dialogue to a 'T'... :p

Crittias

11-02-2010, 08:43 PM

Son of a bitch, this describes all of my dialogue to a 'T'... :pGood news: it's REALLY easy to fix during editing. Better news: you get to worry about it next month, not this month!

MagGnome

11-02-2010, 08:47 PM

I'm up to 3,066 words. I'd like to hit 4,000, but I don't think that's going to happen tonight. I really should get to bed so that I'm not up late like I was last night.

Still, things really seem to be coming together. I actually think this book might even be good. :eek:

Crittias

11-02-2010, 08:53 PM

4199 total. Not a bad two-day start. I might write a bit more this evening, but more likely than not I'll call it and plan on a good day tomorrow after getting some rest.

Hope everyone else hits their wordcount goals this evening!

MagGnome

11-02-2010, 09:00 PM

I hit 3,213 total words today. I wanted to write more, but a friend started texting me like crazy and another somehow managed to IM me, even though I thought I had shut all of that off. *sigh*

Still, I'm about to get to the first really action-heavy scene (outside of the intro), and I'm excited!

Edit - Still, I'm a little disappointed that I erased yesterday's head start by not even writing 1,667 words today. :/

Crittias

11-02-2010, 09:02 PM

I actually think this book might even be good. :eek:Cool!

Now, my words of wisdom: if/when you stop feeling this way about your story, DO NOT QUIT. You'll want to. Don't. Keep writing.

Generation ABXY

11-02-2010, 09:11 PM

I hit 3,213 total words today. I wanted to write more, but a friend started texting me like crazy and another somehow managed to IM me, even though I thought I had shut all of that off. *sigh*

C'mon, another 100 words or so and you're right on target for the month! :D

Still, I'm about to get to the first really action-heavy scene (outside of the intro), and I'm excited!

Excellent! At times, I rather wish I could fit more action in my story, but I just haven't found the opportunity yet.

Kielaran

11-02-2010, 09:13 PM

I have been a bit quiet. I am slowly plugging away. My plan is to hopefully get a good burst in some time this week and then get ahead in the weekend. Things have just been so busy anymore, when I settle down for the night I don't want to do anything. As I get more into it I know I will get past it, but right now it is being a bother.

Also, my ID: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/430712

MagGnome

11-02-2010, 09:21 PM

I'm about to head to bed, but I need some advice.

It just dawned on me that I am moving things along rather quickly in my story, and now I'm afraid that my story could come to an end before I hit 50,000 words. If that happens, should I go back and start padding, or get right to work on the sequel? :p

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 09:30 PM

Man... I'm all jealous and stuff.

evilgoodwin

11-02-2010, 09:31 PM

I have that exact same problem. :D

Luckily, I already have an idea for the sequel, but I don't want to touch on it yet, as the overall theme will be different (my setting is a fantasy world split into two major, distinct areas). My only idea is to flesh out my characters more, adding scenes that will add to them and the story without affecting other scenes too much.

Generation ABXY

11-02-2010, 09:49 PM

National Kato

11-02-2010, 10:15 PM

Excellent! At times, I rather wish I could fit more action in my story, but I just haven't found the opportunity yet.

No one dies or gets seriously harmed in my story. There are bank heists, but nothing on par with Heat or other action-oriented films. I need to find some good novels that have well-paced heist sections so I can figure out how to write it without it sucking too badly.

Xerxes

11-02-2010, 11:17 PM

3200. Still behind but I can't even update on the website.

I have so many badass action scene planned. The chase over the skyline, fight on top of a skyscraper, fight while falling off said skyscraper, the outside a bar in the snow, the gun to blade fight. There will be a strain of fodder for the main character to kill. Might add in a high chase.

Ink Asylum

11-03-2010, 12:02 AM

evilgoodwin

11-03-2010, 02:18 AM

A little over 1900 words. I just couldn't get the first chapter started right.

I'll do better tomorrow.

Xerxes

11-03-2010, 03:18 AM

Yay! 3,940 words;They say I'm still two day behind though. O_o

What's crazy is I spent TWO days on a complete throw away character. I'm amazed with that. With a little (a lot of) refinement, it would be a decent short story about the hazards of portal travel.

I'm having a little issues about what will get my self-exiled character noticed by major figures from his former home. I'm leaning towards a small scuffle with road pirates. I might go with the term road nomads though. I was going to have the grand daughter of the character I have been writing about film them getting saved from a over turned car. Then I thought any cyborg can rip car doors off and save people. Giving him a distinct fight style though could be like a fingerprint to those watching it though. Could it? lol

I'm crashing. It's been a long day and I plan to hit this write-in 5 hours.

Purple Santa

11-03-2010, 06:11 AM

If you fall off pace, DO NOT PANIC! It's really easy to catch up, even if you are days and days behind. Local writers (myself included) often have 5k-7k days at some point during the month. Those big bursts can either put you way ahead of the pace, or serve to repair any earlier slumps.

I'm glad I read that. I am a bit behind but never worried. I tend to write in crazy spurts so missing the first two days isn't a big deal to me. My head wasn't in it yet but now i'm set straight.
Man, all these sci-fi and crazy universe-type stories. I'm like the milquetoast stepbrother to you guys. My story is about a young man who, while seeking to find his direction in life, ends up working for a gang of bank robbers in Atlanta.

I'm with you there too. I couldn't write sci-fi crazy universe story to save my life. My story is about an old beat up ex-cop who gets dragged into a murder mystery that unravels into a comfy conspiracy thriller :D

I'm headed to the gym then going to see how much writing I can squeeze from my day. Being unemployed has an advantage.

National Kato

11-03-2010, 07:23 AM

Yay! 3,940 words;They say I'm still two day behind though. O_o

The stat counter will consider you behind unless you write 1,667 words each day. That means if you write 4,000 words one day and then 800 words the next, you're still behind 'one day' despite the cumulative tally being ahead of shcedule.

Crittias

11-03-2010, 07:33 AM

I'm headed to the gym then going to see how much writing I can squeeze from my day. Being unemployed has an advantage.Good plan. Exercise is apparently VERY good for the creative process. Use your workout as a free brainstorming session, and then just let it pour out onto the page/screen.

Crittias

11-03-2010, 07:35 AM

Here's the Day Two Pep Talk I sent to my local WriMos yesterday. It's meant to be inspirational at this stage in the game, so I thought posting it here might serve to motivate the CoG WriMos:

Day Two: Time for a Pep Talk!

I know some of you are thinking, “Um…what? Why a Pep Talk on Day Two? We’ve barely started NaNo!” But I also know that many of you are thinking, “Ugh. Day Two. Yes, I need a Pep Talk! Please help me!” So, here I am, to the rescue.

My first question: Have you written your first “Sentence of Sucktitude”? Maybe a “Paragraph of Putrescence”? Perhaps (dare I suggest it) an entire “Manuscript of Meh”?

There are three likely answers to my question:
1) “...yes.”
2) “Yes! More than anything else, in fact! I thought this was going to be easier! I thought this was supposed to be fun! WTF, Ted? W.T.F.?!”
3)“Uh, is there any other type of writing during NaNo?”

If your response to my question ISN’T some flavor of the three choices above, then you’re either lying, delusional on chocolate and caffeine overdose, lying, or lying.

Or incredibly lucky. Or an astoundingly talented writer.

But most likely lying. Liar.

