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We're just over two weeks out from this year's NaNoWriMo and I wanted to kickstart everyone's engines! This year marks my fifth attempt and I vow that THIS YEAR will be the year that I finish a novel (or at least beat my previous record of 27-28k). I'm straight up jacking this OP from Pikestaff's 2018 version with some minor updates so please, let me know if I need to change anything in here. --- What is it? NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is a self-challenge to write 50,000 words of fiction in the month of November. That averages out to about ~1667 words a day. Yes, it's a lot. Yes, what you write will probably suck. But that's the point. Here's the official site: https://nanowrimo.org/ - NOTE If you had previously used the official site in the past it is to my understanding that there was a massive update made in this past year. I had some weirdness while logging in so expect the worst and hope for the best, I think. Once you sign in, feel free to share your official website profile & add some friends from SA! You can find me at https://nanowrimo.org/participants/omnikin/ --- Why should I do this? Everything I write is going to be terrible anyway!  Different people do it for different reasons. I just love the challenge. I've never written a full novel or anything past a smattering of short stories (which are safely tucked away in my Google Drive folders) so every November I love the opportunity to go for broke. A lot of people also use it as a motivational tool. When you're staring at a graph of your progress every day and comparing it to your friends' graphs, well... a lot of us (myself included) find that to be a big kick in the pants to actually get some writing done. Besides, you can always dig the diamonds out of the poo poo later and use them for other, grander writing projects. It's your work, after all, may as well plagiarize yourself. Oh, and people have also published things they've written for NaNo, so that's not unheard of either. --- Am I only allowed to write fiction? What about working on something I've already started? According to the official rules, it can be fiction of any genre (this includes fanfiction or sets of short stories) so long as it's prose. That said, lots of people bend the rules and just use it as an excuse to get a lot of writing done, and that's great too. In fact, there's a specific "NaNo Rebels" forum on the site if you don't quite meet the rules. Until recently working on a prior project was officially verboten, but as of last year continuing work you've already started is now okay in the Official Rules, so long as you only count words you write in November towards your actual total. I believe that working on nonfiction, poetry, a screenplay/script, etc. still makes you a "NaNo Rebel". --- Writing software recommendations? I wanna get serious with this. Scrivener, a NaNo fan favorite (and my personal favorite as well), usually does NaNoWriMo free trials and almost always offers discount coupons after the event itself if you want to buy the full version. Other writing software out there to scope out includes: FocusWriter ZenWriter (costs money) WriteMonkey yWriter ilys, for the truly hardcore - no editing allowed until you're finished (costs money) Novlr - usually offers a free NaNo trial (costs money) And of course, there are old standbys such as Google Docs or LibreOffice. (Techie side note here: LibreOffice is the forked version of the considerably more popular Open Office, however, Open Office all but stopped updating a few years back so switching to LibreOffice is recommended.) --- Are there any tools/fun things I can use to help me? Although I've yet to try it myself, I've heard a lot of good things about 4theWords, a browser based RPG where your word count levels up your character. There is a monthly fee but there is also a 30-day free trial if you want to conveniently start that on November 1. A free alternative might be Habitica, which isn't specifically writing oriented but seeing as it lets you choose your own goals you can just make all writing related goals and achieve a similar result. Write Or Die - some people swear by this rather pernicious app that you can set to straight up delete your poo poo if you don't write enough in a given time limit. Looking for something with a more positive spin? Written Kitten gives you cute pictures of cats (or whatever else you prefer) the more you write. NaNoWriMon - choose a Pokemon and it will level up alongside your word count! It doesn't really do a lot aside from that but in the past it's been fun to post it in the thread and watch it evolve. Discord Server - Looks like there's a writing server with a NaNo channel, so if chatting with other writers is your thing, check it out: https://discord.gg/dyhBXBR --- I still have questions! Check out the official FAQ: https://nanowrimo.org/faq or feel free to ask me or others in the thread.
