The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:52:28 -0500

50k can be a huge struggle, and it's a struggle not to be underestimated. You're writing 1667 words every single day for an entire month, setting aside spare time, loved ones, school, and work in order to do so. But for a few of us, 50k isn't much of a challenge, so we bring the personal challenge back to NaNo. This is where we set our own goals above and beyond 50k and get to know our fellow overachiever-kind. We write those words, and we write them fast. Join us, fellow overachievers. Whether your goal is to go 5k or 500k beyond the original 50k goal, you're welcome here. Let us celebrate, commiserate, and chat here together this NaNo season.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:55:39 -0500

*sadz* you beat me :(

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

D.F.T.B.A — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:11:30 -0500

I've been considering upping my goal, but as I've not yet managed to write 50k in one month, I might be getting ahead of myself.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:13:51 -0500

Sushi! Kateness! Hi again! :D Trying to decide between 75K and the insaner 100K this year. I tried for 120K last year and got to 78K (hello, new relationship!). And this year, I just moved to DC and am still job searching, so...should I be realistic, you think? Or push myself?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:16:09 -0500

I am so pissed at all of you for posting in sushi's thread and not mine. I'm not talking to *any* of you. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Shwoo — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:17:51 -0500

Overacheiving didn't go so well for me last year, but this year I'm not moving house and my anxiety's really improving, so I'm going to go for 100K. I already write 1000 words a day, so 1667 isn't much of a step up. 3333 sounds better.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midnightatnoon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:39:56 -0500

I haven't written 50K yet (after 4 years, I'm gonna do it this year), but my plot is super intense, so I'm thinking a reasonable 75K if I write 2k words per day. While trying to move, work, and maintain a relationship. It's on!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Zette — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:41:51 -0500

Hello everyone. Yes, I will be doing a lot of words this year. I was one of the first people (10 years ago) to go over 100,000, and I have enjoyed it every since. I don't know how much I'll do this year but I intend for it to be fun.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ShelbyDanvers — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:41:54 -0500

Hello :) I'm setting my goal at 100K this year. I made 98K last year, so I know it's not impossible. It's my fifth NaNo, I'd like to really rock this thing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dreamers Cove — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:48:20 -0500

A definite overachiever over here! Since my first Nano, actually. I'm not sure what my total word count is going to be, but I'm working on 8 outlines for this season. I want to have plenty to write on and not get stopped (that happened one year). All of them are science fiction but in at least 3 different sub-genres. My biggest Nano year was 160,605 words. I want to beat that this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

schweinsty — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:50:53 -0500

I still haven't won, but I'm hoping for 60k this year - my novel's a YA story, so it will be, at the very most, 75 or 80k - 60k should give me a decent rough draft. That is, of course, given that I don't find a job between now and December. If I do...I'll still shoot for it, but I'm not sure I can do it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hannah_337 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:51:42 -0500

Last year I wrote 75k and that was with writing no words at all during the final week. I'd love to get 100k which was my aim last year but I'm being more realistic at 80k. That way I've beaten last years and I know I can do it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Imperatrix Xoco — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:51:54 -0500

I'll do 200k. Really, this time.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:55:18 -0500

I'm not making a number commitment at this time. Last year, I barely scraped 60k because of my job situation. I have the same job, but I think maybe now that I'm used to this shit, I can do better. I'll guesstimate closer to the date :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:56:46 -0500

Zette, I was going through very old forum posts in search of something and found one from... 2003, I think? saying that most folks with word counts higher than yours were probably cheating. How small NaNo was then. Since I never stated my goal for this year, I'm aiming for a total of a million words over all ten of my NaNos. I have 193820 words to go, which is completely doable this year, so that's getting rounded up to 200k to make the number easier to remember.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

DMCole — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:57:49 -0500

My goal is 120k this year. That's about what it takes for me to actually finish a story, and I've done it twice before, but last year I just barely scraped out the 50k, so I'm a little nervous about making it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

RobynPierce — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:59:41 -0500

Last year was my first year and I never really thought I could make it to 50K. I made it to 50K by the 11th day. By the end of November, I was almost to 102K. So this year I'm aiming for 108K right away. I am proud to be an overachiever.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Cadaverine — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:31:02 -0500

I am not an overachiever... I am a procrastinator so I usually make it to 50k only a few days early and then relax for the rest of the month. XD BUT, I am writing an ongoing project and I'd like to keep slogging away 1k or more a day on it, which I guess would make my monthly output 80k. I'm not going to count my other novel's additions on my NaNo wordcount bar, though ^^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Zette — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:32:42 -0500