The truth is, after that initial adrenaline kick that most of us get on Day One, we experience the inevitable crash of Day Two, where we realize our ideas our terrible, our characters are boring, our plot is nonsensical, and our writing is utter crap. (Hmm. How is this a Pep Talk again? **rustles through his notes** Oh yeah!)

Surprisingly, if you’re already struggling on Day Two, that might be GOOD NEWS.

That’s right. Good News. How, you ask? Simple. Bad writing, this early in the process, gives you an opportunity to make the choice -- the conscious effort -- to embrace NaNoWriMo for what it is: freedom.

During November, you’re completely free. Free from typos. Free from wordsmithing. Free from that cursed backspace key. Free from rules on narrative, flow, direction, theme, and all those other pesky terms that pester you during the rest of the year. You are FINALLY free to tell the story you’ve had cycling endlessly through your head for days/months/years/lifetimes.

And during November, you only have one objective: Write It Down.

Now, some of you probably are thinking: “I don’t want to write utter crap! I want to write pure gold!” Well, you will! Sometimes. Rarely. When you least expect it. Those moments will last beyond November, and maybe even end up in a finished draft that you send to an agent, get published, and get read by millions of adoring fans.

But most of what you write this month will be dreck.

Embrace it. The sooner you do, the better things will go. Don’t worry about quality. Don’t fret over bad writing. Only concern yourself with moving the cursor or pen point forwards, day after day.

Be free this month. It’s amazingly fun. Try it!

-Ted, happily willing to waste almost 500 words of creativity pepping you up, instead of writing his own utterly crappy manuscript.

Generation ABXY

11-03-2010, 08:31 AM

Got my 1667 done today and a few more to boot, though the total will be rolled into Day 3. Either I need to start writing earlier or make up 1667 extra one day so the tally app doesn't think I'm behind anymore.

So does anyone feel like sharing what they've worked on so far? I've been copying and pasting to a google doc and if anyone wants to take a look I can share it with them if they PM me their e-mail address.

My Google Doc could use a little polishing first. When I got stumped on one part, I wasn't afraid to jump to something that was ready to be written. It's not as bad as last year (where I went ahead several chapters at a time), but still...

I'll probably have a chance to straighten up at least Chapter One this weekend (a great time for word wars, so a comfortable lead should form). If you're still interested - and, well, don't mind kid lit - I'm in.

Purple Santa

11-03-2010, 11:07 AM

Loved the pep talk Crittias. I'll have to cut and paste then hang it up near my writing space.

Got down to writing: 3,137 words. Taking a break for lunch then trying to hit 5000 words for the day.

Xerxes

11-03-2010, 01:36 PM

I have to say it's nice to finally get some of these idea out of my head for a change. Even it's not that great, it's be there for editing. I've done two days of prologue, and I think today is going to be like part two of prologue. I'll try to get to chapter one day but at this point, my book will end up being 6 chapters long. I don't have much of a epilogue. I've been coming up with some pretty odd names and it's fun. Naming nations, kingdoms and countries.

I missed my write-in today. Stayed up late pushing my novel to 3940. When I got home at midnight I was at 3150. It's so rainy and gloomy in Houston.

Generation ABXY

11-03-2010, 01:53 PM

I'll try to get to chapter one day but at this point, my book will end up being 6 chapters long.

Okay, now that gave me a good laugh. Thank you. :D

I'm only just now getting ready to start today's writing, so I'm hoping I can at least make my word count. Even if I don't, though, I did manage to add a new subplot... well, ish. It ties in with a couple of the existing ones, but it'll still give me a chance to boost my word count (especially with all the hints I get to drop in the preceding chapters) and add a bit more action.

Purple Santa

11-03-2010, 03:25 PM

Finished up my writing for the day. 5,102 words.

Like Xerxes, it felt good to get this story out and down on paper. I'm mostly winging it at the moment which has brought me a few surprises. Some characters that I didn't know about appeared as well as future plot points. I think I need to map out some of the story so i'm winging less. But damn winging it has been fun :)

shunoshi

11-03-2010, 03:38 PM

Alright, pumped out another 1097 words. Another set of character introductions. I figured I'd keep introducing characters until a sub-plot presented itself and that's exactly what happened. One solid sub-plot is cooking up now.

Now I just need a main plot... :confused:

5,110 words and counting. I'm going out for a few drinks with an old co-worker in an hour, then I'm hoping I can come home and hammer out another thousands words to round off the day above 6K.

National Kato

11-03-2010, 04:24 PM

Alright, as much as I love the Scrivener system of index cards and organization, I'm going to have to drop this software for now and just use Word. I just spent an hour writing 1,000 words, saved, and when I clicked on a different index card to check a last name I'd forgotten, I came back to the section I was working on and the 1,000 words were gone.

When cicking on the full 'Draft' the words are there (thank god) but no matter how many times I copy and paste them into the section I'm working on, they disappear. It's like the text cards you create have a word limit? I can't be afraid of losing shit if I'm typing this fast and semi-stream of consciousness.

Sucks, 'cause it gave me a minor heart attack and now I have to use shitty Word. :(

I wish my Mac was at a desk that was comfortable to work on, else I'd just use that.

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 04:33 PM

Clearly, you weren't paying attention earlier: add a sex scene... or several. :D

I do have a peck on the cheek and a couple of awkward erections. Does that count? :p

As for sharing my story, I'm thinking about doing so, but I'm not sure if it's up to snuff.

National Kato

11-03-2010, 04:44 PM

You guys can fucking wait until it's done, godamnit, before I let your dirty hands tear it apart. ;)

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 05:02 PM

Finished up my writing for the day. 5,102 words.

Holy cow. :eek:

You're a writing god!

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 05:06 PM

I've decided that I'm going to not be a little chicken, so here is what I've written so far. Comments are more than welcome:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1awCfKavZm9X2s2DG5TzwahgrhgA65PYG_SsakAy9cfc/edit?hl=en&authkey=CNCi-_8O

I'll be the first guinea pig in this grand experiment.

BTW, that title is not my book's title. Not even close.

Edit - I haven't shared any of my fictional writing with anyone in nearly six years. I'm literally shaking, how crazy is that? Still, please don't be afraid to give your honest opinions.

National Kato

11-03-2010, 05:14 PM

I've decided that I'm going to not be a little chicken...

I'm taking that personally. My novel pages are smeared with tears, now. :(

Xerxes

11-03-2010, 05:32 PM

That's pretty good mags. I just skimmed it but you know, keep it up.

If I rewrote what I had so far. I brushed over a lot of generalization like "They talked about this." instead of details. <shrug> I spent two days on something that was supposed to be glossed over.

I like to think 5,102 words was his complete total. O_o

National Kato, sucks about having to quit Scrivener. I know it being a beta is hard. I really wish I had time to get up to speed on Liquid as you'd think it would be more stable. I just found some issues with the Find button in the menu not working. If I can somehow manage to push ahead at least a extra days worth of work, I'd waste time on those videos and move my work over. Word does suck. I have 2010 and I mean for writing quick down and dirty papers it's alright but nothing more.

National Kato

11-03-2010, 05:37 PM

Xerxes, I've switched to a Google Docs, 'cause at least with Google I can trust that whatever I write and save will be forever. :D

It sucks not being able to quickly skip to another index card/scene or character/research list, but I can run Scrivener in the background for those details and hopefully acclimate to the new format. I'll live.