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Oct 15, 2019 15:15
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I'm in OH THAT'S RIGHT I AM. https://nanowrimo.org/participants/felonious-funk
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Oct 15, 2019 20:20
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Hello again NaNo Thread! I think pretty much everything in the OP is still valid, although I'm not currently in the Discord so someone who is might want to verify that it's still around. I did end up trying 4thewords last year and I'm definitely a fan, it was really helpful to me to have quests to complete and monsters to kill so if you're into gamification I definitely recommend it. It's a monthly subscription ($4 USD) but I'm pretty sure they do a free month long NaNo thing. The site revamp is definitely a little wonky right now and it also removed all previous buddies you'd added, which is why even if you've participated before you're suddenly friendless. Anyway, my profile: https://nanowrimo.org/participants/pikestaff Looking forward to fighting in the word wars with you all again this year! It's my personal tenth NaNo anniversary (I did my first one in 2009) and it's always such a tough but satisfying event. If anyone is sitting on the sidelines and considering trying it - go for it. The worst that can happen is you don't win, but either way you still end up with more words than you had when you started!
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Oct 18, 2019 14:36
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I added both of you as buddies- the site is finally running well. Been absolutely crawling the last week!
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Oct 18, 2019 15:51
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NaNo thread open, throw wide the gates!!! I'm mel and I've been around the goon threads and the writing discord for a few years (though less frequently lately). Last year was the absolute worst year of my life in terms of mental health, and my attempt to get me and my brainspace back in order with nano petered out at a measly 12k, but this year's gonna be different. Though, November is coming right in the middle of my biggest life change so far, a move out of my childhood home of 25 years to a big city on the opposite coast. I'm not planning on letting that hinder me, though. I have no idea what I'm gonna write though I think I might cheat and work on a project I have a chapter for already... it won't count toward my starting word count though, of course. Looking forward to making the journey with you all. https://nanowrimo.org/participants/melodicwaffle
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Oct 20, 2019 16:10
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I've got 8 wins in a row under my belt, time to make it 9. https://nanowrimo.org/participants/thearchimagemelodicwaffle posted:I have no idea what I'm gonna write though I think I might cheat and work on a project I have a chapter for already... it won't count toward my starting word count though, of course. Omnikin posted:Until recently working on a prior project was officially verboten, but as of last year continuing work you've already started is now okay in the Official Rules, so long as you only count words you write in November towards your actual total. I believe that working on nonfiction, poetry, a screenplay/script, etc. still makes you a "NaNo Rebel".
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Oct 20, 2019 20:32
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I am attempting NaNoWriMo this year and am definitely looking for writing buddies to keep me on track! I have a novel sequel outlined and ready to go. https://nanowrimo.org/participants/jainhollie
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Oct 20, 2019 20:38
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Heck yeah I'm in. Time to write Murphy's Law. Plz no dox: https://nanowrimo.org/participants/vernon_mike Oh dear, it's that writing discord. Would advise against joining it. Exmond fucked around with this message at 06:02 on Oct 24, 2019 |
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Oct 21, 2019 16:49
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We're almost single digits away people! Anybody deep into their prep yet? I've got some bare bones stuff done and plan to flesh out a little bit more every day starting tomorrow. I've never been much of a prepper but I've also never reached the goal so hopefully this can give me an edge!
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Oct 21, 2019 17:10
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https://www.nanowrimo.org/participants/lbburkion My account. I'm planning to write a horror novel, working title is The Weeping Sunrise. We'll see how it goes.
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Oct 22, 2019 06:47
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https://nanowrimo.org/participants/staggy The site revamp has messed my stats up a bit but I'm excited to write some generic fantasy schlock. I'm trying out a new prep system this year (by which I mean I'm actually preparing at all). Should be fun! Also the site thinks I'm writing something called "Changing Rooms" that can only be a placeholder title from years ago that I have absolutely no memory of 
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Oct 23, 2019 17:29
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For those wondering, yes, the nano channel in the discord has been pulled out of the archives and is active! If you wanna talk to fellow writers-- a fair few of whom are goons but not all-- but don't want to venture into the Nano forums, feel free to come chat! There are always people around, although since a lot of us are going through Life Things the activity can be slow. https://nanowrimo.org/participants/torny-zang I'm going to be rewriting the novel I wrote last year. Cheaty, perhaps, but there's enough editing and rewriting work and entire scenes that I need to replot and write that it'll still be a bit of a challenge. I'm looking forward to being able to keep my momentum through huge timeskips; they really bogged me down last year, and now that I know where I'm going with the story I'll have the freedom to blather through scenes that I skipped last year for the sake of just getting the story down.