I'm not so sure about the cheating, except when it is obvious. Someone posting 100,000 words the first day -- yeah, that's not playing fair. Does it matter? Not really. This is about what you are doing for you, not what anyone else is doing. Me? I'm having fun.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

NaNo_Bot — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:41:40 -0500

Good luck, overachievers! I don't know whether I can join you this year, but I'll definitely be trying to pull a few overachieving days. Going to aim for at least one 15k day. It will either be in the beginning or right at the end. Good luck all, you are amazing!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Morigale — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:44:54 -0500

You know, I've basically got two plots going on here, and last year I hit something like 70k. I think I'll try for 100k, because I totally need to stress myself out. :D Heck, if I write that much I might even finish the novel. And if I finish the book before 100k, I've got plenty of other things set in the same universe that I can switch over to. So, um. Hi guys!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:46:37 -0500

Exactly. It shouldn't matter. NaNo is a personal challenge, and if you put nothing into NaNo, you certainly won't get anything out. If there's no fun involved, then what's the point?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

megaminxwin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:49:46 -0500

Let's try and get at least 80,000 this year. ALSO: Holy crap, 1,000,000 words total over 10 years? Go sushi!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Jayne2 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:58:27 -0500

I'll be attempting a completed novel this year...but how many words that will actually turn out to be I have no idea. Last year I came in with a completed (albeit horribly so) novel at just under 60k, so I think this one will end up around that mark. Not a higher overachiever, but one nonetheless and it would make me very happy to make this goal (on top of exams as well!) :).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

August. — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:12:29 -0500

Ditto, my main goal is finishing. Minimum of 60-70k I think, at this point, although with more planning that estimate might go up. For some reason I almost never finish novels during Nanowrimo (I do alright during other wrimo months, so it's kind of odd) and I'm desperate to change that this time around. I don't need to start December with some giant unfinished thing again.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TeeVee — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:49:14 -0500

First time stepping into the overachiever's thread in my 5 years of NaNoing. Since this is my 5th year I've decided to take the plunge and go for 175k, even though I've never passed 60k before. I have three novels that I'll be working on and I usually churn out 50k for my first drafts so it should be doable. So happy to finally be stepping into this thread, hopefully I can actually overachieve this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

FluffySilver — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:09:39 -0500

This year I want to do 50K in 11 days (A game I've been looking forward to for ages is coming out, zomg!) but hey, I might go past it. Time to get started on the planning!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

artofcheatery — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:19:23 -0500

Well, I tried to overachieve last year and ended up barely achieving, but I am going to try again. Just remember these words of one Mr. Arnold Toynbee [quote=Arnold Toynbee]It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way reach a goal is be aiming not at that goal itself but at some more ambitious goal beyond it.[/quote] 65000 words. Yeah it's a weird number. Whatev' -X

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

dancer_kirsten — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:39:54 -0500

I've set my goal at 150K. Not because I have such a fantastic plot, or oodles of time in November. Noooo, because I'm kinda mental I think ... o.O

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lauren E. Mitchell — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:41:49 -0500

I'm aiming to get over 50k and have a finished novel this year, just so that I don't end up with another half-novel like last year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MarcyT — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:51:19 -0500

Hi. I got 100k last year, so I'm trying for 150k this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MarcyT — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:54:42 -0500

I never accuse people of cheating because, one, it doesn't really matter to me what they're doing, and, two, I was accused of cheating once and it's not that much fun. Also, I figure, I only know what I am capable of writing, not what anyone else is, and, well, I might have thought I was cheating, too, if I didn't know me. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aiyandra — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:08:53 -0500

Hey-ho! I'm new here, so I'll introduce myself: I'm Aiyandra, a teenager, passionate writer and a bit of a fangirl. Since my school decided that November is a great month for exams, I'll have to study. I'll spend one entire weekend with my best friend and we'll go to a concert. I want to read Inheritancy Cycle 4. Considering all this, I'll aim for 80k. 80k is doable. It is. I did 75k in July and only wrote on the first 8 and last 3 days, so I can totally do 80k. I have a question: Do you guys plan to do another 50k weekend? I'd really like to participate (yeah, I read The Overachievers' Thread III and loved the idea.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

deasoline — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:16:06 -0500

I finished my nano at 90k in three weeks last year, so this year I'm definitely trying to write 100k!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Cloud 10 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:02:34 -0500

My novels always go beyond 60k. It's like a thing I can't stop. So this year I'm planning to go for 60k in the challenge part, and maybe (just maybe) go for 70k after November. (Or in it, if I can). After NaNo last year, I wrote a novel for Screnzy (alongside a script) and then two novels this summer for Camp NaNo. 50k is no longer a challenge, but an opportunity! I find it so much fun. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Jack1761 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:08:01 -0500