Purple Santa

11-03-2010, 05:54 PM

Now I just need a main plot... :confused:

A main plot is needed? Ah fuck. What about starting a trend, just a book with subplots. I'm sure its been done so follow that fad ;)

National Kato

11-03-2010, 05:59 PM

5,244 total thus far and Day Three is in the books.

I'm ahead of schedule each day, so even though I'm not jumping forward in leaps and bounds, the evening breaks give me time to reflect on my plot and where the fuck I'm going. I don't feel entirely confident that I have 50K in me, but at least thus far I'm still covering land I'm comfortable with and the exposition is developing nicely.

The weekend is where I'll surge forward.

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 06:09 PM

Has anyone else read what I posted? I'm curious to hear more opinions.

Thanks Xerxes!

Generation ABXY

11-03-2010, 06:28 PM

As I really want to jump back in and finish my outline (the little details are already starting to get fuzzy!), it looks like I'm stopping with a 5133 word total.

I'll try to give your story a look soon, too, Mags. Way to man up. :D

Xerxes

11-03-2010, 06:53 PM

I haven't written a word today. Horrible horrible horrible. 1060 would put me on average with the 1667 a day deal. Keep letting it get to late in the day.

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 07:18 PM

I hit 5,047 words today. I wrote out a pretty pivotal scene, and I think it turned out well overall! How exciting! :D

So far I'm more or less on track to finish this thing by the end of the month. I can't believe how much I've written already. I'm 1/10 of the way there!

Crittias

11-03-2010, 07:32 PM

Has anyone else read what I posted? I'm curious to hear more opinions.
DISCLAIMER: I'm just some random dude on the internet with a love for fiction and creative writing. I'm not a published author, just a wannabe. If my advice isn't useful to you, please ignore with extreme prejudice!

You've got a great premise to a story, and a good start so far. Some advice as you move forward is the mantra: "Show, don't tell." (not my mantra, just a popular an important sentiment shared by every good writing coach I've ever worked with).

Right now your excerpt reads more like a summary than a novel. For instance:
Suddenly there was a commotion and a large cry from the far end of the room. A young lad smudged with dirt had tried to take coins from the gold vase, and he was quickly grabbed by two large guards. He kicked and screamed as they hauled him out of the room. Garret wandered what they would do with him. Would he be thrown outside or put into a cell under the castle?

This is just one paragraph in your story. But this paragraph could be expanded into pages of action! A boy tries to steal the coins, easily dodges past the meaty guards and disappears out into the busy streets. Oh no! It's up to Garret to chase him down and return the stolen goods, ala Assassin's Creed roof-jumping style.

No need to go back at this point to change anything, but as you move forward, think about whether you're telling the reader something, or showing them something. First pass, it's SUPER easy to tell the reader everything. Resist this urge, and try to show us your story through character interaction, dialogue, action, and emotions. As a nice side effect to all this, showing the reader your story usually means a lot more detail for each scene you would tell us about.

Crittias

11-03-2010, 07:44 PM

In the interest of fairness to MagGnome, I'm posting my first three scenes. Please feel free to take a look. Perhaps, Mags, you'll look at what I posted and realize you really DO want to ignore my advice! :)

Shatter the Moon Draft (https://docs.google.com/document/d/17lr0M25Kr5IjYL2aMwHG_cQyfUeubiJqQ2umXIqU3TE/edit?hl=en&authkey=CNvN2tgM)

National Kato

11-03-2010, 07:47 PM

Crittias, I just want to say that I'm very glad for your participation and perspective in this experiment.

Thanks.

That is all.

Xerxes

11-03-2010, 07:56 PM

I think most of my stuff sounds like summary. I was was trying to gloss over something and it just kind of turned into something longer. That could actually be refined longer.

Purple Santa

11-03-2010, 08:01 PM

Holy cow. :eek:

You're a writing god!

:o

I'm an old hack. Sitting down and typing out stories was always easy for me. Now making them something someone would read...well that's why my work stays stored in a trunk buried in my parents backyard.

Actually Mags, for someone who hasn't done this before your output is pretty impressive. I don't think if I hadn't done this before I would of cracked after the first day.

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 08:05 PM

"Telling" rather than "showing" was a criticism of my work back when I was an English major as well. It's nice to see some things haven't changed. :p

I really do need to work more on "showing". Hopefully some of the writing that I've done since will reflect that.

Edit - Thanks Santa!

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 08:06 PM

Nice choice of character name, Crittias. :p

Crittias

11-03-2010, 08:09 PM

Nice choice of character name, Crittias. :pFunny, my wife just leaned over my shoulder and told me I should shorten it to Jake. "No one goes by Jacob. Too formal."

Hmm...

Purple Santa

11-03-2010, 08:11 PM

I thought about using the name Jacob. So Mags, would you prefer to be a crazy preacher or a pimp? :)

Generation ABXY

11-03-2010, 09:03 PM

And now my outline, having just passed the 8K mark, is longer than my actual story so far (with some chapters left to map out, to boot). Not counting the notebooks upon notebooks of random... um, notes, this may be the most extensive planning I've ever done.

Shatter the Moon Draft (https://docs.google.com/document/d/17lr0M25Kr5IjYL2aMwHG_cQyfUeubiJqQ2umXIqU3TE/edit?hl=en&authkey=CNvN2tgM)

Oh, and now there's more to read, too. Looks like I'll have to get to both of you guys tomorrow (assuming they're still up, of course).

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 09:05 PM

I thought about using the name Jacob. So Mags, would you prefer to be a crazy preacher or a pimp? :)

A pimp, naturally.

Funny, my wife just leaned over my shoulder and told me I should shorten it to Jake. "No one goes by Jacob. Too formal."

Hmm...

Oh really? Tell your wife that she is mistaken. ;)

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 09:12 PM

Crittias, I've started reading your story, and I am seriously impressed!

shunoshi

11-03-2010, 09:40 PM

A main plot is needed? Ah fuck. What about starting a trend, just a book with subplots. I'm sure its been done so follow that fad ;)

Yeah, I'm with you here. :D

Well, 5,686 is the running tally, barely crested the daily goal with 1,673 on the day. So far, so good, things should slowly form together.

I read No Plot, No Problem! last month and decided to take Chris Baty's advice to not show my story to anyone. Everyone will have to wait for my first revision (should I determine it's worth revising ;)).

Crittias, I've started reading your story, and I am seriously impressed!

Watch out, both Crittias and Spectre shell out some good fiction. You might end up with a new favorite author on your hands. :D

Xerxes

11-03-2010, 09:50 PM

Ok, tomorrow 3500 words.

shunoshi

11-03-2010, 09:52 PM

Ok, tomorrow 3500 words.

Why not now 1700?

MagGnome

11-03-2010, 10:02 PM

Watch out, both Crittias and Spectre shell out some good fiction. You might end up with a new favorite author on your hands. :D

It sort of made me realize that I really need to work on my own writing. :o

Xerxes

11-03-2010, 10:02 PM

Why not now 1700?

I didn't do it before work. Every slacked the fuck off today or something cause untouched work is staked up. Then twiddle dumb and twiddle dumber are no help. :mad:

I would do it when I get home but I'm thinking it would be better to get sleep instead of waking up late another day. I can hit BN at 10am. Should be able to do that and then some in 6 hours before work.

