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Post by squire on Oct 18, 2006 18:28:09 GMT -5
www.nanowrimo.orgNovember is National Write a Novel in a Month...uh Month. The site above is a link to the organization that hosts this event. It's a way to get people writing and there is good support and criticism on the forums. Just wanted to pass it along.
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Post by Trent Lawless on Oct 18, 2006 20:31:19 GMT -5
Gosh, I've had two or three novels written in my head in a few days by now. It's all about finding time and getting it on paper that's tripping me up!
But interesting concept.
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Post by Matt on Oct 18, 2006 21:51:25 GMT -5
Gosh, I've had two or three novels written in my head in a few days by now. It's all about finding time and getting it on paper that's tripping me up! But interesting concept. I actually started one a couple of years ago, but lost it when I upgraded my computer and screwed up the data back-up. If I really thought I had the time, I'd give this a shot; it's a pretty cool concept. Besides if Tom can write a book, anyone can, right?  |
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Post by Gunslinger on Oct 19, 2006 8:46:36 GMT -5
Writing a novel in a month is possible if you have a clear idea of what you're going to do before you start and don't have people distracting you constantly. In August I churned out 30,000 words in five days until life derailed me. Since most novels are 50-75,000 words long, I don't think a month is that unrealistic. Anne Rice wrote the first draft of Interview with a vampire in five weeks.
November actually seems like a really bad month to try writing an entire novel, what with Thanksgiving and all. December would actually probably be the only worse month to attempt it.
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Post by ravenkai on Oct 20, 2006 21:41:45 GMT -5
I'm wanting to be a writer, so this could be fun to do.
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Post by Matt on Oct 20, 2006 22:04:41 GMT -5
I'm thinking really strongly about giving it a go.
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Post by Gunslinger on Oct 21, 2006 17:20:07 GMT -5
If you're thinking about writing a novel, this is probably a good chance to do it. I'm going to share some mistakes I've made, just so anyone who attempts it doesn't make the same ones.
- Don't try to shoe-horn your story into a specific structure. I tried to do one where each chapter is four three page segments. It worked well at first but as it went on I felt really restricted by it and lost motivation to write. It's been sitting for two months. 30,000 words and I don't know if I'll ever finish it.
- Don't let it sit too long if you do get frustrated. The only thing that got me to finish the story I worked on last year was my girlfriend asking me to finish it so she could see how it ended. Before that, it sat for six months.
- Don't tell your friends about it while you're writing. This was my biggest problem. It got to the point where I would rather hang out down at the bookstore and talk about writing than actually write. Every time I talked about it, I wouldn't write for a week or two. Finally, I just had to shut up and write.
I hope these are helpful hints. Don't make the same mistakes I've made.
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Post by Matt on Oct 22, 2006 7:00:46 GMT -5
I'm not sure if this falls into your advice about "structure," but one thing I can't do is outline the entire novel ahead of time. I know that's one of the big pieces of advice people give to "aspiring writers," but I don't work that way. Hopefully that won't be too much of a barrier if I decide to move forward with this.
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Post by Gunslinger on Oct 22, 2006 8:01:36 GMT -5
I don't do outlines either. Most of my notes are written on post-its. I guess an outline would be okay as long as you're not afraid to disregard it.
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Post by Trent Lawless on Oct 23, 2006 11:53:45 GMT -5
What I think works for me as an "outline" is to have a start point (who the people are, what their basic backgrounds are, why they are in the places they're in), a defining event that drives the story and a few details to move things along, and then an endpoint so you know what you're shooting for, at least initially. The endpoint can always change if events while writing dictate a different course. But I just like to know where it's all going to wind up. I have no motivation to write if I don't.
But good advice all around here from y'all. I'm guilty of all of it.
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Post by ravenkai on Oct 25, 2006 15:01:31 GMT -5
Well Write a Novel in a month, I have been writing short stories for a very long time now. My hubby who is Troy or Master X as he calls himself on these boards. Know I love to do nothing more than get my stories from my head to paper.
While he is at work I am doing nothing more than writing short stories I want so much to be a writer one day. I know I need to brush up on my grammar and spelling as thats not good, but i do write and get my hubby to edit my work.
I have been writing my first book for about 5 months now.,.. and Im on chapter 10...
Raven
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Post by cakejedi on Oct 26, 2006 14:12:10 GMT -5
I actually realized that I like to write thanks to playing Champions of the Galaxy. (You can read about my story on pages 136-137 of The Dark Menace of the Universe ). I have written a children's short story for my wife and am in the middle of trying to write an inspirational/motivational book. I have always wanted to try to write a Sci-fi novel. This may be the chance to give it a try. |
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Post by Matt on Nov 2, 2006 19:50:10 GMT -5
I did sign up, although I can't fathom actually completing 50,000 words in November. But at the very least it should motivate me to get started...
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