Newbies looking for mentors http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317 essbee Hi all, Please post here if you are a newbie to Nano and would like a mentor. Please state any information you feel it would be important for a mentor to know. This can include (but is not limited to) genre you are writing, your age group, your location, any skills you think you'd like to work on, what you'd like your mentor to offer and any dislikes you have when it comes to mentoring. In order to keep this forum as tidy as possible, and for mentors to find you easier, any posts looking for mentors posted elsewhere will be locked so please only use this post. Also to discuss with possible mentors please take this to nanomail so that this post does not become messy. Thanks! Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:43:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_567 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_567 lizzy16 I'd love a mentor. I'm 17, a freshman in college. I'm from NY. I'm going to college in Idaho. First time doing NaNoWriMo. I'm writing a memoir about my friend, his death and my grieving. I'd love someone just to read what I write sometimes (not every chapter obviously.). It'll be an emotional piece for me so I really would appreciate someone who will just read and let me know when they're confused. I've written a few short pieces about my friends death and i noticed sometimes i'd skip things without realizing it because its just overwhelming for me. If that makes sense? :) I'm not a grammar or spelling nazii. I want a mentor whose encouraging and all that snazzy jazz. I love writing but usually I write small short things. Skill wise I just want to get into the practice of writing again. Also, my writing/memoir will be rather religious. I'm mormon. Just an FYI :) Thanks! Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:02:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1731 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1731 Swiftflame Hello, Izzy. I'd love to help out. :) I'm a young teen and have been here for two years now. I'm a pretty good writer, and would love giving you whatever help you'd like. I'm also bright and encouraging. I'm also Mormon. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:08:14 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_2476 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_2476 muchietan I'm 17 going on 18, I'm from NSW, Australia and I'd love a mentor, someone to prod me when I get lazy, someone to motivate and encourage me. I'd like some who would let me encourage them to! (I'm obviously not mentor material, but I like being helpful) It'd be great if I have someone who, if they had the time, could read bits and pieces of my novel, to make sure I'm making sense and am not switching between past and present tense unnecessarily (something I've been known to do). I'm planning to write a YA fantasy novel, there will probably be romance to. So far my plan is to write about a dryad turned human, but I don't know if I'll stick to it, all I know is it'll definitely be YA fantasy. Please NaNomail me if your interested in being my mentor :) Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:13:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_3598 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_3598 buhbyebirdie Hello. I am 25 and I am writing a romance novel set in 1925. Ideally I'd like to work with someone else who is either a romance writer or reader (there are some tropes that are just hard to explain to the muggles and I want to make sure I'm doing them right). I'm an insane planner gone berserk and I tend to have some pacing problems that I'll need some help with. I'd love to share my plot info and character sheets with someone who might be able to objectively help me refine them before November and I'm totally up to trade labor by helping you with your information too. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:52:26 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_4774 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_4774 Delyn Hi, I'm Delyn and I would love a mentor. I am 43, a college student and grandmother. I live in the area of Brandon, Florida and plan to attend write-ins in that area. I usually write paranormal romance in the adult genre but my book for Nano is a YA novel with a paranormal element and a romantic plot. First YA novel so I am very nervous. I would like a mentor who will encourage and kick my butt as necessary to get me through. I have already completed a preliminary outline so I am determined to finish but I could use any advice on plot, characterization, and content available. I am willing to help where ever I can in return. Thanks Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:37:31 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_5198 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_5198 Gipfish EEEP! I'm getting so excited about Nano! About me: I'm a girl (Thought I'd point that out since you can't really tell from my username). I'm a Freshman English Major in Tennessee. I love fantasy and children's books, so that's what I'll be writing. I've never finished a novel before, but I do write short (very short) stories and poems. I don't like anything too dark or depressing, though, because I get too emotionally attached to books (Reading Hunger Games = Big Mistake). JK Rowling is my hero and the reason I started getting really into writing. I freak out about grammar and spelling: it has to be perfect. Although I'm not writing "Christian Fantasy," I want Jesus to be glorified in everything I do and make, and I hope to find a mentor that will hold me accountable to that. Other notes: I love everything furry and feathery and fuzzy. Dogs, cats, birds, horses, gerbils, everything. A bit obsessed. =) Not sure why, but it might be important information. Who knows? Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:19:41 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_6358 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_6358 kittymammas I am 26, will be 27 in November so it must be my month to shine anyways! This is my first year doing Nano. I found it last year but just couldn't get it together enough to write something so I didn't. This year I tried to start a Novel in March...big fall through but I kept all my pieces and plan to finish it hopefully this time next year. Then I did the worst thing, I quit writing, guess I felt like I was wasting my time. However this year I had a co worker talk to me about what books her and I read (as most writers, I am an avid reader as well) and I told her I hadn't read much because I ultimately tried to write my own. She gave me the encouragement to jump back in and here I am. My story is a fantasy, I suppose you would call it high because there is a sense of magic. It started out as something completely different then where it is now. All of a sudden halfway through my first outline my chars had some sort of identity crisis and I had to change EVERYTHING about them. They seem content now that I have created them as they were meant to be. I believe you can see my story Synopsis in my profile. I think my weakest point is definitely grammar and punctuation. I have spelling issues at times as well but with spell check I can easy fix them. I want someone to hold me accountable so I wont quit when it gets hard. I want someone to share the thrill with when I do finally finish this massive manuscript, it seems no one else but another novelist can understand the accomplishment in this. I want someone who I can come to when I am stuck and hopefully they will do the same. Hope to get a mentor! I am in love with my story this time and it has made a huge difference! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:33:12 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_6547 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_6547 Deskjet Greetings: This is my first year at attempting a novel. I'm 57 years young and ready for the adventure. I do have two daughters who have participated in Wrimo and yes, they will be encouraging me but I'd still love to have a mentor who would give me sound advice-no pandering! If you see me floundering don't be gentle--tell me to get cracking! I appreciate someone who can be tough! I'm writing a romantic/sci-fi. I'm hoping to bring out my love of StarTrek, caves, and gemology in the story. I have my outline ready to go. A story board by my computer. Characters are ready to play. I can hardly wait to get started! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:18:48 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_8230 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_8230 Usa_Ikeda Hello there! This is my first year on Nanowrimo and I am really excited! I'm 13 years old and I am ready for the ups and downs of being an author. I have 4 brothers, and a working mother and a working step-father along with my aunt who stays at home with us. Please, when you're judging my writing don't be simple and calm with me and tell me what is wrong. At times, I will cry but I'll keep it to myself and I'll try really hard. I hope to make friends with most of you and probably make a new name for myself. I am fairly tired of acting the way that other people think of me, and I want to be the way that I want to be! I'll appreciate all of you just like you will of me hopefully. I am writing a fantasy/adventure. I'm hoping that my love for Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and adventure in mangas will come together. I believe that I will have my outline formulated by the weekend and think of a story board. My characters will come naturally and I can't wait to get started! See you at the Write-In's everyone! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:45:43 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_8653 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_8653 Ghost_Feather Ah, this site really does have everything, doesn't it? I'm a Junior in college, and I just turned 21. Though I've thought about it before, this is my first year actually participating in NaNoWriMo. Mostly, I'm looking for someone who will kick me in the behind when I start slacking and someone who will motivate me when school starts getting tough (oh God, school...). The novel I'm looking to write is, if I've got my genres right, Urban Fantasy (and probably YA). I'd also like some help on some of the better ways to plan out things like plot, character arcs, etc. Basically, the mechanics of writing. Also, though not "required" per se, it'd be really helpful if you had some knowledge of anime and manga. I love to read, but a ton of my media intake is from anime and manga, which can sometimes use different narrative devices and tropes; trying to translate that into a novel could be an interesting process. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:30:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_9337 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_9337 Andr0nicus Looking for a mentor. I'm 26, planning on writing something Karamazovian and possibly dystopian. I'm interested in screwing with language from time to time a la Oulipo and I consider myself somewhat of a surrealist. But I'm inconsistent about these things. Took lots of writing courses in college. They told me my voice sounds like an elderly eight year old. Not planning on changing that. If you're okay with that stuff, I'd love your mentorship. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:17:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10143 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10143 Janeway Hi, I'm Eileen and I'm 39. I'm planning to write an sci-fi erotic romance. My main problem is that I'm a born procrastinator. I will need regular kicks up the rear end. My planning is usually next to nothing but I hope to at least have a vague plot and some characterisation done before I start in November. I live in Scotland. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:28:26 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10368 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10368 Teri-K Greetings. I'm a 50ish new Nanoer. I'm planning on writing the historical novel that's been rattling around in my head for years. It's not quite a romance and not exactly christian fiction, but something along those lines... Set in Philadelphia in the 1890s. I'd love to have someone who would be willing to just keep in touch, check up on my word count, and encourage me to keep going, as I tend to chicken out and get second thoughts at the last minute. (Maybe I shouldn't do it this year... Maybe I'm not ready...) I also tend to procrastinate. In return, I'll tell you how great you are. :) Thanks. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:32:31 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10428 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10428 hollybug26 Hi! I'm 27 and this is my first year doing Nano. I work full time and am a single mom for a 4 year old so I need a mentor who can start kicking me in the butt when I start to fall behind and not be gentle. I'm planning on writting a novel set during WWII in the USA about 4 friends and how the war changes them. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:41:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10597 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10597 KKDestiny Hiya! I'm KKDestiny. It's often shortened to KK or Des. Your choice, I don't really care XD Um, i'm 19 and this'll be my first year participating in nanowrimo. As of yet I don't really do much, like, I sit around and sleep all day- When I'm not preparing breakfast/lunch/dinner for the house I might do dishes XD. I recently got an official ID so I'm thinking of getting a checking account and an online job soon :O but whatever &gt;. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:04:05 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10992 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10992 KKDestiny ... it seems my post got cut off or something o.o; So I'll just restate: I'm not sure what I'll need help with, but it would be nice just to have a specific person to turn to and ask questions. I'll admit I'm a bit of a procrastinator and tend to smack into walls quite a bit. Quick little writing prompts are a good way to kick me back onto the path. :) Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:06:57 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_11043 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_11043 colorful_fire Hi! I'm Allie and this is my second nanowrimo (let's not discuss my first, too painful O.o). I am 17 years old and I'm planning on doing some form of young adult book, but not really sure about that. I would love a mentor who would yell at me, as strange as that sounds, because I give up on things kind of easily but I really want to finish nanowrimo this year. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:46:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_11771 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_11771 Purple99 Hi, my name's Amy, I'm fourteen and this is my first NaNo (not counting Camp NaNo). I'd like a mentor who'd keep my morale up and encourage me to keep writing. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:23:13 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12431 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12431 goodgreek Hi! I'm Katie, age 25, and this is my first NaNo. I'm planning on setting it at a boarding school circa the last 10 years. My writing style is very much not the happy-go-lucky/free/writing-style that really suits NaNo; it tends to be contrived and very structured, so I'll need help in that area. I don't really want it to, but I think it likely that my story will venture into YA territory. I'm looking for a mentor who can give me a kick when I get stuck and stubborn, maybe give me a pointer in the right direction. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:38:37 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12722 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12722 Atomic_Revenge Heya everyone! I'm Daria, I'm 15 and really terrified (*cough* I mean, pumped) by the prospect of witing my first NaNo of 50000 words along one plot line with my exams half way through the month. I'm know for giving up. I'm known for being crazy. I'm known for being insane. And also for sometimes being mean. But I promise I'll be nice to you, I would love to have a mentor who could guide me a little when I stray off in the wrong direction or decide to procrastinate. Although I do hope you'll be able to kick my butt when I get stubborn. Cause I can get really stubborn. And now no-one's gonna want to help me haha. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:50:08 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_12947 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_12947 Jack1761 Hi! I'm Ingrid and I'm a notorious procrastinator... This is my first time doing NaNo, although I have tried to write plenty of novels before - unfortunately it's been a while since I last finished anything. So if there is anyone willing to mentor me, give me the occasional encouragement/arm-twisting/kick to get me writing and quite possibly listen to me whine when I get myself hopelessly entangled in my many unexpected plot twists, I'd love to hear from you! Btw, I am female, 38 years old, based in Germany (writing in English though) and I am writing something historical (Napoleonic era), based in Vienna in 1814. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:52:49 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_12994 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_12994 JemmaJ Hello there, I'm Jemma; 28 lady from the UK. I am hoping to be writing my first NaNo novel about a girl who finds out about her true family history - a little magical with a lot of adventure; its aimed at the young adult. I am looking for a mentor who is willing to be there as a person who can get me moving when things are hard - posstive outcomes and words of wisdom would be excellent. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:02:26 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_13193 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_13193 Inferno Hi, I'm Dante, age 17 from PA. This is my first NaNo, a sci-fi mecha war story combined with a m/m romance. While I think I have the war and military aspect down, I'm still pretty shaky on the romance and character development- I'd love to have a Mentor to help with that sort of thing! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:22:25 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_13586 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_13586 lovetowrite95 Hello! My name is Elizabeth and this is my first NaNo. I'm writing it on romance and I am from Charlotte, NC. I am a junior in high school and I love to write. I usually use creative writing when I write stories so my story will be fiction. I want a mentor to keep pushing me to continue writing when I don't want to and feel like my story has lost my interest because I always end up usually figuring some way to revive it. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:28:30 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_13704 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_13704 MeridianSkye Hi, Valentina from NY here! I'm 18 and in my first year of college. This is my first Nano, although I had considered doing it last year. I think my novel would fall under the category of fantasy, but it'll have some mystery and comedy aspects to it. It's basically about a guy who gets pulled into a dream world, but it's a bit more complex than that. Primarily what I'm looking for is someone whose going to keep me from losing focus on my story. I might also ask for character development or dialogue help, because I find that I need to work on those things. But that's just me. Any help would be much appreciated. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:33:14 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_13779 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_13779 craftytexangirl My name is Veronica and I will be turning sixteen in December. I am a sophomore in high school and live in Connecticut. I don't quite yet know what my novel will be about but I have a few ideas I'm thinking about. I really want someone who's done Nano before because this is my first year and I truly want to accomplish this goal but I have little to no faith in my own capability. I want someone who knows the tips and tricks of working yourself into it. And ... someone who's nice. :3 Hehe. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:48:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_14022 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_14022 the_silent_reader I'm a junior in high school and this is my first NaNo. I live on a farm in Missouri. I'm looking for someone to help me stay on track. I'm one of those people that procrastionate big time. I'm not thinking of doing that with my novel, but I do it a lot with my homework. I'm currently planing on writing a fantasy novel. But I might change my idea. I already changed it once since I started thinking up ideas in the beginning of October. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:20:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_14577 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_14577 fluteplayer Hi! I'm Morgan, and I'm 14. So..... I REALLY need a mentor. I've been writing for a while, but the fastest I've ever "finished" a book was about five months.... and it was about 40000 words long. Yeah. Fail. So, I guess I mostly need somebody to light a fire under my butt and make me write when I really don't want to. And I tend to be really lazy. My book is going to be a dystopian/fantasy/sci-fi/romance, and the summary is on my profile. I live in Alabama. Ummmm..... I think that's all...... Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:21:41 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_14599 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_14599 iridescent1 Hi, I'm Iridescent. I've attempted to do NaNoWriMo before, but always lost my way before the halfway point. This year I'm writing a young adult fantasy novel, and I would love it if a mentor could just keep pestering me about following through with the whole thing. I'm a college student with a job and a full plate of upper-level English classes on my plate, so any encouragement from a mentor to help stay focused would be greatly appreciated. Please nanomail me if at all interested in adopting me. Thanks. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:14:54 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_15584 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_15584 StarshipRangerSarah Hi, I'm Sarah and this is my first year doing NaNoWriMo. I'm 15 and a Sophomore in high school. I plan on writing a young adult fantasy novel. I'm looking for a mentor who will be able to push me through the month of November and encourage me that it will all be worth it in the end. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:42:48 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_17246 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_17246 quietborderline Hi there! My name is Ros, I am 27 years old, and this is my first REAL attempt at NaNo. I have "participated" several times before but gave up during Week 1 if not earlier. I'm looking for a mentor to help keep me going. My main problems are procrastination/losing focus, and being EXTREMELY insecure and self-loathing at times. This year I am more motivated and confident than ever, and I'm looking to keep it that way. The main things I'm looking for in a mentor is just someone to talk about the process with, and perhaps give advice/pointers now and then. I have no clue what I'm going to write about, though it will probably be fanfiction, so if that doesn't float your boat you probably don't want to mentor me. But ANY help and guidance would be very much appreciated. Thanks! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:04:25 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_17684 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_17684 Kaister_Azira Hello, I'm Kaister and I'm looking for a mentor/support/help/soundboard. My first year NaNoing and Im rather terrified at the fact that I'm planning on participating but I"m determine to try and reach the end. My idea is a retelling/remix/continuation (IDK) of the Psyche and Eros greek mythology story. I have ideas but have no clue of go to start, go at them or how to really incorporate them in. I also have no real background on anything greek (or roman?) lifestyle, word/terms, and whatnot which I think I might need...? So someone who can help me refine my ideas, help me in terms/background, keep my natural procrastination at bay (or kick me into gear), can tell me 'this makes no sence' and help me figure out why, or just be there to help answer questions, would be wonderful. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:26:27 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_18136 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_18136 Shree My name is Shree, I'm 22, and this will be my first attempt at NaNo! I've wanted to write a novel for years, and this atmosphere seemed like the perfect opportunity for me. While I've been incredibly anxious for the last few days to just START writing, I don't know how long into November this feeling will last. It'd be great to have a mentor to check up on me pretty frequently and remind me to keep motivated. Secondly, I've written stories in the past and am prone to writing scenes and pieces as I think of them, with virtually no plan. If I'm going to seriously do this, it'd be nice to have someone guide me through the planning and outline process, and force me to look at WHY I'm writing certain scenes or characters, versus just writing it down because I think it sounds good. I want my novel to progress and not just be a bunch of words on paper. If you think you can help me through this, I'd love to have you as a mentor! :) Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:10:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_23404 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_23404 Linchy Linchy, 13, Australian, Muslim. Asian. Nearly forgot. I've had a lot of bad 'novels' in the past, and there's only been one 'project' that I've been able not to wince at! I've never gotten past a hundred pages for any novel at all (not that I can remember) and I've only been writing - quote, end quote - seriously for two and a bit years. I'm a sleep deprived child and I live where nothing matters; where the only things that keep me standing are food and friends. And my mum. Kinda. My 2011 Nano includes Brazilian snobs, Portuguese runaways, a five year old and a mixed mafia. I'm HOPING it'll be a thriller/mystery/action, but because I'm weird I have no idea how it's going to turn out. Please help me, cause I'm in need of some socialising. And mentoring. Duh. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:11:25 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_23838 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_23838 SecretlySabrina I'm seventeen and this is my first NaNoWriMo. I'm an avid writer, so I am actually quite surprised that I have never heard of this before! You can find my plot synopsis on my Nano look up. The novel I would like to do is mainstream fiction/slice of life. I'm in my last year of high school and I get unbelievable writer's block like you wouldn't believe! I am also known for my procrastination "skills". A mentor that is somewhat aggressive and not afraid to give me a kick in the arse once in a while would be much loved. I'll try not to be a bother, haha. S.O.S.! Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:34:18 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_25547 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_25547 rashmijayakrishnan I am trying to write a novel for the first time...actually I dont have accurate idea about what I am going to write. I would like a mentor who could guide,support and correct me . Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:08:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_25850 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_25850 Lonaneomaflame Hi I'm Cathrin, I am eighteen, and this is my first year doing NaNo and I would love to have a mentor (obviously). I am a freshman in college and I have nineteen credit hours, I also run an organization called Names in the Clouds (which I don't get paid for) these things pretty much take up all of my time so during NaNo I will be putting my org on the back burner no matter how much complaining I get. I an not a planner, I never plan out anything unless it's graded (and then I write it first then do the outline). and I have no idea what I want to write about yet and that decision i believe will be made on November first when I start writing. I normally write Fanticey, historical fiction, or normal fiction, and there is always some kind of love in the story because I just can't get away from that. I'd love to have someone who would just make sure I'm keeping up with my writing and remind me that I need to write if I'm behind; also some one who is willing to help with things if I need it and some one who would be happy just having an everyday conversation with me, as I would like my mentor to also be my friend. :) Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:13:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_29436 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_29436 howl_owl Hello! I'm Ayan, I'm 18 and this is my first NaNo. My story is about a quirky and socially awkward girl who has a hobby that is she loves to create different stories about strangers that she meets at work. I haven't written full-length but I have always had some idea in my head. I would love to have a mentor to kick start me from time to time as I am a well known procrastinator, as well for some to proof read my strory. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:10:16 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_30196 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_30196 Jazz.Coffee.Love Okay, Okay...I admit, I have a habit of jumping in the deep end and drowning...bad. So, I'm asking for support ahead of perceived, probable catastrophe - how responsible of me; my shrink would be so proud : ) Details: I'm writing LitFic, I think, about two idealistic people whose lives get tangled together to a jazz soundtrack. My main problems are turning concepts into actual plot points that drives the story forward, and keeping motivated if that dry biscotti of doubt catches in my throat, which it absolutely will. Then I think, "who are you kidding?" and everything stops. *Actually, I love biscotti. Don't know why I made doubt 'biscotti'* Anyway, I really want to make this work, so... I'm 27, based in London, and I'm not sure what I'm asking for, but if you think you could provide some support for my freak-out moments and maybe let me bounce some plotting problems off you, I would love to hear from you : ) Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:27:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_31393 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_31393 Dfreeman321 Hey, I'm Dan. 21 years old and a college student. I'm studying Criminal Justice, and my first NaNo attempt will be this November (in the midst of numerous essays and papers....) With that out of the way, I am looking for a mentor with similar interests and a discipline that will help keep me on track and on time. Ideally this is someone who can punch, kick and scream though not necessarily in that order. I wouldn't consider myself a distinctly talented writer (does anyone?) but I do tend to have some fun doing it. I typically write in multiple genres, often threading together a few. My favorites delve heavily into fantasy and science fiction, though I have written some pretty depressing AND hilarious things. The good kind of depressing by the way. Not the kind you want to play trash can basketball with. Maybe I didn't need to clarify... I'm told my voice is characterized heavily by rhythm- that it flows very smoothly from passage to passage. I frequently use repetition emphasis and the "rule of three." I am not so much a stickler for grammar. An author's use of grammar is almost as big a factor in their writing style as their word choice. It becomes frustrating when an editor takes a red pen to your work strictly for grammar and ignores how the used punctuation (or lack there of) creates a different feel in the words. I'm sure I'm not the only one. My novel this year will incorporate adventure, travel, romance, comedy, tragedy and music all in one heaping pile of garbage I will sort out during editing. If I tweaked your interest and have you begging to know how it begins; great! I would love to know as well! Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:42:49 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_31643 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_31643 knightk7 Hello. My name is Lia. I'm looking for a mentor! I'm a 20 year old sophomore. I'll be getting my Associates in Biology in May 2012. This will be my first year doing NaNo. I tried a few years back but I made excuses not to attempt it. This year will be different! The new trend of sparkly vampires and very awkwardly acting werewolves has motivated me to show the world that we need to get back to the old fashioned vampires and werewolves that had you so afraid that you didn't eat anything that didn't have garlic in it and always wore silver. :D I already know that my story will have a medieval/paranormal adventure plot dealing with a female main character. I really need help with motivation or I will start sidetracking and not get anything done. Um, let's see I can be contacted through email, instant messenger and texting. Well now that you know what I'm about, would you please be my mentor? Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:22:38 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_34144 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_34144 irfantasywriter Hi, my name is Lisa, but everyone calls me "Thumper"... you can too! My agemometor is permanently set to 25, but I won't say how long it's actually been stuck there, lol ;) I have a few challenges so need a mentor who is patient, understanding, and is also tenacious as a raccoon wiht his paw in a candy jar-- see that typo? "Wiht"? That is one of my problems. Due to a concussion I received in a car wreck a few years back I have a tendency to transpose like that. I also have some memory and concentration difficulties, so trying to complete NaNo is going to be interesting to say the least...! Other than dealing with the aforementioned difficulties I have the following requests in a mentor so we click: --A sense of humor is a must --Similar writing/reading preferences (check out my Goodreads link on my NaNo profile) --Similar belief system (Christian, non-denominational but raised Conservative Baptist) As a bonus it wouldn't hurt if you are a country music fan (especially of Keith Urban!) and also have some RPG/"Interactive Fiction" experience. If you're interested in mentoring me, or being a Writing Buddy, send me a NaNo mail. Thanks and good luck this year! :) ~Lisa aka "Thumper"/irfantasywriter Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:18:22 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_35016 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_35016 Pandah Hi I am Kirstie, but everyone calls me Pandah~ The novel I am working on this year is an action/fiction novel, and while I have a good idea of what I am doing, I have a huge problem with learning to move from one point to the next fluently. If anyone is interested, I'm looking for a good pal to prod me in the behind and make me go. I love those with a sense of humor, and maybe someone who is willing to throw out or exchange outrageous plot ideas (as those somehow tend to get me going in the right direction?) I ain't picky and I get lonely very easily so send me a mail if you think you can handle me! hehe. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:38:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_36271 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_36271 Iwrite4Him Hello, Just call me IWrite4Him. but if that is to long for you then just call me IWrite. :) I would like someone to just be able to tell me a bit about this NANO. and where i can find things and what to do. [I am new to it all] Only girls please answer this. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:04:05 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_36668 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_36668 Starcloud12 Hey, I'm Starcloud. I'm completely lost. I need a mentor who will at least: -Show me around -Tell me what I need to know -Help me find any of my friends who want to be buddies with me That's just minimum requirement for me since I'm literally lost on this site and don't even know what else I'll need help with. Thank you ahead of time. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:37:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_37124 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_37124 EmJBarraclough Hi, My name is Emma, I'm 35 and live in yorkshire (GMT time). This is the first year i have attempted this. I am not sure how i am going to do it as i work full time, am doing an english lit degree and trying to learn to drive, i think time management is going to be my biggest hurdle. I usually don't usually plan though i am intending to cheat slightly and try to do a synopsis for the main plot lines before i start, though i have two very different ideas and i'm not sure which one to run with at the mo. One is a mystery/romance with two entwined plot - one WWII time the other present day - the other is a crime fiction/mystery / thriller ala john grisham. I am a world class procrastinator and am certain i will need someone to give me a frequent gentle prod to get me going, if you are able to help me i would love to hear from you please send me a NaNoMail thanks Emma Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:34:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_41495 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_41495 Elsen Hey, I'm Sophie - known mostly by my online persona of Elsen. I've been a blogger for a few years and whipped off a 5500 word blog article on the history of the Legend of Zelda yesterday so I felt like I should give this a go. I'd love to complete something, but my problem is going to be knowing where to start!! Would love a NaNoWriMo experienced mentor to help me through it and giving me boots up the arse when it's needed! Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:16:46 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_41783 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_41783 Elyndra Hi, my name is Soraya. I’m 25, I live in Belgium and obviously this is my first time. I mostly write fantasy, but I do tend to cross over from time to time into other genres. I can’t plan my stories, even if my life depended on it. Mostly because my characters seem to have a mind of their own and do what they want despite what I planned or not. I’m not a demanding newby ^-^ I’m mostly just looking for a mentor who can give me some words of encouragement once in a while. I tend to get really self critical about my writing and get writers block because nothing that comes out seems good enough. And someone who won’t think I’m crazy if I talk about my chars as if they are alive, or how they are running amock in my head. On the other hand I do not respond well to ‘force’. If I feel pressured into something I freeze up, so trying to kick me into gear won’t work on me. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:56:44 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_45901 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_45901 DonaNobisPacem I'm Bri, age 14, and this is my first NaNo. I've been around friends that have done NaNo, therefore convincing me to. I generally write mystery or dark stories. I'm not very structured at all when it comes to writing. I have no plan for my plot, although I know who my characters are going to be. I can be very ornery or stubborn, but I should write almost every day, provide I have time while dodging through homework and studying. I would like a mentor that can encourage me, but isn't afraid to give me a swift kick to get me going. I probably won't take too well to the swift kick, but it'll get me working. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:13:26 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_48526 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_48526 BlessedBklynite I am a Newbie looking for a Mentor, please :) BlessedBklynite Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:47:44 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_48938 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_48938 Holly-Louise I'm 17 and have been wanting to do NaNo for ages but this year I'm determined to complete it. I'm a student and I live in the UK. I tend to write realistic fiction, usually about people of a similar age group to me. My novel does involve physical and sexual abuse, so please can I have a mentor that feels comfortable reading about that. I'm happy to take criticism, and would rather someone was quite detailed rather than trying to make me feel good about my work if it's really terrible. I also might need someone who doesn't mind yelling at me over email or IM if I get behind on my word count! Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:25:24 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_49356 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_49356 not-a-damsel-in-distress Hi, I'm Gabbie, 13, and this is my first NaNo (obviously). I'm an extremely free-wheeling writer, and my story will probably be about someone falling into an alternate world (pretty Alice in Wonderland-esque). I'm looking for a mentor who can point me in the right direction, or to prod me when I'm being lazy, or just to bounce ideas off of. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:29:41 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_55342 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_55342 Faeriewitch Greetings all, I am a newbie of note! Never having been published before. I also need a mentor badly - cannot seem to find how this whole November thingy works. I have just completed a creative writing course (lies! actually, have one assignment left to write) and on the newsfeed this came up. Well, I jumped in without even giving it much thought. Is there someone out there willing to lead this blind newbie please? A tad more about me: I will be 56 in November. I have a very boring bookkeeping job, from 8 to 5. However, I am a natural healer and have formulated, make and sell from home a range of natural products too, i.e. soap, cream, etc. I have two constant companions and distractions in my felines. I live alone in Pretoria, South Africa. I have a vague idea of how I would fulfill the 50k word count, but that is about all! Anyone care to take me under their wing please? I posted this in the introducing myself site, and it will probably be removed, so have pasted it in here too. Thanks! Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:06:57 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_55532 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_55532 SecretlySabrina Yay! I found a mentor! Thanks so much! :) Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:34:07 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_56129 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_56129 Scribal Goddess Hi everyone! I am Leia, aka Scribal Goddess, from South Africa. I'm 30 (or will be in 10 days), married, have 3 kids under 7 with a full-time job and some part-time piece work to make some extra money. I have an on-again off-again book blog and am absolutely crazy about reading. I've finished the first draft of my first novel earlier this year (YAY ME!!!!) but haven't had the courage to re-read and/or edit it, so as you can tell, I'm really hard on myself and my writing, which tends to lead to me freezing up or going into a "this isn't nearly good enough!" panic. My fave genres to read/write include YA, Dystopian, anything with the supernatural, horror, thriller, fantasy, Urban Fantasy... anything spec fic, actually, although I technically am an omnivore in my reading habits. I'd love to find a mentor who can help me through my writing angst (hey, I grew up on Dawson's Creeck and My So-Called life, angst is built in! ;p) and reminds me that it doesn't have to be good, just be on the page. Also, it would be super if they could offer technical advice (transitions! I suck so much at them!) as well as have knowledge of the spec fic "scene"/genre/conventions and balancing work, family, writing and sanity. Feel free to IM or NaNomail me! Thanks! SG Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:03:35 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_59290 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_59290 Wolfme Hey potential Wrimoentor, I'm Al and I'm a 35 year old Christian. I live in Liverpool UK and would like a really, really nice mentor please. I'm having a heart/mind struggle over a trilogy of novels that have been in my head since I was about 12, though almost all of my characters come under a no no in Christian circles. And I partially feel that God want's me to rewrite King David's story, though I really don't know how. What I am looking for in a mentor: I would prefer them to be a Christian. To give advice, guidance and prayer. And maybe the occasional pep-talk. If you feel up to that then please feel free to mail me. Thanks Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:14:59 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_59425 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_59425 Chokamix I looked through the mentors page but figured everyone must be getting like 1000 requests! So I figured it might be better to post here and if any mentor has the time to take a COMPLETE Newbie on... please consider me :) So Hi! My name is Juliana. I am 24 and from Brazil even though I've lived about 7 years in the US already (thus giving me the ability to speak English really well). I just graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design as a Sequential Art major. That means I draw comic books.. but I write them too! Story is my everything but my biggest problem is that I can always come up with new stories out of the blue and end up never being able to stick with one for too long... I figured NaNoWriMo might help me break that ugly habit. I am also not confident about my writing. Having a mentor and someone to talk to about stories would be simply AMAZING! I love talking, I do it too much, and world building is extremely fun for me, but I know I have other stuff to do too so someone to whip me into shape would be perfect for this month of November. About my story: I'm not really sure if I'm going with this one yet but so far it seems to be the one. Here's the title and Log-line. I haven't written a summary for it yet but it's something I can talk more about with a mentor later (and hopefully my logline peeks people's interest). Title: Camafeu Logline: Once you're in, not even death can pull you out. As for Genre... It's kind of Historical Fiction but not really? In my head it's fantasy but that's because I am terrible at figuring out genre! I'm sorry if I seem a mess! I do (kind of) know what I'm doing! Thanks guys! :) Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:04:06 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_65074 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_65074 SVEllis Hey all. I'm Ellis. I'm a 22 year old guy from Pennsylvania and this is my first time trying NaNo. I've thought about it several times but have always had commitment issues (my son's mom will agree :P) I've already got my story totally planned out but what I'm really looking for, I think, is help finding that middle ground between realistic dialogue and boring rambling. Also, someone who can help me define my genre? I was saying literary fiction (cause my novel doesn't have a clear a-b-c plot) for a while and then started to think that was wrong so I started thinking commercial fiction but I feel that may be wrong as well. My story takes place between July 2 and 4 2010 in a small town called Majestic, West Virginia. A teen's car breaks down on his way home from a road trip and he ends up spending three days in town waiting to leave. In those three days he meets various members of the town ranging from the owner of the local bar, a failed local politician who takes her dream position very seriously, a younger teen who reminds him of himself, and many others. But now the important part. All these people are held together by various lies. Some are lying to one another about fidelity, some about idealogy, others identity and with the sudden inclusion of an outsider, these lies finally get exposed and the town begins to unravel. If you think you could help me with anything I'd love a message! Thank you! Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:09:49 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_67837 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_67837 Miss Evi3e Haii my name's Eviee. I'm seventeen and currently in my last year of college, I'm a dance student. Although I have a great love for books and writing. I'm planning to set my book possibly in the 1500's around the time of King Henry the eight because I'm really interested in the time and feel I'd get on better. My style of writing is a bit like write what comes to mind and hope it sounds good/edit it later sorta thing because I have such a busy lifestyle I tend to write whenever I can. The only problems I tend to have is running out of ideas and just dropping the entire project. I think I need a lot of encouragement to keep going and help me sort all my ideas out and get them onto paper as soon as possible. Another thing I tend to like to do I have someone read over small sections of my work to give me proper feedback whether I need to change parts of change the way I write them that sorta thing. The last sentence is opitional.. Thank You! (: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:06:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_68254 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_68254 Miss Evi3e Forgot to mention I'm from England! Sorry! *hides* Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:07:53 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_68257 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_68257 kshitijsalve Hey, I just discovered NaNoWriMo. I think its fantastic and sort of makes me think if I am up to it. I am a copywriter and writing is my job, or at least a part of it. But writing is still the first love as opposed to advertising. I'd love to have some mentor me. I am very open to suggestions but I think I'd like to take the final call because it has to be my voice at the end of the day. Looking forward, Cheers! Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:30:26 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_69054 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_69054 FionaAnne Hello! I'm Fiona, 22, just finished university and this is my first NaNoWriMo! I would be good to have someone to help out a bit, push me in the right direction, a bit of advice for planning, etc, just general stuff! (And of course someone to chat to when it gets to November 29th and I'm down a few thousand words XD) I'm writing a romantic story (I think!) Sort of like 'One Day' by David Nicholls Thank you! =) Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:03:02 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_69801 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_69801 acquavite1982 HAI. I'm Brandy and I'm 29 years old. I've been saying I'm going to do NaNoWriMo for YEARS. This is the year I'm going to stop saying it and start doing it. :) My influences are Stephen King and the Walking Dead graphic novels. I've always had a fascination with apocalyptic stories and that's what my story will be about, but with a different twist. I am looking for a mentor who likes those kinds of stories and would be willing to offer a newb some help! :) Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:29:05 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_72124 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_72124 Chepri Gaaah!! Only 16 days left! I am not prepared!!! T.T Need mentor badly... Been thinking about what to write for ages, it keeps changing. Options are: - Collection of random fairy tails - Story about a drawing I once did (fantasy, scifi, creatures) - A combination of previous two (the random themes of the fairy tails will have to be intwinted in the other story) - Fanfiction (my easy way out. I'd rather not do this, but it will be easy to write for me since I'm used to it.) - Story about some SCI/Hospital/Friends thing, where you have a group of people who live together and deal with different espects of crimes (a doctor, coroner, cop, lawer etc). - Stories based on dreams I have. And I have plenty that have some kind of storyline in them. Yes.. mahem, I appologize. My weakness is my grammar... (I'm from the Netherlands so English is not my native language) And I'll probably be strugling getting the word quata every day. I'm a slacker, but I really want to achieve this! XD Please help me! Especially if you recognize yourself in me and have done this challenge before! ^^ Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:55:05 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_72429 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_72429 Sarah FamousWriter Me: Sarah (42), UK. I work 4 days a week, have a fab husband and 2 lovely boys (5 and 2). Determined to make the time to write. Have 2 novels in the bottom drawer. One is a thriller which I published on Kindle. Am determined to be make a name for myself. Genre: Mass market fiction Novel: Tracks Synopsis: Still sketchy - but here's the idea: 18mths after a serious rail crash in the UK. Follows the lives of 6 individuals who don't know each other and yet their lives are interlinked. They have all been affected iin some way by the crash and are intending to go to the 2 year remembrance event. The climax at this event will resolve, inflame, and change the lives of these 6 people, some for the better, some not. Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:22:19 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_73303 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_73303 ravenakasha Hi, I'm Raven and I'm writing for the first time ever. I'm 38 and I had a few ideas and was finally convinced to pen them. I could use all the help I can get. I prefer the fantasy genre, but Greek mythology may become a very big part if I decide to finish the vampire story. It shouldn't be very adult, tho it can be if need be. Bear that in mind if you are willing to help any! Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:33:40 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_73442 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_73442 kfields Hello. I am new to NaNoWriMo and would like to find someone to help me filter through the overflowing quagmire of ideas I have hidden between my ears. Before we start though there are a few things i should probably say about myself. First off I must warn you that i never seem to run out of questions or spurt of the moment ideas. I am 21 years old and live in Chesapeake, Ohio. This is the first time i have ever written a novel. Even though i am looking for someone to help me i would also like it if i could help out with your novel somehow. I am not real sure what else to put here so if you have any questions feel free to ask me. I will get back to them asap. by the way my name is Kenny Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:16:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_76624 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_76624 Willowcloud Hi there! I'd prefer not to go by my first name, so just call me Willow/Willowcloud. Admittedly, the main character in my story is named Willow...I'm not exactly creative when it comes to name, and tend to reuse names. This is my first time doing NaNo, though I did do camp in August (and got over 50K, I'm happy to say!). I'm writing a fantasy/possibly horror novel for NaNo, with an audience of YA. I'm definitely on the young side of the spectrum (Alright, the youngest possible) as I'm 13. I'd like a mentor who isn't /too/ far out of my age range, say, less than 23 would be nice? This isn't a requirement by any means - I'd just prefer someone who's closer to my age. The main thing I'm looking for is someone who can answer any questions regarding write-ins, abbreviations, that sort of thing. Someone who'll bug me to write 2K a day would be helpful, too. And anyone who can get me out of my bad habit of using commas and hyphens would certainly be a welcome sight. Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:13:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_77877 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_77877 Drahcier Teragram My name is Maggie:) I'm thinking of writing a 19th century european novel, with some fantasy plotlines... I would love a mentor with experience writing something like that... Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:21:58 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_77961 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_77961 emilyelst I have only recently discovered NaNoWriMo, and I am in turns enthusiastic and terrified. What a great idea (I think),and how completely impossible (I also think), and then what an interesting month November will be... I am hoping to develop some writing discipline and to learn how to write with abandon (no re-reading or self editing and no concern over the literary value of my words). I just want to write and forget about whether it is 'the idea' or 'the book' or even if it's a story I want to be part of. I just want to appreciate the journey. So, I work full time and find myself constantly distracted by life. I am used to achieving my goals, and now I feel a little adrift. If you have pulled this off before, and think 50K words in a month with a job is not at all unrealistic, than I need your help! I could use an ally and am hoping for a mentor with a few tricks'n'tips up their sleeve, or at least a good sense of humour when it all turns to sh*#. I could really use an experienced partner in this journey, so if you feel like coming along for the ride or having a voyeur along on yours, then I'm your man (woman). Anyhow.., anyone out there feel like sharing a first NaNoWriMo journey with a confident and confused individual who has not yet picked a topic but is determined to achieve the end goal well... Looking for back up.. Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:51:58 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_79759 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_79759 SpikeWyatt This is my first NaNo and I'm scared. 50k words (that make some kind of sense) is pretty darned scary. I'm doing a first-person time travel science fiction thing, based primarily in the present (1980s onwards) and bits in the future. It's a bit of mess, with deliberate complexity (with good reason, honest), a main character who has a special talent and is amnesiac (with good reason, honest), a bad guy who's a bit mental, people who aren't what they seem, a cat called Franck and a lot of unexplained stuff that will only become clear near/at the end. Unfortunately, my characterisation skills probably need work, my dialogue sucks and I regularly feel like I'm writing absolute rubbish. I'm also an obsessive editor, so I have to stop doing that. I do have a sense of humour, though, and I'm very friendly (not in a weird, creepy, stalker-like way, I promise) and - so I've been told once or twice - very encouraging (read "motivational", although I hate that non-word). I'm very logical and blunt, too, so if you're writing something that might have plot holes, I'll probably stick my feet in them and shout about it. If there's anyone out there who wants to share a pointy stick with which to prod each other and work on our weaknesses, give me a shout. Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:10:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_82281 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_82281 Ksimpson1998 Hi! My name is Katie age 13, and this is my first NaNo. I really just need someone to keep me on the right path and make sure that I'm not being lazy! MY book is about a girl named Ava who through no fault of her won is frozen in time in another dimension and she can see all her friends and family growing up and h=getting married but they can't see her or hear her. Then one day she sees a strange little boy named Jackson and she says something to herself and when she does that he looks at her and asks what she just said. And then the story goes on from there. So if anyone is intorested in helping me out just PM me and let me know. Thanks so much! :) Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:48:03 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_83821 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_83821 MarGro Looking for a mentor. I need and want to write a novel, to see if I'm able to do that. Also I promised that I'll write a dedication in my first book (whatever that book may be) to a special person. I'm planning to write a book, which is playing with the feelings of the reader. My protagonist evolves during his self- discovery process and finds out things that I'd be afraid of myself. Sry for my bad english, I always try my best and will write the novel in german. I'd be glad for any help. MarGro Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:01:03 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_83973 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_83973 TheWitchingWell Hello, my name is Cassandra and this is my first nano! I'm 20, and a full time college student [which is why I need to be violently prodded along and encouraged]. I am a procrastinator, and I hate that. My story idea is darker, focusing on espionage, unintended romance, and familial betrayal. When I get stuck I like to search for phrases or titles that catch my eye and make me think how they would apply to my characters and normally that's how I push myself when I get stuck, so if my mentor wanted to send me interesting things like that it'd be super helpful. So if you think you could mentor me and help me out, drop me a nanomail, I'm online pretty frequently doing research, so getting a hold of me shouldn't be a problem. Thanks in advance! Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:47:04 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_86768 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_86768 mizrani Hi! I'm Rani. I'm interested in writing romance. I have lots of stories that I've started but have yet to finish. I seem to always lose steam about 10 pages in. I respond well to structure and discipline but given an inch, I'll procrastinate. I'm tired of wanting to finish, starting to write, losing steam, hating myself for not finishing, then gaining momentum to write (maybe this time I can do it) just to lose steam all over again. This cycle has to be broken, its maddening! My goal this time around isn't about perfection or creating the best thing ever written. The goal is just to finish. I need someone who takes this seriously and pushes me to reach the finish line. Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:06:30 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_87755 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_87755 Lovable Rogue I carelessly lost my mentor during the big website reshuffle so I'm back here again. I can't remember the name of my old mentor and since I haven't heard from them I don't know if we'll ever find each other again. If they see this message please message me back, if not I am in need of a new mentor! I don't want to be a traitor but I'm worried about getting to November and being without one so I will have to assume I am orphaned. I'm a 21 year old girl from England and it's my first NaNo and novel. I have my plot just about planned (although I will probably leave the finer details til the last minute as always) and I'd say it was mainstream fiction with a touch of romance. I'm a terrible commitaphobe when it comes to writing but I'm really determined to finish this book! Although I am not picky at all it would be great to have someone who either lives in America or has been there a few times since most of my novel will be set there and my knowledge is limited to a couple of states. It's not a deal breaker though so don't be put off me if that doesn't include you. Thanks, L.R Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:52:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_88331 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_88331 CatsCradle Hi, I'm CatsCradle, 29 and in the UK. This is my first attempt at writing anything, seriously, I have no idea what I'm doing! I have plenty of ideas but no real knowledge about how to structure them into anything remotely readable. I'm hoping to write something set in England in the 1990s/ present day, so someone who can remember the early 90s would be a bonus. I'm not sure whether I will be able to get enough mileage out of my current idea so I might switch to something completely different. I'm aiming to use this project as a tool to get me started writing regularly, even if it's complete rubbish that comes out. Any help would be most appreciated! Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:41:13 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_91309 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_91309 Amers Hi all! I am 27 and this will be my first year participating in Nano although I have wanted to for several years. In the past, I've either been unprepared or haven't caught it until it was half over. This is my year!!! :) In the past I've written fan fiction, mainly crossovers because I liked finding ways to mix up worlds but in the last couple of years, I've been coming up with my own stories. My problem has to do with closing the deal, so to speak, and momentum. Whenever I've gotten close to finishing in the past, I've always felt like the story didn't seem complete enough. This would be something I would really appreciate a mentor to help me out with - reassurance that there is enough build up to the end of the story, that it isn't happening too quickly and that everything was developed appropriately. The other aspect is momentum. I'd really appreciate a mentor who could encourage me to keep going when I'm feeling stuck or help me look at a particular situation in the story from a different/fresh angle to help me move on with things. I sound needy, huh? Lol But really, what I need my mentor to be is brutally honest. I can take it, I prefer it, and it saves time … a valuable commodity for Nano! So what am I writing? It's an idea that's been rattling around in my brain for a good while. I have it classified as 'romance' but it's based as a mystery and probably urban fantasy as well. The synopsis is up, but basically, a girl finds out she was raised by her real parent's murderers, escapes, spends time finding out why parents were killed and finds leads to learning about real family and why they were murdered, what that means for her and what her 'inheritance' is (supernatural, not money like she thought). She becomes a part of a society, albeit out of necessity and no real desire to deal with said supernatural situation, meets a guy, makes some enemies, makes some friends, and unravels the threads of something she's been questioning since she found out the truth - who is she really? Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:51:00 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_91916 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_91916 scaddy Hi. My name is Steve, I'm 33, and I'm in Nottinghamshire, UK. I'm single, no children, no pool, no pets, and I'm off works for the last 2 weeks of November (which I'm probably going to need!). I'm a newbie, and I've never written anything seriously before. I'm not worried by my mentor's geographic location, as I'd prefer to be mentored by email/nanomail, but an interest in the general genre would be cool, so I could bounce ideas about, and when it gets tough (which I fear), I can be pointed in the "right direction" My novel: Untitled, but I'm leaning towards something with the word "Exchange" in it. Genre: Sci-fi/Adventure/Coming of age Synopsis: A teenaged boy who was born and lived all of his life in a orbiting space station is ordered to spend some time on earth to complete/round off his education and experience real gravity. He's paired up with another lad of a similar age, and they set off into the wild country side to see what trouble they can get in to. Then just when you think it's all over, the egg timer of life is turned upside down! (I'll stop there, before I start writing the whole thing). Nanomail me if you'd like to "hold my hand" through this adventure. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:30:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_93960 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_93960 LucyHynes Hi Lucy and I'm new to this so I'd really love to have a mentor to help me through all of this. I'm 32, based in Dublin and have recently been made redundant so time is not the issue but time management and getting me to put down a book and start writing!! I have a basic plot outline at the moment which I suppose is in the chick lit / fantasy group. I think I will need my hand held - maybe a bit of occasional shouting!!! Be warned, there will be a lot of tea drinking - I am Irish after all!! Thanks in advance. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:16:55 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_95906 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_95906 Marichosa Hello, everyone! My name is Alexa. I am thirteen years old and excited to start on my first ever NaNoWriMo! Ever since I was very young, I have loved to write fiction, so when I found out about this program, I thought, "Why not?". I do understand that this is a lot of work, and if I manage to finish it will be no where near publishing quality, but I figure that it would be a good experience and practice if I decide to pursue noveling as a career. I'm looking for a mentor who will be patient and willing to be hounded with various questions and pleas for encouragement throughout the month. Also, I'd love it if you wouldn't mind reading a bit of my work and offering some good feedback (I can never trust my mother's "Oh, it's just WONDERFUL, sweetie!" responses). In addition, I'd like someone who I might be able to have an opportunity to get to know and perhaps become friends with over the madness that is NaNo. If you'd be interested in mentoring little old me, could you maybe drop me a line? Hope to hear from some of you :) Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:39:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_96178 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_96178 mynameisirrelevant Hello, my name is irrelevant and this is my first year of Nano. I am sixteen. Anybody willing to help is appreciated! Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:23:03 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_98765 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_98765 Magician Girl Mirani Hello. As the thread states I am a newbie and I would like a mentor. I am a (just turned just over a month ago) eighteen year old half-blind female from the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and this year I am planning on writing a fantasy novel since it's the genre I'm most comfortable in. (you name a fantasy series, I can almost garentee I've read it). The problem I seem to have is ordering my thoughts and getting them into some kind of coherent order, not to mention I have no clue how the middle of my story is going to turn out since I have a rough ending planned and a beginning fully planned out and I know the main bad guy(s)/girl(s) but it's just coming up with ideas for things to happen in the middle to make the story actually interesting to read. Here's the synopsis of my story and you can decide for yourselves whether you think you'd be interested in mentoring me and this thing that will hopefully become my winning novel this year. ----- Far away from the rest of the world, cut off by a swirling blue mist, the one and only dragon occupies his sanctuary, safe in the knowledge that he is the last of his kind. He was content in this belief until the child came; the child that was not a child; the chid with the old eyes. A reading is preformed and a choice is laid out for the dragon. He can either stay in his sanctuary, remaining alone for the rest of his existance or he can choose to stray beyond the veil created so long ago and venture out into a world he knows almost nothing about in search of a mate he does not know even exists. A vast journey lies ahead but it is not one that must be traveled alone. Companions gained through aid in a time of dire need claim a reward and the ancient creature involves himself in a human war for the sake of an oath made. A quest unravels with different beginnings but do the endings diverge or swirl together? Is there really no link between The Synkros and the dissappearance of Dragon-Kind? And why is the ancient dragon drawn so inexplicably to the human Captain with dark hair and bright eyes? And why in the name of Miecra does he seem equally infatuated? Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:53:19 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_101050 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_101050 Garren Hi, y'all! I'm 18 and this is my first year doing Nano. I've tried to write novels in the past but have always ditched them after the first couple of chapters or few pages. The problem is I don't like the story or think it's not good enough. Plus, I have NO idea what to write. I have a handful of ideas running through my head but I can't grab onto any of them. Anyone who can help with these problems would be a godsend. Nanomail me if interested. :) Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:55:02 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_101074 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_101074 Lovieleia Hey, you can call me Livy ^_^. I’m a twenty year old Army brat that’s currently living in Georgia. I’m looking for a mentor to shake and beat me down until I get the job done. If necessary, weapons and threats are allowed and encouraged. Ha ha Kidding. Fortunately I don’t think it would take that level of prodding to get me writing…maybe just one level down from violence lol :[ I think I’ve been in writerblock since forever. To be honest, it might not even be WB I just terribly doubtful and discouraged with my writing. I’m an extreme perfectionist and sadly most of my writing involves me jamming the delete key and staring blankly at a white screen. Threatening myself does not work at all considering that I’m as flimsy as a noodle. I guess I’ll say this is my first official Nanowrimo seeing as I don't believe I truly tried my previous year, nor the earlier campwrimos. Last year, I signed up for the site but I never really mingled in the forums much, which may have been my downfall. Sadly, I can't even say I made it past a week with my past attempts. I can say by day uno I wanted to burn my story to bits and bury myself with its ashes…but hey, I’m working on that. I write in various themes but my writing style ALWAYS includes Romance, but often I mix it up with just about anything that comes to mind: contemporary, paranormal, maybe a bit of dystopia, or fantasy? I have two stories in my head one's a male/male fantasy...I think, and another paranormal romance about an ex teenage assassin. I don't think either is YA since I have nothing really planned out, I'm still questioning if I'm a panster or not, so I guess I'm clueless here too. I’m actually a pretty determined person but may need a little pressure, or at least a change in pace. Looking for someone who won’t hesitate to pester me when they feel like it. O_o Lol I get the feeling I might regret that last line... Anyway nanomail me :D Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:03:11 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_104261 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_104261 aidenandorinforever Howdy everyone! I'm Gwynn, 15 years of age, and this will be my first NaNo! (Please excuse all of the exclamation marks. I'm just rather excited.) Writing has always been a love of mine but sadly my issues with procrastination have stopped me from completing any of my previous pieces, so constructive criticism and fresh ideas are always greatly appreciated. The genre of my story is a Fantasy/Adventure and follows the basic "Quest" story line with a few twists here and there. Someone with experience in the genre would be lovely. Please PM me if you would like to mentor me! Much Thanks, Gwynn Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:40:38 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_106860 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_106860 jon010d Hi all, My name is Jon, and I plan to write the worst novel ever next month, just to get it out of the way. I've got lots of stuff going on, but I hope to be able to focus on word count only during Nanowrimo. I'm 45, in California. I have always wanted to write, but have somehow never started. I think I just need to start now and see where it goes. A perfect mentor for me would be someone who has struggled with deep procrastination, distraction, and perfectionism, but soldiered on anyway to arrive at a place where writing has become a daily practice. I am an obsessive reader, mostly of literary fiction, but am also kind of drawn to dystopian, near-future genre fiction too. I have a bunch of halfway thought out ideas, but am not really sure what will come out once I get going. Thanks for your consideration. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:46:14 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_111333 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_111333 justjessie10 Hi! My name is Jessie and I am 15 years old. I heard about NaNoWriMo through a few of the Youtubers I watch. I find that most of the ideas I am coming up with for my novel are leaning more towards the fantasy/ romance genres. I am not very organized, so a mentor who would be able to keep me on track and be willing to discus our novels would be awesome. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:28:21 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_112946 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_112946 CreativeUserNameHere Hi everyone. I am Dawn and Im 32. I'm one of those "someday writers". I have always wanted to write a novel, but always put it off until someday. This year I want to stop talking about it and start doing it. I am currently collecting ideas and will feverishly be trying to put some semblance of a plan together. I am a bit of a perfectionist, so I can really use some help telling my "inner editor" to STFU. I could also use someone to bounce ideas off of, or even to help me find ways to keep my stamina up. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:57:07 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_113373 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_113373 Virgogoddess Hi! This will be my first Nano. A friend of mine did it last year and I loved keeping up with her progress and cheering her on. She inspired me to try it this year. I attended a writing workshop in April and I decided I was definitely in this year. I have always written for fun or for school. I've never been one of those huddled in a corner in Starbucks "writing a novel." Well, come November, I will be! When I was younger I wrote mostly poetry. As my reading tastes developed, I realized my interest is really in fantasy. I'm pretty much a geek-girl that loves off beat humor, HP, Star Wars, Epic Fantasy and anything/one that I find to be witty. This will be my first novel. I have some ideas and outlines written out, and a few characters started. I'm not sure if my idea is complicated enough to make it to 50k, so I'm still writing notes and exploring other ideas. I want to try writing fantasy because it's my fave genre and I want to try my hand at developing a magic system. My problem is that I am a more of a gardener than an architect, and I feel like I am flailing along sometimes and trying to fix my every criticism before moving on, changing my mind, adding in more ideas, etc. I'm going to need motivation on moving forward and not criticising myself so much. A little about me: I'm in my early 30s, I live in FL. I love reading and yoga. I'm really looking forward to this challenge and feel determined to do it! Message me if you want to be my mentor! Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:11:09 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_113559 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_113559 DireGazelle At first I though "Nah, I got this." And then I decided that I just don't want to miss the opportunity of having a mentor. It should be fun for both of us. I learned about NaNo almost a year ago and have been lurking the forums since about then. The concept of NaNo, the way things are done and what to expect are things I am already familiar with. The only thing that is still up in the air is the actual writing - can I maintain steam the whole month? I think I can - but I'm not going to turn down the help. I'm using my first NaNo to add on to (and hopefully finish) a novel I have been working on for the past few years. I already have 80k written, more than a dozen documents and a detailed summary about the work. I just need to bang out some more prose. It will probably take 80-100k to finish it, and if I could get it all done this month, I would be overjoyed. (It might be a little bold for my first NaNo, and I can live with that.) This does mean that I am not going to be asking frequent, large plot-based questions, "Where should my plot go?" "I need to flesh out my MC." "Oh no - I've written myself into a corner!" and so forth, although feedback and help with various smaller things that might crop up would be wonderful. I write fantasy. This one's synopsis is available in my profile. I'm not sure how coherent it is, since I've never tried to summarize the plot in the years I've fiddled with it. As far as fantasy goes, it's surprisingly tame: low and limited magic (more of a tool than a plot point), no catastrophic "save-the-world" plot, and everyone's human. I would prefer a mentor who writes in the same genre, because that would be the most helpful to me. (And also in reverse: I'd love to brainstorm and give feedback to my mentor if it is asked.) I personally do read a lot of fantasy and science fiction (although I haven't written any of the latter yet), athough I am a very picky reader outside of the genre. Want to help me make it through the month? If so, NaNoMail me. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:52:27 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_116078 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_116078 CarbonJen Hi I'm Jenna and this is my first NaNo. I'm 17 and from Virginia Beach. I'm probably going to write a supernatural novel (probably about werewolves). I have a general idea of plot and characters but I need help actually coming up with a full plot (including an ending). I need that stubborn kick and the push to write the beginning, middle, and ending (not just bits and pieces). I have a really hard time where I'll start writing, have an amazing concept and just. get. stuck. So I'd probably need someone to pull me out of the mud occasionally and throw ideas out to keep me going. I've got a few ideas and I just need to sort through them, choose one and write it! I'm in high school right now so my writing hours will be weird but I'll get stuff done with the help of a mentor! Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:58:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_116144 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_116144 sunshine jessie Hello! My name is Jessie. I am 15 years old and this is my first year doing NaNoWriMo and I could use all the help I can get. I am looking for a mentor that has the same genre as me(adventure) and somewhere close to my age group. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:48:22 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_116796 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_116796 Chamomile-tea Hi, I'm Hannah. I'm 27 and from the UK. I consider myself a newbie because, although I've 'attempted' Nano a couple of times in the past, I've never made it past a thousand words or so and the first few days for various reasons. I'm determined that this year will be different though, and would love to have a mentor to give me a bit of encouragement and help that happen. I mostly write short stories so I'm kind of scared of plot, and particularly sub-plots and having enough substance to fill a novel. My story is I suppose mainstream with some romance and a supernatural element thrown in in the form of a Faustian pact, whereby having died, my main character is offered a second chance at life and the chance to maybe finally have something happen with the friend she is in love with if she can get 3 men to fall in love with her and break their hearts in as many months. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:40:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_121836 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_121836 Vishal Hey my name is Vishal, I am a 21 year old university student from Pakistan, since I am studying from home there is a lot of time for me to write this november. Sadly there are not a lot of people writing from my region and because this is my first time it would be nice to have someone tell me how to go about it. The novel I am writing is about two Agents that dont get along very well, working on a missing persons case together, basically its a mystery novel. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:04:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_123008 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_123008 Scifi_Lover Name: Julie Age: 41 Location: Georgia, USA Novel genre: Science Fiction Title: Becoming a Machine This is my first novel, and I have only been writing fiction for about a year, so I could use a mentor! I attend a local writer's group every other week which is helpful, but none of them have backrounds in science or engineering. Please, if you have written and published hard science fiction before, help me!! Basic premise: It's about 180 years in the future on earth, and the population of humans is around 12 billion, including a space station and small colonies on the moon and Mars. Resources are running very low, so an interstellar mission has been planned to find other solar systems. However, fission and fusion are still not cost-effective and FTL travel has not been acheived, so the ship will travel by nuclear power and a photon collector. This will make the journey too long for human bodies, as supplies would run out before they reached a habitable planet. The cost of creating a generational ship with artificial gravity, an atmosphere, artificial heat and sunlight would be too exhorbitant. So mankind decides the simpler solution is to download human brains into cybernetic bodies, and let the cyborgs make the journey. When they try this, the computer brain contains the memories of the person and controls the motor functions of the artificial body just fine, but the "soul" of the person is lost in the process. After some experimentation, the scientists figure out a way around the problem - remove the organic brain and put it in in a nutrient- and oxygen-rich solution that will replace blood inside the cybernetic skull. Also, a computer program will dose the hypothalamus with hormones at appropriate times; in that way, the individuality is maintained while the vulnerability of the body is discarded. The novel first focuses on the political, religious, and emotional turmoil this causes in human society before the astronauts' departure, then follows them on their journey. At some point, they will encounter an alien species that was also once organic and made the switch to an artificial life form. I haven't yet decided how to end the book - still working on the outline. Someone with a scientific backround in medicine or mechanical/computer engineering might be especially helpful here. Thanks! Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:45:58 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_124614 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_124614 Lisy Hi I'm Lisy. I am 30 years old, from the UK and looking to write a chick-lit novel about a very middle of the road character who doesnt realise what she needs out of life until someone shows it to her! I am full of enthusiasm but in the passed it has dwindled which is why I have come to this site, I really really want to do this, not only because I am myself a huge fanatic of creative writing and the benefits an outlet like this can have but I really think it will be great fun and it will help me tick something off my bucket list. Ideally id need someone that can give me a good kick when I am slacking, to motivate me and give me some inspiration when I feel down about my plot going nowhere. Chick lit or romantic novel experience probably more suitable. thanks Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:53:45 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_124706 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_124706 decafmirth Yo! I'm Liz (or Lizzie), though I'm known online as decafmirth. I signed up for NaNoWriMo back in '08 but life got in the way and I didn't even get started, so I'm officially a newbie. I'm 31 and based in Bristol in the UK. I work from home as a data annotator. I'm polyamorous and in a long term relationship with a lovely fella. I don't currently have any other partners, although my guy does. When I'm not reading, or frantically scrawling down story ideas before they can escape from my brain, I love to crochet. I have cyclothymia (rapid cycling bipolar) and an anxiety disorder. My main worry with NaNoWriMo is whether I'll be able to carry on writing through my fears. I don't need hand-holding, but would appreciate a sympathetic ear (and maybe a kick up the butt if I start to wallow). I'd love to have a mentor in my time zone if possible - local would be fab, but I'm happy to communicate via email with a mentor elsewhere in the UK. Also, my MC is in a same-sex multiple relationship so I guess I'd like a mentor who is unlikely to be offended by the poly lifestyle. (Apologies if I offend anyone by writing that.) I'm using Lazette Gifford's Phase Outline technique to work out my plot, and Alan Watt's 90 Day Novel questions to learn about my characters. I'm about a third of the way through outlining and have hit a block, but think I should be able to get through it in the next few days. Here's my blurb: In a subterranean future, the most popular entertainment is broadcast roleplay. Civilians take part in role-played scenarios where their reactions to events are real but the remainder of the characters are actors. There are comedies, tragedies, love stories... and murders. My (as yet unnamed) heroine is a Gore Whore, one of those contracted to plan and carry out the consensual (and temporary) murder of civilians. When she wakes in a new (cloned) body following a booking, she is accused of non-consensual murder. She has no memory of the event and there is no record of it in official logs. A cave-in destroyed and buried the recording studio; the only evidence of the murder is the video feed that was broadcast live during the killing. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:50:01 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_127027 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_127027 LucyHynes Hi I got a mentor - thanks! Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:17:28 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_127453 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_127453 unreadstory hello!! I'm carolina and this is my first year at nano and I'd love to count with a mentor. I'll be writing a horror/supernatural novel that's been on hold for almost a year, the whole writing process became really hard for me (and scary at some point, too much self pressure) and I decided to start from scratch and use nanowrimo to help me accomplish my goal. one important thing is that I'll be writing in spanish, my mother language. if anyone is willing to help me I'd appreciate it a lot. thanks. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:46:03 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_130922 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_130922 aidenandorinforever I would just like to let everyone know that I HAVE A MENTOR. Yay! And best of all...he's british. xD Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:53:40 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_131055 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_131055 the atraxi Hello to all. My name is Heather, and this my first year doing nano. I would love to have a mentor. It would make it far easier to stay motivated, and I feel like it will make it a bit less intimidating. My story is set in a steampunk type society, and it is going to be full of dark humor. My main character is an assassin that has become incredibly disheartened with society because no one respects his profession anymore. He feels as though the economic downturn has made people become sloppy as they avenge themselves instead of hiring a true artisan like himself. I would like for it to have parallels to modern day within. I want the story to discuss a case that brings his life full circle even though it may not repair his faith in society. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:37:35 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_134203 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_134203 markish Hey thar. I'm Mark, a 24 year old unemployed layabout, and I just signed up for this. I'm going in totally blind at the moment with no real plan/story as of yet. If I can't spark an idea in ten days then I'm not likely to be able to write a novel in 30, huh? It'll probably be some kind of comical action-adventure sci-fi or fantasy thing. It may feature one or more dragons. I'd love to have a mentor/writing buddy thing to bounce crazy ideas off, get really involved in the community side and just poke me into actually working. If you think that's you, then just shoot me a mail or whatever. Seems like a tres fun way of getting stuck in. (I'm not actually French) Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:59:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_134558 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_134558 Captain Sunshine Hi! I'm Molly. And with an introduction like that, I feel like I'm about to confess my addiction. SO. Hi, everyone. I'm Molly, and I'm addicted to writing. I'm in my mid-teens, and I'm TERRIBLY excited for this! I meant to do it last year, but it was a busy month for me. I would appreciate a mentor, because I'm lost...... My writing tends to be unorganized, have too much going on and too detailed. (Yeah, it's possible) Darn ADD-ness. Too many ideas! Eep! Oh boy I am so excited! Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:48:30 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_136220 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_136220 aglassoceanaway Hey everyone! I'm Josie. I'm twenty and a full-time university student and I also work part time. This is my first year doing NaNo, and I'd really like someone to help me figure this wonderful thing out. I love to write and have been for a long time, but nothing to this level. I'm very excited to taking part in this event this year, but so far I'm a bit intimidated and would love some support. I really just need someone that I can ask questions, and I know that having a mentor would definitely keep me motivated and on track. I'm debating between a couple ideas for the novel, but either way I don't think I need genre specific mentor, because no matter what I am a character driven writer. I love all my characters, however I know for sure I won't be writing historical fiction, mysteries, horror, or sci-fi. If you think you can help then that would be greatly appreciated! Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:11:38 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_138206 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_138206 emmaehrling Toodles, My name is Emma, I'm an art student from Sweden and I'm terrible at writing. Not as in "I'm a terrible writer", more as in "I'm terrible at sitting down and actually getting my ass around to writing", even though literature is one of my biggest passions in life. I've always had an easy time with drawing because that comes naturally to me but I do want to write just as much as I want to draw, if not more. It just isn't as easy. But thats no reason to just give in right? If you want to be good at something, just force yourself. Thats why I'm doing Nanowrimo this year. Because when I actually sit down to write, what I write usually turns out okay. I just need a kick in the butt and a pressing deadline to actually do it. I haven't even worked out my plot yet, but hey, still ten days to go right? I'm aiming for some kind of surrealism/semi-fantasy style, or maybe a bit of tragic comedy, or maybe a mix, a little Haruki Murakami meets Wes Anderson. After all I do work best under pressure, and I'm sure I'll be able to throw together a working plot and some characters at the last minute. Do I give off the impression of being a pain in the ass? I probably am. I'm going to be honest with you, I have no idea whether I'll be able to write 50.000 words. Heck, even 10.000 words is a challenge for me, but I'm sure as hell going to try, and I won't give up in the first place. I'd really just like to have someone to talk to about this, preferably on MSN or Skype, I don't know how these things go, but I guess thats what I need a mentor to tell me. If you want to get an impression of what I'm usually doing with my time, feel free to check out my blog http://emmaehrling.blogspot.com/ Thanks a lot for reading all this, Emma Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:00:43 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_138412 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_138412 crookedHalo Hi, I'm writing about an Angel, not necessarily a good one, but one who's gone astray. Writing is a newly discovered muse (#15 on my bucket list) and I can use a friend/mentor. I'm in Texas- giving up coffee :( and jellybeans to run between words. I'm hoping to turn my nano-story into a published title one day (#27 on my bucket list) anyway... mentor me, please! Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:43:38 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_140836 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_140836 Lily Sawyer Hello my name is Lily, I'm a newbie this is my first NaNo. I just turned 49 (on Columbus Day) and I've been writing for a long time, Mainly in fandoms. about 2 years ago I was published and currently have 4 novels released. I used to write in the Sci Fi genre, but ever since I saw Brokeback Mountain I have been writing gay romance stories. I am currently working on a story called "Four Doors Down" and have an idea for a story taking place on a train. I, initially, started writing a plot for it but hit a writer's block on it and put it aside over the summer and started writing my current story. I sure could use some help on navigating the unchartered waters of NaNo Thanks Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:24:23 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_141980 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_141980 TootieYost Hello, my name is Teighlor and this, as you may of guessed, is my first NaNoWriMo challenge. I'm 14 years old and I've been writing for two years now... Mainly fanfiction. Well, I have a few stories turning in my head... But I was thinking of using this one: Seven apostles of stars are sent out to several different planets to find fallen moons, where they meet a girl who saw where the first moon fell. Maybe.... I dunno.... I could use help... Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:57:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_143157 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_143157 Reggie Tharp So who's looking for a "lost cause"? I've never written a novel. I've started and never finished a handful of short stories and one fan fiction, all of which were 5 or more years ago. I detest outlining in all of it's many forms, and I'm horrible at brain storming. I also just found out about NaNo literally three days ago, which means I have not even the slightest concept of what I wish to write. However, here I am! I'm a young adult, part time -that feels like full time- job, no real hobbies. I've always wanted to write a book, just never had any real motivation. This is a national event, though, so that's an incredibly good reason, right? I'm fairly certain my novel will be somewhere along the lines of fantasy/romance/adventure, something in that general direction. On that note, hopefully one of you vets out there will decide that I'm not so much of a lost cause, or perhaps so much of one that you must find a way to revamp me. Either way, I hope to hear from someone. =] Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:29:53 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_145356 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_145356 NobodyFair Hello all! I would quite like a mentor, even if it's just to keep me motivated, I really don't ask much, I promise! My names Megan and I live in Leicestershire, oh, um, I'm a very new newbie. I'm 16 :D My novel has a [sort of] outline and is a fantasy/crime novel set in a book shop. Please adopt me! XD Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:52:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_145685 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_145685 Momoka TECHNICALLY I'm not a newbie, but I've only completed NaNo once.. years ago.. and I'd love somebody to help me out! I'm Sara, I'm 24 and I'm writing a sort of Literary Fiction novel, though I'm not sure it even fits there. It's a character-driven story about my main character, a pro-life 22 year old girl, becoming pregnant by her abusive boyfriend. It concentrates mostly on her decision about the baby, but includes sub-plots related to her abusive relationship, the acceptance of her family, and feeling alone in a world where you're surrounded by so many people that love you. Check out my Novel Info for my background info if you're interested! Thank you :) Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:49:19 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_146521 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_146521 slytheringirl2000 Guys I'm new and I really want to hare my writing but I NEED a mentor!!! Please mail me with your experience and then we can work things out from there Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:01:58 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_146746 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_146746 fishfingersandmuggles Hello, I'm Kayla. I'm 14 and looking for a mentor. I tried NaNo last year and failed oh so horribly, so having someone pushing me might be just what I need. I haven't decieded exactly what I'm writing yet, but it will be some sort of fantasy or sci-fi story. I'd really love it if someone could help me and motivate me to do my best! Thanks~ Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:14:59 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_146934 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_146934 ninjabunnieshya Hi. The name's Monica. I'm 16. Please don't let that fact make you run away screaming. Anyway, I've written plays for a year or two now, one of which was even performed at my school, but the only actual prose I've done in recent years has been fanfiction. (Again with the running and screaming.) I'm going to be writing a novel with a fair amount of humor in it, so if you have experience writing in that genre, that would be fantastic. So, I would like a mentor who can motivate me, give me advice, tell me if something's not funny, kick me in the behind if I'm procrastinating, etc. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:57:08 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_151043 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_151043 madhair60 I'm Stu. 24. Not sure if I want a mentor, because I'm not sure what a mentor is. But I thought I ought to ask anyway, in case anyone fancies the challenge of motivating someone who wants to write a comedic novel, but hates their writing and will give up at the drop of a hat. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:36:41 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_154687 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_154687 Mellybeans0919 Hello! I am looking for somebody to encourage/push me when I am struggling - which will probably happen a lot. :-) I am a perfectionist by nature, so often I will write something (even a paragraph) and end up deleting it because it is not "right". This will be big challenge for me to just write without editing - scared and excited! I am tossing around ideas for the story, but unsure what genre it would fall into and am basically at square one. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:54:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_156749 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_156749 Mellybeans0919 I have no idea how to edit.... Also from Canada and 27! Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:56:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_156767 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_156767 qrulez Hello I'm Kari, I'm 24 and live in The Netherlands. Since this is my first time doing NaNoWriMo, I would really appreciate a mentor who can give me some advice and tips. I will be writing in English, probably Science Fiction or Fantasy, but I have no characters or plot yet. Can't wait for November to start! Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:03:08 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_156829 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_156829 demonSeaweed Hi, I'm Hannah. i'm a 15 year old high school Sophomore and i'm looking for a mentor. i have tried very hard to write novels in the past, but i usually end up getting bored of it and giving up half way through. i need someone to help me get through writing one novel. the basic idea for the story is a girl helping her best friend get through the transition of becoming a werewolf. (original right) so, yeah. do anyone want to help me out? Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:06:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_157507 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_157507 SamanthaM Hello! I'm Sam, and I could really use a mentor to help keep my spirits up and keep me on track. I have been writing professionally for a couple years, but I haven't tackled a work of fiction since the story books I wrote as a kid, and I've never written a full length novel. I am hoping that this experience will push me outside of my comfort zone and allow me to start to break away from the type of writing I have been doing the past couple years. My plot is still a bit up in the air, but I think I will be okay as far as working through that goes. Truthfully, I am 25 and struggle with paralyzing bouts of depression and anxiety. I would love to have a mentor who has dealt with similar problems who can help me reach the finish line even if I have days where it all feels like too much. A HUGE thanks in advance to anyone who might be willing to offer some moral support :) Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:57:56 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_158158 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_158158 WhitNate Hello-- My name is Whittier. I'm 37, living in Minneapolis, going back to school in January to study writing. I have never attempted seriously to write a novel before, but I have read up on the subject some in the past. What is most freaking me out is that presently, I am very restricted in terms of my access to technology, so I'm going to have to do my writing, notes, everything in pen and paper, and I HATE working in pen and paper--it's so much slower than typing, I find typing is the only way I can keep up with my brain. So, any assistance to help me (re)learn how to write without anything digital would be most appreciated. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:18:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_159146 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_159146 EchoRains Hello everyone! I just joined the site today and cant wait to get started! Im looking for someone who can help me along the way. I have no idea what my title will be as I am still in the brainstorming stage. Im thinking my novel will be more mainstream fiction then anything. This will be my first novel so in antsy and excited! If anyone would like to help push me along let me know....I really want someone who can give constructive criticism and helpfull tips along with helping keeping me motivated! Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:28:01 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_164427 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_164427 lynn454 Hey! I'm Lynn. I attempted NaNoWriMo last year and I failed misreably, so I need help/motivation. I'm a high schooler from the middle of nowhere Oregon. I moved here from New Hampshire a couple of years ago, so I haven't had a decent English teacher since 5th grade. Only about a year and a half ago did I begin to write for fun. This year my story is about a hero, who falls in love with a gril he see's in the Villain's hideout so tries to rescue her. He get's captured by the villain and finds out that the girl was the villain's daughter, and heir to his evil empire. The hero get's thrown into the dungeon and a couple days later the villain goes missing leaving his daughter in charge. As his daughter attempts to run the evil empire the hero attempts to win her heart. Eventually both are trying to get the other onto their own side. In the end the hero breaks down and becomes a villian. A twist on the typical 'villain does good deed' chiche. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:53:37 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_164791 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_164791 StarlightDreamer Hey,this is my first year of NaNoWriMo(cause I'm 13). I'm looking for a mentor who can give me feedback on my ideas. Sometimes I feel they're not original enough. I'm sort of a procrastinator, but i usually pull things off really well in the end. The story that I'm most proud of that I've written so far was a realistic historical fiction about the bombing of Hiroshima. My writing sometimes lacks structure, but I have improved lately. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:35:49 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_165282 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_165282 Gakhlilit Hello, my name's Rena. My online name, at least. I'm 22, just finished college with two writing-intensive majors and thus no time to do Nano in the past. I do think I made an attempt at some point, which lasted all of.. 5 days? Anyway, this time I really want to complete Nano, and I'm hoping for a mentor to motivate me. I could also use a hand sorting out my plot. I have vague ideas- fantasy, spirit-dragons, and my main characters are lesbians- but I'm still working on putting them together. I've got a good handle on one character and how my magic/dragon system will be set up, but I have trouble with long-term conflict plots or other issues for the heroes to resolve. I want to write detailed characters who undergo a lot of change, but I also want some sort of interesting fantasy plot, and those I have trouble with. I tend to get bogged down in detail and forget the overall 'framework', as it were. My fantasy influences are Tamora Pierce and Anne McCaffrey. Otherwise, I like gritty authors, or ones with lots of character development and overcoming. Not really sure who I model my characters after- I like really dark themes, but my writing doesn't tend to go quite as dark as my reading preferences. I'm looking to write a mix of fantasy-dark adventure-romance, and I have no prior experience writing romance, so this is a bit out of my comfort zone. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:20:16 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_166418 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_166418 Poolpaw Hi... I'm Poolpaw, Or Kara in the real world. I don't have much to say except... I'm a weird one, looking for a mentor. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:46:46 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_168273 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_168273 WannaBeHeard Haha Hi! I'm Landon! 15 year old sports fanatic! But its weird cause in one day I will be at football practice then piano guitar and voice then at nights I will be writing like crazy! I have the best of both worlds! So ya I may have a few question that all! So a non dedicated mentor if fine with me! Like a contact or something haha! But a regular mentor is fine to! Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:02:57 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_169610 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_169610 thelazyafternoon Hello. :] I'm Leanne and this is my first NaNo. I'm 25 and live in Minneapolis. I'm using an idea I formed five years ago but was never serious enough about because I lacked the confidence to pursue it. It'd fall under YA Historical fiction, coming-of-age, and LGBT. It's set in the 1910's, about a young man from Connecticut in England for business who ends up caught in a whirlwind relationship with a British man. It centers around both the characters and their pasts and just the idea of either living the life you're supposed to or the life you'd want to, and the tragedy that too many people never really do it until it's too late, if at all (and not all of this "tragedy" is built around their sexuality; there's other factors they individually have to deal with that crop up during the time they're involved with each other). I am looking for someone who loves historical fiction as much as I do, and is very interested in characters, as opposed to "plot" because I feel like the characters drive my story so much more than the admittedly uninspiring "plot" But then again, I'm going for the idea of it being relatable for the reader; I don't want it to sound like it's something they could never experience, so I want someone who can be honest with me whether they find the characters, story, all of that, as relatable and authentic. I'm also looking for someone who is very interested in YA fiction, not just adult historical fiction. Last but not least, I'd need someone who can keep me motivated as well, because I have absolutely no other support system when it comes to my writing, which is why it's taken me 5 years to even try to start writing this. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:39:15 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_172057 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_172057 Isis kid Hi I'm Naudika and I'm 13 and this is going to be my first time writing a book on NaNo. My style is well, I guess creative?Like action,comedy,fantasy and sci-fi,and usually about kids. I love to write stuff with action that has you day dreaming in class about it. My mind is filled with a lot of ideas so I might need a mentor who wants a challenge. I need help with grammar and how my plot might go for the most part,but also to see if it makes others want to read more and maybe repeat a funny line. I'm always up for suggestions and truthfully I don't know much about NaNo still. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:15:46 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_172459 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_172459 nat_440749 Hello :) My name is Nat and this is my first visit to the NaNo site. I had never heard of NaNo until earlier today, but I'm very excited about it all! Writing a novel in one month seems like a huge challenge and something I would love to be part of. Got a few ideas floating around in my head for my novel, but would really like someone to help me out. It would be great to get to know someone who knows what they are talking about, but hopefully also someone with a sense of humour! :) I think the term is "NaNoMail" me if you think you can help... Thanks x Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:21:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_172526 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_172526 Jadedgently Heya, I'm Becca and I'm a junior in high school :) I'm a pretty good writer; I'm on the school newspaper and have plenty of practice because I've been writing since I was about 10. So pretty much, I have a good grasp on HOW to write, but I get so easily burnt out and my perfectionist side comes out when I work on big projects and I just shut down because I feel like nothing I write is adequate and yada yada. I've alwaaaaays wanted to finish a novel but never come close. I would love someone to mentor me on how to keep the ball rolling during November :) please be willing to kick my butt and tell me to get over myself and just write, haha. I get stuck on the middle; I have all these plans for how I want characters to develop but very little plans of what action should happen to push them into that development. I'm attempting a fantasy based on the Middle East. I'm pretty excited (right now at least...) So yeah, please mentor me :D I'm a pretty easy-going girl, and I love to get advice, tips and helpful criticism. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:47:45 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_175032 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_175032 Zephyr Blackheart Okay...so I know myself well enough That this could be very useful....but the problem here is that I have so many things to ask...and I don't want to write them all down and take up to much Forum space...if that makes any sense? I am writing in the Sci-fi category for sure... and I live in the USA:Idaho:Boise area.....so anyone that is NaNoWriMo'ing from this area would be awesome...or someone in the area that might be willing to sit down with me to answer my litany of questions one at a time...LOL! I wish I could be more specific...but my brain is going a million miles an hour...so just contact me on here with NaNomail... as you can see I am under the name Zephyr Blackheart...I look forward to hearing from you!!! Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:48:05 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_175828 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_175828 lvmcdonald Hello, I'm Logan. I'm a 22 year old from Alaska currently deployed to Afghanistan. I'm looking for a mentor mainly because when I'm hashing out details or figuring things out it helps to have a sounding board, somebody to bounce ideas off of. I also know that it's very possible I'll become demotivated during this month and highly likely I won't finish, mainly due to how much time I have to work with and the fact that though I've never really had a problem with writing, I've never written anything of this scope. I'm usually online for about 3-4 hours from 4pmish-8pmish eastern standard time. The plot that I think I've settled on is a different take on a post apocalyptic setting. I wrote the intro for a story based on the idea if you'd like to see, but my WriMo novel will be at a different point in time so as not to use the idea I had previously begun. If you're interested send me a message, any help/motivation would be welcome. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:53:33 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_176582 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_176582 rachelwrites527 Hello there. I'm Rachel, and I'm sort of a newbie. The last time I attempted NaNoWriMo I was sixteen so I participated in the YWP where I set my word goal at 20,000 and won. This year, however, I'm on board for the full 50,000. I'm a creative writing major and journalism minor. I am a Christian who writes in a fantasy world with multiple gods, so I face a moral dilemma every time I write. However, my mentor could be atheist, Muslim, Hindu, or anything else for that matter. All I'm looking for is someone to give me the occasional pep talk and let me vent to him/her. I'm writing a fantasy novel that combines Tolkien with Tamora Pierce. I play the violin and tend to be a bit scattered, if you can't tell from the post. If anyone's interested, just NaNoMail me. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 22:31:58 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_179642 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_179642 Shadow1982 Hi, my name is Heather and I am a 29 year old from England. I am not really sure what I am looking for in a mentor but, as I haven't done any real writing since I was about 16, I am thinking I am going to need some kind of support. I am planning to write a fantasy story involving fairies and am currently trying to work out the best way to plot/outline before November roles round. If anyone can offer their help/support I would be eternally grateful :-) Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:43:04 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_183821 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_183821 vickifankhauser Hello, I'm Vicki, this will be my first attempt at a novel at NaNoWriMo. I am wanting to write a historical action/romance novel set during the roaring 20's prohibition era. The setting the story will take place is in Couderay, Wisconsin, where Al Capone had a hideout. I am in need of someone who will help me stay focused and stay on task with this project. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:28:23 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_185083 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_185083 WriterGirl_16 I am looking for a mentor that will help encourage me and keep me on track. My Nov seems to get busier and busier each day it gets closer to NANO... I've never done this before so I do not know what to expect. My genre is fantasy. My novel is a continuation off the first book in the series. I'm a young adult (I prefer not to give my actual age out on a public forum or my real name for that matter) I live in MI and am currently working on my bachelors degree in communication. I have a couple part time jobs. So you see my dilemma? ;) Thanks! Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:26:02 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_186562 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_186562 madamding Hi, I'm just finding my feet and yes, I think I could do with a mentor! This is my first attempt at NaNoWriMo and I'm not entirely sure I have it in me to even get halfway. Genre? At the moment I'm not sure but I think it will fall between LitFic and ChickLit depending on which idea I run with. I am British, 32 and a mother of two young children, as well as working part-time and volunteering in school so to say this could be challenging for me might be an understatement. I need someone behind me who will motivate me and keep pushing me when I feel like giving up! Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:13:11 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_187173 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=7#forum_thread_comment_187173 electro_kid Hi! I am new to NaNo and I'd love a mentor to give me a hand - I'm 18 and living in London. I'm currently torn between two plot ideas - both are mysteries but one is more thriller one is more classic murder mystery. I'm working full time as an elf (... I am being totally serious here) in a christmas grotto and am also preparing for university interviews (mid-December) so really I need someone who can keep pushing me to get the 1667 words a day done, and someone friendly I could just have a chat to every now and then to see how things are going and ask for advice! Thanks, Scarlett Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:48:08 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_188559 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_188559 kelliseller I'm looking for a mentor. I would love to find someone that would be willing to keep in touch even afterwards for mutual motivation, etc. I am 32. I've never written a novel. I have a lot of flexible time during the week since I do freelance graphic design from home. The novel I will be writing is a safe general fiction novel with a little romance and a little suspense. I have some ideas for future projects that will be more involved. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:51:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_188620 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_188620 Ilenora So, hi. As you probably guessed - since I'm posting in this thread - I'm a NaNo newbie, with a very vague clear idea of what I'm going to write. Genre is steampunk-influenced fantasy, but not proper full-out steampunk, I guess. It will involve some adult themes (main character &amp; first person narrator is a prostitute/assassin) but nothing explicit, I think. I've known for years how the story starts, and I've still no clue how it'll end. I'm hoping to find out during November, if not before. I've no idea if I can squeeze out 50k words on the way to that end point. What else? I'm 25, located in Finland, music junkie, reasonable enough a person I think. I love cats, strawberry cider and Mikael Stanne. I hate being out when it's cold (yay for living in Finland). I've been told I have a tendency for sarcasm. Hope to hear from someone. -Ile Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:05:46 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_188849 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_188849 Moony_Mara Hihi, everyone ^^ You can call me Mara (: I'm a quirky and obsessive 14-year-old Taiwanese girl who loves Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Artemis Fowl, and aspires to finish her first novel, but wishes to write a second one during NaNoWriMo and finish 30,000 words by one month, to boost her confidence so she can finish her first book. Anyone who thinks they can do that, can do anything! I'm also a big music person, (my favorite artists are Super Junior, a South Korean boy band) and that will also be one of the huge factors playing into my novel writing competence. Mentors, help please! Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:34:24 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_189261 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_189261 ChrissyLiz Hi I'm Chrissy, aged 23, from London, about to embark on my first nanowrimo! I'm writing a historical fiction called 'These Red Hills' set on an antebellum slave plantation in south-west Georgia. The thing I'm most worried about is self-discipline so it would be wonderful if I could find a mentor who would be strict on me in putting time aside and getting my daily wordcount down! It would also be wonderful to find a mentor who has done historical fiction before so can give me some genre-related advice (e.g tell me off if doing too much research and not enough writing), and if they love the american antebellum period too, more's the better! Thanks! Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:09:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_189730 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_189730 phoenix4me I am looking for a mentor so I can navigate the site and know how to and when to begin my novel. This is the beginning of my fiction writing and am very positive about this. I really don't have a particular genre at present. I have three different stories begun and not sure where they will go. Two of them are mystery/romance and one is children 8-11 yrs. If you have any questions, just let me know. Sally Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:01:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_190441 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_190441 TheFluffyOwl I'm Naomi, 28 years old. This is my first time participating in NaNo. My piece is a family saga ( at least I think that's what it would fall into) that I actually started last year for a creative writing class. Due to life being what it is, I've put the story on the back burner, but I'm hoping this will be the motivation I need to get back into it. I would love to have someone to keep me going and critique what I've done. Message me if you'd like to take me on, thanks for your time! Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:45:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_192763 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_192763 alannabennett Hi! My name is Alanna, I'm 20; I've always fancied myself some sort of writer but I've never challenged myself with something quite like this before. I'm working on a story about a girl who runs away from home (seeking that infamous "Great Perhaps," and following in the footsteps of many famous vagabonds towards the great West), but told from the perspective of the people she's left behind (mainly her sister and her best friend). I'm really excited about it, and I'd really love a mentor. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:26:23 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_193293 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_193293 Jet Black So Cool Howdy, the name's Anj, 15 years of age, placed somewhere in the Philippines.. This is my first time doing NaNo and a mentor would be really nice. So far, my novel's plot is going steady with this: a band of fresh college graduates deals with the dilemmas of committing themselves to the band they formed during their high school days. their everyday flops (like getting into a heated argument with a co worker after just getting a job) and withstanding the friendship and relationships they've established over the years. Plus I don't know what genre my novel is... *shame* A mentor (or mentors, wink wink) would be greatly appreciated and showered with much love. And cookies. Hehehe... Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:40:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_193465 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_193465 ablackcrow Hi! I'm a 17 years old NaNo-newbie from Sweden who'd love to have a mentor! I'm planning to write a YA about a year in a teenage girl's life, including how she deals with love, trust, loneliness, mistakes and friendships. I'm not really sure if there's any quality to the story, but as it's the writing process that's important I think this kind of novel will be easiest for me personally to write. I'm looking for a mentor who'll help and encourage me to keep on writing, basically just someone I can lean to during this challenge! I'd love to have both a mentor who has done NaNo before, but also fellow newbies to share experiences with throughout the month. So if you're up for it, please send me a NaNomail and introduce yourself! :) Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:53:16 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_195285 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_195285 CandyCaneVomit hi ! im CandyCaneVomit . im 15 years old and living in nottinghamshire , uk . i would love to have a mentor to encourage me and help me out when im struggling . this is my first year doing NaNoWriMo for serios . i dont have a plot yet but i do know some themes that are going to be in my novel . drugs m, sex and alcohol. if your interested please send me a NaNomail :) Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:24:44 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_195977 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_195977 EizusTheDestroyer Hello! I'm Suzie, and I REALLY think that I need a mentor. Usually, my stubborness would force me to try to figure this out on my own, but I don't want to do anything stupid. I love writing, but mental constipation prevents me from getting the words out there. I don't know what genre my story is, so that's really confusing. I honestly just need someone to help me with the rules and to give me a swift kick in the tush when I need it. And, trust me, I WILL need it. (PS: If it wasn't obvious, this is my first year doing this, and it could either be really great or REALLY REALLY painful.) Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:36:00 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_198895 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_198895 Flavia Denise Hello! I'm Flávia, age 25, and this will be my first NaNo. I have been spending a big part of October planning the whole event and even though I won't be writing in English, I feel that I could really use a mentor (you don't need to speak my language. We can use Google Translator or I could just explain what's going on). I am a accomplished journalist, but I do not have the courage to write fiction. I have always wanted and this year I decided that NaNoWriMo will help me. I would LOVE if I could get a more experienced member to help me out when I get too scared to move on. And if a newbie is searching for another newbie to share experiences and fears I'm here for you. I will be writing a young adult novel that has a zumbi apocalypse and multiple realities. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:57:18 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_200024 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_200024 Indigo Green Hello my name is Indigo, Im 15 and know very little about mechanics. I'm writing a YA fantasy novel and you can ignore the synopsis it sucks and I just fixed a crapload of plot holes today and haven't gotten around to fixing it. I'm looking for someone to listen to my story and offer help on characters and give me a little push when my plot is a mess or something is going poorly, my family and friends dontbreally care to hear me so just someone willing to offer commentary on an idea would be awesome. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:03:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_203023 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_203023 LaurenHolt Hey, I'm Lauren, I'm 16 and live in Britain. I need a mentor to help me fill in plot holes and keep my story moving. Synopsis: "Lux Lux Lux Lux Lux. It was all anyone talked about these days. What he was wearing, what films he was in, who he was dating for God's sake. No one loves him like I do. No one truly understands him." Lucie is an ordinary 17 year old. Passing her exams (just) and hanging out with friends comes second the most important thing in her life. Lux Logan. The "it" celebrity of the moment. Lucie had followed him since his first movie, a cheesey horror film, all the way to his A-list status. Suddenly, all the girls were declaring their love for him, pinning up his poster... When Lucie gets the opportunity of a lifetime to meet her love, she can't help but declare her feelings... And who would have thought it, but she's catapulted into fame. She finds herself from Surrey to Stardom within a year, arm in arm with the man she loves. But can she deal with the heart breaking and cruel reality that threatens to destroy her life? Or can Lucie Gordling become every fans dream? (It's not perfect, I need a lot of help! This is my first novel I've ever written, and I haven't even sorted out some of the plot holes yet.) Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:13:45 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_203188 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_203188 Inara206 Genre- Mystery, Thriller &amp; Suspence Age Group-Teen Location-Melbourne,Florida Skills I'd like to work on- Definitely my descriptions, and how much DIALOG I use. I have no dislikes as to what my mentor says.I would appreciate criticism, weather it be good or bad, and would like to know you're not 'Going easy' or 'lightly' because I'm young. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:22:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_203335 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_203335 Write_or_be_eaten Hello there, I'm JJ I'm 13 years old, and I am looking for a mentor! I've always loved writing, and I wasn't gonna do this originally, but my friend decided to do it, and I didn't want to let her do this alone, so here I am! I know it's a big task, but I'm gonna do my best... I have my plot mostly planned out, but there is that pesky middle part... so anyway, I'm gonna need someone fairly patient, willing to be pestered with questions at all hours, and fairly open to different views. my novel is on a... controversial subject to say the least ^^' so keep these things in mind, and if anyone's interested, send me some NaNomail! Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:46:02 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_206477 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_206477 nmenigoz Hi, I'm Noelle. I am 16, and I live in California. I need a mentor who will motivate me without squelching my independence (God that sounds horribly teen-like. Please don't take it that way). Which reminds me, please don't feel like you have to "go easy" or lower your standards or anything. I would actually be just as comfortable with an adult mentor, honestly, for experience and maturity and all that good stuff. I enjoy reading everything, but I like to write fantasy. My plan for my novel is on my profile. It's really messy and unorganized right now... which I detest... so I need someone to help me clean it up a bit. I'm also a big perfectionist and procrastinator. What a combo, eh? So.. yes. This is me. I didn't do myself any favors did I? Hmm... I'm really not that bad. :) If you would like to take me under your wing, please send me a PM! Looking forward to hearing from people! Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:22:01 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_208098 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_208098 Una Owen Soo I totally missed this little new comment box the first time....oops. I'm 16 and writing a satirical story about life (and death). I'm not entirely sure what's important for any mentor to know about me, except that I'll probably be a very different teenager than you might imagine. (Yes, I know the grammar in that is off.) What I'd like in a mentor is someone who I can feel comfortable bouncing ideas off of. So, yeah, that's it. ~Una Owen Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:16:06 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_209057 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_209057 amandasofia89 Im Amanda, 22 from Kildare, Ireland. Writing my first novel and am determined to finish. Would love to get in touch with someone who is experienced and wouldn't mind offering a critical eye and ear. I'm writing a romance so i'd like someone who can relate to this genre. Cant wait to get started!!! Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:02:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_212565 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_212565 alex_andra_ Hello, I am Alex. This is my first NaNo experience. Primarily, I write short stories; for this project I want to write a more hybrid form of a novel (think The Things They Carried by Tim ' Brien minus the war aspect). For this reason, I am looking for a mentor who would be willing to bounce ideas, or to tell me (does not have to be in a nice tone either) when something needs to be more thoroughly thought through. Thanks! Tue, 25 Oct 2011 07:47:45 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_215025 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_215025 TimothyTurpin Hello to all of you out there. Mostly to potential mentors, but hey, I'm in that kind of mood. My first NaNo this year. I'm looking for a bit of help and just someone to generally run ideas by and read things over. Nothing too heavy-duty, I'd hope, but I can't promise. Shall be on every day that I can, and if I can't then I'll email the mentor and let them know. Won't be able to access after nine o'clock most nights as everyone powers dow at that time and I get slaughtered if I don't switch the machine off. However, that's not to say that nights won't be busy. So anyone who's out there looking to mentor a newbie or just talk to someone who is new, drop me a line. This is Timothy Turpin on the lookout for anyone who can help. At all. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:38:54 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_215616 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_215616 Zo-chan Hey, everyone! This is my first year here at Nanowrimo, and I'm very excited! So many lovely writers to chat with! I'm 14 years old and living in the boonies of Vermont, and I write mostly sci-fi fantasy/adventure, etc (the only genres that allow my crazy imagination room to roam, sadly...although, sometimes my ideas are too much even for the generous genre of sci-fi, which is when I know I have a problem...). My biggest weak spot is that what I write ends up being INCREDIBLY long. Sometimes it will take my characters ten pages to move ten feet. Seriously. I'm not even kidding. I need a mentor to kick me in the behind and say "Hey! You don't need all this blurb! Let's get this ball rolling again, eh?" Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:16:19 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_217633 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_217633 LilithDee Oh, I would love someone to be a mentee for! Pretty please? I'm adorable and I come with a never-ending eagerness to geek out. I'm 20 and taking a break from school. I'm searching for a job, but other than that my life is pretty quiet and I am devoting it this November to writing a novel about teen superheroes working to overcome a government conspiracy. xD I live in Ohio and have my very own office/closet where I can curl up, listen to music, and write to my heart's content. I love friendly competition. I did NaNoWriMo years and years ago, in 2005, so technically I'm not REALLY a newbie - I remember some of the ins and outs of the place, but it's been so long and I'm in such a different place now that I would like to start over. I'm nervous and I feel like I've forgotten how to write! Be my mentor? : ) Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:53:26 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_218135 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_218135 ControlledChaos Hello mentors, I am a newbie to NaNoWrMo and would like to find a mentor who could guide me through the organizational process for this project, i.e., where to start, what to do first, goals, outlining, etc. I've written a few short stores and I've participated in over 10 years of comprehensive roleplay in various genres, though I've never written a novel. Thank you, ~CC~ Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:59:13 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_219094 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_219094 IAmAlaska Hi! I'm Rachel, age 15, and this is my first NaNo. I'm planning on writing a YA/SciFi novel. I'm quite the procrastinator. I'm not exactly sure what I might need help with, but I'm looking for a mentor that can give me a boost when I get stuck and point me in the right direction. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:40:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_223407 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_223407 AddysonRae I'm Addyson and I have never been a part of NaNo until now. My novel is an epistolary about 6 individuals from a small church in a small Virginia town and how they are connected. This is not a happy story. It is very dark, and deals with real issues that most people try to ignore: lying, pain, cheating, death, illness. I need someone who will help me keep focus, but who will not let this affect me as a person. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:00:53 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_225057 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_225057 Busydonnelly First, hello everyone and good luck to us all for the upcoming November project and the lurking thoughts of the holiday season rushing upon us! My name is Jacki and have just signed up a few days ago to give NANO a try this year. I am 32 years old, recently relocated to Houston, TX area with my husband (Tom) and our wonderful dog Baxter the Boxer. I was not sure at first if I should attempt this task or not - I have only written a few short stories when I returned to college 2 years ago to receive my long overdue A.A. degree. But then I thought - WHY NOT? The worst thing that could happen is I miss my word count, but at least this may kick my lazy behind into 1st gear and drive me to write more! So as far as a mentor, not sure really what I would need during this next phase of life. I guess mainly someone I can bounce ideas off of and maybe have a weekly check in with another nanoer. My hobbies are cooking (totally addicted to cooking but now eating out is not as good as it used to be), writing (when I find motivation), hanging out with my husband and our dog watching movies, reading and traveling. Ideas for my NANO novel.... well not that I have any type of plan or characters outlined or really anything other than 2 ideas and undecided on which one to attempt. Both are leaning towards mystery/suspense thrillers (which is one of my fav's to read), but I still have 5 days to narrow this done... Well send me a nanomail if you are thinking you would like to mentor me. Ideally I would find a mentor with similar tastes and from a different country (Maybe we could share story ideas and RECIPES :) ) Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:16:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_229856 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_229856 rikabeau Hi, I'm Erika, and this is my first NaNoWriMo--but I've written long stories before (just not in a single month). I'm 18, and my genre is (hopefully) going to be comedy. I have two ideas (a back-up just in case), and I never plan too much. When I know how a story is going to go and how it'll end, I don't want to write it anymore. (plus, that takes the fun out of it.) I'd prefer a mentor who would be pushy, but in a good way. ^^ Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:36:25 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_232982 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_232982 frayed_11 Hi! My name's Becca, I'm 22 and I'm from the UK. I attempted Camp NaNo in August but failed due to writer's block and the distinct lack of anyone there to kick me up the backside ;) My book is basically chick-lit, I can give more info if anyone would like. Please message me if you would like to be my mentor because I'd love to have someone to chat with, to help keep me on track and to make sure that I'm thinking of NaNo 24 hours a day, as I should be ;) Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:50:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_233205 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_233205 passmemoney Hi, I'm Josh, and this is my first NaNoWriMo I'm eighteen years old, and i live in Australia. I will be working part time throughout the month, and am unsure of my available times, but i should be available every day, even if its just an email. I have not written too much recently, but i used to write stories all the time back in primary school. Im interested in YA, action/adventure stories and almost anything to do with crime. My favorite books are the Harry Potter, Tomorrow series and the Hunger Games books. I know what i will be writing about, and what i want, but as I'm only just getting back into writing I'm interested in getting a mentor. I don't know what i will need help with, most likely just some advice on HOW to write certain parts, and some feedback. Getting a mentor is also a way (I'm hoping) to keep me writing, and finish this thing! Please message me if you're interested. If you have any questions, i'll be glad to answer them. Will be glad to hear from you =) Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:06:15 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_237508 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_237508 gigadrive08 Hopefully it's not too late to find a mentor, being so close to November and all. I'm writing a fairy tale about Achilles' daughter. I'm terrible at dialogue (even more terrible with the idea of writing dialogue consistent with whatever "Greek goddesses" would speak, but the idea of a Greek fairy tale sounds romantic to me) so I plan to make it a very descriptive story. It will be somewaht of a coming-of-age type of story. In a way, this story is going to be very influenced by gaming, or at least I want it to be. If you have ever played Super Metroid, you will know what I mean: something where the environment and her actions relay the narrative far more than conversation. So, yeah. If anyone's up for giving me some encouragement and help throughout the next month, just PM me. :) Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:27:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_238795 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_238795 WhenDestinyCallsUs Hi, I'm WhenDestinyCallsUs and this is my first NaNoWriMo. I've wanted to do this for a few years now, as I remember in July or August.... and forgotten about until halfway through November. So when I remembered a few days before it started I thought I should jump on the bandwagon. I've written out a novel and a half before, with many edits as well as general plot for the book and a half after that. I may do something connected with those books, or something new. I probably ought to decide that sooner than later. Whatever I write, it will be a form of fantasy, most likely a sort of historical fantasy I've not seen done many other places. (Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith is one of the few examples I've seen.) My main character will be male, which I am not, so an insiders perspective would be helpful... I'm a college student taking 16 credits, and have to keep grades high if I want to return to college next year, so while I *really* want to do this, homework does come first. I'm going to have this take the place of any of the other less productive things I do in my free time. I am LDS, and do not like even mild cussing or innuendo in my work or in conversation around me. My stories can be fairly violent at times, with disturbing themes of characters struggling mentally, but nothing that should be offensive or traumatic to anyone who can handle LOTR or Hunger Games. I also feel strongly about the importance of gender roles, which I realize most people are semi-opposed to. (Don't hate me.) I would love mentoring in how to write a novel and keep up good grades in college (time management- love it. :P) as well as who could perhaps be a sounding board to help me know if the story is becoming too cliche or if it needs ideas to be fleshed out. The ideas, plot and character development is what I want to focus on. Thanks! :D Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:22:17 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_241553 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_241553 Sunechirei I'm Sarah (or Sun, or Sune, or Thako) and I'm a 17 year old living in Colorado. This isn't my first novel, but it is my first time doing NaNo so it would be really cool if I could find someone who's done this before to help me around the site, and maybe be buddies with so I'm not a complete loner ^^; My novel is the second book in an unnamed series, and it's about three kids who have their lives overturned by being introduced to the fact that demons are in fact, real. I don't really know why my writing style is, but I love to be criticized and hate it when people try to sugar coat things. If you don't like what I'm writing, tell me. I pretty much know what I'm doing with my characters, but plot and consistency can sometimes interfere with what I'm writing, so... Well, I guess that's all.... ~Sarah Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:40:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_249184 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_249184 Countess Dria Hi, I’m Dria, and I’m looking for a mentor to keep my nose to the grindstone. I’ve never had the guts to do NaNoWriMo before as procrastination is my big failing as a writer, but I’ve had this novel brewing in my head for years and it’s high time I got it out. I’m 26, British, and my favourite books are either fantasy (Terry Pratchett, Eoin Colfer, JK Rowling, Neil Gaiman) or historical mysteries (CJ Sansom, Ellis Peter, Elizabeth Peters). My novel is a mish-mash of those two genres – an epic, whodunit-and-what-are-they-going-to-do-next, set on another world because I’ve never found a genuine historical period that I’ve wanted to set it in. I've got a pretty clear idea of how the plot's going to develop, but I would appreciate a mentor to encourage me along the way! Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:22:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_249842 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_249842 Spellbound7 Hello, Call me Spell, coz I hate my real name, and I'm looking for a mentor to help me with refining my English, but mainly for support since literally nobody I know (besides 1 very busy friend) cares about anything I write, sadly. I've dabbled a bit in science-fiction and fantasy, but right now I'm writing this modern-day end-of-the-world zombie-apocalypse... not entirely sure if this will be the novel I'll go for the 30-day challenge though (are mentors allowed for this? :/ Anyway, I would be extremely grateful for anyone willing to help! :) Thanks for reading. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:35:59 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_250064 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_250064 LorelaiPeyton Hello. I'm Lorelai. I'm 19, a nursing student and I live in upstate NY. This is my first NaNo (obviously) and I have no idea what I'm doing. I came up with an idea for a book (series) a couple of months back but have since gotten distracted writing a fanfic for a Big Bang. I don't think I've ever written 50,000 words in one fic before so I'm a little worried about that. I need help fleshing out my characters and the plot. Also, someone to keep me from procrastinating (which I am so beyond prone to do, it's not even funny). Title: Taking Sides (Crappy) Summary: Bianca Tyler is still trying to figure her life out after the death of her father. Needing an escape from her grieving mother, she finds interest - and a distraction - in the new boy at school, Hayden. Unfortunately for her, so does her best friend Lexi. But its only when other new boy Thomas makes his way into Bianca's life that she realizes something strange is going on. Why do the two boys seem to know and hate each other? And why do weird things keep happening around Hayden? Bianca struggles to figure out the truth behind the mysterious new students in TAKING SIDES. It's a Young Adults novel about witches (at least the first book is. I'm planning an eventual series involving more). Thoughts? Volunteers? Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:05:54 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_250492 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_250492 kbrylander I'm Karen *waves.* 29 years old (eek!) and writing a Young Adult science fiction (post-apocalypse). Most of what I read is science fiction &amp; fantasy or YA or both. Everything else I've written has been short stories. I tried writing a YA fantasy novel a few years ago but lost all interest in it--I think because I outlined so much I didn't care to actually write it. So, while I have much of this plot worked out in my head, I have no written outline. This is my first NaNoWriMo and have no clue if I can pull it off. Most of what I need from a mentor is encouragement to ignore my inner critic and keep going! Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:37:48 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_250979 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_250979 katerinaah Hello! I'm Kat. I'm 26, from the UK. This is my first NaNo and the first time I've worked up the courage to write anything in about 5 years (long story...!). Writing this feels a lot like a blind date. I have no clear idea about what I want to write about. I'm tempted to just start with streams of consciousness and see where I end up. I have a first sentence and a finishing sentence, but they're almost certainly not parts of the same novel. I'd love to find someone to talk writing with and to encourage me away from my procrastinating tendancies (I also have a pretty demanding job which works conveniently as a really nice excuse to not write). I'm also looking for someone to help in return in my own small way. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:06:21 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_251391 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_251391 Alabesque Hi! I'm Vi, eighteen, and this is my very first NaNoWriMo. I have a couple of plots I'm trying to choose between, but they're all YA-style fiction. My biggest issue with writing, I think, is confidence, and, although I really do appreciate all forms of polite, constructive criticism, I tend to get discouraged somewhat easily. I've never let anyone read my work, so this is a huge step for me and I'd love to have a mentor who can just be generally supportive and kind, haha. Thank you for your consideration! c: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:45:59 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_253012 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=9#forum_thread_comment_253012 Lori Morgan Hi everybody, my name is Lori and I am an international student in America from Germany and I am a newbie here, like so many others ^^. Well, what else to say... I would like to write romantic fantasy, but vary in my degree of how much actual fantasy is involved (exp; how many and what kind of mythical creatures are involved), suspense (if there is a murder or if it is just fast-paced) and the time of my story (meaning how far in the future it is placed) .... but one thing ill always write about is love and its obstacles To give you a lead of what my role models are: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kim Harrison, Nalini Singh ... all very different. My problems are pretty normal, I think, its about keeping to the subject and not making the created world too complicated with too many characters, different races and plots. I pretty much have a lot of ideas but sometimes cant keep the right one in my mind. And also, since i am a foreigner, I will have one or two grammatical errors, that either my computer, my friend (who is also a foreigner) and I wont see, cause we are too close to it. I would be greatful if somebody would like to take up the task and help me a little ^^ happy writing Lori Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:41:55 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_253792 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_253792 FireRose-Prime Hi, I'm Kaylee and seeing as this time i want to actually get something done for Nano, I would be ever so grateful to get a mentor. :) I'm currently trying to write/plan a fantasy novel. It willl have druids, that much i do know. I don't know much about what is going to happen right now, and would love some help with it. Just someone to bug everynow and then and provide some support would be wonderful. :D Thanks. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:45:30 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_253825 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_253825 Nikk_E Hello NaNo World, I'm looking for someone to help keep me motivated as I am sometimes discouraged. I might be rebelling but my goal is to get much farther on my current novel 'The Kaos Chronicles,' which is a fantasy/romance...thing. I've been working on it for 5 years, and my goal is to just finish it. I would love honest critiques, but as I am a fragile soul, an explanation will hopefully come with it XD. Most of my friends know the storyline so my main concern for the first few chapters which are for the most part finished, is does it make sense to fresh unmolested eyes lol. After that I will just need to curb my editing habit that's been holding me back and just go and cover as much ground as I can. I don't think I am doing this right, but if anyone could help me it would be much appreciated. &lt;3. Thanks in advance. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:47:13 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_255389 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_255389 GreenTee Hi! I've never even attempted writing something this long before, so any sort of help/companionship would make my day :) I'll enjoy most novels, especially ones with beautiful syntax like Madame Bovary and The Little Prince, but when I'm searching for something to read I tend to enjoy something lighthearted and, quite often, rather childish. In that vein, my NaNoWriMo is about a young boy named Samuel, who likes to write, and is in hospital. I plan to write it as a collection of Samuel's own poems and stories, some autobiographical, some not, collected with love by his friends so others can remember him. No romance, just the thoughts of a boy, aged 6-10. Because he's so young, I'd appreciate help with keeping 'his' writing in character, as well as that of his friends. Thank you, and I know it's cutting it a bit close to the starting date. Still, if you could spare a bit of time to read and say what you think(especially if you didn't understand anything) along the way, or even afterwards, I would be really happy :) Good luck to all the other NaNoWriMo'ers! Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:17:31 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_258678 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_258678 jstbreathless Hello :D You can call me Teena! I'm Korean, 22, and an aspiring writer (like everyone else hehe). I've been planning on writing a book for years now but for some darn reason, I can never seem to finish what I started. I'm actually blank on ideas at the moment and will probably write as it comes, but I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to be my mentor through this mess? It'd be greatly appreciated~ I just really want someone to guide me through this and make sure I'm on top of my game, and hopefully I can be someone you can turn to when you're stressed as well. I'll make you online pancakes? :) Anyways please let me know &lt;3 I know it's REALLY near the start but... I just found out about this site... &lt;3 Thank you! Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:58:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_259430 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_259430 AlextotheAndra Hello, My name is Alex. I am 15, and my writing style is sort of Young adult crossed with Classical litriture. I know it is a confusing mix! I suppose it is because the majority of what I read are classics but I am yet to gain the complete maturity to write convincing adult fiction. My writing is filled with descriptions and my plots are often a little slow so I wouuld love help with that as well as some grammar/ spelling. Thank you for reading, Hope you consider me Alex Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:46:54 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_259720 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_259720 spiggle Hey hey. Hopefully i'm not too late in requesting a mentor. My name is Matt and i'm from Livingston in Scotland. I'm aged 38 and married with 2 kids. I plan to write this when my kids are in bed at night and my wife is at work. Which should give me about 3 hours or so every night This is my first attempt at NaNo and my first attempt at a novel. The novel idea i've had for a while and i've been squirrelling away for a while developing plot and characters. My novel would be classed as modern fantasy with a hint of mystery. Its set on the Isle of Arran in Scotland and the idea is that there is an invasion from a fantasy force from another realm. There are some murders in the local town and the local cops are confused. At the same time, the phones and electricity goes out on the island, its left to local barkeep Roddy Oliver, local schoolteacher Mark Smith and their friends to find out what is going on and to defend the island from the invading force which they are not aware of. I'm looking for someone to mentor me to keep me motivated writing and encourage me to keep the story moving and working towards my 50k goal by the end of the month. They need to be able to cope with my weird sense of humour and weirdness in general I have alot of the plot and chapters pre-planned and i plan to keep that updated and progressed during the day at work when i'm not writing the novel. Any help is appreciated. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:24:58 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_259937 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_259937 maddyisadinosaur Oh hi. I'm Maddy! Hm... about me... I'm a freshman in high school, but in the most modest way possible I am actually a good writing. I'm not one of those teenagers whose stories are like, "Heather wus haw. Jason waz hawt. They got togetha 4eva. LAWLZ!" I'm awkward, but pretty friendly. I'll be doing a book about a girl who discovers another girl is pregnant and ends up being less judgmental after spending time with her, etc, etc, etc. I promise it'll be better than it sounds. I'm looking for an ass-kicking mentor who will keep me from spending the whole month editing one chapter. Soo... You should PM me and mentor me and stuff. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:17:02 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_263403 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_263403 Mercyette Hi All! I'm not necessarily a newbie, but I've been out of the NaNoWriMo swing for a couple years now. I'm 21 and a senior in college, majoring in anthropology with a cencentration in archaeology. I'm looking for someone I can commiserate with a someone who can help nudge me along throughout the month - and I would be more than happy to return the favor. The past years I've participated in NaNoWriMo, I've written books on Contemporary/Christian fiction. This year's novel is concerning the Amish culture and anyone who has read/loved Bevery Lewis or had any knowledge over the culture would be awesome. I've written term papers and have one previous manuscript over Amish fiction, so I believe I have a fairly decent concept of the culture. Anyone who is writing a similar story is more than welcome to friend me - maybe we can even be menors for each other. But I'm not too picky in a mentor/friends. I just need someone I can discuss plot ideas with and one who will nudge me a little when university tries to bog me down! Thanks! Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:26:14 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_265373 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_265373 cwfrodo Hi, I am looking for a mentor to give me encouragement and maybe some feedback on some of my writing. I'm a little rusty on writing stories, I haven't had the time the last couple of years, but I love to write and writing a novel would fulfill a dream of mine. My book will be fantasy, a modern day magic kind of story. I am 30 years old, I have an active toddler who will make writing difficult, but I am determined to make it work. I live in Missouri, Kansas City area. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:59:43 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_269889 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_269889 maddyisadinosaur Um, posting a version w/o the weird typo... Oh hi. I'm Maddy! Hm... about me... I'm a freshman in high school, but in the most modest way possible I am actually good at writing. I'm not one of those teenagers whose stories are like, "Heather wus haw. Jason waz hawt. They got togetha 4eva. LAWLZ!" I'm awkward, but pretty friendly. I'll be doing a book about a girl who discovers another girl is pregnant and ends up being less judgmental after spending time with her, etc, etc, etc. I promise it'll be better than it sounds. I'm looking for an ass-kicking mentor who will keep me from spending the whole month editing one chapter. Soo... You should PM me and mentor me and stuff. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:12:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_270109 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_270109 Lainylovesyou Hi, I'm Holly! So, I had a mentor... until the site re-set... :/ Anyways, I guess I could really use a new one before NaNo starts, because I'm utterly terrified of trying to do this without anyone experienced! Please send me a message asap because I'm getting nervous! Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:35:41 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_272064 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_272064 apainter Hi, I'm kind of late getting here, hope I can find someone! Me: I'm Lexi. I'm 28, I just got a job teaching elementary music and math (both of which are not my preferred areas) in a rural town in Washington State. I love hanging out with my siblings. I love being outdoors and doing almost anything- hiking, skydiving, cliff jumping, roller derby, etc. My story: Fiction based on my life and my family. My mother is an alcoholic and I know there are a million stories about alcoholic mothers but I can't help but feel the need to write about mine, even if no one wants to read it. Somewhat interesting to some people is that I am an identical twin, I don't know how to write about it.. I've tried but... I guess we'll see. That could really be a whole different story. I don't know. I have a total of one brother and 3 sisters. A shit ton of step parents and step grandparents. What I'd like in a mentor: Well I'm not really sure what a mentor does. I'm guessing they're too busy writing their own novels to read mine so hopefully they could just bug me all the time and make sure I'm writing. Maybe throw random words at me or situations to tuck into my writing. I like taking random stuff and just finding a way to make it work in a story. I'm a pretty laid back easy going person. I am not a grammar Nazi. I'm picky about a few things (they're, there, their) but I still screw them up occasionally. I cannot spell the word "exercise" to save my life, I've been trying for years. Also I'd like someone to tell me what program to use.. Right now I'm just planning on using MSWord, since it's what I have and I don't know any free/good writing programs. Well that's about it I guess! Let me know if you're interested. Lexi Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:40:56 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_276157 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_276157 Nate99m Hi, I'm Nate, I started a book for last years nano but I never actually signed up for it. I liked the book i was writing but only ended up a few thousand in. I'm 17 and looking for a good motivator and source of knowledge. I started a book series a couple years ago, sci-fi, and want to start a book 2, though i could use some advice about some things. PM. please! Thank you for considering. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:14:06 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_276537 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_276537 jayreeder Hey, guys. I'm Jay. :] I'm nineteen, a (gay, lolol) dude, and a college student to be. I like music a whole lot, as well as cartoons and gory zombie movies. This is my first NaNo and even though it's only a few days away, I still haven't decided what idea I'm going to write out! It's a toss up between: an idea that literally came to me in a dream about four people who commit suicide and end up in Limbo instead of Hell, and have to prove themselves worthy of getting into heaven; and a less-developed idea about werecreatures and vampires coming into the know after a nuclear apocalypse (yes, I know werewolves and vampires are overdone). I'd like a mentor to help me out! c: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:12:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_278556 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_278556 RuheeK Hi. I really hope I'm not too late to get a mentor! I'm Ruhee, I'm 18, and a freshman in college(chemistry major). Up until yesterday I was sure I wasn't going to be able to do nano this year, what with November being my endsem month and all. So I'm hoping I can find just one person, a mentor or a friend, who can convince me that it's not a hopeless task after all. If I do take it up, this will be my first nano, though I took part in a wrimo for the first time in julnowrimo(23,000 words before life caught up with me). I haven't got a clue what I'm going to write about, if I do write at all. But I never end up writing what I think, anyway, so that works for me. I do know that all I ever write is fantasy or romance or, more recently, slice of life. Ideally, I'd love to write something that would qualify as good literary fiction. Oh, and I go to IITB, which is kind of a big deal where I come from. :) I hope I'll be hearing from the one person who can make me go back to the computer and write. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:37:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_278734 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_278734 XentaGirl Hi! I'm XentaGirl, I'm 19 years old and this is my first year participating at NaNoWriMo. I live in Holland and I'm a student at Utrecht Universiteit, first year Earth Sciences. I'm a fantasy writer. I don't really know where to start or how everything works and so it would be really usefull to have a mentor and/or writing buddy to get me through! I hope someone will react, because this will help me a lot! Thank you! Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:55:19 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_278842 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_278842 KNevaM Hi there--I'm not as young as some many newbies (::cough40cough::) but I still probably a mentor (of any age) would be super-helpful. I *think* I have a sense of how I'm going to do this---usually a bad sign. :). My novel (what I know of it so far, at least) wanders around the line between fantasy and magical realism. Many of my main characters, and a portion of my plot, are based in Greek and Roman mythology, and one of my main characters has extraordinary abilities with fragrance and perfume. I'm a fairly driven person, like to stay on a schedule, will be aiming for 2K words a day and trying to get most of that in between 5:30 am and 8 pm (yes, while working a full-time job and all that. I figure it's time I acquire the skill of dropping quickly into and out of my stories). I have written a couple of short stories (equally difficult to characterize but somewhere on the fantasy/magical realism line) and have recently taken the plunge and submitted one, with another to follow after some tweaks (post-NaNo). If that's remotely appealing buddy or mentee material to anyone, please drop me a line- Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:58:54 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_279292 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_279292 Funnyhair Hi! I'm Joe, this is my first NaNo. I like Sci- fi and Fantasy and Crime stuff, But I am mostly writing crime stuff. I have tried to write things in the past and failed. Some Guidance would be nice. PM me! Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:35:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_280286 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_280286 StuckOnThePuzzle Hi there everyone! I'm StuckOnThePuzzle, a newbie who hopes it's not too late to look for a mentor! I have some ideas for a romance novel. In fact, I have two different plots that would be interesting, but everything I've thought of is too vague, so I actually don't have any kind of outline to work with! Nothing at all to cling to :S! You can easiliy guess I'm desperate XD. I'd love to have a mentor who could help me get through all this madness :P. I'd like someone to guide me in this exciting (and frightening) world of NaNo. Hopefully, we'll both have lots of fun this month. Thank you so much beforehand, whoever picks me up ^^. Lots of love ~StuckOnThePuzzle ;D Sat, 29 Oct 2011 08:49:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_281293 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_281293 daffodilkris My sister has offered to mentor me, but I would love to have an additional mentor that is not related (as siblings can fight very easily). I'm 27, living in Beacon, NY, and I am going to attempt NaNo for the first time this year. I really have no idea what I'm going to write or if I'm going to win, but I am looking forward to trying to do this. I think I will be writing a children's fiction with a splash of mystical/magical influence, but I'm not quite sure. My job is severely part time, so I plan to attend some write ins in my area. I think my boyfriend (who I live with) will be supportive of my participation because I support him through his business. I know it is last minute, but would anyone like to be an awesome mentor for me? Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:15:19 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_281701 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_281701 starrdust16 Hello, My name is Amber, I am 32, and live in Indiana. I am very new to all this, so would very much appricate a mentor. I am writing a fantacy story for my daughters. Its full of princesses, princes, dragons, unicorns, mermaids, ect. It sort of snowballed on me, and is becoming bigger than expected. I hope to be able to learn from someones experience! Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:19:58 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_281758 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_281758 Melodym Hey everyone, My name is Melody. I'm 25, and this is my first Nanowrimo. My passion is actually art, and I work as an illustrator, but there's always been a soft spot for writing. Taking the plunge is unnerving and thrilling all at the same time. I'd love to have a seasoned veteran there to guide me along. When I was younger, I would stay up awake through the night writing pages and pages of story. Plot, characters and dialogue came so easy to me back then. I would knock out 20 pages in one night. But now I seem to be so worried about writing the 'right' way the first time around. I worry what other people might think, and I worry if it's not as good as it should be. I really just want to write for fun again. If you have any advice, I sure would love to hear it. :) My project is a young adult fantasy novel about changelings, but I want it to feel darker and more mature in certain areas. If you think you can help me out with any of this, please send me a message. I look forward to hearing back from someone. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:36:04 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_282936 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_282936 _daisy_ Hello I'm a NaNo Rebel - Memoir, first time doing NaNo, aged 39, GMT timezone My back-story Although I have been contemplating writing my memoir for several years so far I haven't actually written much, just sorted through a load of old photos, school reports and the like and brainstormed a bunch of words loosely grouped into topics. I've had a remarkably normal life without too many traumatic events and those times that have been hard to deal with have already been sorted out emotionally. Fortunately there have been many high points and crazy laughs too! I'm hoping this month is mostly about getting it all out on paper, the lessons of my life, who I've become and unleashing the potential of all that is yet to come. I'm inexperienced as a writer although a travel blog I did during my career sabbatical was much loved by friends and family. What I'd like from a mentor Someone who has done NaNo before and finished! Ideally someone aged 30+ who can offer some thoughts on how to structure life events into a 'story' and tips about maintaining a pace to the 'story' that makes it readable. Basic story telling principles - doesn't matter what genre you write. Also someone who can give me a prod to keep the word count moving, mini challenges and so on. I don't need a babysitter 24x7 and I won't send you reams of words to read but having someone who is interested in me getting through this would be an enormous comfort and a strong motivation to finish. interested? please get in touch, your time would be very much appreciated. daisy Sat, 29 Oct 2011 11:30:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_283862 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_283862 nerdwrighter I'm new this year and I'm really nervous, anyone want to help? I could definitely use ant tips/advice from experts. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:40:35 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_285892 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_285892 crunchberries Hi. I'm crunchberries and I'm looking for a mentor who can calm me down when I panic and get overwhelmed, keep me focused, and check in on me once in a while to make sure I'm on track. More specific info: I'm 29, I write contemporary fiction, I live in NY (EST), and I have narcolepsy. I'm taking medication for it, but I still have problems so some days are better than others. Skills I'd like to work on: self-confidence, flow, and pacing. Dislikes: Don't be pushy, don't nag, and don't insult me. I respond best to positivity and encouragement. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:21:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_286554 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_286554 mylifeonfire Hi, I'm 27 and currently in Salt Lake City (though from western WA). I'm more of a crunchy groovy sort than the business-minded types that are so prevalent here, though I'm settling in. This is my second year, but last year I stopped writing pretty early on. I have a few problems that mess with my NaNo attempts: I have trouble focusing, a terrible memory (word count? I was supposed to write today??), I never seem to finish projects once the newness wears off, and I have a tendency to fall off the planet and stop keeping in touch with people. This probably all relates to the fact that I'm on the high-functioning end of the Autism spectrum, but that hasn't helped me fix it much. I'm unusual, so an unusual mentor would probably work out best for me. I'm somewhere in the queer spectrum of life as well, which is likely to find its way into my book, in case anyone needs a warning there. This year's attempt is based on one scene idea (from an unusually vivid dream) and a general concept. I have no clue what I'm doing, really, as I'm usually someone who needs a plan. I'm also the type who can't write without editing (no wonder I need a mentor!) and I don't have anyone to use as a support system in real life. Yay forum! I would say that I am looking for someone who can hold me accountable, not be daunted by a lack of response (someone with more determination than me) and help me out with those stuck moments. Thanks! Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:22:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_286567 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_286567 sekhmet son rejj Hi im a newbie and i need help. i do allmost any thing for this NaNo im doing a adventer fantasy and i need encuragment and real writing help (any thing) and general help. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:06:33 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_288937 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_288937 lauraest91 Hey all! My name is Laura and this would be my second attempt and completing this challenge. I am currently a 20-year-old university student in L.A. and taking on four classes this quarter which will definitely post a challenge to any writing I would like to do. (In fact, I still don't know what I'm going to write this November...) One of the main challenges for me (besides my fractured time management skills) is the genre change. My writing experience consists of attempting to write prose,then poetry. I am actually studying Creative Writing (Poetry) and have recently become part of the poetry staff at my university's literary journal. Nevertheless, i am not completely sure what I want to write yet, but sometime between now and Nov. 1st I am going to have a list of ideas, pick one, and hopefully make it work. In the past I have tried writing sort of fantasy-genre type stories (huge Harry Potter fan here), but as much as I love magic and non-sparkling vampires, I don't think it's the genre that fits my writing style. I am looking to writing something that deals with analyzing human nature or something making social commentary, taking novels like The Count of Monte Cristo and Native Son as a model. Although another general idea I would like to write about L.A., of course, more specifically my neighborhood in Wilmington/Carson, but we'll see what I come up with. So yeah, what I would need most help with is kind of the novel writing process. I have never finished writing a novel and I would definitely like to refine my skills in being specific, detailed, organized, and of course, timely in my writing. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:46:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_290452 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_290452 Midnight22 Hi all. I'm an Aussie in her 30's new to NaNoWriMo and Im looking for a mentor who will kick my butt (steel toed shoes are fine and maybe a necessity), offer encouragement and possibly bribes to get me to the finish line. I've written many short stories - mainly fantasy, and this will be my first attempt at a novel (crime genre to really challenge myself!). My difficulty will be refraining from editing, so feel free to slap me if you see the highlighter out! If you feel you can help I'd be grateful. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:13:01 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_291783 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_291783 Erica Cash I'm Erica a 16-17 high school student, this is my first NaNo and I am extremely nervous about how well i can force my self to regurgitate enough words to 'win' I need a mentor who can bluntly stick it to me and get my but in gear with writing and point out if all i'd done was write crap, i really want to learn how to write nicely. on a side note i'm an Insomniac ( i don't sleep much/ or at all), i can be bitingly sarcastic and a typical high schooler, I mean we are painfully obnoxious. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:39:41 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_294843 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_294843 smallbananasd Hi I am Dani, 35 (very soon to be 36) and this is my first NaNo. I have decided on writing a sci fi/fantasy/spiritual Novel, I am starting to get very nervous about the Challenge, and I am thinking a mentor would be a good idea. I have a rough outline, rough character ideas, and rough plots within the outline. Everything is way to rough for my liking, but I thought over planning may not be a good thing? I am wanting a mentor around my age or older, someone who is experienced at doing NaNo, and who writes within the same genre, can offer constructive advise, will be willing to kick my backside if and when it is needed, who will remind me that I will look a total numpty if I quit, and that quitting is for losers, and who will be there in the background in case I need a bit of a pep talk. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 06:46:13 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_296107 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_296107 AnnaBanana1111 Hello! I'm Anna, this is my first time doing NaNo WriMo. I'm 14 years old and I'm from Massachusetts. I'd like a mentor who would be able to make sure that I am on track with word count, offer advice and offer encouragement/pep talks. I have no preference about age. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:55:30 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_296931 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_296931 RedPanda11 Hi! I'm a 22 year old college senior (just finished writing my senior thesis of 40 pages or so). I'm a music major with an emphasis in ethnomusicology. I play the mandolin, the violin, and the erhu. I would love to have a mentor. I'm writing a fantasy novel with five main characters, and each of their sections is a little bit different. 1. Navya = LGBT themes 2. Anvi = sort of typical romance story, but with a very odd character 3. Perrin = war intrigues, but war intrigues involving the character trying not to go to war 4. Tenny = identity quest 5. Emryn = assassin stuff So yeah, message me if you want to be my mentor. :) Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:12:11 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_298161 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_298161 autmned I'm 16. First time doing NaNoWriMo. Planning on doing a YA SciFi Dystopia type thing. I have a vague idea of what's happening in the story but there's no real plot. There's no climax. Or any well defined characters. I mostly just have random people walking. In the story I'm trying to think of, I mean. So yeah, a mentor would be good. :) Sun, 30 Oct 2011 10:58:49 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_300000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_300000 isabel oh hi! i'm ella, i'm 16 years old, and this is my first time doing nanowrimo. i will be (or i think i will be) writing a sort of modern fantasy story about a cult of witches living in a small town who accidentally induce an apocalypse of sorts. i don't have much writing experience at all, and also i'm a total slacker, so i would like to have someone to encourage me and gently kick me on the ass every once in a while, and just generally be nice to me. :D i'd appreciate it so much! Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:07:23 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_300170 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_300170 Eccaia Hoping I'm not too late here whoops. My name's Kalyn, I'm 20 and this is my first nano too, obv. I'm a full-time college student at Salisbury University. I just want a mentor I can bounce ideas off of and chat with, I guess? Synopsis of my story: Elena was perfectly normal. She was level-headed and serious; fantasies and dreams and imagination was for children; she was firmly situated in the here and now and thought only of getting ahead. All good qualities for the heir to a great business, even if the business specialized in Alice in Wonderland merchandise. And then she was kidnapped by the Cheshire Cat. Wonderland is nothing like she'd read before, and being called 'Alice' by everyone you meet isn't so bad when you find out the imagination you'd locked away years and years ago is your only chance of leaving. and that's it really. The excerpt is in the novel info section of my page too, so. C: Thanks! Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:30:56 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_300590 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_300590 Epsilon Rose Ello, My names Epsilon Rose and I've never written anything near this long before, so I'd probably benefit from a mentor. I guess I'll just go ahead and post what I'm doing and what I'm looking for then: Bio: --Age:21 --Occupation: CompSci student and Web-Designer --Language: English (probably redundant, but better safe than sorry. This is the internet, after all) --Strengths: I'm apparently fairly good at writing realistic conversations and I have a kinda crazy imagination. I'm also chock full of esoteric knowledge. --Weaknesses: I'm highly distract able in the long-term and I've never written a long form story before. Story: --Name: TBD --Genre: Transhuman, sci-fi, futurist, slice of life, high-school --Premise: The story is going to be set in a post-scarcity/post-singularity city and will follow the lives of a group of 3 late-middle-school/early-high-school students as they try to navigate the "modern" school environment while dealing with new forms of bullies and clicks at the same time as the age old problem of the high-school crush. This story is more about exploring new technologies that might plausibly be on the horizon and how they might affect society and also other ways we might look at education in the future. In particular this society has done away with the institution of the school and instead replaced it with a game like system where the students are left to wander through the city, in teams, as they see fit. All the while they need to complete quests in-order to level up, get grades and generally matriculate. One of the more important quests in this story will be an "ultra-rare" quest that takes the form of a V.I. representing someone from our era that the barer must explain their everyday life to. In universe this quest is meant to teach clear thinking but it's real purpose is to provide a reason for the main character to explain whats happening to the audience. I'm looking for a mentor that can help me stay on task, make sure the wording I use is easily accessible to someone not familiar with transhuman literature and generally keep me from killing the plot. That last one is kinda key, since this story is more about exploring what the future might look like than saving the world or stopping some evil organization I'm worried there might not be enough tension and since I don't normally read teen-drama I'm lacking in reasonable comparisons. That said, I've never done something like that before so any help would be appreciated. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:19:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_301435 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_301435 RainbowFishie Hola people! My name's Diana, but most people call me Dia or Gel (long story). This is my first Nano. I'm 13 (yes, 13 *insert gasp here*) Shocker, right? Anyways, I plan on writing an adventure YA book that has something to do with dream worlds, is inspired by Inception, and does not include romance, because I am 110% sick of reading YA books that include romance. I'd like a mentor who can encourage me and give me ideas to move the plot along, because I have a tendency to start a story, but end up stuck in the middle. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:00:37 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_303416 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_303416 Autumnlady Hello! Something about turning 50 this year has me chasing dreams I thought were forgotten and one of those dreams brought me to NANO. I would like a mentor that can answer questions I will have (about Nano and writing), can keep me motivated and even give me a nudge (or kick!) if I need it. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:30:12 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_305404 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_305404 Nargle Hi My name's Lois, i'm 15 and i'm a newbie and incredibly scared and confused. this is my first year doing anything like this and i don't have a clue what to do so i'd really love to have a mentor to help me. I've tried writing before, but never really been able to complete the story, my plots tend to fizzle out halfway through. i love fantasy and YA novels. and this year i plan to write a YA novel about a girl who was in a car accident and suffered severe facial scarring, and then tries to start over by finding her birth father. however, i don't really have a proper plot i'd love to have a mentor that could help me figure out a proper plot for the story. and be able to cope with my extreme lack of organisational skills also someone who could motivate me, and give me a good kick up the backside when i need one, and help stop my story from fizzling out halfway through. i'm from England and i still go to school to my schedule is a little hectic and strange. especially if i have tons of homework. so i'd love it if i had a mentor who could make sure that i wrote some more every day thanks :D Lois :) Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:57:39 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_306018 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_306018 MrPianoman456 Hi, I'm Chris, and I'm new to NaNoWriMo this year (of course), and I am thirteen years old. I live in the Pittsburgh region. I actually found out about this from one of my friends. I'm not sure if anyone has read "Unwind" by Neil Schusterman, but I plan to title my chapters like i that book-each chapter having a different point of view, and the title of the chapter is the character who is telling that part of the story. The book I am planning to write is a fantasy or sci-fi novel. I'm actually really excited. Good luck fellow Wrimos! Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:32:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_309490 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_309490 ezmac Hi I'm Mack age 17, St. Louis. Im having some trouble and am looking for a mentor Biggest problem- Righting about a city you have never been to. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:19:44 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_312234 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_312234 triangleman Working novel title: Cathode Author Name: James Genre: Contemporary/Superhero/villain Plot/Summary: Brian, a nice guy working at a software company, has to come to grips with his girlfriend Anna's secret life as a dangerous supervillain called Cathode, his drive to protect her, and the dangers that come after them both. Author bio: I am kind of the definition of busy; I'm an Air Force logistician and have very little time to write, but I think I have a slightly better shot at it than I did last year. I love messing with tropes and I have a strong (nerdy) interest in many things mechanical or techy. Strategy: I tried this last year, and my inner editor was on overdrive, and eventually contributed to me losing. My tact this year is to write the scenes I want to write first - the fun ones, the exciting ones, the fight scenes, whatever else. Scenes that are just plain enjoyable. I can then plug them into the overall framework of the story and roll with it. Synopsis This particular superhero world includes one very important distinction: whenever someone is born with a heightened ability of any kind, they're also born with an equally crippling weakness beyond a normal human's. This makes it somewhat rare for a super to survive until adulthood, as they simply don't know what can kill them until they can toughen up enough to survive it. It can be anything, from food allergies to adverse reactions to pulling a certain muscle to mental limitations and disorders. Nobody realizes that all supers have a weakness because the ones that survive conceal theirs so well. Meanwhile, the security business is making good business at the moment, since everyone needs a way to fend off supervillains. Our MMC, Brian, works for such a company that's reeling from one of their big systems getting trashed by the villain Cathode, and is considering downsizing him and his division. What Brian doesn't know is that Cathode is, in reality, his sweet, mousy girlfriend Anna, the last person anyone would ever suspect. She funnels a portion of her haul to the finance department (along with some unsubtle threats) to keep him employed. When Brian discovers her secret, his attempts to get her to give it up are ultimately doomed, for her crippling weakness is mental in nature. She's addicted to the rush and the grandstanding and the terrorizing as Cathode, as nobody takes her seriously as Anna. This leads up to a confrontation with the top hero in town, Leonine, whose great strength snaps her spine and leaves her paralyzed from the waist down in a mental hospital where Brian visits her daily. Her time there, posing as catatonic and brain damaged, allows her to finally realize that all supers have weaknesses, and she sets out to discover Leonine's for spectacular revenge by stalking down his old rivals and beating the information out of them. Any takers? x_x Mon, 31 Oct 2011 06:21:43 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_319926 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_319926 Abiloo Hi i'm Abi, i am 21 years old and have a 8 month old daughter, i'm also a "housewife" and an Open University student. I am not a ver experienced writer at all, but want to have a go at this challenge! I have a plot and some notes for the novel i am going to attepmt to write.It is of the drama genre i would say, and the main theme of it is that a young adult who is raped by her Mother's boyfriend. The novel looks at the relationship between the mother and daughter and questions if there relationship which is already rocky, will survive this event. I want to keep going backwards and forth from the present to many different moments in the past. And i want to swap from the daughter's point of view to the Mother's. I think the main thing i feel i need help on is how to structure it, when to write about what i guess. E.g When to change from the past to present. etc.......... I know i am posting very late, but well i only decided to do this yesterday! So please let me know if you could possibly be my mentor. Ooops forgot, i live in England, Leicestershire. Thanks Mon, 31 Oct 2011 06:54:54 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_320541 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_320541 Klavertje Hello everybody, I am Klavertje. (shamrock in English). I am a girl of 21 years old and I live in The Netherlands. This is my first NaNo and I would really preceate it when somebody would be my mentor this year. I'm gonna write a story about a polician (Julia) who's doughter is kidnaped. I know the beginning and the end but the rest I have to figure out. I woul like a mentor that can give me some pap talks and stimulate me to write (and give me a kick under my ass if I don''t :) And I would like it if my mentor is also a participant so it can stimulate me that if I see that the wordcount of my mentor grows, that my wordcount also have to grow. I have a busy life (study) but I quite some things for november so I have more time to write. I havn't write a long story in years and I am actually a little bit scared to begin but I am also REALLY motivated to get the 50.000 because if I start something I will finish it. I really hope that someone would be my mentor. I'm looking forward to november. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:15:11 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_320948 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_320948 pjwilliams My name is Patrick Williams. I am an underemployed, happily married, 39-year-old, father of two beautiful children. I will have A LOT of free time this month, and have always wanted to write a novel just to see if I could do it. I have previously started a couple of ideas, but have flamed out after a few chapters. I am hoping that the time constraints of this contest will force me to keep going when the going gets tough. I plan to write about an idea I have had rolling around in my brain for at least ten years. It is a supernatural/suspense/conspiracy story involving an antagonist who uses something similar to astral projection to take over other people's bodies while they sleep. The protagonist must figure out what is going on, how to stop him, and keep the antagonist from ruining his life in the process. I would love to have a mentor who has "won" NaNoWriMo before to help me push through to the end. I will have to have 50,000 words done before Nov. 24 because of some end of the month travel (Thanksgiving and Disney World). Thank you so much in advance! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:49:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_321609 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_321609 sammi_jo85 Hello! My name is Sam, and I'm 26 years old living in the DC/VA region. This is my first NaNoWriMo that I'm attempting, and I'm looking for someone who will keep me motivated and make sure my inner editor doesn't get the best of me (I enjoy writing three pages, and then editing those three pages over and over and over, forgetting that I'm trying to write a story). I plan on writing a Chick Lit novel, with the main character continuously struggling through major life interruptions. I've been told that one of my weaknesses is I tend to write more dialogue, and have a tendendcy to ramble for ages without any kind of direction. If there's anyone out there who is particularly good at keeping people focused and not allowing me to dart off in five different directions (I'm quite the scatterbrain sometimes), then that would be very helpful. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:46:55 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_326096 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_326096 natethegreat3508 Hello, Names Nathan and even though this is my second year of NANO I burned out halfway through last year so I'm not counting that. Anyway my general writing style is a Know it all funny kind of thing. I basically need a mentor silled in wielding large sticks with the skill of a master, who can also make sure I only have one plot in my novel (an incoherent plot screwedme up last time). I also need someone who is good with going in completely unprepared armed only with their wits and a laptop. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:42:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_327533 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_327533 guilty I'm not exactly a newbie -- I've attempted NaNo twice already -- but I've never made any writing buddies or had a mentor of any kind, so I consider myself a newbie to the experience of making friends through the website and participating in write-ins and such. I need someone to keep me motivated since the idea of writing nearly 2000 words daily is a bit intimidating for me, though I'm certainly excited to try. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:49:14 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_329307 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_329307 MarBar23 Hey! I'm Marrisa, &amp; I'm 19. This is my first year doing NaNo &amp; I'm equal parts excited &amp; scared. My novel is called Cats In The Car. It's a time-travel, zombie, romance fic. Yeah- I have no idea either. I would LOVE to have a mentor. I'm not able to go to any Write-In so a mentor too keep me on track would be wonderful. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:28:35 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_330223 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_330223 White_shadow Hi there, my name is Hannah and this is my first time attempting anything as big as Nanowrimo. I love writing although I tend to lose motivation and therefore, I'd love to have a mentor who could help me through this month. I'm 22, about to turn 23 in just under a week, and am writing a young adult novel about four misfits and the suburban estate they live in. I work part time and would probably write at night so somebody who is online, has facebook ect around those times would be brilliant. I live in Glasgow and am not adverse to face to face meetups. My novel is called Catherine Wheels. If anybody is interested, I'd be so happy to hear from you. :-). Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:33:05 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_330334 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_330334 Wiseferret Genre: Science Fiction Age, areas of experience: 42, Chemist, now High School Science teacher in search of job. Farming, nature. Location: western Oregon, Coast Range Working title: Cascadia's Quake Deals with: Rebellious colonies, sneaky aliens, psionic powers and ethics of use, oppression and resistance. I tend to focus on the individuals caught up in the mess and their relationships. Looking for: A cattle prod. Someone who keeps wanting to hear more is my biggest motivator. I will also greatly appreciate someone who lets me know where I need to explain more, especially about the technology. Since I tend to get focused on the characters, sometimes I leave out important things like what technology do they have (or not have). Or, if the tech exists in this world, why don't my characters have access to it. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:04:07 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_331119 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_331119 Manders331 Hey I'm new here. My name is Amanda. I am very very new to writing. I have a few ideas but not sure where to even begin a novel..I have a short story that I have started but never got to finish. But I would like to have some help getting started I guess and maybe get some tips to stay motivated. Any help would be appreciated! =] Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:42:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_332018 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_332018 Alzora Hi, I'm Alzora and I've never done NaNo before (obviously) but I'd really like a mentor to help show me around and tell me how stuff is done! I write general and science fiction and I'm 13. I would REALLY like to work on pretty much my all-around writing so if there are any mentors out there that wouldn't mind reading parts of my novel that I think need work I would really appreciate them! I'd really like it if - once I'm claimed, if that's what happens - my mentor would be able to give me a general overview of the site and what it's like to have to write 50,000 words in a month. Thanks! Alzora Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:00:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_332548 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_332548 writinc Hi I'm Bec and never done Nano before, and I'm a big procrastinator so I'd like a mentor who'd be able to give me Pep talks and make sure I stay on task through a little pressure. I'm 23 and from Australia, and need to get almost finished by the 23rd of November, as I am going away on holiday then and won't have as much time to write. Before then though I have nothing but time. I'm also writing a murder mystery book for the first time ever, so any tips on that genre would be appreciated. I don't know why I decided to attempt a new genre for this, but we'll see how it goes. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:09:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_335967 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_335967 esroopay I am 19 and writing a litfic novel, I am looking for mentor around my age (+/-3 yrs) who has done NaNoWriMo at least twice as this is my first attempt. While I have plenty of ideas, I have never tried to write 50k words on a topic and to be honest I think what I have to write will end up longer than that. I hope to win not to finish. My novel will be dark. It is an exploration of mental illness through the eyes of both the mentally ill and the observer, I'd be glad to tell you more if you agree to mentor me. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:29:49 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_336424 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_336424 thundrflux Hey there! Name is Eric, 20 years old, and this is my first NaNo. I dont write often but constantly think of ideas for books so I'm looking for someone to help move my story along. My story is going to follow a young man who gets sent back in time somewhere around caveman age. I have lots of thoughts flowing through my mind and I'm looking for someone to bounce them off of and help me with the writing process. I'm excited and scared all at once. help me! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:11:02 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_337374 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_337374 danielmck118 Haha, of course, i'm signing up for a mentor an hour before the deadline starts. I'm Daniel, 14 years old, and this is my first NaNo, even if it isn't my first book over 50K words. I absolutely love writing but I think it would be a fantastic idea if someone was able to help me out in the field of major massive cramming deadlines. I generally like to write light scifi/fantasy, often dystopian work and occasionally dipping into horror. The current project I'm working on is called 154, which is about an experiment designed to kill people, but he receives emotions and tries to escape the facility he was raised in, chased by the other experiment sent to recapture him. I would love it if there was someone more experienced than me that i could bounce ideas off of and get encouragement and deadlines from. Thanks! This is going to be awesome! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:47:22 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_339614 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_339614 artaysiah Well Nanowrimo has already started, but I'd love to have a mentor. I figured its never to late! I'm sixteen years old and this is my first ever Nano. I like writing Young Adult fiction, usually with a bit of fantasy/paranormal/dystopia/sci-fi etc. My Nano is called The Sixth Compass (I'll probably change it later though) and its about a girl who's family starts disappearing and she finds herself being dragged through a series of worlds by her Keeper. I haven't done anything like this before and I only wrote short stories in the past so it would be great if I could get some motivation, tips or a bit of a prod when I get behind the deadlines. Thanks! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:16:09 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_340228 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_340228 moxiediosa My name is Beth and this is my first NaNo. No clue what I'm doing, but a friend suggested I sign up. I live in Seattle, so I've got three hours until November starts and I'm hoping someone can be my mentor and poke me to keep writing. Writing Wars or keep-writing emails or what have you. Thanks Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:07:41 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_341376 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_341376 ulianne Aaahhhh I'm doing this so last minute! I just decided to give this another go this year (so not entirely a newbie, but I feel like one) and I desperately need help. I have no idea what I'm doing yet, which is sort of a problem. I always seem to end up doing something distopian or scifi-y. If anything, it would probably end up being dark. I really don't know. Anyway, more about me. I'm an 18-year-old film student in Chicago. I don't really see myself as much of a writer, but I have a really deep appreciation for language and literature. This is sort of what drives me to try this. I'm super friendly, charismatic, and charming as all get out. More about me... I'm really into linguistics (almost went to college for it), knitting, Tolkien (as of late), video games, thrifting, star trek, bagpipe, mandolin, and anecdotes. If you're interested in being my mentor, let me know! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:30:54 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_341754 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_341754 ChartreuseWalls Hey all :) So I've been wanting to do NaNo for years, but unfortunately November has always been about midterm season anxiety and stress, and now that I have graduated I'm looking for something else to give me anxiety and stress ;) Actually, I'm just really excited to be able to have the time to actually commit to NaNo this year! I would really love a mentor to help guide me through all this craziness. More about my me: I'll be 22 in a week and a half, from the born and partially raised in the midwest, and currently still there. I love weaving a really great story together, although this is my first attempt at writing a full fledged novel. I pretty much do everything in my life by the seat of my pants--I don't really like planning. More about my novel: It's set in a future dystopia. I like creating new environments that are unseen but build off what we know. I already have the general plot of most of the story (in my head) and know where I want it to go...I just hope those plot bunnies don't distract me! What I want in a mentor: Someone who's been around the block and knows what's what. Someone who is either writing in a similar (sci-fi/fantasy) genre or likes reading it, and someone who is positive and encouraging! Thanks :) Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:35:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_343058 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_343058 ulianne Update: I'm kind of doing something horror/supernatural/scifi-y now. I think. It's still not entirely clear and I'm still interested in getting a mentor! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:49:57 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_343377 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_343377 paragonBlacksmith Hi! I'm Owen, 18 years old, and this is my first NaNo. I've tried writing novels before but none of them have really taken off, so to speak. The genre I'm looking to enter would be young adult/teen fiction. I need a mentor that can kick me when I'm slacking, which will inevitably happen. I'm sorry to do this so last minute! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:02:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_343636 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_343636 bakari527 Hello! My name is Tori and I'm a 22 year old Marine. I will have quite a bit of free time to focus on writing this month, and as this is my first time at Nano I could really use some guidance. The type of story I'm aiming to write is a fantasy/sci-fi adventure series. I have a bit of an outline written out already, but I can never seem to stick with it once I start writing as I feel like my story just doesn't follow what I have mapped out in my head. I'm hoping that a mentor can help me flesh out my ideas more definitively and encourage me during those moments where I'm seconds away from scrapping the whole of whatever I've managed to write at the time. Thanks in advance! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:19:33 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_349711 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_349711 SandraDee Hello. It's November 1 and I'm already lost. This is my first NaNo. My name is Sandy and I'm 40ish. I live in the Chicago area. I'm still not sure what genre my novel falls into. Thriller? Crime? I want it to be more gritty than chick lit. It's about a nondescript middle aged suicidal woman who decides to kill a man who is a wife-abuser as her last act. She discovers herself and sorta discovers her 'purpose' in the process. Of course complications ensue. It's not so much a who-dunnit, as the MC is the would-be killer. I would very much appreciate a mentor's help and camaraderie. I'm hoping I can find an experienced NaNo writer -preferably somewhere in the ball park of my age - to help guide me through the process. A sense of humor is much appreciated! This site seems like a fantastic resource and I'd love to learn more about sharing experiences with other writers. I'd be glad to return the favor and read material. I may not have the whole plot/setting/characters/story arc thing going (aka 'the novel'), but I can be helpful with edits/grammar and the like. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:34:07 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_351325 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_351325 silverferret4 Hi... my name is Ben and I am 33 years old. I live in Roseville, MN. I am really excited about writing, but I am also scared. I wrote a lot when I was younger, but put a lot of pressure on myself and it eventually caused me to edit so much that I wasn't able to just write. I am really hoping that NaNoWriMo will help with that... get me back to just enjoying writing again. However... ... It is day 1 and I am a little worried. I have one idea that I think would be really good, but I feel like it would take a bit of research, outlining, etc. in order to be effective. I worry that if I go down this road, I will not have time to actually write to the 50k mark. At the same time... I feel like it would be easier for me to stay committed to something that I care about. Option two would be to sit down after work tonight with a blank page and see where the first 1667 words take me. Needless to say, I am looking for some advice, and anyone willing to mentor would be GREATLY appreciated. As far as genre goes... hard to answer since I really am not sure exactly what I am writing yet, but if you looked at my reading stack maybe that would help. I tend to like things like Dostoevsky, Solzhenitsyn, William Golding, Kafka, Camus, etc. Usually stories that tend to illustrate an underlying philosophy. (Seriously, that even sounds depressing to me... I swear I am not all gloom and doom... I just believe that literature can be incredibly powerful). Again, anyone willing to help out, even with just some friendly advice, the occassional WRITE MORE message, or anything else... I would love it!. Thanks in advance... Ben Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:27:35 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_355326 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_355326 WhatsForDinner In for 50,000, in for a mile. If there are any helpful mentors out there looking to procrastinate on their own successful novels, I'd be delighted to have a bit of help. I love words and always have. Though I've been trying my hand at fiction writing for a few years now (through a marvelous class here in my tiny northern California town), I've never pulled off a long piece of fiction. I would appreciate a cheerleader who will understand that writing for me happens only in the morning, after the kids are at school and before I have to start driving them to swim practice and dealing with dinner and trying to convince my oh-so-scientific husband that I'm not just wasting my time. I seem to write literary fiction, and have planned out a bit of a family drama set over the Christmas holidays. I dislike the fact that so much lit fic these days centers on darkness and tragedy and the hidden traumas of life. I wonder whether it is possible to write an engaging story where normal people living normal lives are interesting in and of themselves, and where normal hassles and mis-understandings and minor problems make for interesting reading. Anyway, I would love some moral and internet support in this endeavor. All the best, D Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:28:16 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_355340 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_355340 kyra.koala Hello, my name is Kyra and I am 19 years old. I am looking for a mentor who can be encouraging, because there are going to be lots of times that I want to quit and push Nano aside, but I need someone to help keep me accountable. Also, writers block is my downfall. I tend to think "Oh if I just let it be, an idea ill come to me" and then it never does and the piece of writing ends up in the trash and never looked at again. I don't want this to happen! I want to actually accomplish a goal with my writing this time. That being said, I am hoping to find a mentor with similar experiences as myself. That means that I would like a college student or freshly-out-of, because juggling college, work, studies and Nano will be a challenge too and I will need help and advice of how you (my mentor) have and are doing it successfully! My novel is going to be a Horror/Supernatural piece about Zombies. I got the inspiration from the novel "The Passage" by Justin Cronin. I originally wrote the first couple pages as a short story assignment for one of my English Gen Eds, but I want to expand it into a fully flushed-out story, and what better place than Nano to do it? Anyone out there who think they can help, please do not hesitate! I will need it. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:05:31 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_356185 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_356185 onetruth Hello, I'm Lisa, 29, single mother of 6-year-old twins. I love writing but never do it, and always promise to force myself to do better. So, this is me forcing myself. I mostly need someone to keep me accountable and give me tips. I'd rather not give the premise of my plot here. Mostly I need the accountability and encouragement. Thanks! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:18:12 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_357431 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_357431 scottish-shotgun-sweetie Hiya! I'm Eilidh and I'm from The UK. This is my second NaNoWriMo and I did manage the first one...just. My novel is a sort of handbook type of thing making it kinda hard to write because I just keep sticking! Anyone who can help me out by giving me a "gentle" kick in the right direction when I get down would be awesome. If someone can help me with writing and getting my word count as high as possible. THANK YOU! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:19:33 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_361181 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_361181 PsychokittyFreakout Hello! My name is Becca, I'm fourteen, I live in Georgia, and this is the first time I'm really doing NaNoWriMo. I did it once for school but only up to ten thousand words, and tried last year but COMPLETELY crashed! I'm pretty awful when it comes to procrastination, so I might need someone to keep me going. I've been writing for as long as I can remember, and while I don't consider myself a fantastic writer it and can't imagine what I would be like without it. I tend to write horror/sci-fi, particularly post-apocalyptic, and I can be pretty merciless when it comes to my characters. I'm writing a story centered around a zombie apocalypse and hoping that I can put my own spin on such a traditional idea! I'm late, it's already the first day, but if anyone's still up to adopting a newbie, I'd really appreciate it! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:46:28 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_364343 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_364343 simevan5 Hey I'm simon and I'm 16 (i know right a young'un). Well anyway this is my first time doing NaNo and i can already tell that I'm gonna need someone to help me through this. I love to write but I'm a major procrastinator so that may be a problem. My novel is kind of sort of a fantasy (not quite sure yet) and i kind of just write whatever comes to my head so it may be completely different by the middle. But so far my idea is about a kid who learns he's a dream lord or something and can go into dreams and he meets other people like him and they have to find something or defeat something. But this kid has a troubled past and he has to face his demons in the dreams (he killed his sister in an accidental fire). If someone wants to by my mentor that would be completely fantastic, even if you just want to nag me to keep going cause I'm bound to just want to stop. If your interested or want to know more just NaNo mail me. Thanks so much and hope to here from you. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:32:09 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_366078 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_366078 lyricsyrup I'm Mallory. c8 I'm 15 and i'm writing a fantasy novel. I'm from Kentucky.. I think I'm a fairy good writer but I'm crap at dialogue and writing quickly. This is my first year :D Any help at all would be appreciated and loved. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:46:30 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_366599 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_366599 raggydoll I'm Sof but you can call me Raggy. I'm new here and first timer to nanowrimo. I'm 26 years old. I'm looking for a mentor of course. My novel will be about a soul taker. It's a girl who sold her soul and is now taking the souls and life away from people. Any help would be appreciated. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:31:24 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_370150 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_370150 Gingerduckii Hi guys My name's Mazzi and i'm a nineteen year old nauseous newbie who's already flagging. It's shameful, i know. Would really love someone to help me through my first NaNo as I have yet to finish a story and love bouncing ideas off people. Though I wouldn't expect this to be a one-sided thing and would also be willing to help in any way I can. The story i'm writing is called Bloodlines (planning on changing that when i think of a better title) and it's a big mess of genres but mainly young adult fiction i suppose. It's set in the near-future, 2013 and vampires have made themselves known to the world. The government have enforced strict rules to protect humans but everyone makes those little mistakes. Cue our heroine, Scarlett. Walking home at night is forbidden but she has no choice and gets picked up by a vampire, Asher Redwyn. To her dismay he promptly takes her home and drains her dry. She eventually wakes up in Hyde Park to some very shocked and appalled voices not realising how very naked she is or that it's not quite 2013 but 1816. She gets taken in by a kind viscountess and spends the next few days in bed, slipping in and out of consciousness, not really understanding what's going on and having to be very careful with what she says so they don't lock her up in a lunatic asylum. One day she wakes up and get some very odd pains in her chest, her heart fails her and she's rudely awakened back in her present day, 2013, Asher looming over her. He demands to know why she isn't dead and she demands to know the same. Knowing something's not quite right, Asher decides to keep Scarlett, after all, it doesn't mean he has to go hunting for blood any more so it doesn't seem too bad on his part. For Scarlett she keeps on travelling back to 1816 and starts learning to become a lady of the English Regency era. She meets all manner of people during her stay in the past but one person she doesn't expect to meet is Asher Redwyn himself. As a newly turned vampire using the ton circles to satisfy his hunger, he is the only person Scarlett can really talk to about her weird time-travelling. This is their story of the two are connected through time and space and how one girl could change a vampire's view on humans forever. Okay that was a cheesy line but I haven't quite worked out the ending yet. They're inexplicably linked somehow need to work that out a bit more when i get to it. Anyone think they can help me? My time is GMT/UK but i'm often awake and online at all hours of the day and night so time differences don't make too much difference. Definitely need support this year, if anyone thinks they like the sound of my story and would like to help me, shoot me a pm =) Thanks!! Mazzi &lt;3 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:07:15 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_371497 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_371497 marajs Hello, I'm Rachel, and I'm a full-time English major/Liguistics minor and in serious need of a mentor that is capable of Gibbs-slapping me into writing. I have a story that's been haunting me forever but i'm too afraid to write it down yet, so I've decided to focus on my character's former partner, since I already intended to do that anyway. I'm not quite sure how to classify the genre at this point other than Action-Adventure/Romance. The loose plot centers around a woman, Eva (not ee-vah!!), after her military husband is killed overseas. She goes to work at a place known simply (at this point) as the Agency. She works as a negotiator all over the English/French- speaking countries, since those are the only lgs she knows. She despises killing and violence of any kind, even though she is no stranger to guns (her husband's doing). Her boss pairs her up one day with Agent Ravenwood, who doesn't enjoy killing, but is by now means opposed to violence. He's hoping they will rub off on each other ;) Eventually, Eva meets up with this assassin who's not really an assassin, finds out how her husband really died, and ohbytheway she meets her birth parents. She grew up in an orphanage, did I forget to mention that? Very loose plot right now, I could totally use some advice/slaps to the head. Thanks!! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:34:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_372468 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_372468 NinjaKana I'm Sam. My first NaNoWriMo too, and I'm trying to write a (for sure) Steampunk genre. Not too sure if it will play out as more drama or comedy or adventure sort of thing. I'm going for basic Victorian era combined with steam and gear technology with some electricity, and my synopsis is as follows: "Time Jessibel needs to get away from home. Xavier wants to help her. They meet up with Brenden, an experienced ship captain and one of Xavier's family friends. He takes them on to work for him, but such a controversial thing as hiring a young woman to work as a shiphand may cause some problems. Jessibel has borrowed Xavier's wardrobve, cut her hair and resigned herself to being Jes, the odd grease boy who helps out around the ship. Xavier, being of higher class and standing with society and having a much more well-hidden secret apprentices the navigator. Brenden is charged to look after the pair as they go from port to port expierencing the best of the new technology and cultures, as best as they can when ferrying cargo and wealthy passengers. Jessibel has never had to hide something as direly as this, and with her cheek and nack for causing problems for her childhood friend, its a long journey for them and the crew. Having to balance between earning their keep on board and getting the chance to enjoy themselves with the trouble they could be in, the time just flys by. (SteamPunk Fiction, Title may change, inspiration was a decorative bronze watch on a chain and some old characters)" I'm looking for someone to help keep me motivated, and to possibly help me with timeline things and some information about the Steampunk genre (I adore it, and I have my own versions and some knowledge, but I am no expert). I would really appreciate any messages or anything you can share with me. c: Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:38:53 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_372623 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_372623 yoyayoya101 Hey, I'm Kevin. I am seventeen. I have tried to write in the past, but I always gave up within a day (I just couldn't put my ideas on paper). A couple months ago, I started handwriting a novel. I felt like it was going to be a really great book. However, I ended up losing all of my work. Now I know to keep a backup. After I lost my work, I tried to write the same story again, but I just wasn't feeling it and gave up. Now I'm doing NaNo and I'm really excited. It's a bit challenging, but I think I can do this. I feel like my story is more Adventure than Fantasy at this point, but there's a possibility that that might change. I want someone who will encourage me and try to keep me on track. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:15:53 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_373882 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=13#forum_thread_comment_373882 Shotgun_Steve Meh: I'm a 17 year old college student looking for a writing mentor that can give me some tips about writing a science fiction story. My story is about an internet vigilante, but with a twist! Synopsis: Facebook is a social hub. Youtube is the world's greatest movie theater. Reddit is an underground society that share stories of shady dealings between massive corporations and rage face novels. This is the universe known as the Internet. Shotgun_Steve is a small-time vigilante, reporting inappropriate videos and flagging rampant piracy where he finds it. The internet is a dangerous place, and Steve is about to learn that everyone makes enemies... Any mentor that is interested, please contact me as soon as possible. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:25:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_374216 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_374216 ms jade Hi, please call me Lena. I'm 31, from IL, and this is my first NaNo. I'm not sure what I'm doing and don't even have a plot in place as of yet, so I thought a mentor would be a great place to start! I'm a full time mom, a full time wife, a part time transcriptionist, and a part time English/Soc major. I started out as an English major with a focus on creative writing in 1998. I left school, got some life experience under my belt (downs and ups, including two lovely little girls), then returned to finish my major in 2009. So far so good! I used to write a lot (re: pre-babies) and my genre is Literary Fiction. I'm used to writing short stories, usually 2-3 pages tops. I tend to focus on one moment in time, interactions between two or a small group of characters, in seemingly ordinary circumstances and locations. I focus more on character growth and development than plot for the most part. My main characters are introverted, thinking more than speaking. I'm a wee bit intimidated by the idea of a 50,000 word novel in a month. I'm not sure what my characters will do with themselves after page 5 or 6... I'm also not sure how to nudge my characters from thought into speech. I'm assuming a novel is going to need some more interaction and Action, than some guy or gal standing around awkwardly thinking deep thoughts lol. Please note, I "used" to write a lot because I'm dealing with a case of self-imposed writer's block (aka writer's laziness). It's been ongoing for quite some time now. NaNo seems just the thing to grab me and pull me up out of that :) I'm hoping for a mentor to give me pointers, criticism, a push or shove in the right direction, reminders to keep me from procrastinating, encouragement to keep going... it would also be great to get tips on writing as a parent with limited time (or energy) on her hands! ANY help at all would be so appreciated, really. Please feel free to shoot me a line or two, or more! Thanks!! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:39:13 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_374663 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_374663 Charlotte.Wolfrum Hi! I am writing a YA novel. I don't really know how else to classify it as I am new to it all. This is my first NaNoWriMo but my second novel. I am 20 years old and I live in Florida, but time isn't really an issue. I am in college currently but I am only taking 3 classes this semester. I would really like to work on sentence structure and being motivated to finish. I don't really know what else to put here, so I'll end before I start rambling. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:44:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_376988 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_376988 ohatlas Hi! I'm Jenna and I really want to make this happen, so I'd love a motivational mentor. Nothing too serious, just someone to check in with me and encourage me to keep going. My book is Literary Fiction, kind of an odd coming of age novel, and I'm over a thousand words in now so I am trying to stay focused. Any coaching is appreciated! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:32:15 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_378604 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_378604 TortugaRachel My novel this year is a fantasy adventure story intended for young audiences (middle/high school). It will include mystery, betrayal, romance, and all sorts of other goodies (I hope). I'd like a mentor that will keep me motivated as well as give honest feedback on my work in progress and keep me with a PG or PG 13 rating. I don't want someone that is going to tell me nice things to make me feel good, I am going for quality here and want serious critique of my work. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:46:04 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_380070 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_380070 Elfwreck I want to DO ALL THE NANO STUFF, but I don't want to be pulling resources away from someone else who needs them more. (I am aware that mentors are not exactly fungible resources; they're not all exchangeable with each other. Still. Someone who's mentoring me, isn't mentoring someone else during that time.) I have friends at Dreamwidth who are being supportive; some are also doing NaNo; others aren't, but are familiar with it. I'm very comfortable with forums; I can sort out how to ask questions for plot or fact details, either here or at my blog. My google-fu is excellent; I can track down obscure fact details if I need them. I can even, if I remind myself, *not* spend an extra half-hour tracking down pictures that might illustrate key points in my novel. So maybe I don't need a mentor. I know what my normal writing speed is &amp; how to write w/o editing (hey, does the slash mark make that count as two words?), have a plotline to follow, if not a scene breakdown yet. I've written to deadlines before (never this much, though), and have some practice with "just get the blasted thing down on the page; edit LATER." I *don't* know if I'm going to get four days done and say, "gah, this is distracting me from RL problems and also I don't like that last spaceship scene; I better just walk away before I really ruin it." I want a mentor. (Because despite having a decent idea what I've signed up for, I'm still pretty nervous.) I'm not at all sure I "need" one, in the sense of "I won't enjoy myself or get done without one." If you think that it'd be fun to nudge me to get things done and play sounding-board for my plot hangups, even if I maybe don't need it, please nanomail me! I'm 42 and live in the SF East Bay Area; my novel is science fiction/erotica. I've written a reasonable amount of fanfic in the past, and read lots more; I almost signed up with a fanfic novel in mind but got bit by a plotbunny that wouldn't shut up. I know I need help with worldbuilding &amp; sci-fi vocabulary. (I'm going to try not to stop to figure out "what should I call that?") I'm very comfortable with online text communications, but don't do Skype or Facebook. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:49:58 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_380161 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_380161 Carl Miller Novel Title: The Divine War Author Name: Carl Miller Plot/Summary: A group of mortals living in a seemingly perfect world discover the secrets behind its perfection and seek to correct them, unwittingly inserting themselves into the middle of something far larger. Colors/Ideas: ??? Author bio: My name is Carl, I'm 17, this is my first time around, and I've never written any extended piece of creative fiction before :T Synopsis: In the time before time, all of existence consisted of six people: Astriþ (Astrith), the goddess of light; Erina, the goddess of darkness; Kaena, the goddess of the mind; Yukari, the goddess of instinct; Maria, the goddess of fertility; and Sila, the goddess of death. Whilst their power is boundless, their knowledge is not: and so, one day, they conspired to create a being gifted with infinite knowledge. They pooled their unending power together, and so created the queen-goddess Amane, and, inadvertently, our universe, with forty thousand brothers and sisters. Not long after Amane's birth, though, they saw the strategic value of her omniscience, and so began using it to fight against one another, warping entire universes to their will. Eventually, though, Amane forced them to cease their bickering, and the fighting ceased for a short while. Eventually, though, they figured out a way to fool Amane: by creating the Treaty-World, a seemingly perfect universe. Many æons later, though, Amane would sense something amiss in the Treaty-World, and empower a small band of its mortal inhabitants to fix it. That is where our story begins. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:06:21 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_380512 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_380512 sleepymama Hi, I'm Michelle, I'm 29, and this is my first year to do NaNo. I've been full of "good" excuses to put it off for years ("I didn't learn about it in time to prepare myself." "I'm in school." "I'm pregnant." "I have a baby.", but I've finally come to the conclusion that there will never be a perfect time, so why not now? I'm also turning 30 in early December, so the idea that I can say I wrote a book before I turned 30 is a huge motivation. :) I've always been a huge procrastinator, though I managed about 4100 words on Day 1! I know that pace won't remain steady, and I'm a little worried I'll get cocky and think it's okay to skip some days (part of the reason I'm stockpiling words right now!). I also have an awful internal editor, and I'm having trouble turning that off. I keep rereading what I wrote to double check my details, then seeing phrases that bug me, or thinking of more details to add. I know we're supposed to wait and edit later, but I don't know how to stop myself. I also have this really skewed view of achievement (growing up, if i got a 96 on a test, my mom would tell me that's good, but maybe I can get a 98 next time?), so failing to make 50,000 words is just not an option in my head. I'm quite determined to win! I've never been able to write if I know someone is going to read it before it's ready, so I'm probably not going to want a mentor to go over what I've written, at least for awhile (though I suppose that could change, you never know!). I don't even usually like to talk about WHAT I'm writing, for fear that someone will make some tiny little comment that will make me question everything and throw the screeching brakes on the whole project. Heck, this is the first time I've even told anyone that I AM writing at all. I don't even know what genre to classify this as. Chick lit, I guess? The MC is a girl, and she does meet a boy...that's about all I know so far. ;) It's not a genre I would have set out for, but that seems to be where it's heading. My BIGGEST concern, and the main reason I'd love to find a mentor, is that I'm a stay-at-home mom of an energetic 21 month old girl. Are there any mentors out there that have done this with a toddler at home? HOW did you do it? I would LOVE some tips on how to balance it all! I was hoping there would be a support group for parents, but I haven't seen any. I think I can manage the writing during her nap and after bedtime, but I'm terrified of how I'm going to keep up with her, cooking, cleaning, finances, and still keep a tiny bit of sanity. My husband is ready and willing to help me however he can, I just don't know what to tell him to do (and I find myself irritated that he doesn't just instinctively KNOW how to help). Anyway, thanks for reading! I'd love to hear from you if you think you can help. :) Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:25:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_380906 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_380906 Mitsozuka Hey folks, I'm Mitso, a Fantasy author, who has been pursuing writing as a profession for 5 years with little of anything to show for it. I prefer to go by my Nom-de-plume, as it is the name I gave myself, and because I hate my real name. I am 26 this year. I am an American, please forgive me for that. I have an extensive background in Arthurian literature and ancient European mythology, including the norse, greek/roman, and Holy roman mythos. I love anything to do with music, bascally, and have been singing since I could speak. As far as Mentors go, I'm looking for someone who can sit with me on Yahoo Messenger and poke back and forth with ideas about my story, chit-chat when I need a break from actually writing, and help me not feel so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information swirling around the torrent I call my brain. Someone with an Extremely open mind is a MUST, as I don't pull punches when it comes to content, and might squick certain less flexible palettes. Any mentor who wants a challenge, go ahead and NaNoMail me! Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:12:56 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_384289 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_384289 l-i-nking Um, let's see. My name is Lindsay, but I take on nicknames of all sorts and within a couple instances of calling me by said nickname, I will respond to it, even if it's totally ridiculous. Which it probably is/will be. This is my first NaNo, for the record. I am writing a romance novel based around a couple of young adults attending college, as I am also attending college myself (hellooooo freshman) and learning new things to incorporate in writing all the time. I actually just turned 18 on the start of Nano, and I am attending Oakland University in Rochester/Rochester Hills, Michigan. I feel like my main issue in writing is keeping things in the realm of believable. I love writing romances in general, but I have a horrible tendency to speed through things that are supposed to take time to build up. It helps when I've got someone else looking at it who is able to point out 'that doesn't make sense,' or 'no relationship moves like this.' I also like having help with wording relatively frequently. Sometimes I'll have the scene laid out in my head, and know exactly what I want to say...but not how I want to say it. I screw up on consistent tense sometimes, too, so if you're any good at picking out such things, that would be awesome. I'm rather laid-back in just about everything, so you're actually rather open to whatever mentoring style you choose. Chances are I'll run with it, and if I can't, I'll tell you. As a side note, I'm always available through AIM, I can always make myself available through Skype, and I do have an MSN account as well. I prefer not to use it unless necessary, however, especially because of word count limits. I'm also always available through e-mail or Nanomail. A warning, though...I live in the dorms on campus, and during the day, a LOT of people are on the network. It's incredibly difficult to stay on and send IMs/emails/nanomails etc during this time, no matter how much I try. Chances are my best communication time (if not writing time as well) will be well into the middle of the night, and very early in the morning. ...like now. I'm usually at home with a stable connection on the weekends, though, so that helps out greatly. Another side note...I'm very awkward and "uptight" upon first speaking to someone. It's sort of my mother's professionalism coming through in me because I spend too much time reading her work e-mails over her shoulder and studying the format more so than the content. Once I get used to a person, I open up a lot more and get...well, weird, obnoxious, amusing, fun...depends on how you look at it. So...I think that's all I have to say about it. Here's hoping to getting a mentor! (holy crap this is long) Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:43:28 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_384756 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_384756 L. Johnson Hi! I'm Liz, I'm 16 years old, and I'm in ned of a mentor haha. I like to write Mystery and suspense, though I'm not very good at it. I prefer romance even though the plots seem to go nowhere... So I'm looking for a mentor to help me stay on track and give me a few tips on how to keep the suspense flowing and the romance on track with twists. Maybe also open my eyes to some new genre's I can try my hand at. I prefer writing in first person, but I occasionally go to third person for certain stories to try and ass more detail, and get better at it haha. The title of my current novel is A Heart Drawn in Blood, about twins who get kidnapped one at a time by the same serial killer who plan on keeping then hostage as his queens. (I watch TOO much Ciminal Minds....) This is my second year on NaNo, but last year I didn;t care about anything except finishing my novel because it was for english. But since I'm a writer at heart I chose to do it again for me this time :) Hope I find a mentor soon! XOXO, Liz&lt;3 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:29:53 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_387715 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_387715 life in perspective Hi! I'm Angie, and this is my first NaNo. I'm 40, an elementary school teacher, married to a great, supportive guy, and have two boys, one in high school and one in middle school. I'm writing a mystery novel that will probably be in the cozy subgenre with a little romance thrown in. I'm looking for a mentor that understands what it's like to have a very busy life while also trying to write. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:10:55 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_388711 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_388711 Ally.Gabirelle Hey :) My name is Ally. I'm seventeen years old and this is my first time doing NaNoWriMo. I've been writing and making up stories since I was very young. The novel I'm writing is actually something thats been a work in progress for a few years. I have just always had an issue with buckling down and actually getting to my writing. I have an issue with getting distracted and losing motivation, but I'm determined to win this. I've never known anyone who writes before, so I think this is a great opportunity to meet some people with the same interests. Love to hear from some of you :) Ally Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:49:22 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_391356 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_391356 misspenny Hi! I'm Rachel and I'm 21. This is my first novel and I'm really excited. I'm a college student and work in a bookstore, but I still find a good amount of time to dedicate to writing. The hardest part for me is coming up with conflict and silencing my own inner critic... My novel is about a bar musician who meets a girl hired to waitress in a bar he plays in regularly. She's taken on the job by night to get her by - by day she's working to save her family's failing flower shop. The main character falls for her and works to help her with the shop, but it's complicated when she's raped by his band's manager, and rather than say anything and compromise his band, she quits the bar and tries to avoid him... Anyways, I'd love to find a mentor/writing buddy on here, drop me a message :) Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:43:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_394672 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_394672 ElliMelody Hello there! My name is Breanne, and i am a 17 year old, female high school student in AZ. I love to write, and my sister suggested this to me as a challenge. She sia lso doing it, but I want a mentor who won't be biased towards my work like a close friend/sibling would be. I'm still trying to come up wtih ideas for my story, but my working title is "All the Things You Are." I mostly want a mentor to help me set and meet deadlines, give me writing advice,a nd help me guide my plotline along(as I have only a slight plotline as of right now that needs some serious work.) A bit more about me: -I've been writing since late elementary school. I actually once completed but never published a children's picture book, in 5th grade, but ti was more of a fanfiction then anything.(The teacher was stil pretty impressed that I wrote it though) -I'm really into music. I work better in silent, music filled areas or with headphones in my ears. About my writing: -I like to write all genres. I've mostly experimented with Young Adult, Supernatural and fantasy genres though. -I often have many ideas at once. These suually end up in a mess of unrelated pages of stories and filled noteooks of nonsense. -i prefer to type, but am prone to typos(as you migth notice) I am, however, handwriting for this month. -I have a large vocabulary, so I tend to write mroe mature then others my age. (it helps that I read literature for leisure) -If I write out an outline for a story/book, I can't finish it. I have to write outliens very light and very sketchy, so I have plenty to expand and change, and I can't complete the end of the book int he outline. -I am bad at ending stories. And beginnign them. -Most of my stories are write-as-i-go. Ideas pop itno my head, so I write them down. -My NaNoWriMo story is one of the above. Basically, i started writing, with no ideas in my head. So, its subject to change. A lot. I'd love to hear form someone who si willing to help me out with this. I woudl liek to say i am easily distracted and organized ina disorganized fashion(meaning, my stuff is always a mess, but I know exactly where everyhting is). Thank you,a nd would love to hear from someone! Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:52:09 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_394979 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_394979 ashecrosse Hi, my name is Destinye, although I go by the name Ashe, and I am a newbie to NaNoWriMo, and would love a mentor. I am 18 years old, and my book, Vince's World, is fantasy. I need a mentor to be able to keep me going, because I never seem to finish my novels, and to keep me out of depressed states that my Poe-like writing often puts me in Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:34:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_396334 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_396334 smdasilva My name is Sherry. I am 43 years old. I am married with 5 children and I work full time. I have always wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo since I heard about it several years ago. I have also always wanted to be a writer. I write extremely short fiction over at Ficly under the same name. I could use a mentor to help motivate me by any means. I am not sure what direction my story is going, just have my protagonist right now. I love all kinds of fiction, sci-fi/fantasy, modern lit, mystery/thriller, YA, etc. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:09:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_397374 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_397374 internettie Hello. My name is Samantha, you can call me Sam if you like. I am 51 and this is my first go round at NaNo. I live in Colorado Springs but am originally from the Boston area. My novel is about my life and how I got to where I am now. I guess you could call it autobiographical literature or something of the sort. I've had a lot of interesting things happen in my life, at least interesting to me and my therapist. She's the one who told me about NaNo and suggested I finally work at the novel I'm always talking about. I could use help in all areas. I'm used to blogging personally and bring that style to my writing. I'm very much a stream of consciousness writer. I have an outline and I am loosely following it. So far I am averaging the 1667 words per day (on day 2 LOL) and I'm amazed that I even got started with this project. Anyway, I would like a mentor who can help me with getting this puppy off the ground and give me any tips, tricks or suggestions for being successful at this (and by successful all I mean is actually getting to 50,000 words out there without boring myself to tears, let alone anyone else). If you think you can help me, just let me know. Thanks. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:27:04 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_397960 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_397960 lolah11 Hi, I´m Lola, 25, and this is my first time in NaNo. I´ve been writing since I was a child, but I tend to get blocked (that´s why I entered this site in the first place... it´s a challenge). I would like to write a short story collection. My genres go from literary fiction to fantasy. I´m mexican, so I´m gonna write in spanish, but I understand english pretty well, and what I want from a mentor is some advice about creative process... I think. Thank you so much! Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:45:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_400781 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_400781 Meldainiel Hello! I'm Kris 26, from Southern California, Rebel. (started my novel early.. oops) I'm writing a Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel that is kind of a cross between Lord Of the Rings, Romeo and Juliet and a bunch of other stories. I'm going to be writing as much as I can during the first half of the month, however, I'm moving, so most of my writing will be done the last 2 1/2 weeks. This is my first NaNo and I'm really excited. I mainly need someone to poke me with a stick and to bounce ideas off of because I've been dealing with some stagnation in my storyline, so I'm trying to get it moving again. Anyway, story summary below as well as a copy/paste of my "author bio". Summary: Humans greedy for power, are on the verge of extinction from war and radioactive waste. Creatures once thought mythical have shown themselves to be very real and have emerged from hiding, to eradicate war and protect the human race from destroying themselves. By harnessing and manipulating the destructive power for good, they advance technologically and artistically. Small bands of surviving humans have created colonies, where they live quietly, trying to recover from the carnage the human race wrought on itself, and gain the trust of the creatures that saved them. Earth is in a relative time of peace; war has ceased and people have begun to work together. In the human settlement of Ajenno, the head councilor’s daughter Victoria prepares to take over her mothers position. She has chosen her attendants and all that is left is to take the customary journey to Strinek, the city of fire. On her journey Victoria will learn about herself and the past. While in Strinek, Victoria and her council will be granted gifts to help them lead and protect the people of Ajenno and will learn the prophecy of the great war, and the dragon queen; a war to unite all the races, and a woman, on the back of a dragon, burning like the sun. Author Bio: I'm a 26 year old California girl, a certified Anglophile (if that kind of thing was certified), on a journey to find myself. I contradict myself, have the worst memory and sense of direction, I love too quickly and too deeply, I'm good hearted and I'm loyal to the death. I sometimes play a level 85 Shadow Priest on World Of Warcraft. (Galakrond Server) I self-injure, battle depression and don't beat around the bush. I overlook a lot of flaws but if you cross me, then watch out. I'm single and will most probably stay that way. I'm a bit old fashioned and have old fashioned morals, but I dont think its my right to tell you how to live, however, that doesn't mean I wont voice my opinion or tell you what I think. I love movies, music and video chats. Tumblrite, Potterhead, Starkid, Twitard &amp; Whovian. Harry Potter/AVPM/AVPS/The Guild makes everything better. My life in general is complicated. I love questions and I'm nosy. Hope to hear from you soon! &lt;3 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:06:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_403352 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=14#forum_thread_comment_403352 Lizalapoli Hello all - I'm Liz and this is my first NaNo! I would love to have a mentor or writing buddy to help me stay motivated. I'm a perfectionist and my internal editor often goes crazy, so I'd love someone who can help me push through that. The novel I've started writing is about a female mail carrier in San Francisco that falls in love with a venture capitalist turned coke addict turned homeless guy that she meets on the street. Quirky and weird I know, but I'm excited to write both characters so I think that's a good sign. I work full time, but I have two hours of train commute time that I'm utilizing to write. Looking forward to finding a mentor to help me through! Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:42:57 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_407004 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_407004 NemesisWarfare Hello hello, my name is William Edwards and this is my first NaNo. &gt;.&lt; I have a vague idea of what I am doing and by that I mean, I can type on a keyboard. *high five* Other then that, the motivation is close to none existent and the ideas and plots have holes all in them. lol. I guess I'm in need of just a generalist. :D Maybe a little motivation here, a little criticism there, a chocolate martini... *cough* I'm writing a novel that I've wanted to write for a while and finally had a chance to just that. It may or may not lead into a series depending on whether or not I can finish it. It's a Fantasy story about a man who receives Elemental powers on his quest to get revenge for his family who he watched burn alive. I work 9-5 weekdays, and usually write 6-9 and weekends. Unless it's the 10th-13th I may be leaving the world to play Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Did I cover everything? *shrugs* Oh! If it matters, I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada eh? :P Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:46:02 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_409363 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_409363 Suta Hey there y'all. My (screen)name is Suta and I am in desperate need of someone who can wrangle my spectacle-wearing T-Rex of an editor to the ground and hold her there until I get some writing done. She's currently standing behind me, snorting into my hair and it's rather terrifying, honestly. My novel is one of vaguely Nordic origins. The idea is a girl is born with a disfiguring mark said to appear on the bringer of Ragnarok, or Destruction. She's to be killed on the night of her birth, but the young midwife can't bring herself to do it and lays her at the mouth of a cave in the middle of a winter storm instead. The girl survives and her life presents all the foreseen challenges and a few unforeseen ones. My schedule is a little wacky right now, but if anyone is interested in mentoring me/being a writing buddy I would welcome assistance into this little foray in the Cosmic Soup of Creative Goop. T-Rex wrangling skills are a must. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:03:07 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_410037 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_410037 srmaid Hi NaNo! I was just reading through the post thinking to myself, "Nah, I don't need a mentor." I logged off and started my second day of writing. Got about 200 words in and thought, "Nope I was TOTALLY wrong." Here are my ideas: Post-apocalyptic world. My main character has grown up under the tyrant of the new world order. When her world is turned upside down when her twin brother is sent off to another army and she is being married off. After meeting a rebel she has to decide what to do and where her loyalties lie. I really think I need help with motivation and knowing how this all works. I have been sitting on this idea for a while now and want to make good on it. Hoping to make through this November so I can do another one. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:33:55 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_411143 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_411143 VannVicente Hello NaNo! My name's VannVicente. I had intended to think of a clever sounding screen name until I just said "F it" and proceeded to type in my real name. Which means you all have the ability to stalk me now. I live in the Philippines, a magical place filled with edible duck embryos and enough coconut juice to fill your head with. I'm 14 and have not taken a single writing class or shit. I also have school, but it doesn't really matter since I'm fine with messaging non-live. I'm not doing badly, per say, I'm hitting my word quota and going beyond it, but I feel like I have a lot more to improve upon. Here's an incomplete list of problems I find with my novel as of the moment. 1. Irregularly Changing style - My first two chapters are descriptive, while the next two are entirely based on dialog. 2. Grammar - Yes. 3. Awkward Sounding-ness - Simply put, something like the title I gave for this number. 4. A lot - And I mean a lot. So, my novel's a sort of mainstream novel about a screenplay writer and her many burdens to finish her script in a strict time frame. The first 4 chapters are located at thescreenplay.posterous.com, none of which are very good. Hope one of you gives me a chance. BTW, I want a mentor who'll push me to do the very best I can. That's about the only requirement I have. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:05:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_424017 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_424017 midnightwolf21 Hiya im Maddy! Im 15 and this is my first NaNo. I live in San Antonio My story is about 16 teens that get sucked into a game and have to find a way out. I mainly write fantasy novels. I'm looking for a mentor that can help me stay motivated and actually work on my novel. November is going to be very stressful for me becuase I have a lot of school stuff. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:53:21 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_425941 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_425941 Lexxicongal30 Hi, 30 years of age, Asperger's Syndrome sufferer, live at home but wishes to win Lottery in order to move out and get plenty of peace and quiet to write. My name is Vicki and my boyfriend who is on here somewhere persuaded me to give this a go. I love science fiction, paranormal (not Scream or anything close to it), stuff about Geisha and that period. Could use a lot of help with beginnings of stories as mine all seem to be the same. Many thanks in advance. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:25:13 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_428166 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_428166 Evelynerose Hi! I'm 22 and this is my first nanowrimo. I am trying to write a romance story, but I'm not sure where to go with it or a good plot yet. I realize it's the 3rd day, hence why I need help. I am a good writer, but I'm not sure I'm a good fiction writer. I've been told I need to work on showing not telling. I want to do this, but I also need motivation and someone to tell me to keep going. I'd like to not have someone super hardcore, as I haven't written in a while, but someone encouraging and helpful I guess would be nice! Thank you! Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:01:18 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_433933 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_433933 Aenex Okei, so hi possible mentors. First timer Wrimo. My story, or what I'm planning on being it is, will be something like a cake of Fantasy and Adventure with Action icing and some Romance sprinkles. And possibly some other toppings. I'm hoping for a mentor that has something to offer/some tips to get on with this. I'm still at high school so my writing time is limited. D; I'm also looking for a mentor that, if I give them a paragraph or so, can tell me how to edit/make it better. ;D I'm too ready. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:07:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_435984 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_435984 Agent_Bugs Hi, This is my first NaNo and I'm worried about finishing on time. I'm 14 and I live in England, so I have to fit my writing in with school, homework and several activities I do at certain times a week, so I'm looking for a mentor who can help me with writing a certain amount each day and who will encourage me when I don't feel like writing or have writers block. I'd prefer someone English so when I have free time Isn't in the middle of the night or something for my mentor, but this isn't a necessity. Also, I've been told several times that I sometimes get my tenses confused. If it's helpful information, I'm writing a fantasy which I have a general idea of the plot. Thanks! Keep Writing! ^_^ Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:09:01 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_436028 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_436028 RambleOnRye Hey everyone, New to NaNo here, off to a decent start I guess. Was hoping to find a mentor to help me along, or even a couple writing buddies! I'm attempting a literary fiction manuscript. It is in the first person right now, and this may become a struggle to keep the voice interesting, and in the proper tense. Thanks, and happy writing! Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:26:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_438659 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_438659 LoveJ Hi, This is my first NaNo. I typically like to write YA novels but i can branch out into other types like romance or anything i can research! I have started two books on my own but due to my procrastination issues i have been unable to finish them so i was hoping i can find an excellent mentor to help me finish this new novel that i started just for NaNo! Also an encouraging note here and there would be helpful I'm not talking every day just the occasional pep talk won't hurt. oh and i am in the eastern standard time in the USA and need some one that is available when i am thanks! Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:53:25 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_441596 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_441596 Karret Hi there~ I'm 21 and new to NaNo and truthfully pretty new to writing, too.. I've had an interest for a while, but I've never actually sat down to write an idea out. xP With that being said, ideas aren't really my problem, it's making sure I'm not making stupid noob-to-writing mistakes. xD; At least it's what I'm most concerned about. &gt;w&lt;; I'm working on a story primarily about people that hunt and kill supernatural things, but maybe everything's not as black and white as they initially believe. It's actually a background kind of story about some of my OCs, and figured since it's background fluff, it'd be a nice thing to start practicing writing. I'm kind of online at all hours, as of late I'll be caught online from the early afternoon [1-3pm Central] until about early morning the next day [4-6am .. still Central]. So I'd like a mentor that could let me know if I'm making a really common mistake for newbie writer folk and stuff like that. ;u;' &lt;33 I await your NaNo...mail... thing. :ua Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:43:13 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_446892 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_446892 Anna Elizabeth Why hello there. I only just barely learned about this whole deal and joined. But joined I did! Despite my lack of time and ideas. Because really, I still have nothing to write about. I generally enjoy fantasy. Or adventure. Romance works too (because I'm woefully inadequate in real life, I like to live through stories in this aspect). Uhm. But honestly I don't even know what I'm going for with this novel I'm about to start (yes, I know it's the 3rd of November). I'm looking for a mentor who could show me the ropes, challenge my writing, prod me when necessary, and give me encouragement (but aren't we all?)! I am, however, very busy. And even though I want to fit this in when I can, I have other priorities... like passing my classes this semester. And family time. And being a good friend when friends are in need. So probably not someone who's going to shove me into an inferno if I don't write. Because that would be sad. Let me know asap if you'd be willing to coach a naive writer like me? Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:22:56 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_449914 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_449914 Knight_of_the_Light Greetings. I have run into a problem that I'm sure a lot of people have. It is (currently) day three of NaNoWriMo, and I have run out of ideas. I'm writing two... things. One is a fantasy and the other is non-fiction. I know, they are at opposite ends of the spectrum, but I'm doing it. So, I've gotten a over 3000 words combined and am stuck. On both. And I'm really frustrated with myself. And I also know that it's incorrect to begin a sentence with "And", but I'm doing it anyway. Oh, ya, I'm also a perfectionist. : ) Good fun, good fun. I would rather like some help with my first NaNoNovels, so here I am. To make matters worse, I have a ton of free time, so I'm not under pressure to write 'RIGHT NOW!' either. I in trouble. I would be most appreciative of help from, basically anyone who is more experienced than me. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:07:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_451183 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_451183 Netnie Hey, I'm Steph. I'm looking for a mentor, to help me with motivation and perhaps some plot suggestions/adjustments. I have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing but could definitely use some help. Contact me if you're interested :) Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:23:02 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_451626 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_451626 Nat12612 Hi! I'm Natalie and I'm looking for a mentor! Only a few people I know, know that I'm taking part in this so I need a chearleader to keep me going. I'm 14 years old and would like to have a mentor around my age. I love cookies and you will probably hear me say that a few times to you over the coarse of the month. AGH! I just lost the game! Anyway, this is my first year doing this contest and I love reading, writing, and listing to music. I also love to sing and act, which the acting really helps since you can act as your character to know what they would do in a situation. I'm getting ready to take a bunch of exams this month for high school scholorships so I will need to take time for that. For my mentor I want someone who is kind and willing to hear me ramble on abour random things I need to get off of my chest. This person will also have to be able to push me in the right direction with my story (which I am falling behind on) and be a good friend to me. I hope to talk to you soon! ~Natalie Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:44:34 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_469389 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_469389 Tonksonthetardis I'm new, 14 years old, and completely and utterly off-track. If someone would like to mentor me, I would love you forever. My novel is sort of an action-adventury novel, with a little bit of sci-fi towards the end. Or at least it will be. I'm writing it in an overlapping alternating 3rd person POV and am SO confused. Someone please, please, please help me keep morale and get me back where I need to be! Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:37:07 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_475916 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_475916 LuLiLa Hi everyone! I am LuLiLa, I am 14 and this is my first year trying NaNoWriMo. I am not exactly new to writing since I have been trying to write for quite a few years now but I am very new to NaNoWriMo and I think it would be a great experience for me. If anyone would like to read some of my writing and give me some advice and also help me stay on track with my wordcount since I definitely do not want to fall behind. So if anyone feels like they could put up with me talking to them and reading my story feel free to be my mentor. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:54:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_476355 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_476355 LuLiLa Also, forgot to mention I write YA ghost stories. The current one I am writing has a sci-fi twist to it though and the type of ghost stories I write are not like most, they are told from the point of view of the ghost. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:55:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_476381 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=15#forum_thread_comment_476381 smarie9882 hey im thirteen and i want to know what exactally a mentor does??? i really need help with the dialoge in my romance, yet it is an akward romance but i strill want it to sound nice. anyway: Synopsis when a regular girl falls in love with a boy so fantasticly out of her reach, it is tragic, and she will go to all costs to get him. But what if the real thing seperation them is religion? Excerpt Lucy Roses are red, Violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you. No, no, no. I don’t want out seem out of a text book here, but what could I say? But how could I explain my affection? True, my admiration was an accout of false assumtions, And observations, taken from afar. But still, I knew I was right. I had to be right. How could I afford to be wrong? Is it even possible I am wrong? no so back to the problem. How to I tell somebody I like them, want to get to know them, and believe that we are destined for eachouthe, when we have only known eachother for the 2 months, and yet we have known eactother for an eternity? Maybe, just maybe, im crazy or extreme or foolish or senseless or outrageous or ridiculous. So what? Going back to the text book thing, I wonder, if they did have a textbook, would it be empty. It would, I decide, for love is unpredictable and random and erratic and impulsive and rash and spontaneous. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. I wonder if he would appreciate this rant about uncertain love? FAT CHANCE. ~end of rant~ all i need in a mentor is somebody who forgives my mistakes, yet still corrects them, if that makes sence :) chow chow all Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:21:37 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_478279 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_478279 Unicat Hey, I'm Michelle, I'm 17 and I've never finished a story before, let alone a NaNoWriMo piece, and I hardly have a plot right now. My grammar is pretty bad and I have a really weird writing style that doesn't really flow well. I'm taking this opportunity to try to improve those things and having a mentor would really be helpful. Thanks so much. :] Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:28:00 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_478495 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_478495 Labman My name is Charlie and this is my first time attempting NaNoWriMo...in fact, this is the first time I have ever attempted writing anything longer than a college essay. BRIEF: My story is sci-fi based, and revolves around a young Cyborg boy caught up in the middle of a brutal rebellion between a race of Cyborg and their former Human masters. This boy could hold the key to ending the war and changing the entire course of history. EXCERPT: The rebellion had been raging for many years. Both sides had taken heavy casualties and yet neither side would ever admit defeat. It began the same way most rebellions do, with an oppressed party being pressed just a little too far. In fact, some might say that the Cyborg rebellion was inevitable; that the seed had been planted the very moment robots were given the ability to reason, react, and reproduce. The Humans didn't even see it coming. They had been too busy playing lord and master to notice that their mechanical slaves were no longer machines, but a new sentient species unto themselves. Programmed with the latest in artificial intelligence, Cyborg had the ability to reason and learn just like Humans. Unlike Humans, the Cyborg had access to a vast database of all Human knowledge, stored on a single microchip within their semi-mechanical brains. This knowledge gave the Cyborg a distinct advantage over their Human enemies, whose brains had a limited storage capacity for information. Acting on this advantage, the Cyborg declared war, and although the Humans had superior numbers they were almost wiped out within the first six months of fighting. However, the Cyborg underestimated the Humans on one point: their survivability. The Humans adapted their fighting style to that of guerrilla warfare and began picking opportune moments to strike. The bloody rebellion continued for 16 years, and it is here where our story begins. I HAVE a tendency of obsessing over every little word I write. I try to make everything sound perfect, and as a result I spend too much time revising what I've already written, and not enough time writing new stuff. I NEED a mentor who can get my butt in gear. I need a mentor who'll push me to forget about the mistakes of the past, and press on to the greater achievement of hitting that 50,000 word goal. CAN YOU BE THAT MENTOR? :) Charlie aka Labman Good luck all, Charlie aka Labman Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:18:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_481919 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_481919 Wykyd Jade Well, here goes nothing...I fear I am in desperate need of a mentor! I have only barely started (500 words at last tally) and am already floundering under my own criticism. I need someone who can guide, encourage, possibly correct my deplorable lack of grammatical continuity, laugh at my ludicrous jokes (espescially when they're funny) and give me a good swift kick in the arse on a regular basis. I write anything from fantasy fiction to romance of all kinds, and everything in between. I'm Wykyd (Gabrielle in RL), I am 41 and this is my first NanoWrimo attempt. I am an avid reader and an obsessed writer (seriously...I have dozens of notebooks FILLED with ideas, starts, poems, character outlines...you name it) but I have yet to finish anything. I love to write and am desperately hoping to some day be a published author (it doesn't even have to be a best seller, though it would be nice) who's books appear on shelves at bookstores. I know, it's asking a lot...but hey a girl's gotta have a dream right? So, there's my story (and I'm sticking to it!) and if you want to know more feel free to ask...I'm very willing to answer questions. If you are brave enough to take me on as a mentoree (is that the right word?) then I promise to do my best not to bore you to death. Thanks for listening to me rant! Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:19:55 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_481952 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_481952 Wykyd Jade Well, here goes nothing...I fear I am in desperate need of a mentor! I have only barely started (500 words at last tally) and am already floundering under my own criticism. I need someone who can guide, encourage, possibly correct my deplorable lack of grammatical continuity, laugh at my ludicrous jokes (espescially when they're funny) and give me a good swift kick in the arse on a regular basis. I write anything from fantasy fiction to romance of all kinds, and everything in between. I'm Wykyd (Gabrielle in RL), I am 41 and this is my first NanoWrimo attempt. I am an avid reader and an obsessed writer (seriously...I have dozens of notebooks FILLED with ideas, starts, poems, character outlines...you name it) but I have yet to finish anything. I love to write and am desperately hoping to some day be a published author (it doesn't even have to be a best seller, though it would be nice) who's books appear on shelves at bookstores. I know, it's asking a lot...but hey a girl's gotta have a dream right? So, there's my story (and I'm sticking to it!) and if you want to know more feel free to ask...I'm very willing to answer questions. If you are brave enough to take me on as a mentoree (is that the right word?) then I promise to do my best not to bore you to death. Thanks for listening to me rant! Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:20:05 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_481954 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_481954 MeticulousNightmare I could probably use a mentor, this is my first year. A little info: Im mostly a fantasy writer, I write a lot of urban fantasy (i think on here its reffered to as modern fantasy?) and usualy it's kind YA. I have never actualy finished a novel, but Ive started so many I cant count, and I really want this one to be the one I finish (I havent posted it up yet because I just started, but I will post it soon) Im not overly sure what a mentor does, but I could use the help anyway. A short cut down of my plot: There is a human realm and an Elven realm, which both coexist in the same space, but stay seperated by the thin walls of reality. Because they exist in the same space, sometimes things (or people) slip through realities, and end up in the wrong realm, especialy newborn children. The humans are not aware of this, but the elves are, and every few years the Elves will send 'scouts' through the walls seperating our realms, and will track down and retreive the Elven children who were once lost to the thin walls of reality. The story follows my MC, a 21 year old guy who is one of these children. Once he enters the Elven realm his human life cease to exist for him, and even if he returns noone knows who he is, so he has no choice but to try and learn to live with the elves who claim he is one of them, but of coarse things are never that simple, the elves are at war in their own realm, and close to being wiped out by their enemy if they dont wint he war soon, so MC has to learn a whole new life, while trying to stay alive at the same time. Thats just a general cut down, hope it sounds interesting. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:50:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_482733 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_482733 overleaf This is my first year. I've wanted to do NaNoWriMo since I first heard about it, but I felt I didn't have the time between work, kids, and taking care of a sick wife. (That story is probably its own novel.) Now my circumstances have changed and I think I might be able to do this. Except, how do I do this? I have some of my plot worked out: it's science fiction, set in a future when the world is fairly prosperous and peaceful. Our Hero lives on an asteroid, trying to find some adventure after living on a planet where most of the adventure has been paved over and Disney-fied. Now he finds himself in the midst of what looks like the first terrorist bombing in recent memory. Who could do this, and why? The last fiction I wrote was a handful of short stories in college, which is more years ago than I would like to admit. Dear prospective mentor, can you set me on the path to success? Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:11:01 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_483230 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_483230 Jazawil Name's Jules. My first year officially doing this, but I did this last year without the website. I'm in the North Georgia Area, Gainesville to be precise. I have two jobs and serious case of procrastination. I usually write best when I procrastinate. I'm going to my first Write In tomorrow in Gainesville at Inman Perk. I don't know if I really need a mentor, but I'd like one, I think. If you're interested, just drop me a NaNoMail. Thanks. -Jules Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:56:33 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_484084 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_484084 iafantchao Hey, everyone! I'm Iris, from PA but I live in CT. I'm 13, and none of my friends would do this with me. Due to some major setbacks, I have only started today, but something is better than nothing, right? Anyway, a mentor could be a great help. Really hoping I could shatter this barrier and hit the big 50k. My novel is about the diaries of seventeen year old twin sisters Luna and Estelle, and how they survive as a plague quickly spreads all over Earth, killing every adult in its path, which leaves children to either fend for themselves or be picked at random by the government for a unique shelter. The plan felt great, but as soon as I started typing, my focus flew out the window and never came back. I admit I always had trouble with organization in my writing. Any takers? Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:08:11 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_485944 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_485944 RogueToken Just another first timer here, so hello. I'm not too sure what this mentor program is, but having someone kicking me every now and then would probably help me staying motivated. A little about me: My name is Martin, I live in Norway, 21 summers old and have never written anything larger then a few essays in school. Due the fact that I've spent this entire week out in the woods fighting bears and stalking snakes, I haven't really started. The baseline for my story is just another modern fantasy and having the MC to be an apprentice mage and see how the story goes from there. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:43:21 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_486751 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_486751 writersblock<3 Hi my names Stephanie and I'm 14 years old. I'm attempting a romance novel (eeek!) and would like someone to email mostly that i could ask for there opinion on some aspect of my story, or just someone to make sure i don't procrastinate to much :) Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:32:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_493891 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_493891 sarcasmgirl11 Hello, my name is Anna, and I am 15 years old. My book is currently called Home Was Found, although that may change. It's a sort of Fantasyish I guess, but I'm horrible with genres. Basically, my story is about this girl named Aiden who leads a fairly normal high school life, except at night she travels to an alternate dimension through an invisible portal. In this alternate dimension, a zombie apocalypse has been going on for several years. She meets a boy there, named Matt, and naturally they fall in love. The story just kinda goes on from there as they battle zombies together and stuff like that. What I'm looking for in a mentor is someone who can help me improve my writing if I get stuck, especially the relationship between Aiden and Matt (I am currently dating my first boyfriend ever, so I'm not exactly an expert), and also the adventure aspect of the story. Any help would be really appreciated! Just drop me a NaNoMail if you would be willing to help me out! Thanks! Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:01:40 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_506157 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_506157 LuLiLa Hi everyone! I am LuLiLa, I am 14 and this is my first year trying NaNoWriMo. I am not exactly new to writing since I have been trying to write for quite a few years now but I am very new to NaNoWriMo and I think it would be a great experience for me. If anyone would like to read some of my writing and give me some advice and also help me stay on track with my wordcount since I definitely do not want to fall behind. I will not have much time to write on school days so I have to try hard on weekends. I write ghost stories (a very particular type actually, ones told from the point of view of the ghost) and sci-fi (usually corrupted future type sci-fi) and always write for the YA age group. My NaNo story is about a time a short while in the future when a couple twisted scientists begin testing on orphan children by replacing failing body parts with electronics but as they get closer to their "deadline" they begin to rush and replace things that were working perfectly fine. The children are left weak and often cruelly treated and beaten. One of the children dies and the story is mostly told from his point of view after death. I don't want to give too much away if anyone actually would want to read it so that's why I didn't include more. Not exactly sure how the mentor thing works but it sounds fun. So if anyone feels like they could put up with me talking to them and reading my story feel free to be my mentor. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:34:47 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_507122 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_507122 R.Watson I'm 46 and this is my first NaNo. My novel definitely fits in the literary fiction genre and is more specifically "Southern Lit." My perfect mentor will be someone who has the challenge of writing while also trying to run a household and wrangle teenagers. I don't need someone to hold my hand, but I could use a use a good shove when I get mired in self editing mode. There are also some dark parts in my story that seem to trip me up. Maybe what I need is a therapist. ;-) A dry sense of humor and an appreciation of irony will light my fire. Be my Mojo Risin'? Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:51:23 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_507639 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_507639 pbody_adams My name is Alana, but I like to be called Satsuki. I'm 13, and I've never done anything like this before. Sure, I've written a few stories here and there, but never this much, in so short a time! My novel would be somewhere in social thriller and mystery, I suppose. It's intertwining the two MC's stories, over a period of time. They met in the second part of it, don't worry. My novel is called Clean Slate, and it's about an alternate Earth where a disease called Clean Slate is ravaging the world. The disease takes away your face, but somehow allows you to live (a mystery to science). The main focus, however, is on a serial killer who is terrorising a country, the one I am focusing my story on (I still haven't named it, xD), and the two MC's who slowly manage to catch the killer, but the ending is not what it seems, and a little hazy in my mind. That, I think, is the best that I can put it. I would want a mentor who can help me reach my word limit each day, and help me out with decisions in my novel. An appreciation for bad puns is always good for when you're talking to me. ^^ Be my mentor? Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:13:42 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_517126 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_517126 NewTimeLord I'm Avi! This is my first year, and I'd sort of like a mentor who can be my friend but also keep me on task. Perhaps help me with some difficult plot points. Anyone up for the job? :) I'm not new to writing, just to writing this much in such a short time. My story is about a girl who gets kind of possessed, invaded, by an unknown being (it's going to end up as either a dragon from another dimension or an alien) and two of her friends are trying to "cure" her. She has outbursts where the invader takes over and ransacks everything it can. They think it's searching for something. I'm not very far yet in the plot, but I'm planning on having the invader put an object that shouldn't be there there, and the MC will pick it up, then it will change, and either take over the MC or create it's own form or show up. Also, just a question, can I change viewpoint in the middle? Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:32:18 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_521364 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_521364 jmurchie Hello, I'm in my early 30's and am just starting to get serious about my writing. I have always loved to write, and used to spend lots of time as a teenager writing novels that I never did anything with. Now, I'm working on my first "real" novel that I would like to have published, and I have several other ideas for novels as well. It's taken a bit of getting used to, having others read my writing - but I joined an online community of writers who "publish" articles, short stories, etc. (Yahoo! Contributor Network) so that I can get myself out there and get over the fear of having others read my stuff. I've also let a couple of others read a bit of a "teaser" to my novel to get a bit of feedback. It's really helped in gaining the confidence I need, and I think I might actually have something good here that will get published. All three people who have read the exerpt were really interested and want to read the rest of the book, and said it really caught their attention on the first page. It also appealed to their emotions, which is exactly what I am aiming for in my audience. I write with my emotions, and want to appeal to a wide market of people who read with their emotions, if that makes sense. I would love to become a successful, published novelist! I need someone to help me write a manuscript so that I can send my work in to a publisher. I've never done this before, and I want to make sure I do it right - so I'm looking for a mentor who is a published author and has experience in this area. I may also want to bounce ideas off you, get some help if I've got a bit of writer's block, etc. I'm really excited about this! I may also need some support/encouragement in getting it done - I'm a mother of three young children and by the end of the day, sometimes I don't feel I have the energy to start writing but I *REALLY* want to get this done and send it away for publishing! I'm a results-oriented person and am looking for some constructive critisism. I'm determined to finish my book (I'm about 1/2 of the way through it at 26,000 words) and finish it soon. I joined nanowrimo to help motivate me to focus on a daily word count goal, and finish it soon. I have other books that I want to write as well but I don't want to get ahead of myself, I want to get this one published first before I waste time writing others if they're not going to be worth it! Thanks in advance to all who offer help! :) Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:06:22 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_526159 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_526159 copymyrecords Hi there, I'm new here just found out about nanowrimo last week while on holiday, so I'm starting a bit late..have about 3200 words and starting to feel the heat already. The funny thing is, even though I enjoy writing, I don't really read books, certainly not fiction, which is what I'm writing. My style is fairly introspective and 'thought' detailed I suppose, wouldn't really know how to describe it..I put a sample on my profile just now though so maybe that helps. I think I need a mentor who has done this before, as I really want to accomplish this goal, but also I would like some structure advice, as I haven't really mapped out any plot and I have a bunch of ideas but no set direction yet. I'm looking into venturing into dream worlds merging with reality but not in a science fictiony way, and also would like romance with moments of erotic writing. Also, my main character is female for some reason and I'm a male, so I could use help from someone who knows how to write female parts. Ideally someone who has some time to read bits of what I'm writing to help give guidance! Hopefully I'm not asking too much of a mentor! Please contact me if you think you can help, and I can answer any questions you may have as well ask away, thanks! Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:27:18 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_526715 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_526715 Aenex Ah, these people never get too you, eh? Just a reminder. :L Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:21:19 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_528214 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_528214 patrise I'm new to noveling, having written short fiction for several years (and long ago as a kid) I'm single, eccentric 50 something post-corporate artist who writes, and a great idea clobbered me this year so I had to sign up. trouble is, I didnt know much about how to get started. and now I am feeling like I dont know how to bring it together. there are so many pieces and parts atm anyone who could help wrassle this historical romance with touches of fantasy, that eventualyl goes alt history, would be honored, respected, and bribed with chocolate or your drug of choice. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:33:18 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_548099 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_548099 Amy Geliebter I'm Amy, I'm 17 years old, and I would really love to have a mentor. I'd love to have a mentor who would be willing to read what I have and offer suggestions as to how I can better my writing and my novel. Title: A Fine Line Genre: Mystery, Thriller &amp; Suspense Synopsis: Maybe it was his smile. Maybe it was his sparkling blue eyes or the way he said "I love you". Maybe it was the way he methodically diced cocaine before selling it to his next customer- like it was an art. Whatever it was, Charley couldn't help but fall head over heels for Queens drug dealer, Tony. Their love is soon threatened when Charley's father, a twenty year NYPD narcotics detective, becomes suspicious of his daughter's recent behavior. When Charley's father begins to investigate his daughter's love interest, Charley decides to investigate right back. While attempting to save her boyfriend and his crew from almost certain prosecution, Charley discovers just how much her father knows about Tony already. She soon finds that not everything is as it seems with her father, and that there's something much darker than just cocaine at work. Like father like daughter? Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:31:18 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_551288 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_551288 Labriah Hello, I'm Labriah. I'm from Augusta, GA and am 30 years old. I would love to have a mentor as this is my first time attempting to write anything more than flash fiction or short stories, and as such it is also my first try at NaNoWriMo. If nothing else an encouraging word here or there would be greatly appreciated :) Title: When Death Calls (working title) Genre: Mystery, Thriller/Suspense (Crime Fiction) Synopsis: A serial killer is plaguing the city. He first stalks his victims and torments them with obscene phone calls. Once he grows tired of the game, he rapes and kills them, leaving behind little to no evidence. Detective Alex Neeman and his partner David Cross must work together to find the killer before the body count raises much more. When a victim survives the attack and offers hope of revealing the killer, Cross spends many hours by her side making sure the killer doesn't come back for her. In the process, a possible romance blooms between the two. Excerpt: "Hello?" "What are you wearing?" "Who is this? Jackson?" "I am whoever you want me to be. I am everything you have ever wanted in a man." She froze as she realized this wasn't her friend on the phone. He heard her breath catch in her throat just before she hit the button to end the call. She didn't like the feeling in her gut. The voice didn't sound like that of a teenager pulling a late night prank. There was no laughter in the sound of his voice, and he sounded like a full grown man. All day she couldn't keep that call out of her mind. She thought she was just being foolish. It had to just be some kid messing around with his buddies. She didn't realize she was right all along and his reign of terror over her had just begun... Thanks again! Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:38:50 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_567415 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_567415 SaraLMM I am Sara and I am looking for a mentor and where on this site do you write your novel? Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:22:04 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_568217 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_568217 RubyJubilee Hello! I'm Kate, I'm 23 from England and I think I might need a bit of mentoring as the month goes on. I'm doing okay now, but I'm worrying that I'll lose momentum after a while. My novel is a 'cosy catastrophe' in the vein of John Wyndham. It didn't start out that way, but that's what's definitely happened. First time NaNoWriMo-ing. Thanks! Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:01:35 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_570764 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_570764 megnificant Hi! I'm Megan, age 16 and this is my first time doing this, and I'm kinda stuck. Usually I have pretty good plots but this time, I can't think of a plot at all. um, Help? Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:31:21 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_570966 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_570966 A.M. Schilling Hi! I'm Amy and I just signed up about an hour ago, so I'm a little behind the ball. I write urban fantasy/sci-fi/horror, usually for older teens and up. What I'd love in a mentor is someone who can just be a little bit of a cheerleader - I have a FT job and a kid, family, etc, so I'll probably reach a point where lack of sleep is going to make me wonky. Encouragement from someone else who's going through the same insanity (and who could remind me that the light at the end of the tunnel is NOT a train but December 1st, when I can sleep again) would be greatly appreciated! I'd be happy to send the warm fuzzies back your way in exchange. :-) Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:51:05 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_588643 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_588643 ToriIsForever<3 Hola! I'm Tori I am 13 years old. I am looking for a mentor that migh be willing to read and critiqe (is that a word) my novel. It is a YA fiction about... well I'm not very good with explaining, but I had this idea when we were on vaca in the mountains of North Carolina hiking. One thing I am looking for in a mentor is probably kindness, you know someone who won't be to hard on me if it sucks. Um I dunno what else to say.... a fun fact!! I have been reading since I was 4 and I'm homeschooled. Send me a NaNoMail if you want to know anything else about me or my story I will explian to the best of my abilities. Tori ;-) Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:13:29 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_591605 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_591605 The Wanderer I'm Chris and I'm looking for a mentor who's good with historical fiction and has a penchant for historical accuracy. If my mentor also knows how to write well in a first-person perspective, that would be great as well. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:50:20 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_598852 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_598852 Jibril *waves sheepishly* H-hello, I'm Jennifer but Most people call me Jibril, um I am looking for a mentor but not really sure what I need um I'm writing sort of a fantasy I guess, *sheepish *it's fantasy lite I guess lots of it is set in reality *cough* um anyway um I'm 22 and I guess I'm looking for the late teens early twenties audience, I've been writing since about 16 I enjoy reading and have varying tastes in everything from books, music and comics, when I'm not reading or writing I draw a lot um I guess that's all I can think to say so If anyone wishes to mentor me please contact me I would greatly appreciate it *bows* thank you for your time in reading this. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:56:30 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_600053 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_600053 clhandel HI First time trying my hand at writing after reading a book a day for years. excerpt below. Any talent whatsoever??? High, wispy clouds feathered across a pale blue sky. They seemed light and carefree, high up in the thin air making the day seem open, full of possibilities. Unlike days with storm clouds that rolled in low and menacing, threatening, having already decided what type of day it would be and forcing it’s dreadful mood on all the people below. No, Abby had thought, a day like today left the question of mood up to each individual and she was feeling optimistic. Light. Happy. She’d noticed all this from her twelfth story balcony earlier this morning. She loved her children but the world was especially beautiful when they were all asleep and she was drinking her cappuccino. Now she stood with her four young children refereeing who’s turn it was to push the buttons on the elevator that would take them down to the beach. It shouldn’t even be a novelty at this point after making at least ten trips up and down when they had arrived at The Ocean Club condominiums last night. It was slow going for a woman with four young children and no luggage cart. Being six months pregnant didn’t help either. “Mommy’s turn,” Abby said reaching out between little fingers to call for the elevator. “I will push the button.” It was just the beginning of a ten day vacation in Myrtle Beach and obviously there would be much more stressful moments than trying to get her crew from her condo to the sand and back. The kids had been as good as could be expected after a six hour car trip and not sleeping in their beds. They’d gotten a late start after Jack’s last T-ball game and hadn’t arrived until after nine and it was almost ten-thirty before everyone was finally asleep. They all piled into the musty elevator with carpet that was probably never completely dry. A young couple with no children decided to wait for the next one. Smart thinking on their part. Abby carried a blue canvas chair with arms straps like a backpack, a heavy beach bag on her shoulder, and struggled with both beach umbrellas now because thinking a five year old boy could safely carry something that so closely resembled a jousting pole had been a mistake. Good thing she’d realized that before he impaled his sister trying to spear her inner tube. With her in it. She smiled at Jack’s pouty lip. He wasn’t too happy about being relegated to holding the heavy tote of rolled up beach towels instead of his spear. Gracie was happy as could be with two floating rings around her body and discovered bouncing against the walls of the elevator was pure entertainment. Abby’s two and a half year old son, Charlie, carried a stack of four different colored plastic buckets in one hand and a mesh bag holding matching shovels in the other. Each child had their own color so there wouldn't be any room for argument when someone lost theirs. That brilliant idea, from the author of The Organized Mom, would go straight down the toilet as soon as someone’s prized possession washed out to sea or got buried in the sand. Then she would have to switch gears and go with advice from Children with Virtues pointing out how great it is to share. Nobody ever said parenting was easy and though she wouldn’t trade it for anything, she had briefly considered canceling their yearly trip to the beach not knowing for sure if she could manage everything as a single parent, but she had quickly reconsidered. If she couldn’t handle this, how was she going to handle life in general? She couldn’t just stop doing things she normally would just because she was a widow. Her children desperately needed to see that everything was going to be ok, that she could take care of things. Abby was used to doing the planing and packing for family vacations since josh had worked extremely long hours and traveled more and more every year, but unpacking once they arrived here at the condo was a different story. After a tiring drive, all those trips back and forth from the car to their two bedroom condo had been a strain. Up and down the elevator with all four children, since no one was old enough to leave at either end alone, had not been fun. There would be hundreds of challenges she would face alone in the next eighteen years so she better suck it up, as one of her not so nice foster fathers had often told her. And she was. She was handling it. She looked around at her little brood, so eager to begin their day of adventure at the beach. The girls, annie six and gracie three, had loaded her down with enough food to last a month. They had juice boxes, capri suns, water, pretzels cheezitzs, grapes, cheese sticks, apples, and rice crispy treats she had made with jack and gracie before they left home. They were more than prepared. The elevator slowly descended stopping to pick up more passengers as it went. Thank goodness her kids settled down around strangers. “Did you get the juice boxes?” Annie asked. “Yes,” abby answered tightening her ponytail that was always slipping out in her silky hair. “And the crackers?” “Yes.” “And the …” “Annie,” abby said hefting the heavy nylon beach bag farther up her shoulder, “I got everything we set out last night and even a few extras.” “Ok.,” she said her brow furrowed. Abby could just see the child’s mental lists scrolling through her 99th percentile, near genius mind. Annie was the worrier, the planner, and pretty much her six year old supervisor. After a minute in deep thought annie looked up at her. “What about charlies p-a-c-i-f-i-e-r?”, she spelled it out carefully so they wouldn’t have a two year old melt down. “I got it but I don’t think he’ll need it do you? We’re going to have so much fun I bet he won’t even think about it and even if we did forget something it wouldn’t be the end of the world, right?” Annie paused to consider this because, well because, Annie was Annie and she stopped to consider almost everything. A person could grow old waiting for Annie to cross the street because she didn’t just wait for cars she saw but any motorized vehicle that could potentially come in the next half hour. “What could we do if we did forget something?” “Ask someone to share. Right mommy? We could ask someone to share. That’s what we do at school if somebody forgets their snack. We share.” Gracie was almost four and didn’t know the meaning of the word worry. Her life was one big party with everyone invited. And everyone came. People were naturally drawn to her bright dimpled smile and laughing brown eyes and she had always been that way, even as a baby. Happy, wet or dry, never met a stranger. Vast differences in children’s personalities definitely took some of the weight off when it came to parental blame. As soon as the elevator doors opened she felt a rush of cool air pushing through the open air lobby. The last two weeks of summer vacation were prime time at Myrtle Beach and the high-rise condominium was packed. Several families were making their way to the pool while young couples with infants and older people were coming in before the temperature soared. She passed the sweet elderly couple in the room next to hers. “Hi Mrs Hays.” The couple halted their slow progress towards the opposite bank of elevators and turned. “Oh, hello. Don’t you all look ready for a fun day,” Mrs Hays said lifting the floppy brim of her oversized beach hat . Mrs. Hays was exactly what abby envisioned when she pictured a grandmother and she felt a twinge of sadness that her children would never one at all. “Yes, we are. How was your morning?” Abby asked. She spoke in a louder than normal voice since she had gotten the impression Mr. Hays didn’t hear so well. Mrs did all the talking for the pair. “Lovely dear, just lovely. We had a nice walk and Robert found some beautiful shells. She patted her husbands arm. They looked to be in their eighties she would guess but seemed to be in excellent health other than the hearing. They said their goodbyes and the girls promised to knock on their door later today and show them what treasures they had discovered on the beach. The smells drifted and merged, a multitude of sunscreens, salty air, and just a hint of decomposing sea creatures as they made their way towards the boardwalk that would carry them over mounds of seagrass and down to the beach. As they got further from the pool and closer to the beach, squeals and splashing gave way to screaming seagulls and the pounding surf. The breeze was playful and the sun smiled down on her and her children. It was going to be great day. *** Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:26:24 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_601667 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_601667 DracoFidus Hi I'm... well, call me Draco (ooh, I'm mysterious) I'm 14 and I'm writing fantasy. My work can be very heavy with a lot of word building and myths, legends, songs and tales thrown in. this is my first year and seeing as I'm a bit behind I was wondering if anyone could mentor me and do a bit of nagging at me to write some more every so often. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:32:30 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_604944 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_604944 Fredy Holmes What do mentors do? Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:21:29 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_605986 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_605986 Margaret57 Hi, I am Margaret and I am looking for a mentor please. I am 54 and write historical fiction. I live in Melbourne, Australia., I am near the end of my first novel and getting excited. Someone, please be my mentor so I know what I am suppose to do hear. XX Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:44:51 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_608961 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_608961 ScriptHistory Hi, I am Priscilla. I am a 16 year old high-school student that is homeschooled. I am looking for a mentor please. I write in Fantasy,Romance and Paranormal. Sometimes even Fan Fiction and Poetry. I live in Revenge,Ohio. Though it is not on the map anymore, its a small town thats mostly vacant. I haven't made up my mind yet on what to write about. I am a big Ghost Adventures fan, so I thought I should write something about them. Or even some poems. Could someone please be my mentor, so I know what I am suppose to do. I come in peace from my world of Wattpad. xoxo Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:05:53 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_620114 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_620114 balanceplz At the very young end of the "Teen" group. Waaaay behind as you can see. Please look under my user for info about the novel. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:42:27 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_625106 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_625106 Blankenship24 Hi, My name is Jennifer and I'm 32 and I would love a mentor during Nano. I am writing a romance novel (love story) about two female characters who fall in love, but there are obstacles. I am a college student and I live in Southern, California. I'd love to have a mentor to bounce ideas off, get feedback, to push me through this month with positive vibes, someone who doesnt mind a lesbian writer, and a lesbian love story (but anyone can relate to what the characters go through, you dont have to be gay to appreciate). Thanks :) Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:22:32 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_634083 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_634083 kirstentaylor Hey everybody! My name is Kirsten Taylor and I'm 20 years old. I'm currently in my 3rd year of college and still working towards my associates due to some slacking! My main goal in college is to Major in English with a concentration in Creative Writing! Career wise I'd like to do something in Journalism. Writing has always been a passion of mine but this past year it has been rather difficult for me to put my thoughts into words. Actually, it's been more difficult for me to find a thought worth putting on paper. I've had writers block for as long as I can remember! I'm currently looking to improve my writing but I don't know what to write about. I'd like ideas, maybe a mentor to push me in a certain direction. Somebody to get me writing about anything and everything. A great journalist should be able to write about things they like but also be able to make what they dislike sound just as good! If that makes sense. I want to improve in every way possible and am looking for somebody to help give me that extra push! I forgot to mention like some of the other users, this is my first nano, I've never used it, I'm brand new but definitely looking forward to using this site daily to help me accomplish my goals :) Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:34:45 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_634219 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_634219 Shadowphaze Seeking mentor! :-) Maybe that's what I was missing the last two times I tried this and failed. With that said, I'm not new in the sense of when I registered, but I am new in actually attempting to make the goal this year. In 2009 I actually signed up but never participated beyond writing out a title for my story. I didn't even return in 2010. Someone save me from myself please! I beg you! About me: I'm 33 and I work full time. I made the decision to actually compete in 2011 Nano's about two days ago. Better late than never! The story is deifnitely fantasy with some real world stuff going on in the start of it. I had attempted ages ago to write a completely new world from the start but I had a hard time starting the story off with any realism. This time I've brought it to Earth to start and think I've managed a good take off that way. What I'm looking for: Someone who's willing to smack me upside the head virutally and tell me to get a move on when I'm having a day where I'm procrastinating for no reason. Someone I can bounce ideas off of because I really have no one that will keep an open mind and not offer me a straight jacket after I'm done talking. If you're feeling generous, please send me a message. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:31:00 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_645811 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_645811 denisey94 I'm Denise, I'm 17. I'm not actually sure what the genre of the novel I'm writing is, it has some romance and some murder and some ghosts. This is my first NaNoWriMo, I started 3 days late and it's been going pretty slow since then. I think a mentor would be good, since I have no one to talk to about my writing. So, send me a message if you are interested. Although, I may just go peruse the mentors seeking newbies forum. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:48:58 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_648279 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_648279 khattsmeow Howdy, my name is Edna Wow I really don't want to sound like everyone else but I am a newbie looking for a mentor. I'm 40 in years but not in my mind. I bad with procrastination and can be stubborn at times. As far as I can tell right now my book is an other world fantasy. I like encouraging but don't mind a little pushy. One of the biggest problems I have is getting my story from my head to my computer. I have S.O.S. (shiney object syndrome) That is why I'm way behind on my word count. I do have a full time job working second shift so my time is limited. I've always wanted to write and have dabbled a bit but never seriously attempted a novel so any help would be greatly appreciated. I truly hope there is someone that has time for me. Thank you in advance. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:56:33 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_654625 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_654625 lieish Hello! I'm Ellie (I don't really want to post my last name on here) and i am fourteen and my mentor who was helping me earlier got a huge inspiration on her story and has not had time to do much mentoring... SOOOO I am here for a new mentor! I am not quite sure what to call my novel but it has romantic elements and realistic fiction elements. I really just need a cheerleader and someone to bounce ideas off of. I'm brand new to the entire idea of writing, so I am pretty sure that all of my writing is crap. Just a warning! If you want to be my mentor, message me over NaNo. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:51:58 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_661689 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_661689 hope247 I'm Alisha. I'm 15 and this is my first ever NaNoWriMo! I am homeschooled and live in Canada. I am writing literary fiction (I think.) and basically just need someone who can encourage me to keep at it and point me in the write direction. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:09:44 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_669160 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_669160 chessapphire Hey! I just started my novel yesterday and I'm looking for a mentor who can really motivate me to keep plowing through this thing. I have a serious problem with starting to drag my feet on projects and then getting into the "ugh, this is no good, I should just give up, I should start over, I'll never be good enough" rut that just gets nobody nowhere xD I guess you could say I'm a major procrastinator with a bad inferiority complex. I also need someone who is willing to read my story pretty thoroughly and give me tips on things like the pace, character development, plot development . . . basically, if you picked this novel off a shelf and started reading it, would you keep on going? That's one perspective I can't see for myself, since obviously I know what happened and what will happen in the future. In short, I'll have a heck of a lot of questions for you, so be prepared to answer them! Haha. If you want my bio and novel info it's all on my profile :) Thanks! Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:28:32 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_684910 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_684910 ADuvall Greetings, I am Alannis C. Duvall. 21, NYC based, Business student turned Fine art student. I am a pen. I do nothing but write. I am have a tendency to describe everything in a scene down to the smallest speck of dust. I am a mix of James Joyce, J.K. Rowling, Anne Rice, and Lovecraft. I have a horrid habit of starting new projects before my others are finished. I would love to get this under control, however I am just a series of unfortunate events. I tend to shove my influences from here and there into my works at a rather sporadic intervals. I fall off track and get writers block or I switch the plot entirely and then hate it. Looking for a mentor who won't take my shhhhh... who can give me a nice forceful shove in the right direction. Dole out criticism. And perhaps a few pointers here and there. To a good home, sincerely yours, A.C. Duvall Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:45:28 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_687961 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_687961 emmabee44 Hello, I'm Emma! I'm here looking for a mentor who can talk to me frequently and help me with my work. I'm also looking for someone who's not afraid to shove me and give me some criticism. Oh, and I (think) I'm writing a Mystery/Suspense/Thrilling. :P And just a fair warning, I'm also one who always thinking that I should give up. Who starts then stops. And if it's not too much to ask, I would also like someone who can read through my novel and tell me if you would keep reading it, or parts you'd just rather skip. If you want to be my mentor, just message me over NaNo! Thanks, Em Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:33:25 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_696266 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_696266 MariaTC Hi, my name is Maria. I'm 15 years old, and I've been wanting to try NaNo for a while now, but haven't really gotten enough free time to really get working on it. This year I want it to be different. My novel is Sci-Fi, and currently going completely down hill, so I could definitely use a little help from anyone who would like to give me a boost. XD If you have enough time to have a chat, I'd absolutely love to talk to you! Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:37:34 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_701079 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_701079 stonecoldcrazy Hi! I'm Jenner and I've been writing ever since I could hold a pen. Friends have always encouraged me to join in NaNo but this is the very first year I've given in. In a way, I am cowed by having to be accountable but on the other hand, it feels good to log my numbers in every night. I'm 32 years old and in the past three years realized that my writing is what would be considered Chick Lit mixed with contemporary fiction- Chick Lit with more of a bite, if you will. I don't know as that I am looking for a mentor as much as some friends around here. I've found myself drawn to the forums and received my first comment back today, which totally caused me to smile. I've never reached out to other writers before and I think that I am becoming hooked. So if you want to come and say hello, please do so. When I get my plot tangled up, I usually bounce ideas off of my husband. He's been able to offer a unique POV so I'm sure that other writer would be an even bigger asset. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:35:09 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_705572 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_705572 Ed p 50 Hi my name is Ed I'm 50 years old, a retired nurse, married, no children, got into this challenge because I'm taking a short creative writing course and the tutor encouraged us all to have a go. I think I need help my first 25000 words wrote themselves but now I'm totally stuck up to now my characters have decided where the story is going but now they have let me down badly. What do I do???? HELP ME LOVE ED Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:52:05 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_711692 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_711692 Faewild I feel like I'm kind of late in the game, but here we go! Hello! My name's... Umm... You can call me Fae for now! I'm 22 years old! When I write, it tends to be either Science Fiction or Fantasy with Adventure/Romance elements; the story I'm working on for NaNo happens to be a Sci-Fi/Adventure for the most part, though it's got some romance dashed in (or will eventually) since the main characters are all hormonal teenagers. This is my first time attempting NaNo! I've always loved writing, but I've lacked the discipline, motivation, and drive to actually finish any stories that I start other than short ones. This stops now! &gt;:C I would like a mentor who can help encourage me (by cracking a whip at my back), provide feedback (by pointing out my failures), and help make suggestions for how I can improve not only my writing style but my story and character development overall! I'm looking to improve everything! I promise to do my best! Thank you! Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:49:13 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_725439 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_725439 Horselover150 Hi, I'm Grace, I am 16 and I am in 11th grade. I just joined this website to get some "help" so to speak with my book. What I really need is opinions on how it is going and what I could do to improve it. I live in Japan and yes, I was here on March 11! I am currently writing a sci-fi novel but I would like to write a short novel on the earthquake as well. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:43:35 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_736536 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_736536 NothingPersonal Hey! My name's Morgan, and I'm 14, and a freshman. I started late, so I'm still looking for a mentor. I haven't started my novel on here because of lack of a title, but I have made some progress. I would definitely like some constructive crit. for my novel, and a bit of help with figuring out the more complicated parts of novel-ing. Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:36:16 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_753397 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_753397 KalyaLee Hi, my (pen) name is Kalya and I'm 14. This is my first nano. :D I know we're all more than halfway through, but I would absolutely love a mentor. :) My novel is literary fiction and it's called Things Left Unsaid. It's about a group of friends and their inner problems and secrets. Please nanomail me if ur interested! :D I'll send you excerpts if you like. :) Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:06:04 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_766069 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_766069 christybum Hi Im Christian an im 30k into a story....its historical fiction/supernatural and I have loved it so far, I can really see it making a great film/novel....but recently I have come to a halt, work/time and no one to motivate me I would appreciate some guidance or help if anyone has time to spare Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:40:16 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_796914 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_796914 Incandescents Hey! You can call me Bob, although my name isn't really Bob. :D I'm 14, and this is my first NaNo ... I am also amazing at procrastinating, and my first 2k words turned into rubbish. I'm working on a story about a sort of scientist guy who placates his dislike of the human population by creating a new virus every few months and infecting the human population with it. But then, he meets a person that he can stand. A few months later, said person he can stand gets infected by one of his viruses, and he has to choose between helping to develop a cure to save her (and subsequently curing the infected human population in the process) or continuing to live in his world of blissful ignorance. ...yeah, I haven't exactly worked out all the kinks yet. x[ so this is subject to change. and lots of change. Some help would be greatly appreciated, haha. Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:35:57 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_823285 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_823285 asukwang Just finished my first novel ever (thanks to nanowrimo!) and would love to glean wisdom from pro! (an aside: I'll add a prologue and more to hit 50k in a couple days.) Here are my stats: I live in the Pasadena, CA area. I'm writing a young adult/youth fantasy. When I'm not writing fiction, I'm writing for a newspaper. My profile has more about me and my novel. Hope there's someone out there who'd be a good fit :) blessings, ann Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:46:04 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_872021 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_872021 lilmissredtshirt I'm too late for November, but still planning on getting started for a January edition. I'm new to this and would love a mentor if anyone's interested. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:48:07 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1046638 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1046638 helltank Hi, I'm helltank, I'm 13 years old, I like writing about dark/modern fantasy, let's see... um, can someone help me write a novel in one month? I have no idea where to start, my greatest accomplishment was a 2400 flash story written in about a fortnight. Edits and all. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:45:51 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1107117 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1107117 CharmedOne Hey, All! My name is OJ (Nope, not short for anything), age 17 (18 in 5 months), and this is my first NaNo. I'm currently working on a story called Roman. Umm.. I want it to be an action, thriller, romance, adventure novel. Basically, just a sprinkle in a bit of everything without the bad taste. Ha ha, I made a food reference. I'm looking for a mentor who can pitch ideas without being overbearing. Who can motivate and inspire me when I'm stuck or got that bad-case of writers block. Thanks! =) Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:30:55 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1166988 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1166988 Kimberley Fredenburg Hello! My name is Kimberley, age 16 (going on 17 in May! R rated movies, here I come! :P), and this is my first time doing NaNoWriMo (already obsessed though). In the past, I have written fantasy novels, but I'm leaning away from those and trying to dip my toes into mild romance, but more action and adventure. I'm currently working on a partly historical fiction novel, and it is the longest one I've created. To be honest, I've never actually finished writing a novel, so I think NaNoWriMo will give me a great excuse to do this. I'm extremely active in my community (finished my Girl Scout Gold Award when I was 15! Party Party Party), so that is my lame excuse for putting off writing a decent novel (and school is another excuse, but that's another story). I am going to participate in both Camp NaNoWriMos in June and August, and I've already started planning my novel for June. I'm thinking more romance, action, thriller, but I'm not 100% sure if it'll fly. I have a couple friends trying to feed me decent ideas of things they would like to read, so I'm trying to work off that. I've also planned a sort of writing schedule, so that I can pace myself, but who knows if it will work out. I'd love a mentor that could assist me when I'm having writer's block (story of my life), or push me to finish the novel, because that would be the greatest accomplishment in my writing life :) I'm not sure what I dislike in a mentor... If you want to be my mentor, please let me know over NaNoMail! Thank you so much, and I hope to hear from you soon! Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:09:10 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1197650 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1197650 joey541 Hi, I've got the basic idea sorted for a fictional military novel so if anyone who has any experience in that area or literally any experience at all would like to hear it and offer criticism so I can get the plot and characters sorted clearly in my head by November then I would be very grateful :) Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:32:08 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1214259 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_1214259 **Pen and Sword** Hey everyone! So, my name is Ann and I'm sixteen years old. And I'm new to NaNoWriMo! (yay me!) I write mostly fantasy (well, only fantasy) but I have a lot of unsuccessful attempts at other genres. Right now I'm working on a darker sort of novel where I'm focusing more deeply on character relationships, development, and the like. (Don't worry, I have something set aside for when November rolls around.) My main issue with writing is commitment. I'll be on a roll, my writing and I will be best friends, but just when we start to get serious I lose interest and drop it for some other idea. It makes me feel bad. If it's not that, then I have a new idea for my current story and try rewriting parts of it, or totally scrapping it and starting over, which makes me lose hope and then give up on it all together. This year, I really really really want to finish a novel. I'd love to have a mentor to keep me on track, and be there if I need advice or some inspiration. If you want to be the Good Samaritan to step up, please let me know! Thank you!! Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:21:54 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1229181 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1229181 TikaiEsPats Hello. I'm 13 year old boy, writing Fantasy(latvian language).Have little bad english knows.I'm writing in block or paper - i don't have time to re-write my novels into computer. I will be thankful for some tips and advices on PM(NaNomail). Sat, 21 Apr 2012 06:55:31 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1307134 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1307134 EXPRESSIONship I'm 13 years old. I want to write realistic fiction, but I could take a gander at anything you put in front of me. I speak English very well, and I like writing fiction. Sometimes my writing could start to seem like an empty box. Sometimes, I don't let myself say the things that I want to say... you know? If you want to mentor me, you've got to be able to drill me quite a bit on writing for real... I tend to have this great idea, write with steam, lose steam, then stop writing it all together. When I get back to writing, whatever I wrote seems horrible... If anyone wants to critique me, please don't use any vulgar language. Also, please use "constructive criticism" when criticizing my writings. It's hard for me to take harsh criticism. Also, please try not to reword my words for me... that's one reason I don't tell my parents I write... they always reword it for me... Other than that, I'm all ears. I will be willing to communicate through NaNoMail. And know this... I made a pact with myself that I will write something worth reading before I die. Thx. Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:02:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1329115 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1329115 Sherza Hello, Sherza here. I'm from Kankakee County, Illinois, and 35 years old. I've been writing a long time, and doing (I like to think anyway!) fairly well at it, but I know I have difficulties ... especially with totally original works. Fanfiction, I've been able to churn out by the buttload over the last year, but original work ... not so much. I really think that will be my challenge to myself for NaNo, to write something original, rather than another fanfiction. That said, I tend towards action/adventure/suspense, and fantasy/sci-fi. I do have a vague idea or two for something original for NaNo already, along these lines. I can't write romance to save my soul. Friendships, parental relationships, and other such, yes ... but for whatever reason, romance escapes my ability to write it completely. Grammar, spelling and punctuation issues are generally at a bare minimum. Mostly, I'm going to need a mentor that doesn't mind me jabbering at them, whether by nanomail, email, or AIM, as I tend to be able to get ideas/get things ironed out by 'talking'. I'm also going to need help with the inevitable plot-blocks that hit me whenever I work on something original. I can generally get about, say, 8-10k words into a story, at most, before I can't figure out what the heck I'm doing or where I'm going, and get stuck. Tue, 08 May 2012 15:17:39 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1353639 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1353639 Adrian J. Echo Hello hello! I'm Mado (A.J. Echo is a pen name) and I'm brand new to this site. I'm 18, Russian and currently living in Lithuania, but I think and write in English. I've been writing random gibberish on and off and only two years ago started developing my first novel which I'm hoping to finish outlining soon so I'll be able to start it in the next round of Nanowrimo c: I'm looking for a mentor that would be able to help me out with my style and clumsy grammar mistakes as well as give honest concrit. What I'm working on is a modern thriller/drama story which focuses heavily on character development. The novel was inspired by Bret Easton Ellis' works, specifically the novel Glamorama, so I imagine it would be kind of hard for me to find a mentor who doesn't mind bold themes, but my message box is always open just in case! :D Thu, 10 May 2012 03:24:19 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1358220 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=19#forum_thread_comment_1358220 ida_matilda_wright King Thomas Novel Title: King Thomas Author Name: Ida Matilda Wright Plot/Summary: see below the possible beginning of the book is here Colors/Ideas: Dark with some light on a 16th century bald king with big blue eyes Author bio: I am a mother of three. My daughter is living in KY, and my two sons live here with me. My partner has three girls that I love. I first remember writing when I was six. I wrote a poem for my mom. I was born and raised in the hills of Kentucky, and only recently moved here. I have a book just published with Publish America. The title is "Emotions From My Heart". Synopsis Sixteenth century's Queen Anne's general of war is pulled up into a space ship. He is then ask to care for a child that has genetics of both human and alien. This child is created to save man kind from extinction. The Queen adopts the child making him prince. The story is full of his powers, and his journey on planet Earth. the description of the aliens is subject to change. It is a work in progress. William was Queen Anne's army general. He was one of the most honored but brutal men alive. He brought many enemies to their knees. Queen Anne was secretly in love with William, but this could not come out. Royalty could not mix with the comma folk. She had been saved many times by this vigilant man, and wanted so badly to be his wife. She and William had grown up together. His dad was her father's General John. John too was one of the most noble of men. He gave his life for King Thomas, and she knew that William would for her. The only thing she did not know is if it would be from duty or from love. This is something that the queen may never know. The queen spent a lot of her day playing with the children of the village, and this bored William when he had to guide the reckless queen. He was not terribly fond of children. He found them annoying and troublesome. He found no use for children but to always be in the way of more important things. He could not understand his queens love for them. William left the castle to get some time away from the queen and her obsessions. She was always finding good works to get her into trouble, and sometimes he just needed to take a break. He left his captian of guard in charge of guarding the queen. Then decided to go to the village to visit the tavern. He so needed a drink of spirits to calm his. As soon as he crossed the mote on the out side of the castle. He was shocked and partially blinded by a strong light. William could not believe what he had seen. The light spooked his horse away with all his weapons of war.. He was left in the brightest light that he had ever seen. Then he began to float up to it. Now he is in a dark room, strapped to a table, and sounds of chatter accompanied by the humming of motors. William could not understand what the voices were saying. They seemed to want to know something. What did he know that they would want? Electric had not been invented yet, and these people (if they were people) had a light brighter than the sun. Dimming lights begin to show shadowed creatures. They moved slow on three legs. One of them came and chattered with its (finger, I think) in William's face. It was determined to get what it wanted, but what was it that it wanted? Finally, one of the aliens brought something into the room. It was a human child. The child looked to be about 5 years old. He is bald with large blue eyes. His skin was so pale that it almost appeared colorless. His eyes seemed to glow with the brightest sky color. His face was expressionless. There was no look of fear, joy, or love. There was nothing, The figures lead the child gently to William. William doesn't know what to think about this. He takes the child by the hand. The leader or captain pushes a section of his uniform. This changed his language into English. “This child is the future of your planet. He is a hybrid of our genetics, both human and stark. Your world is going to be destroyed by the sun. This child can with stand heat,cold, radiation and water. It can reproduce by its self. He is the survival of your world.” William wakes by the outside gates of the castle. He was thinking that he had had too much to drink the night before. Then he sees the sleeping child. He knows that he has to raise the future of the world. William was in shock. How could he raise a child when he hated the sound of the word child? He looks over to the child, and decides to wake him. "I don't know what to do with you, or even if you are really from some dream. I can not leave you out here unprotected out side of the castle's gates." he said not believing his own words as they came out of his mouth. The child doesn't say a word. He gazed with a empty look in his eyes and reaches out his hand. William whistles for his stead, and puts the child up on its back. He jumps on too. "I guess the first place that I should take you is to the queen. If anyone knows what to do with you, she would. Her heart is with the children. She would make a wonderful mother." The child still rides in silence toward the castle. How would he explain that the child had no clothes except William's cloak? Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:13:17 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_24644 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_24644 Corally Hi my name is Coral, I'm a 20 year old uni student from England, I'm half way through my English Degree and really enjoy writing short stories and what not. I would LOVE to actually write a novel. Although I still have loads of uni work I have to do I am going to try my best with this crazy November challenge, but it really is my first year so I haven't a clue what it entails. I am up to writing any genre, although my work does tend to play with the dark side quite a bit, one of the short stories I have written entails rape and so on. I am fascinated by fantasy, I am part of the Harry Potter generation and also fell in love with Darren Shans Vampire and Demonata series. I would like a mentor that can encourage me to keep going, someone to prod me when I'm feeling tired to refocus me. I am a needy child and want as much attention as possible I'm afraid and I practically diet on feedback (my boyfriends "yeah... it's good" just isn't enough for me) I can take it like a man if something's crap so don't be afraid to tell me. I have all these ideas that are flying all over the place and for me it is just a case of catching one before it flits away and sticking with it! I am ALWAYS changing my mind about things, I have loads of planned stories that never find their way out because I am far too picky about everything before I even get anything down on paper. My mind is a whirlwind, I am a scatterbrain, I am a challenge but I'd like to think I'd make you proud and I definitely need the help so if anyone is willing to put up with my crazy antics then please let me know! Thank youuuu! Coral :) x Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:21:36 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_32308 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_32308 Areedhel Hi everyone! I'd love to have a mentor to help me out. I'd like someone who'd encourage me to keep writing and make sure that I really reach those deadlines. I find it very hard to move on with my writing unless it sounds just perfect, and it hardly ever does so I'm worried I'll get stuck. Also, I'd love to have a mentor who I could discuss ideas with, share a few excerpts with and get some feedback on them, but also someone who'd just simply be willing to listen to my thoughts about NaNoWriMo and how it's going. Moreover I'd like them to be honest, if something I've written is crap then don't tell me it's good, I want constructive criticism in order to improve my writing. All of this might sound like a lot to ask for, but most important is a very encouraging mentor who'd be there for me whenever I need them! So now I'll tell you a bit about me as well. I'm a 19 year old girl who loves reading, writing, drawing, photography and music. I'm really into fantasy but also Sci-Fi, and I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. At the moment I'm living in England working as an au pair, taking an English course and taking a full time distance course to be a Web Designer. Busy huh? And yes I would be mad to also take on the challenge of NaNoWriMo, but that's exactly what I'm gonna do! This is my first year doing NaNoWriMo, and I have absolutely no idea of how it's gonna turn out, but I'm really looking forward to it. I found the site by accident and now I'm super excited to try it out! Iv'e always wanted to write a novel, and have loads of different beginnings to novels, but for some reason I seem to get stuck there and never quite find the time to write anything more to it. So I think this is just what I need - actually having a deadline for the novel and just keep writing without editing it. I haven't quite decided what my novel is to be about. I've got about three ideas and I'm still choosing between them, trying to figure out which one would be the best to use. However they're all fantasy and maybe a bit of Sci-Fi. In the end I might just end up writing whatever I feel like at the moment, but I'm at least gonna try do some planning for it. As I found the site only about two weeks ago I haven't had much time to prepare. It might be worth mentioning that English isn't my native language (I'm Swedish). However I attended IB and have a certificate stating that I am bilingual, so my English isn't bad, but not perfect either. This might be a good thing though, because if you're looking to include some foreign language in your novel and are considering Swedish, well then I'd be happy to help out!! Hoping to hear from you! Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:16:00 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_55067 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_55067 WandereringVixen Hello all! I am very much a newbie and (obviously) would love to have a mentor/a writing buddy. I am writing a story called Glassjackers, which is a fantasy. See my Novel Info for details. I mostly write fantasy and sci-fi, so sometimes my ideas are a bit out there. I need someone who can keep me on track (I tend to jump from idea to idea, and one of my major writing problems is focusing on the ending of my stories without really knowing how to start). On the other hand, I probably can't work with someone who will restrict my creativity too much or compromise my values. Also, I NEED straight-up feedback! "It's really good" doesn't help at all! However, bear in mind that I'll probably reject some of it when it's first given to me (wounded pride, etc.). But don't get mad, please! After a while, I'll really start thinking about your suggestions. Also, DEADLINES! I'll tend to stretch everything out and as a result will not get anything done. Also, the website of NanoWrimo is slightly confusing to me. I'd appreciate guidance in that! (NOTE: I AM A MAJOR GRAMMAR/SPELLING FREAK!!!!) Now a bit about me: I'm fourteen and i love to read, write and play music. Oddly, I don't enjoy English class because it restricts my creativity and just isn't enjoyable. I live in NJ, but don't judge me by Jersey Shore! They're New Yorkers, people! So yeah. Someone please reply by NanoMail! It would be greatly appreciated! :D Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:18:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_56459 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_56459 Mrsmj Hello! My name is Karla, I am planning to write the second book of a series I am writing called "The Olivia Everett Series" It is a paranormal horror set in the back streets of London. This is my first year at Nano and I would really appreciate advice, pep talks and annoying pushy mentoring! Please please get in touch via NaNo mail! K x Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:34:11 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_83656 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_83656 MelanieB Hi, This is my first year doing NaNo and I could do with someone to try and keep me motivated as I tend to get stuck so far in to a longer story and need someone to kick my butt! Im going to try and write a Celtic/Druid story based on some scientific fact, (a bog body) and how he came to be there. This story has been lurking in my head for several years and I want to actually get to write it. It was originally going to be a Timeslip story, blending a modern day person with the events of the MC from the past but Im not sure how it would work out. I could do with some help, possibly plotting an outline/synopsis from my vague mumblings of the story so I can keep on track better. Im in the UK, in my 30's and have plenty of spare time when my son is at school as Im out of work at the mo :-( Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:15:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_99511 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_99511 Cierva4 Hi! If it's on a computer screen, my name is Cierva, I'm 22 and I'm from Central NJ. NaNoWriMo has been on my to do list since I began college (I just graduated this past May), and I think this is finally the right time to go for it. I'm still deciding what I actually want to write, but knowing me it will have a small bit of the supernatural and some romance, and it will be thematically centered around identity and innocence. I already know from past attempts to write that my inner editor is going to be the most difficult part of this month, so a mentor who can regularly remind me that we're not exactly aiming for perfection would be more than welcome. I respond well to pressure and deadlines, but I'd also like someone that I could talk through ideas with when I get stuck in my own head. I'm looking forward to hearing from mentor-to-be's! Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:00:49 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_104230 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_104230 ditzyleopard Cassie here, looking for a mentor. I am new to novel writing. I have been an avid writer for personal use only. Just in the past couple years have I let anybody read anything other than school assignments. Now I am ready to get my words out in the world. I love to write poetry, and am excited to start my first novel. I plan to have it a combination of a personal account journal of a teen, and a novel...Still working out the kinks. It's going to be raw, and real-a voyage of a troubled teen finding peace and happiness in a chaotic world. A little bit of magic from a dreamworld/reality. I would love to have a mentor to point me in the right direction as far as where I should be by when in the process. And if possible give suggestions/critiques. I am in San Marcos Texas, and am pretty open to constructive criticism. I want to get this baby done. I want to create. If someone is willing...let me know. Thank you, and good luck to all! Much Love, Cassie Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:34:17 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_109247 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_109247 MakaylaK I'm a newbie and have no idea what I'm doing... Also not a lot of time... Help, support, or just encouragement would be appreciated. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:33:25 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_136025 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_136025 Criches6 My name is Christina, and I've never done this before. I love to write, but have never been published. I have several stories started, and a few finished, but NONE are 50,000 words. I am terrified to attempt this, because I feel like I'm doomed to failure. Which, of course, probably means I will fail, lol. But I don't want to! I write "sweet" romance stories. I don't know what my strengths are, since I haven't let anyone read my work. My biggest weakness, however, is that my stories lack...meat. They are great as short stories or novelettes, but I don't know how to make them any fuller, to even be an actual novella or, gasp! a novel. That is my goal. I guess I'm looking for someone that can help keep me accountable to the daily word goal (1600? 2000?) and to maybe give me tips on making my story fuller without making it boring. A bit of irony--I don't really like romance novels, lol, so I haven't read very many of them. It seems like I should, for research purposes! Or maybe I just don't know a proper definition of "romance novel". I'm very busy, like everyone else, but I think I can make sure to allow enough time each day to meet the goals. Thank you! Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:09:26 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_152592 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_152592 warriorwriter Novel title: The Maskmaker Plot: Jason (15-ish) lives in city, one day meets this streange man, who calles himself the Maskmaker, and Jason somehow knows him, but not sure how. the Maskmaker kidnappes him with a mask (controles you like a puppet and you dont remember what hapens. not controlled all the time and masks dont come off) Jason has to escape and understand how he knows this stuff. i would like someone who can keep me going (major procrastinator here!) other then that nothing special. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:26:21 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_157759 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_157759 goldenhedgehog Hi I am only thirteen and this is my first time doing this. I need a mentor who will make sure that I actualll finish. I like history and as such I have decided to base my novel on a historical event; WW2. My novel is told from two perspectives; of michael, the son and Peter, the father. Peter is called up to fight in the Royal Navy, and serves upon HMS Keith. During his time in service, they are sent to evacutate Dunkirk, where he helps co-ordinate te evacuation of the de panne. The ship returns to harbour and is attacked from the air, killingeveryone except peter who is left blind. Meanwhile, Michael (who is about 10ish) grows up in london without a father, missing him all the time, oftening dreaming of him. One night, the house is bombed, and his mother and little sister are killed. He is evacuated to a country house, withseveral other chilldren, of which he is the smallest and weakest. The lady of the house has a daughter, of whom he only sees glimspses. This girl bares much resemblance to his sister and he feels a connection. However, he is mistreated at this house and runsaway, back to london, leaving his friends behind. His father returns to britain, with no sight. He makes his way to their old house, not realising that everyone is dead. Affter much struggling, michael reaches london, no longer as small as he once was. One day, whilst in London, he sees someone who looks like Peter. He approaches him and asks him. But peter is blind and doesnt see. They realise that they are father and son but Peter never sees Michael grow up..... not sure how to conclude. Anyways, if anyone wants to be my mentor i would be most grateful Sat, 22 Oct 2011 10:24:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_171138 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_171138 Una Owen I'm 16 and writing a satirical story about life (and death). I'm not entirely sure what's important for any mentor to know about me, except that I'll probably be a very different teenager than you might imagine. (Yes, I know the grammar in that is off.) What I'd like in a mentor is someone who I can feel comfortable bouncing ideas off of. So, yeah, that's it. ~Una Owen Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:49:42 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_208610 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_208610 megameg Hello, My name is Meg and I tried to do this last year but after day one I lost my fire and no one really motivated me... then my lap top died. So I feel I am still a newbie. I live in San Diego (Mira Mesa) CA and am looking for anyone anywhere (tho local would rock) To give me advice and just help encourage me this year. I am writing Sci fi with a little Religious in it. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:40:29 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_210224 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_210224 Sandler Hi, I'm Sandler and I'm a 19-year-old sophomore majoring in physics and deaf studies. In the past I've written a lot of short stories (I love Worth1000 contests), but never anything much above 1000 words, so the thought of writing a 50000 word novel is a little intimidating. I have some ideas for long stories that have been in my head for years, though, so I decided this year I was going to try to put one of them down in writing. My ideas are all pretty odd and embarrassing, but the one I've chosen to do is probably considered mainstream fiction. I'd just like a mentor who maybe has some tips for how to write when busy with classes and maybe some ideas for how to keep my novel from being boring or overly drawn out (or several interesting chapters that aren't really tied together with anything, which is my other fear). Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:06:41 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_219200 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_219200 meeshxsmith This is my first year doing Nano and I would like a mentor. I am writing a Mainstream Fiction Novel. I am 32. I live in Florida. I think I would need help on keeping motivated, I have issues with procrastination and with keeping on task. Constructive criticism is good as is curious questions. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:00:38 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_231389 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_231389 konstantinova I would love to have a mentor as this is my first time doing this! I am 20, currently studying Communication Studies and Professional Writing at York Univeristy, Toronto, Canada. I love science fiction and fantasy and would be leaning towards that and the supernatural genre. I am also a strong supporter of the Gay Community and would most likely have major characters in my story that are homosexuals. I write a lot, have for as long as I can remember, and read even more. My problems are that I get carried away with the background story, fall in love with minor characters, and lose interest in general. I have very few large-scale pieces that I have actually completed and would need help and encouragement to get something done. Thank you! Kris P.S. english is not my first language and so I have a very weird type of grammar when writing. I usually use this to my advantage with my characters, but can cause problems in the regular prose. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:43:18 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_237146 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_237146 TheCodex Hiya. I'm Codex, and this is my first time doing NaNo, heh heh. First things first, I am a high school student! I am always juggling homework, so I need someone who will understand that studying for my math test might take precedence. My story will be YA fantasy, I think. That's my plan at least. It will be pretty clean, y'know, PG- PG-13. That's basically it. I just need someone to check in on me every week or so, because nobody else I know is doing Nano! Also, my family doesn't really have an opinion on this, so I need a cheerleader! Anyway, thanks a million! Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:47:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_279763 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_279763 sandyandy Hi, I'm sandyandy. I'm 70 years old. I'm a retired social worker, wife, parent and grandparent. This is my first attempt at writing a novel for Nano or otherwise. I'd like a mentor who will encourage me to stick with it. Constructive criticism is welcome. I like a gentle approach. I'm writing a mainstream novel. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Sandy Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:05:55 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_329727 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_329727 Frau Buzzybee I've never attempted to write anything this large before and worry I may be in over my head, but if curiosity killed the cat, then satisfaction brought it back, right? I'm looking for a mentor who will check in with me (not nag) and see how it's going, offer words of encouragement and offer periodic words of challenge. I'm an American living permanently in Germany working as a freelance medical editor and academic/scientific writing instructor at the local university, and I really miss living on the ocean (used to live in Boston). I worry about a) sounding too formal in my writing, b) sounding trite, and c) the fact that I've not attempted to write fiction for .... like ever. However, I'm ready to jump in and give NaNoWriMo a shot! I'm considering writing a mystery with a strong character study; the setting will likely be present day in rural New England. I would like a mentor who has experience w/mystery and (probably) doesn't focus on sci-fi/fantasy. Think you might be a good fit? Send me a message! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:24:15 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_345200 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_345200 littlewingd Happy November, writers! I decided Today that I was going to participate in nano! I'm excited... and also terrified. I love writing and generally write poetry or free association. I dabble in children's literature and am drawn by the challenge of writing so much, so often for the entire month. But what to write? It would be wonderful to have a mentor to help sort out the millions of thoughts I have right now, and help streamline ideas. I'd love to hear from someone experienced and around my age (mid 20's), gender doesn't matter. My favorite literature is historical fiction, dystopian novels, or what I have deemed "possible fantasy." I assume I'll be writing somewhere in that range... but who knows! Thanks :) Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:48:40 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_370823 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_370823 R.M. Benedict Well...here goes nothing! My name is Rhonda, and this is my very first attempt at doing something like this. A friend of mine recently sent me the link for NaNo, and told me I needed to try this because if I didn't, I would never forgive myself for missing the opportunity. To be honest...I'm terrified. lol I've always been deeply self-conscious of letting anyone read what I write, knowing in my heart it's not really worthy of attention...well, that's what sticks in my head anyways and it's hard to get around that block. Anyhow...lol...I'm 41, I have 2 teenage boys, (my youngest is autistic), a hubby, and an eccentric cat who sleeps in my bookcase. I've been a voracious reader all my life, and during my teens, writing was both my self-therapy and my outlet for emotions I couldn't express out loud. The writing kind of got left behind as life intruded (raising an autistic child is intensive and emotionally exhausting), but now with my oldest off to college, and my youngest a sophomore in high school, I find myself with a lot of free time on my hands, and I figured why not give writing another shot? The story I'm going to attempt to write has elements of sci-fi, horror/supernatural, and romance in it...I have no idea what genre it would even really fit in. I'm looking for someone who will help keep me on track, focused, and is understanding that some days it might not be possible to accomplish much due to physical pain. I've coped with a disorder called Fibromyalgia for the last 20 years, though I was only properly diagnosed 6 years ago. I have good days and bad days, and can't always tell which it will be since the onset of pain can be sudden and debilitating. If you can understand that, and can help me find ways to work around it to keep on track, it would be greatly appreciated! I live in west-central Missouri, about an hour's drive southeast of Kansas City in the college town of Warrensburg. I'm also a die-hard nite-owl, since chronic insomnia is a symptom of Fibro. I really need advice on how to proceed, how to structure things, and, honestly, how to do a proper ending. If you can cope with a crazy chick like me, let me know!!! Thanks!! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:17:24 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_378102 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_378102 teenpoetgirl Hi everyone! My name is Ali and I am writing an adventure novel about overthrowing a tyrannical government! You should know...that I am a freshman in high school, so I need someone to push me along the way with some helpful encouragement! My schedule is pretty busy, but my fall sport ends this week, so I should have some writing time available. You should also know that I am an artistic, left-brained person, so ideas are not a problem, it's the organization of them that troubles me. :) So who would like to be my mentor? Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:23:50 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_378314 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_378314 808britt Well my name is Brittany and I'm 13. I'm going to take the challenge this year and see if I can do it. I'm very uncertain and i would love to have a mentor to guide me along. I'm trying to discover my writing abillities, if I have any, and I would love any help anyone has to offer. So far my story is about "Colors" that share a planet and are competing for power. This competition has gone too far and it's up to Violet (a Purple) to save the world. I have noticed that some of my obvious weaknesses are that I seem to switch from first person to third a lot and I don't have great grammar. I'm also a huge procrastinator and would really appreciate a mentor who would keep me focused with friendly reminders. Thanks so much and I hope to hear froma somone soon! :) Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:47:27 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_381322 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_381322 Diamond Cole Hello, fellow Wrimos! My author name is Diamond Cole (which is so much cooler than my actual name) and this is my very first shot at NaNoWriMo. I am 18 as of today and would like to dedicate this month (and to an extent, this year) to achieving major goals I have set for myself. NaNoWriMo is only the first step for me! I am a university freshman majoring in Creative Writing. Ironically, I find myself having trouble writing creatively, and for this reason a mentor would be the greatest of great help! For my first novel, I am actually planning a collection of short stories about my original characters.These stories would be of various genres, but typically revolve around fantasy, adventure, and slice-of-life. Here are some things I know I will definitely need help with: - Staying motivated! It is difficult for me to keep up with long-term projects, especially with my hectic and busy college life! - Character development. I want all of my characters to have strong, distinct personalities, voices and histories. - Word choice and padding, because let's face it... 50,000 words? That's kind of a lot! - Time management; making sure I am meeting daily goals (I am already two days behind the suggested word count. Oh, dear...) - Tips and tricks for coming out of NaNiWriMo ALIVE. and most importantly... - Someone to simply talk to from time to time! NaNiWriMo isn't about winning; it's the journey, the experience and the challenge. I'd like to have fun above all else and learn a bit more about myself as a writer and a person. I await to be mentored! &lt;3 Diamond Cole Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:08:21 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_390191 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_390191 the impossible dreamer I am a newbie to nano, I've tried writing books before in the past, but I never finish them. I have bout fivee uncompleted drafts sitting on my computer. I need a mentor who will give me constructiv criticism and kep me on pace. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:23:24 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_394108 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_394108 snoopysuna Hi, Suna here I'm seventeen and it's my first time doing nano I've always liked to write so I decided to try this out :) I'm working on a YA medieval fantasy novel. Soleil, my main character is a doll (weird I know). But things happen, she becomes human, obviously there's an antagonist and blah blah But I'm not really confident about the "medieval" setting since everything I've written before is set in the modern world. Anyone keen to help me throughout would be much appreciated!! Thanks :D Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:47:11 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_394822 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_394822 stillwaters119 Hi! This is definitely my first attempt to write anything creative that's longer than a short story...I need help! All the help I can get! *sigh* I'm not particularly sure what I will be writing. I have a few ideas swirling in my head. But one of the major things that I really want to explore is the idea of narration and internal dialogue versus dialogue. I'm really tired of reading dialogue that's overflowing and pointless. It reminds me of those conversations you have with people where you're bored stiff but you don't want to be rude....great, and now I sound like an arrogant jerk. I hope you know what I mean though? I also suppose that I might end up writing in some form of fantasy fiction with and element of period fiction...that tends to be where all of my ideas come from. So just having a partner in crime, even if the genre is totally different, would be really nice. None of my friends write and none of them care to read all that much, so it'd be nice to have someone around to discuss this stuff. Thanks a bazillion! ~Chanelle Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:03:40 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_419394 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_419394 ChristineTV Hi, I'm trying to actually finish a story. I've wrote so many beginnings and outlines and have never finished anything in my 27 yrs. I'd love a friend/mentor who has finished a story and who would love to give constructive criticism as I work on my novel this month. I'm only 450 words in! But please be gentle, it's my first time:) Novel title: Just Drive a Lonely Soul Synopsis: A child escapes with his mother from a murderous man and gets lost. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:48:12 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_435339 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_435339 cartimanduas Hello, I am 30, married, and have no children to speak of...I am also female, since you can't tell by my lack of picture!! I decided to try a romance for my first novel. This is my first year of this. I also have a LiveJournal account with the same name, and have joined NaNoWriMo there, as well. Today. So that makes me 10 days late!! Also, I live in MI, so I am used to gobs of snow, but I don't much care for it!! I'm just looking for a buddy/mentor/ of some type, since the only human interaction I will probably be getting this next month will be of the online variety!! Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:41:10 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_646019 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_646019 ashles I'm Ashlie. I'm 26 as of yesterday, I work with the mentally ill. Mama of three daughters, one adopted. Been writing since I was five but this is my first crack at NaNo. I have commitment issues with plots, and this is my biggest hump in writing. The first four days were awesome. I was writing above count. But then the birth of my nephew and a move ate up a bunch of my time. So now I'm 6k behind. I'm determined to finish. Looking for buddies, a mentor, some encouragement, whatever, to get me through the next 19 days and finishing this bad boy. Crazy ex boyfriend inspired a super villain and a story. Added a charismatic pitbull named Thomas who is the main characters closest confidant. What the heck are word sprints? Thanks guys! Ashlie Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:58:09 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_647421 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_647421 KC Mack Hi, Since I am in the newby thread, I'm obviously new at this. I am 46 years old and I have decided that I have stories to tell. I think my genre is mainstream literature, but I am not completely sure about this. I did not find out about NaNo until the last week of November (frowny face). However, I did complete a short story during that week (only 4100 words). I would like to talk to a mentor about submitting the short story to literary magazine for publication. I started work on a novel after I finished the short story and would love to have a mentor with whom I can discuss plot ideas. Thank you, Kevin Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:52:06 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_973334 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_973334 JoeDaBro I'm writing a Horror/Science Fiction story. I'm 17 and from Illinois around Naperville. I would like to work on word choice and my current tense vs past tense and I would like a mentor that can offer me a wider vocabulary. Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:25:22 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1040149 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1040149 kashka-neko Hiya~ I'm kashka-neko and I'm looking for a mentor x3 Preferably someone who could help me with languages, provide some moral support if I start to lag, and who could help me out with proofreading as well as being someone who could suggest plot ideas and prod me back onto track if I start to stray. Hopefully, also someone who'd be cool to chat to sometimes :3 Ummm that reads like a dating advert. xD I'm sorry if I sound too demanding D: But ah, I'm not really sure how to do this. xD Nya~ -kashka-neko Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:31:59 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1112566 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1112566 insaneintheworldofsanity I'm a baby to NaNoWriMo! haha. I've actually signed up for this a year or two ago and always end up getting busy with school. I'm Ani. I'm 19 and in college. I really enjoy writing and I want to keep it up, but it's just hard when no one else I am friends with are interested in it. I pretty much just want someone I could bounce ideas off, get advice, and just keep encouraging me overall. I am obsessed with horses and riding them, but due to an illness, I was forced to stop a couple years back. I satisfy my obsession now by writing about them. My stories end up having a bigger plot within the characters, with the horses as just a setting for it to take place. I am not asking for a mentor who knows about horses, but if you do than that's great! Thank you! :) Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:06:26 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1185907 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1185907 essbee I'm glad you're offering to help however this is strictly for newbies looking for help and not for discussion or mentors offering to help. I've asked for your post to be moved over to the correct thread. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:59:48 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_3036 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_3036 ELBUB55CLGRL22LELUVSFUN4 Hi Gipfish! No i am not a mentor and this is my first time but i am a Christian and not writing a "Christian" book right now and i love animals and music and laughing and people and drawing and i was wondering if you could take me for a writing pal. i can't give any personal info but it could be fun. (BTW some friends told me about Hunger Games and it totally freaked me out. ick.) Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:26:49 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_32401 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_32401 Purple99 Hey, just saying I've now got a mentor in the shape of the awesome LittleScissor. Thanks to you for taking me on and thanks to the others for their offers. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:41:33 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_30620 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_30620 lyrwriter I can help! Sending you a NaNoMail... Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:56:46 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_58530 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_58530 cactusmoon Hi I'm Whitney and I'm 20 years old have nothing but free time this November. I'm working on a sci fi post apocalyptic romance (bleh I don't like romances lmao) so I would prefer someone who is familiar with writing romances but that's it! PM. Me if ud like to be my mentor :) Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:15:30 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_72624 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_72624 Lonaneomaflame I know have a mentor thanks guys. :) Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:31:52 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_44193 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_44193 Jazz.Coffee.Love I've been rescued : ) Thanks! Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:02:57 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_59277 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=2#forum_thread_comment_59277 Corally I have now found a lovely mentor, thank you for all of the offers! Good luck everyone! Corally Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:18:24 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_54544 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_54544 DonaNobisPacem I now have a Mentor!!! Thank you to Ryanna Coleman! Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:34:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_61300 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_61300 not-a-damsel-in-distress Thanks so much to everyone who offered, and I now have a mentor: the awesometastical Ryanna Coleman. Yay! Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:26:17 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_86540 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=3#forum_thread_comment_86540 FionaAnne I have a mentor now =) Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:11:03 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_94668 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_94668 Chepri Found one! So no longer looking! Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:34:11 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_244198 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_244198 TheWitchingWell found a mentor! Please disregard my post! :) Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:14:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_90239 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_90239 scaddy Thanks everyone - I've found a mentor now. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:33:38 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_109851 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=4#forum_thread_comment_109851 cornflakegirl Hi Alexa, If you're still looking for a mentor, feel free to drop me a line. My name is Alana, I'm 23, and this is my second year doing NaNo. I mostly write literary fiction and memoir, so those are my strengths, but I'm happy to offer pep talks and read a little of your work no matter what genre. I think it's great you're doing NaNo. I wrote my first novel for fun when I was 15. Alana Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:10:28 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_124897 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_124897 Marichosa Mentor = Found. Thanks everyone! Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:43:59 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_139426 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_139426 Garren I had a small problem with my NanoMail. Fixed now. Sorry if no one could reach me... send another message if interested. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:45:39 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_114135 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_114135 Lisy Yikes I think I am going to have to go this alone! Nothing like a challenge! x Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:25:23 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_212695 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_212695 decafmirth I have a mentor. Yay! Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:15:35 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_141874 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=5#forum_thread_comment_141874 MakaylaK More specific info; I'm fifteen and am trying to wright a futuristic, post apocalyptic fiction (most likely) that plays on the way we view our world and accept the truth that we're given. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:36:01 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_136061 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_136061 Reggie Tharp *15 hours later and no mentor* That's only a little nerve wracking. I hope I didn't scare any potentials off, I'm really not THAT bad! =] Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:55:31 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_154773 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_154773 Momoka Oh. And I'm from NYC, if that makes a difference to you :) Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:49:46 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_146528 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_146528 Momoka Thanks to this wonderful post, I'm covered :) Thanks so much! Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:57:57 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_153725 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_153725 baileyanne Any luck yet? Clicking on your username doesn't go to a profile... have you set yours up yet? You must have, because you have a photo... that's weird. I'll try NaNoMail. Don't lose hope! There's just so many people posting in here! :) Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:17:01 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_184931 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_184931 Reggie Tharp I responded to your mail. =] And gosh, sorry, should have updated on here that I do in fact have someone now. My bad! ^_^; Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:45:00 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_185286 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=6#forum_thread_comment_185286 Write_or_be_eaten one other thing about this, my mentor should be ready for me to drop off the face of the earth sometime in the middle of the month, kay? that's all. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:48:03 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_206514 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_206514 Una Owen I should also add, if there is anything you want to know about me before taking me on as a newbie, just let me know. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:17:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_209079 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=8#forum_thread_comment_209079 megameg oh and i"m 24 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:41:10 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_210235 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_210235 Lori Morgan Sorry ive got to withdraw myself here, cause i have already found a lovely mentor ^^ happy writing everyone Lori Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:41:15 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_322829 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_322829 Liniya Oooh! I like druids and fantasy novels! If you still haven't got a mentor, drop me a NaNo-mail and we can talk about crazy things to either distract or support you with your novel-writing! ^^ -Lini Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:49:55 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_271479 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=10#forum_thread_comment_271479 nerdwrighter *any Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:40:51 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_285896 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=11#forum_thread_comment_285896 Faith777 NaNo Mailed you-consider yourself adopted! Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:08:20 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_308849 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_308849 ezmac Oh and Im a Newbie, sorry for the double post Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:20:18 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_312250 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=12#forum_thread_comment_312250 the impossible dreamer I'm also writing in the fantasy genre. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:25:09 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_394159 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_394159 dfamble Hey, I'm a newbie and i've never done something like this. I love to write and someday i want to become famous off my books. But, sometimes, i notice that what i write doesnt make sense. So, i would appreciate it if somone could help me out here Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:04:35 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_605646 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_605646 dfamble Hey, I'm a newbie and i've never done something like this. I love to write and someday i want to become famous off my books. But, sometimes, i notice that what i write doesnt make sense. So, i would appreciate it if somone could help me out here Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:04:39 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_605648 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=1#forum_thread_comment_605648 Wykyd Jade This glitched! lol...it wasn't supposed to post twice! sheesh! See why I need help! Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:22:32 -0700 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_482029 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_482029 jmurchie Oops, I mean about 1/3 of the way through my book, not 1/2 way through. I'm aiming for approximately 80,000-90,000 words. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:08:25 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_526230 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=16#forum_thread_comment_526230 RubyJubilee You have to write in word or in open office or in pen - whichever you prefer! The only time your work comes near the site is if you wanted to share a bit in the forum or when you copy&amp;paste it to have the word count verified after November 25th. x Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:03:08 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_570774 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=17#forum_thread_comment_570774 lieish I am now in possesion of a mentor. All aplications will be sent to the room of all lost things all you harry potter nerds who caught that reference, props to you. Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:23:25 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_696072 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_696072 emmabee44 Thanks Everyone, But Mentor chances is closed for me! :) Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:40:46 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_712353 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_712353 Ioverofwords So o_o My name is Rachel. I'm 19. This is my first time doing Nano and I'm pretty excited for it. The story I'm working on now is an adventure type story. I've been writing for as long as I can remember, I love it. I've never actually finished anything I started due to getting stuck or just school. I made this to see if I can actually finish a story. I've always wanted to finish one and well now I'm looking for a mentor to basically guide me and keep me on track, proofread maybe, but to provide feedback and give helpful criticism. I'm ready to get better and finish. Thanks in advance! Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:44:28 -0800 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_734439 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/newbies/threads/317?page=18#forum_thread_comment_734439