Purple Santa

11-04-2010, 05:55 AM

I read No Plot, No Problem! last month and decided to take Chris Baty's advice to not show my story to anyone. Everyone will have to wait for my first revision (should I determine it's worth revising ;)).

I'm old school I guess where I learned not to show your work unless it was ready to be read. Even at workshops, you try to make drafts as presentable as possible. Or that is what I learned. But we are talking...well long ago :D Writing rules may have changed.
It sort of made me realize that I really need to work on my own writing. :o

That's my other rule I try to follow when i'm creating. I avoid other writer's works because you sometimes look back at your own and decide...well a bunch of monkey's could of written something better.

Word count update: 2,437 for the day; 7,539 total.

Ink Asylum

11-04-2010, 06:29 AM

I didn't get any writing done yesterday, and I think it's because I'm not in love with writing my current story as much as I was playing around with the idea. I just don't think I'm good enough at all the interpersonal drama that's going to play out to make it worthwhile. I'm kind of envious of all the knights and private eyes and other genre toys you guys are playing with. :)

I probably picked the wrong novel to write for my first NaNoWriMo. I'm by no means giving up completely, though, I'm just going to shelve my current idea and start over with something sci-fi. Probably the colony ship young adult book idea I had. It won't take long to catch up to where I would be if I'd started this idea on Monday.

Crittias

11-04-2010, 07:26 AM

Watch out, both Crittias and Spectre shell out some good fiction. You might end up with a new favorite author on your hands. :DThanks!

I'd like to point out: the only time I write is for NaNo during November (with one short story thrown in for good measure). My writing style has improved A LOT in the past few years, and it's due entirely to NaNoWriMo.

The area I've noticed the biggest change is writing dialogue. The dialogue itself is much better, and also the proper mix of "he said," "she said," has gotten better. I don't think anything but lots of practice can get you to that point, so I think NaNo is excellent for honing your dialogue-writing skills.

Crittias

11-04-2010, 08:56 AM

I'm old school I guess where I learned not to show your work unless it was ready to be read.Usually I follow this advice as well. But in the interest of learning from each other during NaNoWriMo, I will often post just a few beginning chapters, even in their roughest form, so people can see that perfect writing DOES NOT MATTER during November.

Crittias

11-04-2010, 08:57 AM

Questionable Content today was spot-on for how most people take critiques on their NaNo manuscripts:
http://questionablecontent.net/comics/1789.png (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1789)

National Kato

11-04-2010, 04:48 PM

Day Four and I'm already finding the first rut in my progress. I made my quota - surpassed it even, once again by a few hundred words - but I'm spinning my wheels a bit and trying to find the plot again while distracting the reader with rehashed sentiment and dialogue.

Ugh. This might be one helluva boring 'novel.'

Generation ABXY

11-04-2010, 05:04 PM

7000 words now. I've reached a good stopping point, too, so I may use tomorrow to try and fill in those gaps where I jumped ahead in the story.

EDIT: Also, looks like the NaNoWriMo site is running relatively smoothly again. So nice...

MagGnome

11-04-2010, 05:50 PM

I don't think I'm going to be doing any writing tonight, and tomorrow night isn't looking good either. Hopefully I can put in a ton of writing time this weekend to make up for it.

evilgoodwin

11-04-2010, 06:21 PM

I've spent the last day and a half working on a paper for school so I can get back to this over the weekend.

The school paper is not going well :(

National Kato

11-04-2010, 07:22 PM

I needs me some cyborgs and shit.

Anyone know any good bank heist novels?

Generation ABXY

11-04-2010, 07:28 PM

I needs me some cyborgs and shit.

Anyone know any good bank heist novels?

Sadly, no. I tried to think of some after you mentioned something the other day, but none that I've personally read came to mind. Sorry.

Xerxes

11-04-2010, 08:07 PM

My story has cyborgs and I haven't gotten to them yet. :/

5785 so far... 879 to be caught up. I actually didn't know if I'd make but again. I start writing about something and back story gets in there and flush things out. Funny thing it's like "Hey that will work out later. I can make it a epidemic! And my main character can know this guy in the prologue that doesn't matter much!"

I have to say my antagonist got a great job, a disease, a completely new body, and a partner in evil out of this prologue of characters I thought was completely full of throw away characters.

Crittias

11-04-2010, 08:53 PM

I needs me some cyborgs and shit.

Anyone know any good bank heist novels?How about this:
http://www.amazon.com/Money-Burn-Ultimate-Heist-Thriller/dp/0425191214

National Kato

11-04-2010, 09:53 PM

How about this:
http://www.amazon.com/Money-Burn-Ultimate-Heist-Thriller/dp/0425191214

Hmm...looks interesting. I'll check it out, Crittias, thanks.

Xerxes

11-04-2010, 11:06 PM

6173 words

Didn't start as early as I wanted but I caught up. 490 word short, but I can live with myself. Tomorrow though I really need to start early.

Ugh. I'd put it to the side until I was blue in the face but I have to go check these struts or tires or something tomorrow. Need to also get my battery and alternator checked. Something is wrong with one of them for sure. Sitting at the brake or tire place though should give me a hour or two writing time. Maybe. :(

I want to use the meta data systems more. But being on a race for words, I just kind of put it on the back burner. I mean I have more nations and capitals to name. So far only my main character has a name. And his family has last name. Oh and the main antagonist does too. In the end it'll be Tyrus Steen(good guy) vs Yu Orrington(bad guy).

evilgoodwin

11-05-2010, 04:13 AM

3,633 words. I finally got a chance to get to this after a day of wondering where I was going to go next. At the rate I'm going, I don't have to worry about finishing my book before 50k. 3600 words in, and I haven't even done anything important yet.

Purple Santa

11-05-2010, 05:57 AM

I hit my 2000 word quota for the day. Now at 9,546 words.

I was in a bit of a lull this morning. I didn't really feel like it and the characters felt they weren't ready to talk to me. Did some posting first around there which seemed to wake me enough. Then I went on such a tear I wanted to keep going. I might try to do more later.

Ink Asylum

11-05-2010, 06:12 AM

Stalled out due to changing the gears. Need to organize my thoughts and ideas for the new novel then sit down this weekend and pound out a couple thousand words to catch up.

Crittias

11-05-2010, 08:14 AM

Some of my local WriMos have committed to a 10k Weekend. Starting Saturday at 12:01AM to Sunday at 11:59PM, 10,000 words will be written.

Who's in?

Generation ABXY

11-05-2010, 08:16 AM

Speaking of changing gears, there's a small part of me that's considering switching my PoV to first person... just not sure if I should do it now, or wait until the whole thing is complete (I'm currently using third limited, so it won't be a massive change either way).

EDIT: And I'd love to go 10K, Crittias. I'm not sure it'll actually happen, as I've really been aiming for big numbers this whole time and come up short. Still, the weekend is a better time for words wars, so here's hoping!

National Kato

11-05-2010, 08:52 AM

Stalled out due to changing the gears. Need to organize my thoughts and ideas for the new novel then sit down this weekend and pound out a couple thousand words to catch up.

I cannot tell you how many times I've almost done the same. I just don't want to be at square one again. I have to push through as far as this will take me.

Ink Asylum

11-05-2010, 09:13 AM

I figured that I only had 3400 words under my belt so I was better off changing over to a story that would be more fun to write rather than try to write another 40k for something I didn't feel was a right fit for me.