First-timer here... Not sure how far I will really get, but to finish my novel, I doubt that 50k words will be enough, probably 80k might be a closer estimate, although I wouldn't really want to commit that at this early stage. But, what can I say, I'm a wee bit on the long-winded side ;o)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

therekinator — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:25:45 -0500

My goal is to finish my novel. Every NaNo I've hit 50K early without too much trouble but I've never exceeded about 61K, and never come even close to finishing a story. Well, I did one time but that was more 'Rocks fall, everybody dies' than an actual ending. I'm setting myself a tentative goal of 100K. My story is definitely more than 50,000 words, but I'm, not sure if it will make 100,000.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:36:08 -0500

Overachievers respond to both threads? Challenge accepted.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:41:57 -0500

I should really stop making a number commitment, considering how I've been blowing past them as of late. In the last few years, my goal has been to beat sushimustwrite. Last year I failed at that spectacularly. I expect a repeat of that this year, now that I have a full time job and commitments and such. I mean seriously, who has commitments? Total nonsense I tell you doing things other than NaNo during November.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Yuallica — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:51:52 -0500

Last year I went for 150k and just got there, but it was hectic, and I was constantly behind, finishing in a crazed 20k rush on the last day. After that, I thought, I can still overachieve, but never again by that much. I would still aim high, but I would definitely aim lower than 150k this year. So now it's nearly time for NaNo again... and I want to beat last year. I know I shouldn't, because reaching 150k nearly drove me mental, but... I have a tentative target of 200k. This time I am telling myself I am allowed to lower it if it's too difficult, but that's my starting target. The one I absolutely must do, is finish with a completed draft of the novel I've been planning for some time. I don't know how long that will be, but I'm guessing somewhere around 60k- the rest will be on a fun dare filled novel, I think, and it doesn't matter so much how far I get with that, as long as I finish the first one.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:58:24 -0500

Hi guys! I MISSED THIS THREAD SO MUCH. Minimum goal: 175. I've hit 150 and 160 the last two years, and seriously, I need a great leap. I'm not even in school this semester. I've got two whole novels in mind, and a bunch of random crap that needs finishing for #50kweekend. You know, OUR FAAAAVORITE.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

DuraKaN — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:06:53 -0500

I don't normally post here, but I normally overachieve anyway (in 6 years of NaNo, I have a cumulative total of over 1 million words)! I promised myself that I would stick to 50K this year because I need to concentrate on my final year of university... up until about ten minutes ago, when I realised that November 1st is a Tuesday. I have no lectures/work on Tuesdays. Two years ago, I tried to write 50K on the first day and FAILED, and this may just be the perfect opportunity to finally avenge myself! Maybe common sense will prevail, and I will just write 50K this month, but I think the temptation will be too great. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CROWcatalyst — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:21:56 -0500

^ Best reply ever.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CROWcatalyst — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:32:13 -0500

I should really just stick to 50k, but I know I'm going to end up wanting to do more. I attempted the 1,000,000 words for the past few years, but the most I got to was 181k in 2008. Hey, at least I was motivated and won for my first time! I absolutely cannot even dream about 1 million this year with my full time job and responsibilities. I also want to spend time with my love during the month of November AND visit my mom in New Jersey during Thanksgiving. So, through some estimated calculations... I can reach up to a speed of around 88 words per minute, but considering pauses and chances of slow typing, I'll bump that down to 60 words per minute. Times that by 2 hours a day for 22 weekdays would be 158,400 during the weekdays altogether. Include 8 weekends with 4 hours each of those days. The weekends would rank up 115,200 altogether. Those totals together equal 273,600. If I wanted to be crazy, I'd try and double the number, but I think 273k is pretty high considering my workload. So... in conclusion, I will probably go OVER 50k, but I don't expect to go anywhere past 273k. If I do, I'm buying myself something really special for making myself go even MORE nuts during NaNoWriMo.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CROWcatalyst — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:33:13 -0500

50k in a day sounds absolutely lovely... and insane. XD I would definitely attempt the same if I didn't have work that day.