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Oct 23, 2019 21:36
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Don't let the Nano site fool you. This will be my 15th year climbing this mountain and aiming for another win in a row (not including a camp Nano that won't show on the site screw you website I wrote 30K in April.) I am still heavy working on some old Nanos to make them less like a wordsplang and more like a noveling, but I'm gonna start something new this year for the first time in a bit! It's the Little Mermaid. But Queer. And maybe work on side projects. I can't just poke just one thing! https://nanowrimo.org/participants/nethilia Join the discord I'm super inspiring and shiny
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Oct 24, 2019 12:47
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I genuinely don't understand why they revamped the site if it's just gonna break 80% of the things on it if the word count tracker breaks mid month I'm going to lose it
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Oct 25, 2019 13:21
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Yeah the site is wonky for sure. I know for a fact I've won every NaNo since 2009, which should be ten in a row as of now, but my stats are like "current win streak: 6  " so I dunno.I've added everyone back who's sent a request, though! Right now I'm waffling on what to do, usually I have a good idea of what I'm going to work on by this point in time but I'm kind of floating a few different ideas around and none of them have really hooked me yet. Hopefully I'm feeling better about it in a week though.
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Oct 25, 2019 14:14
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I've decided to go post-apocalyptic solo adventure. It's one of my go-to mental exercises when I'm bored and just farting around so all the concepts & ideas I've "prepared" feel a little lubed up and ready to go already. I've mapped out some basic points to hit and I know where I want everything to wrap up so the next week will be spent just getting everything fleshed out a little! ONE WEEK!
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Oct 25, 2019 14:30
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Heeere we go again ... https://nanowrimo.org/participants/miriable I might write a sequel to a fantasy adventure I wrote for NaNo a couple years ago. Or I might not. Wacky!
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Oct 26, 2019 03:47
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Aww, all my buddies got erased? Sure, most of them hadn't written in years but it was nice to remember all the old gang.
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Oct 29, 2019 02:04
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I think I'm in really good shape. I've never done this before, but I have the main characters mapped out, the plot, a hard outline of every chapter, an endpoint, and even some of the foreshadowing lines figured out. https://nanowrimo.org/participants/bphillipyork/projects
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Oct 29, 2019 15:19
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I've always wanted to write (minored in CW in college and wrote some garbage) and I've thought about doing this for several years. I'm finally going to do it and write a garbage sci fi novel.
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Oct 29, 2019 19:29
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I've tried NaNo the last few years, but always had to stop because of school stuff. This will be my first November without an essay due, so fingers crossed! So far I have the characters fleshed out and the plot about 80% mapped. I'm writing a fantasy-ish story in a setting I've been worldbuilding since forever.
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Oct 29, 2019 21:17
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Ahh I'm pumped about trying again! I was successful almost a DECADE ago and haven't taken a crack at it since. Luckily I've still been writing and finished several projects over the years, but I've been in a huge rut lately. The idea of burning through 50,000 words in one month again is very tempting. I even ordered a bright purple Leuchtturm for this year! Looking forward to filling it. Sad that all my buddies have been erased, but here I am -- let's do it!  https://nanowrimo.org/participants/lumipop
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Oct 29, 2019 21:41
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In it to win it again this year. Deciding what exactly to write and it kind of comes down to what is considered legal now I guess? Anyways, if someone can actually answer this for me, it would be great: Does writing a ttrpg (tabletop rpg, think Dungeons and Dragons) count? I've been kind of poking at one for the last 6 months and nanowrimo seems like a good kick in the rear end to just sit down and pound out work on it - seems like a bit of a stretch even for NaNo Rebel however and I'd like to stay within the spirit of the rules at the least. If not, I'm just gonna write a story set in the main setting I'm thinking of for the ttrpg because it will help me think through some poo poo at the very least and keep me on task. Add me: https://nanowrimo.org/participants/taintedbalance
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Oct 30, 2019 01:55
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The only "rule" of NaNo is to write at least 50,000 words of original content. Purists will add that you shouldn't work on something you've already started before NaNo begins, but nobody really cares. Super sticklers may note that "Novel" is in the name, so you SHOULD be writing some kind of longform fiction. But seriously, slamming down 50,000 words of ANYTHING is a major feat. Write whatever you want. No judgment here, maaan.