I'll definitely try to get that 10k done this weekend, it'll be a great way to catch up.

shunoshi

11-05-2010, 09:47 AM

Some of my local WriMos have committed to a 10k Weekend. Starting Saturday at 12:01AM to Sunday at 11:59PM, 10,000 words will be written.

Who's in?

I would be, but this weekend/week will actually be challenging enough. It's the one reason I considered skipping NaNo all together, deer hunting. This time around I have my laptop, so I should be able to set aside a couple hours in the afternoons to focus on writing. 10K over the weekend probably isn't happening though. ;)

I cannot tell you how many times I've almost done the same. I just don't want to be at square one again. I have to push through as far as this will take me.

I'm in the same boat here. I'm still struggling with my overall plot and it feels like I've been seriously spinning my wheels. I ended up with a measly 1023 words yesterday. At least I had banked enough words that I'm still above my daily quota. I really need to sit down and figure out what my main plot line is going to be, so I have some overall direction. Luckily my story takes place in a town with lots of characters, so I've been basically writing introductions and not much else. I have a small action scene planned for this morning's session. Hopefully it'll stretch out into enough words for the day.

Kielaran

11-05-2010, 11:25 AM

Crittias, I'm in. I need to catch up, so I was planning a big weekend anyway, though most of it will be on Sunday due to a busy Saturday.

Xerxes

11-05-2010, 12:02 PM

You know what, I'm in. I don't have anything planned this weekend. Aside meeting quota like a chump I probably would of waste that waste all the shows I've download the past two weeks trying to catch up. Fug tv!

<pumps pen in high>

I mean that's symbolism. Pumping keyboard overhead get lint in your face. I was planning on hitting this write-in tomorrow they have planned. One regret so far is this sleeping late. I planned on doing a lot of writing away from home on location at a bookstore here, library there, coffee shop somewhere, other places with free wifi but I've been plugging away words at work and home mainly. <sigh>

Today should be interesting. I wonder if all this prologue was so I didn't have to start in on the main story. Today, I introduce my main character and my first action scene. Little apprehensive about it. But where I left off last night, they only thing to happen now is the nomadic highway men to run this family off the road.

National Kato

11-05-2010, 03:36 PM

I see the NaNo site has updated their stat tracker. Gone are the 'days behind/days ahead' stats and in their place the appropriately positive 'At this rate you will finish on..." counter.

Which, for me, reads November 29th.

Take that, November 30th!

Ink Asylum

11-05-2010, 03:41 PM

Awesome. That's a lot less shame-inducing. I definitely need to pound out some words this weekend, as I'm essentially at 0 now, which means I am projected to finish at the heat death of the universe.

National Kato

11-05-2010, 03:48 PM

...which means I am projected to finish at the heat death of the universe.

Well, at least there'll be no negative reviews of your finished work. There'll be no positive reviews either, or any reviews at all, but no negative reviews of your work.

Generation ABXY

11-05-2010, 03:50 PM

Shame-inducing? The gamer in me was going for a perfect score, man! What's my motivation now, Ink... what's my motivation now?

...oh, right, a book. Never mind.

EDIT: Oh, and even though I was in and out all day, I had the foresight to actually bring my laptop with me... unfortunately, I didn't have enough foresight to realize I couldn't go online. -_-

Still, while the gaps remain, I did get a lot (well, a lot for me) of writing done in the new sections.

Xerxes

11-05-2010, 04:16 PM

At This Rate You Will Finish On Dec 11

<groan> I haven't put in my words for today though. And if I can manage 10,000 words, I'd show the NaNo stats who'll be done on Dec 11th.

evilgoodwin

11-05-2010, 05:08 PM

Well, at least there'll be no negative reviews of your finished work. There'll be no positive reviews either, or any reviews at all, but no negative reviews of your work.

I'm on it.

"Ink Asylum's book will result in the end of all things. It is the omega of literature, and we should all blame him now before he's finished and dooms us all to oblivion."

Crittias

11-05-2010, 06:58 PM

I'm on it.

"Ink Asylum's book will result in the end of all things. It is the omega of literature, and we should all blame him now before he's finished and dooms us all to oblivion."He's like the LHC. Maybe his book is coming back from the future to unwrite itself?

Purple Santa

11-05-2010, 08:59 PM

Some of my local WriMos have committed to a 10k Weekend. Starting Saturday at 12:01AM to Sunday at 11:59PM, 10,000 words will be written.

Who's in?

I am tempted. I know I can do that. I just don't know if I want to :D. Ah fuck it, put me down. I have a supportive partner. She'll just throw stuff at me if I start to falter.

Xerxes

11-05-2010, 09:52 PM

10,000 words should help me catch up. I was 400 words behind at the start of the day. Now, I'm at 2067. Another rough start. Then I come in to work to work 4 hours all by myself. I did write about a 500 words though. Urging my boss to get me out of this shit hole of a shift and letting this department handle their on shit from now on.

I'll start tonight, take a nap and get my ass to brake check like there is a gun aimed at my head.

Playing around with what I think I average. Should be about 5-7 hours to get 10k words.

MagGnome

11-05-2010, 10:44 PM

Some of my local WriMos have committed to a 10k Weekend. Starting Saturday at 12:01AM to Sunday at 11:59PM, 10,000 words will be written.

Who's in?

I decided last night that I'm going to write 10,000 words this weekend.

My math was way off, however. I thought it would take 4 hours. Then I realized that's how long it took me to write the 5,000 words I have now. Damn. :/

According to the NaNo site I'm on track to finish on December 20th. Yikes! So much for my head start.

Xerxes

11-05-2010, 10:54 PM

I decided last night that I'm going to write 10,000 words this weekend.

My math was way off, however. I thought it would take 4 hours. Then I realized that's how long it took me to write the 5,000 words I have now. Damn. :/

According to the NaNo site I'm on track to finish on December 20th. Yikes! So much for my head start.

Going non-stop I've noted I can get about 1000 word right around 30 minutes. Give or take 15 mintues. If you behind like me this could be a could catch up and boost. :D

Once I start in the real story I think things will get weird. I'll have to focus a bit more on characterization. I've been doing interesting back story. Now it's supposed flip to exciting. There are a few flash backs to eat up words. Hope they don't turn out like the prologue did.

If I stopped at 50k, nearly 1/8 my book is prologue. :D

Xerxes

11-06-2010, 12:26 AM

Here is something some of you may not have thought about either. We get 49 hours this weekend. A whole extra one. Unless you live in Arizona. Suckas!

Purple Santa

11-06-2010, 08:00 AM

I took on the 10,000 word challenge. I did 5000+ this morning and about half way it really helped me kick in high gear the story. I was still in introductory territory but now the story is starting to take off. I think the pacing is ok for my story and even the dialogue is improving some. As the story progresses the more fun i'm having. I know I can do another 5000 tomorrow. Having more time to write makes getting the 5000 easier. I think I ended up with 14,569 words so far.

National Kato

11-06-2010, 09:43 AM

I'm not jumping on the 10K bandwagon, because I don't hate myself like you all do. ;)

However, I may have found a way out of my rut by creating a new character and understanding that I can write from his perspective. That is to say, up until now this has been one man's story - based on my own experiences, in part, written in third person limited - so it never occurred to me to really expand the fiction beyond this one perspective. I'm going to 'hard stop' at this point in my main protagonist's story and switch to a secondary character for the next few chapters.