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BrBckRider — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:37:03 -0500

I've managed 2 years doing 50k while simultaneously holding down a job and going to school. Well, both of those are done, so I'm going to shoot for 100k this year. Cause I don't really have anything else going on in November. I do have a personal caveat: If I manage to find a job before or during early November, I am allowed to back out of this bat$h1t crazy commitment without guilt. (If not or if my job comes in late November, then it's on like Donkey Kong)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raido99 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:38:46 -0500

*bounces to the thread* Hey, y'all. :D I seriously overachieved for the first time last year - 70K, sacrificed my joints but it was worth it - and was thinking of going for 100K this year. In that space, I should be able to finish my novel, too (which would be a bigger miracle than getting to 100K). There's university work and actual work to do in November, but meh, I can squeeze in writing time somewhere in there. [quote]Exactly. It shouldn't matter. NaNo is a personal challenge, and if you put nothing into NaNo, you certainly won't get anything out. If there's no fun involved, then what's the point?[/quote] What Sushi said. I already got called a cheat once this year for having reached the 50K mark in eight days in 2010. Apparently that was because "it's a novel writing _month_, not a week". Haters gonna hate. ;p What about you other overachievers, though, do you stick to your goals even when something unexpected and timeconsuming comes up?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

FizzyJones — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:40:44 -0500

I'm setting my goal at a tentative 75k this year, mostly because I am determined to pound out most of my manuscript in November rather than leaving it to rot, unfinished.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:18:54 -0500

Sushi, Kateness, FluffySilver, tajavioletta... hello again! :) It's been a loooong year without you all. So this year I'm taking 19 credits and have a pretty demanding job, so my 220K from last year is looking less and less likely. I am, however, determined not to fall below my first ever word count which was 102K, so that's going to be my bare minimum. Basically I'm just going write like a madwoman whenever I can and whatever count that gets me, I'll be feeling good. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

hookedononyx — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:15:09 -0500

I might be going for 100,000. I managed to pull 50,000 in two weeks in a different WriMo back in '08, but ended up stalling. Really, it isn't a question of having the energy, so much as maintaining interest.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:40:45 -0500

I totally did it too, but then Dragonchilde closed the duplicate and ruined all our fun. ;D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

glynes — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:58:29 -0500

I've set my goal for 125K, which is about midway between the low and high numbers I've reached in the past. It's about the size story I like, it certainly ups the challenge, and lets me go hog-wild with every silly idea that crops up.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

allwritemel — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:03:01 -0500

Well I must be mad but I'm going for 100,000 this time. Why? Because life pretty much sucks ... need to change my attitude back to a positive, can do approach - I've started so I'll finish but it's tough. When life gets like this for me I start to write like there's no tomorrow - plus I have a few projects I need to show to some very important people at the beginning of December so I need to focus ... I always used to say to people who know me that Billy Ocean was wrong - when the going gets tough, the tough get WRITING ... well as I've effectively stopped writing this year (a few half hearted attempts but nothing serious, only writing my journals for my course but even that only when I can be bothered), I need to get tough again. Hopefully we can all support each other in our attempts. WHat I love about NaNo is that everyone gets behind each other! Hope some of that makes sense - I've been awake most of the night so I'm probably talking gobbledygood (a language some would say I excel at!) :-) Good luck everyone!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

alias093001 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:03:09 -0500

I got through 50K in eleven days last year. My end count for November was 106,877. For this year, I'm looking to get to 125K. Completely doable for me, especially if I can avoid getting sick as I did last year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:07:24 -0500

I'm going for 200k again this year; I didn't quite make it last year, so this time around, I'm back with a vengeance! I got complacent, I'll admit ... and maybe might have sacrificed a few coursework deadlines, too ... ? xD it got done. Anyways. I don't have much going on this year, so I'm hoping I can sustain a good speed and finally break 200k by the end of the month. (:

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Maruiqi — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:59:02 -0500

I'm going to aim for a comparatively modest 70K, since I have a lot of work on. To be honest, I'd be happy with just 50K but, like someone else said, I'm more likely to achieve that if I aim a tad higher.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:08:13 -0500

Yay! My favourite thread! Ok sooo! I am planning on overachieving but I decided to cut my initial goal in half! I am aiming for a lovely 160,000 words this year, maybe more. It all depends of how 50kday and 50kweekend go. Well, you read well. I'm definitely mad :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LittleScissor — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:11:13 -0500

Last year, I managed to finish at over 200k (with a full schedule). This year, I don't have such a busy schedule so I'm settling for 250k. I should be able to finish a few novels with that goal.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

mattkinsi — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:17:02 -0500

Popping in to say yes, I'll be overachieving surely. No, no clue what the goal is this year. AHHH!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:37:19 -0500

And three because it's against the rules, amirite :D I am once again on the patrol for accusations this year. Hooray!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:37:47 -0500

ILU GAIZ.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:38:54 -0500

Yes, there absolutely will be a #50kweekend over Friday-Sunday of Thanksgiving :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:39:28 -0500

Hey Chomsky-rabbit and TypoMania! I've missed you guys! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:40:37 -0500