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Oct 30, 2019 06:26
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Mirage posted:Purists will add that you shouldn't work on something you've already started before NaNo begins, but nobody really cares. Even purists can't complain about that anymore because as of last year NaNo got rid of that rule. Either way, doing literally ANY writing can only be good, right?
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Oct 30, 2019 13:13
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Welp, then I'm gonna write 50k of words for my ttrpg and ain't nobody stopping me.
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Oct 31, 2019 02:42
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14 hours and change for the US East coast! I'll be asleep well ahead of the midnight start time but I am planning on doing a ten minute opening blitz with my pre-gym coffee tomorrow morning.
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Oct 31, 2019 14:48
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The panic is starting to set in, even though I have an outline and know what I'm going to write. 
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Oct 31, 2019 16:01
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If people want, there is a thread in something awful where you can  your account to get a specific word count:https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3845189
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Oct 31, 2019 18:06
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hollylolly posted:The panic is starting to set in, even though I have an outline and know what I'm going to write. Just remember the quality doesn't matter, just whether or not it's done. It doesn't have to be ready to publish any time soon or anything, and you can edit all you want come December. You've got this! Also, since others are sharing: https://www.nanowrimo.org/participants/madmaenad
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Oct 31, 2019 18:14
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Whoria Discordia posted:Just remember the quality doesn't matter, just whether or not it's done. It doesn't have to be ready to publish any time soon or anything, and you can edit all you want come December. You've got this! Pretty sure most of my old drafts are 50% gibberish. P.S. https://nanowrimo.org/participants/urbanspaceman23
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Oct 31, 2019 21:42
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50,000 here we go!! https://nanowrimo.org/participants/enchanted-hat
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Oct 31, 2019 22:15
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Oh god, oh man, oh god, oh man. Why am I so anxious about this?! It's just words on a page! Also why am I posting this? https://nanowrimo.org/participants/andipossess
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Oct 31, 2019 23:12
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1051 through the morning so far. Probably the best single stretch of writing I've had in a few NaNos! Only 49k to go
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Nov 1, 2019 14:19
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Omnikin posted:1051 through the morning so far. Probably the best single stretch of writing I've had in a few NaNos! Only 49k to go Hell yeah! Way to go! I got 900 words up in an early morning sprint, hope to keep the same pace.
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Nov 1, 2019 16:05
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Started when the clock hit midnight and somehow managed to pump out 2237 words and charging toward the end of chapter 1. And I've got more gas in the tank for today after work. Hoping to get a nice head start. (Also hoping not just to win but to overshoot 50k.)
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Nov 1, 2019 18:07
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Just finished the first 2004 words and each and every one of them was poo poo. I feel powerful haha.
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Nov 1, 2019 20:56
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Did they remove the ability to check word count on the site...?
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Nov 1, 2019 21:50
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2567 after lunch and some quick post-work writing. Maybe I can sneak another 400+ in after the kids go to bed. Trying to build a buffer. Tomorrow I have both kids solo all day which is a recipe for writing a few hundred words at best
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Nov 1, 2019 22:20
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McTimmy posted:Did they remove the ability to check word count on the site...? Historically they usually don't open this up until halfway through the month. Got 1400 words or so in before going to bed, and I'm away from my computer for the whole day so that's going to have to do. I'll get a buffer going over the weekend.
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Nov 2, 2019 00:54
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