Should be an interesting narrative addition and give the reader something exciting to chew on while the original protagonist hasn't yet started his major story arc.

Generation ABXY

11-06-2010, 11:21 AM

Best of luck with that new perspective, Kato.

Purple Santa

11-06-2010, 11:23 AM

I'm not jumping on the 10K bandwagon, because I don't hate myself like you all do. ;)
I think my self hatred started when I was convinced by crazies that I can succeed in writing 50,000 words in a month :D

Should be an interesting narrative addition and give the reader something exciting to chew on while the original protagonist hasn't yet started his major story arc.

I like that idea. That would be an interesting read. Can't wait to see how that turns out for you.

Xerxes

11-06-2010, 12:05 PM

I got three hours of sleep and i did the car stuff. While getting my tires changed I wrote a bunch of story points I could hit on today. There is a write in at 3-5pm I'm going to trying and make it to. I think if it's all writing, I could crank out a minimum of 4000 words. Have to be on a roll or what not. I might do better since some of these points just need to be transcribed into sentences. Then there is the hours drive to my barber. Then a 45 minutes drive home. I'm going to be pooped.

About to take a hours nap now. All hopped up on a red bull and a tall venti carmel frap.

-_-

Generation ABXY

11-06-2010, 12:07 PM

Haven't even made a dent in that 10K yet - instead, I've spent my writing time today adding another subplot (that whiteboard is filling up fast).

MagGnome

11-06-2010, 12:34 PM

I need to write at least 5,000 words today and another 5,000 tomorrow. I've cleared my whole weekend to spend my time writing, reading, and gaming. Yet here I am online....gah!

Crittias

11-06-2010, 02:23 PM

National Kato

11-06-2010, 02:37 PM

Best of luck with that new perspective, Kato.

Thanks, ABXY. In just under 30 minutes with this new perspective, I've knocked out 1,000 words. I think this is going to work and it stretches my writing muscles a bit, because it's a character whose experiences are totally removed from my own.

Oh, and I broke the 10K cherry today. I'm 1/5 there, baby!

Xerxes

11-06-2010, 02:57 PM

National Kato

11-06-2010, 02:59 PM

The FBI has declined to share their private records with me after my Freedom of Information Act request. They're offering their public records, but I think I already have those from my own scrapbook.

At least the FBI is serious about preventing privacy breaches. I'm frustrated and thankful at the same time. :D

Crittias

11-06-2010, 03:58 PM

Oh, and I broke the 10K cherry today. I'm 1/5 there, baby!
Congrats! It's a good feeling, isn't it?

At least the FBI is serious about preventing privacy breaches. I'm frustrated and thankful at the same time. :DThe FBI may be serious, but I have no idea if you are. If you really are trying to delve into sealed government documents...well, that's totally awesome, and trumps and NaNo experience I've had so far.

National Kato

11-06-2010, 04:38 PM

The FBI may be serious, but I have no idea if you are.

I am! My story is about a group of bank robbers I worked for years ago. I didn't know they were committing the crimes until the FBI broke in the front door of our office, but as far as the story is concerned, I was a part of the heists. :D

I'm attempting to get details of the individual bank jobs (they robbed over 20 banks) but it looks like because the ringleader is still alive, he's still covered under privacy protections. I'll have to make do with newspaper clippings and my imagination.

Crittias

11-06-2010, 05:00 PM

I am! My story is about a group of bank robbers I worked for years ago. I didn't know they were committing the crimes until the FBI broke in the front door of our office, but as far as the story is concerned, I was a part of the heists. :D

I'm attempting to get details of the individual bank jobs (they robbed over 20 banks) but it looks like because the ringleader is still alive, he's still covered under privacy protections. I'll have to make do with newspaper clippings and my imagination.Shouldn't you be selling your story to some high falutin' Hollywood agent, or something?

Spectre-7

11-06-2010, 05:19 PM

Was the ringleader tried? If so, the court transcripts should be available.

Generation ABXY

11-06-2010, 06:25 PM

Wow, I really slacked off today. :(

Apart from planning, I only got involved in two poorly-producing word wars (though their combined totals were enough to knock me over 10K for the month). I doubt I'll meet the weekend goal, at this rate, but I'll still really need to focus tomorrow.

MagGnome

11-06-2010, 06:29 PM

I haven't written a single word for my novel all day.

However, Galaxy News Radio now reaches all parts of the Capital Wasteland. Isn't that more important? :p

Generation ABXY

11-06-2010, 06:32 PM

However, Galaxy News Radio now reaches all parts of the Capital Wasteland. Isn't that more important? :p

I have no idea what that even means... but sure, why not?

evilgoodwin

11-06-2010, 06:43 PM

I haven't written a single word for my novel all day.

However, Galaxy News Radio now reaches all parts of the Capital Wasteland. Isn't that more important? :p

I wondered how my character could get away with carrying that huge dish for a week before I remembered to bring it to him...

Xerxes

11-06-2010, 07:50 PM

I wrote about 1000 words with the people I were with. Interesting thing was I only used one of the sheets I wrote outline. Hoping the other 4 will turn into 4000 words as well. I'm tired as shit now. Amped on 1 red bull and two fraps. 3 hours a sleep since yesterday. Blarg.

I'm setting my clock for midnight though. I'll hit 1am twice. ^_^

MagGnome

11-06-2010, 07:57 PM

I have no idea what that even means... but sure, why not?

It's Fallout 3, obviously. ;)

I need to do a ton of writing tomorrow. :o

Generation ABXY

11-06-2010, 09:53 PM

It's Fallout 3, obviously. ;)

Ah. Haven't gotten to that one yet (it's on my to-do list... along with at least a dozen other games).

MagGnome

11-06-2010, 10:50 PM

I played so much today that I think I'm a little burned out on the game. I'm going to read and then head to bed. I'll write for at least a couple of hours tomorrow.

National Kato

11-06-2010, 10:58 PM

Was the ringleader tried? If so, the court transcripts should be available.

I'm digging up as much as I can. Don't know what happened to him after his arrest, but I would assume he's in prison. Maybe if something comes of this story I'll track him down and pay him a visit. :D

Xerxes

11-06-2010, 11:57 PM

I played so much today that I think I'm a little burned out on the game. I'm going to read and then head to bed. I'll write for at least a couple of hours tomorrow.

Burn through tomorrow's word rewriting what you experienced in Fallout 3, but in relevance to the time period of your story. :p

evilgoodwin

11-07-2010, 12:02 AM

"I brought my axe down, slaying the final orc that stood in my way. Weary, I wipe the sweat and blood from my brow while thinking of my home. Would I ever be able to return from my exile? I recall tales of a floating city where a powerful sorceress lives. Surely she will be able to use her magic to tell me where my father has vanished to. My bones ache, but I must finish the task at hand. I then bring the satellite back to Three-dog so I can hear his bard's tales throughout the entire land."

Purple Santa

11-07-2010, 06:48 AM

1509 words so far today. But it turns out that my local WriMos are using a THREE-DAY WEEKEND as their time frame. So, for anyone joining me, if you want to either count Friday's words, or Monday's words, that would still satisfy the spirit of the challenge. Or you can be a glutton for punishment, and stick with the two-day constraint.

If I count yesterday, I'm at 4113.

