[IMPORTANT] Word count questions, rules (cheating) questions, and Technical Help http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33 Dragonchilde If you're having technical trouble with your word count, let's use this thread to ask. PLease note that technical help questions regarding the word count tool need to be posted in the <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/tech-help-site-bug-reports" rel="nofollow">Tech Help Forum</a> - there's a few threads already in progress that can help you. If you're wondering if what you have written is valid according to the rules, please post in the <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/rules-regulations-and-other-minutiae" rel="nofollow">Rules and Regs</a> forum. If you are using OpenOffice to write your novel, please be aware that there is a bug with its word count tool that causes highly inflated word counts. You can find <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nano-technology/threads/901" rel="nofollow">details here</a> on how to correct this issue. <strong>ACCESS TO WORD COUNT VALIDATION TOOLS DEPENDS ON YOUR TIME ZONE SETTINGS</strong>. This means that you have to have your time zone set properly in your profile. Make sure your time zone is set properly, or you may find you've been locked out if you wait until the last minute. Test your word processor's count against ours by running your novel through the official word count validator. Every word counter counts differently, but the one that counts is NaNo's. You will be able to validate an over-50k winning novel between November 25th and November 30th, local time, but the validator can be used at any time before then to test your count. Don't wait until the last minute; stories abound of heartbroken folks validating in the 11th hour only to find out they are short 1k or more. Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:56:19 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_34 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_34 BRuth Link for OpenOffice word count problem didn't work....... Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:12:38 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_31140 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_31140 DM &gt;http://LINK%20NEEDED Quality link. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:48:48 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_31751 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_31751 Dragonchilde Hey, I had a lot to do before launch. ;) Sorry about that. I'll have it fixed momentarily. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:23:16 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_49329 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_49329 Fiona W Link in first posting for "official word count validator" doesn't work.... Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:16:08 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_75929 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_75929 Dragonchilde It won't until the official validator exists. :) Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:46:14 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_87487 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_87487 deneco4 I'll be reaching 50k in November. And it'll be quite a goddamn thing when I throw my hat into this ring. Profound shit inbound. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:28:22 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_118263 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_118263 Crimson_Ham Anyone know if the google doc word count tool is buggy or if it'd match up to the validator? Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:26:32 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_159272 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_159272 Dragonchilde Check down here in the <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nano-technology/threads/765" rel="nofollow">Google Docs</a> thread in NaNo Technology, the forum where software is discussed. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:26:59 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_159988 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_159988 LozzT-In-Time Last year, I did my NaNovel in Microsoft Office Word (2007 edition) and the wordcount tool said I had a different WC than the actual validator on here said. Anyone know if THAT tool is buggy? Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:36:07 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_186705 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_186705 Olafstar Nano's word count validator apparently counts spaces, while most other word counters count words. For instance, this: store,calmingly would count as one word to nanowrimo, but might be counted as two words on other programs. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:39:10 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_189321 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_189321 Crimson122 So what your saying is we need to make sure to add our spaces? Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:50:38 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_194243 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_194243 luvinpadfoot Some word counters count differently. Microsoft word tends to be a bit off as do several others. Just make sure you validate early so if you're a few words short you've got time to write them. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:52:00 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_199103 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_199103 SashaStorm97 how does nano count it? i thought you just typed in the numbers, can you type in the words and it will count that for you? Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:12:24 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_206920 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_206920 moonmomma During most of November, you can update your word count daily (or hourly or weekly, whatever) by typing in the number of words in the little word count box that will appear on Nov. 1 Starting November 25, you can copy-and-paste your novel into the word count validator to get your official NaNo word count and, if you have 50,000 words or more, be validated as a winner. You can continue writing and updating your word count even after you've been validated as a winner. You can't type your novel anywhere on the NaNo website, the website will not save it for you. After your word count is validated, your novel is immediately deleted from the validator. This is why you must be sure to save your novel on your computer and/or on a online writing site (like Google Docs). And back it up in multiple places. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:25:23 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_208159 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_208159 mole. Z I think I read somewhere that the 50,000 word count translates to 175 pages. I am wondering what the criteria is for this? I tested a sample page and I got an estimate of 600 words a page. This is a very low estimate but at this rate I calculate around 85 pages to easily make the 50,000. Am I missing something or is it possible to meet the 50,000 in about 85 pages? Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:15:56 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216820 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216820 Kirsten Mortensen @mole, the number of words/page will depend on things like font size, line spacing etc. The 175 pages rule of thumb assumes probably 10-12 pt times roman for font size and lines probably either double spaced or close to it. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:38:40 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_222502 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_222502 trystan so i'm new to this... when i write my pages/chapters/whatever for each day in November, do i have to paste them somewhere on the site here, or just enter the number of words i've typed into a field somewhere that will track my word counts for the whole month? Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:10:15 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_224409 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_224409 trystan right after i posted this, i found out my answer, so nevermind. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:48:38 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_228780 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_228780 littlesara Has anyone used WriteWay? What is the easiest way to copy and paste from there? Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:32:23 -0400 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_237958 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/33?page=1#forum_thread_comment_237958