I wish I had known that. I just did the 10,000 words in two days. I guess I am a glutton for punishment. I don't think I wish to do 10,000 words again in two days anytime soon though. I'm looking forward to the measly 2000 words a day I was averaging :D

Now up to 19,574 words. For now i'm exhausted. 3 1/2 hours of writing is tiring.

MagGnome

11-07-2010, 09:40 AM

Ink Asylum

11-07-2010, 10:00 AM

The less said about my first week the better. Going to have to bump myself up to 3000 words a day from here on out. Maybe try for 10k next weekend.

Superman's Dead

11-07-2010, 10:05 AM

Keep going, guys!

An old friend of mine from high school is doing NaNo in addition to her senior year at Northeastern, and she broke 20K yesterday.

Do youse apes wanna be beaten by a girl? ;)

Edit: To be fair, I'm not sure she's human.

Crittias

11-07-2010, 10:32 AM

An old friend of mine from high school is doing NaNo in addition to her senior year at Northeastern, and she broke 20K yesterday.We had our first winner cross the finish line late last night. 50,650 words in less than six days.

Quantity? Check. Quality? Well...

National Kato

11-07-2010, 10:53 AM

Do youse apes wanna be beaten by a girl? ;)

I'm not sure I can compete with sapph-rotic fiction consisting of chapter upon chapter of heaving bosoms and trembling appendages. But goddamnit I'm going to try!

Superman's Dead

11-07-2010, 11:13 AM

I'm not sure I can compete with sapph-rotic fiction consisting of chapter upon chapter of heaving bosoms and trembling appendages. But goddamnit I'm going to try!

Her story is about a plague that geese carry that causes an apocalyptic event on Earth.

Knowing her, I assume there is a lot of murdering of geese, and also some romance that doesn't work out the way anyone would want.

Xerxes

11-07-2010, 11:30 AM

Slept my free hour away. :/

Crittias

11-07-2010, 12:27 PM

Knowing her, I assume there is a lot of murdering of geese, and also some romance that doesn't work out the way anyone would want.Shouldn't it be gaggling geese, and murdering crows?
*BA DUM DUM TISH*

Actually, The Gaggle would make a good story title...

Generation ABXY

11-07-2010, 12:41 PM

Do youse apes wanna be beaten by a girl? ;)

We had our first winner cross the finish line late last night. 50,650 words in less than six days.

Yeah, one of my writing buddies broke 50K the other day, too, and a few more are well on their way. I've long given up being shamed by others' word counts... regardless of their gender or species.

MagGnome

11-07-2010, 01:29 PM

I am going to buckle down this afternoon and do a ton of writing. I'm then going to order Chinese takeout as a reward for all my hard work.

MagGnome

11-07-2010, 05:08 PM

My story has taken a very unexpected turn. I have no idea where this is going, but suffice to say it's not where I originally thought it would. It's gone from being a basic fantasy tale to something just plain weird.

I had hoped to hit 15,000 total words this weekend, but I don't think that's going to happen. Hopefully I'll hit at least 8,000, which is pathetically shy of my original goal.

I should copy and paste all of my COG posts this weekend and see what that puts my word count at. :p

At least I didn't buy the Chinese, as I really don't deserve it. :o

Edit - I finished at 8,555 words. A little over half of my goal, but at least I got some writing done, right?

Generation ABXY

11-07-2010, 08:38 PM

National Kato

11-07-2010, 08:45 PM

0 words today. A total waste. I blame Life.

Generation ABXY

11-07-2010, 08:49 PM

0 words today. A total waste. I blame Life.

I'm in the same boat, Kato... well, minus the board game.

On the other hand, here's hoping that day off'll help me tackle that second week with renewed vigor!

Xerxes

11-07-2010, 09:37 PM

I'm so fucking behind.

evilgoodwin

11-08-2010, 01:22 AM

I'm at 4509.
I'm going pretty slow, but I'm expecting it to pick up. I finally reached a part I've been looking forward to, but I'm going to stop for the night.

Edit: Decided to post the prologue. If I know people have looked, I get more motivated to finish it.

Linkums (https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AQeyQtbuL6zHZGNxdHJzZDZfOWZ4djJwMmdq&hl=en&authkey=CMjmtaEH)

Purple Santa

11-08-2010, 04:08 AM

Not having the looming "5000" over me it was easy to pump out another 2000+ words this morning. I'll be closing in on the half way point probably by tomorrow or Weds. the latest.

Crittias

11-08-2010, 06:44 AM

12,189. A good write-in yesterday afternoon that earned me over 850 words while socializing with a great group of people. Then a solid evening of writing to finish with just over 2k for the day.

Crittias

11-08-2010, 08:27 AM

A great way to visualize the current state of your story: http://www.wordle.net/

Here's mine so far:
http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/2693502/Shatter_the_Moon (http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2693502/Shatter_the_Moon)

shunoshi

11-08-2010, 04:06 PM

Well, I'm up here on my 4th day at deer camp and have had nearly no time to write. Tomorrow there will be far less people here and far fewer distractions. Hopefully I can shell out at least 10k in the next four days. If not, I'm likely toast. :(

Writing in the deer stand isn't really doable (takes too much concentration), but I have caught up on a LOT of reading.

At least I have a phone with internet access so I can post from my deer stand. :D

MagGnome

11-08-2010, 05:05 PM

...you ended up adding Lady Gaga after all, didn't you? :p

Is the title of my story, "Bad Romance", too obvious?

Edit - I can't believe Purple Santa is almost half done! That man is a writing machine. I'm not even 1/5 of the way. :o

Here is my Wordle:

http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/2697396/Mag%27s_Wordle (http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2697396/Mag%27s_Wordle)

Crittias

11-08-2010, 05:21 PM

Here is my Wordle:

http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/2697396/Mag%27s_Wordle (http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2697396/Mag%27s_Wordle)Who's your main character, Mags? :p

Abednigo

11-08-2010, 05:35 PM

I'm at 4320 but haven't been able to write in a few days. I left the story with DC getting nuked (I know why but the reader doesn't). I really want to get back into it.

Xerxes

11-08-2010, 05:38 PM

Who's your main character, Mags? :p

I did one, and my main character hasn't even been mentioned yet. I mean in my tablet writing he has. Not by name though.

Crittias

11-08-2010, 06:38 PM

I did one, and my main character hasn't even been mentioned yet. I mean in my tablet writing he has. Not by name though.Are you positive you know who your main character actually is? Sounds like your story may be going a different direction than your initial intention...

MagGnome

11-08-2010, 07:18 PM

Who's your main character, Mags? :p

Ralph. Why do you ask? :p

My story has gone completely off the deep end. It went from a straight fantasy tale into this weird dreamland where all kinds of weird shit is happening. I have no idea what's going to happen next, and that's exciting. :)

I'm not going to do any writing tonight. However, I plan on doing a bit tomorrow night, and Wednesday night I'm going to get a little drunk and try to do a ton of writing. That should be interesting.

Xerxes

11-08-2010, 07:31 PM

Are you positive you know who your main character actually is? Sounds like your story may be going a different direction than your initial intention...

Naw I just wasted time on some random people. Nice pacing. Maybe I should scrap all the cool fighting and what not and turn it into a moving about shaking up the mass transit market. ^_^

Naaaaaaaaaaaa. My main character is saving these people as we speak. Dodging bullets. Kicking people into trees. I think i may just have him run off. Continue his exercise. :D

I think I've been avoiding him cause then things get tricky. I have already thought about doing this is some passages.

He was on a motorcycle headed back to Lemia for the first time in years.

<flashback add motivation regarding main character's departure, it could involve girl, friend, and dad... also mix in something about the robotics, he stabbed brother in hand before he left.>

He sat at the bar alone waiting for his best friend. Even after all these years nothing has changed.

Purple Santa

11-08-2010, 10:51 PM

Edit - I can't believe Purple Santa is almost half done! That man is a writing machine. I'm not even 1/5 of the way. :o

The rules don't state anything about humans only entering the contest. Don't hate machines ;)

Purple Santa

11-09-2010, 05:28 AM

The writing machine keeps typing: 23,783 words.

Up till this point I've had a good flow with the story. Winging it has worked for me but this a.m. I had to pause changing the chapter throwing out what I had intended and basing it around a different character. The chapter worked out really well and it's a great feeling to see the chapter unfold as i'm just winging along :)

National Kato

11-09-2010, 07:35 AM

Sunday + Monday = 0 words

:(

Ink Asylum

11-09-2010, 07:38 AM

Doesn't it equal 2 words?

Generation ABXY

11-09-2010, 07:47 AM

Ba-Dum-Tish! (http://instantrimshot.com/)

Xerxes

11-09-2010, 04:39 PM

Sunday + Monday = 0 words

:(

As far as typed words go, I'm about 4 days out. I'm thinking this is where it gets ugly. I've been writing in my tablet where I first wrote some rough ideas, but I don't know how many words that is. Previously I was getting 1000 words a tablet page.

MagGnome

11-09-2010, 05:50 PM

I didn't write anything last night. My goal is to do at least 500 words tonight, followed by a bunch of writing tomorrow night and during the day on Thursday, as I'm off that day. Friday night I might do 500 or so words, and then this weekend a bunch more writing.

Thankfully the four day Thanksgiving break will give me a lot of time to write, as I don't have many plans for those four days. I guess I'm going to have Thanksgiving dinner with a couple of classmates, but other than that it's all free time.

evilgoodwin

11-09-2010, 07:32 PM

I headed home after a long day of school. Now I'm drinking an ice-cold Sprite to shock my body back to life. I will soon be on the couch in my slippers with the TV on something random while I type away, hopefully I'll do a few days work with it tonight.

I'm feeling extra creative tonight, too, so here's hoping I push through the first part of my story to the location change.

Generation ABXY

11-09-2010, 07:39 PM

Sunday + Monday = 0 words

:(

And Tuesday makes day three for me.

I will figure out this plot hole... and hopefully before the end of the month. :D

MagGnome

11-09-2010, 07:39 PM

I wrote another 800 words, putting me at a total of 9,355. I had written 799, so I went back and added another word to reach a nice round number.

I just added a dwarf to my story. How cliche is that?

evilgoodwin

11-09-2010, 07:44 PM

Purple Santa

11-09-2010, 07:45 PM

I just added a dwarf to my story. How cliche is that?

No, if there were strippers AND dwarfs that would be a cliche. And how dare you steal my dwarfs from my story ;)

Xerxes

11-09-2010, 07:46 PM

Did somebody say 10k weekend? :o

MagGnome

11-09-2010, 07:56 PM

Avoid the cliche. Make him Hispanic and not Scottish.

You just reminded me of a terrible Mary Kate & Ashley Olson movie I saw when I was younger. Thanks a lot.

In fact, now that I think about it, the scenario I just wrote is almost identical to how they meet the Hispanic dwarf in that movie. :eek:

No, if there were strippers AND dwarfs that would be a cliche. And how dare you steal my dwarfs from my story ;)

I should have written a Dwarf Fortress novel! That's a great idea!

Crittias

11-09-2010, 09:26 PM

15556. A few words ahead of schedule for 50k in November. Tomorrow I intend to start building a lead.

I did get to introduce two new characters today that I think will be fun for a scene or two.

Kielaran

11-09-2010, 10:38 PM

Trials and tribulations today. On the up side, I wrote 2600 words today. Too bad I had to write most of them twice because google docs were being unruly. I am hoping the whole system stabilizes before I start back up tomorrow.

Hopefully I can keep up my daily word count. I am behind from early month slacking, but I am with Xerxes in the 10k weekends. I just need to stay vigilant and I will finish this time. From the way things are looking, it may even be with a story that I am proud of :o

Purple Santa

11-10-2010, 05:12 AM

Did somebody say 10k weekend? :o

10k and weekend are dirty words to me. I am avoiding that dirty deed. Once was enough :p

I made it to the half way point! 25,801 words.

National Kato

11-10-2010, 07:52 AM

I made it to the half way point! 25,801 words.

Can I borrow about 15K words?

MagGnome

11-10-2010, 09:33 AM

Only if I can have the other 10k.

Xerxes

11-10-2010, 01:13 PM

10k and weekend are dirty words to me. I am avoiding that dirty deed. Once was enough :p

I made it to the half way point! 25,801 words.

It's almost the only way I'll catch up.

Ink Asylum

11-10-2010, 01:57 PM

Yeah, if I don't get 10k done this weekend there's no way I'll catch up.

Xerxes

11-10-2010, 06:09 PM

Not to mention that Thanksgiving break marathon.

Tell the truth, I'm LOVING the idea of...

"Oh no I'm just going to take this Turkey Sandwich and run. I'm working on this novel. Yeah, really interesting. Nice seeing you all again. Later!"

Muahahaha... Not that I don't love family. Just don't like large gatherings. Some of these holiday functions can get ass to elbows.

National Kato

11-10-2010, 07:13 PM

I'm using NaNoWriMo as an excuse to stay home some nights and play videogames.

There, I said it. Now you all can admit to it as well.

Generation ABXY

11-10-2010, 07:15 PM

Huzzah! After finally figuring out how to fix my seemingly paradoxical plot, I got back to writing today. I've just added around another 3K (most of that on a brand new, problem-solving chapter).

Oh, and I hear you on the family gatherings, Xerxes (though I'm not particularly fond of my family). Can't remember the last time I went to one, really...

EDIT: And nope, no games, Kato. Though, thanks to much prodding from Karak, I may reward myself with Jade Empire... depending on how well I do this month, of course.

MagGnome

11-10-2010, 07:44 PM

I haven't written a thing today. I haven't done much of anything for that matter.

I did, however, read that portion of "Shatter the Moon" that Crittias shared. I love it! I really want to read the rest of the story now.

Purple Santa

11-10-2010, 08:04 PM

I haven't written a thing today. I haven't done much of anything for that matter.

To be fair to yourself, you did write about 10,000 words today. All on CoG but...hey it's 10,000 words.

MagGnome

11-10-2010, 08:55 PM

I've written many novels' worth of material on COG.

Xerxes

11-10-2010, 09:09 PM

I'm using NaNoWriMo as an excuse to stay home some nights and play videogames.

There, I said it. Now you all can admit to it as well.

I'm using it as a reason NOT to play games. Thing is I'm not doing much of anything.

I'm 8555 words of course. I doubt I have that much scribbled in tablets. ^_^

Tomorrow and Friday, I'm going to hit up Barnes and Noble and probably a Starbucks. Be amongst the pretty ladies, and load up on caffeine.

If I planned to jam 10k in this weekend and wanted to be caught up by Monday, I'd have to get another 5223 in there somewhere.

Or a better number would be 3805 for the next four days.