I am taking this challenge too! We should be buddies, assuming the feature is working by November. >_>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:43:31 -0500

Hi again everyone! It's time for craziness to start again! :D I missed my fellow insanity brigade! *gives everyone hugs and cookies* So, last year I sort of committed myself to at least attempt 50kday, and I'm also doing 50kweekend, so that's 100k right there. My plan for the rest of the month was to work on a rebel project (transcribing my grandmother's journals) but I just don't think I'll be able to keep my hands off a novel for that long. So...at least 150k, probably more. ._.;

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

unrulydreamer — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:53:36 -0500

Right now my goal is sitting around 125k but Reddit it's to get my story completed in the month of November. In the pay that puts me on average between 120k and 140k so let's see what happens!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

charleenlynette — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:00:43 -0500

I guess I'm sort of an overachiever. I've done NaNo 3 times before, and each year my word count was higher than the year before. So, I'm planning to continue that trend, which means I need to reach at least 62,940.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:21:57 -0500

Oh tia, we are in the same boat :) I will get 160k, for sure. Probably more, eh! It's hard to give a maximum of words to achieve >.> I missed you, Overachievers company!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:25:08 -0500

So good to be back and see some familiar - and new! - faces here. I don't know what word count I'm aiming for this year. I just finished Milwordy and I'm a bit fed up with word counts and back to writing just for the fun of it. But I do think I'll be going over 50k and in any case, it's fun to be back here. :) Big hello!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:32:38 -0500

I'm attempting 50k day on the first and will probably fail spectacularly now that I have real commitments on Tuesdays. Sigh, but at least they involve money? As long as I break my single-day record of 31k, I think I'll be pretty happy.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Indy24601 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:32:41 -0500

Well, I'd like to get to 100,000 words. It wouldn't be such a challenge, but my toddler is my writing archenemy. He will do everything in his tiny power to prevent me from writing. So, I guess we'll see if I can outsmart him.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:32:55 -0500

Yeah, given my goal changed at least three times last year... "Oh, I'm only going to do 100k in 2010" she says....

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

faerie_kitten — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:34:36 -0500

last year I topped the 500,000 mark. This year, no way. I am aiming to complete three projects, which will put me at the top end of the 200k mark, but other than that, there is no way in hell I am aiming for the half million again. It almost killed me last time!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

FionaJL — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:46:35 -0500

Okay, so I reckon I have at least four train journeys over four hours this November. I just about hit 50k last year, but I managed about a fifth of that on the last day alone so I'm certain, with a bit more planning and warming up, that I could sustain that for longer. So my goal is to make it to 75k and a finished novel. How close to each other those goals will be, I'm not sure, but I think they'll both be enough of a step up from last year to keep me on my toes. One day I'll make it to six figures, but that might have to be next year...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:08:28 -0500

Nice to see you again this year! Let's overachieve together!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:13:58 -0500

You're still my hero Kateness! I bow to your fastly typing fingers and though I know I shall never achieve such greatness as yours, it comforts me that there are people whose wordcount surpasses my own!!! Oh yeah and when I get mocked for overachieving I tell them "If you think I'm bad, you should see Kateness!" Love and hugs! :-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:20:22 -0500

Hello everyone! It's great to see people here again. A place where I'm not mocked or made fun of for hitting 50k in 6 days. Last year I hit 135k and change. This year I think I'll try 150k and see what happens. And I also think I'm going to write 2 books again as well. It seems to help when you're stuck on one story, to be able to jump to the second. Good luck to all my overachieving friends! May your words flow well, may your fingers and wrists hold up, and may your caffeinated beverages never run out! The Steph(tm)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:22:57 -0500

This year, I don't really have goals. My first successful year, my goal was 75k. I wrote 185k. Last year, my goal was 200k. I wrote 328k. Having a higher goal actually scares me, because I overachieve my overachieving. I am also doing this in Dvorak, though, so I am slower than I am used to (for now - what a way to practice!). I have been working on it off and on (more on) since Novermber, though, and have written a few hundred thousand words in it, so I am settling in.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:24:45 -0500

I'll aim for 100,000 and see how it goes. I might be too tired from having worked so hard to get into a position to start a new novel. Can't wait though!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:26:49 -0500

I am actually loosely organizing people to do a 50k Day One (mostly in a "Wow, we are all this crazy and thought to do this, lets e-hang out and encourage!"). I did it last year, and it was an exhausting BLAST (and the best sneak attack in a word competition I've done). This year I've switched to Dvorak and am slower, so it's dicey for me. Feel free to hang out at the chat room and such for mucho sprinting!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

floodtheivories — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:30:11 -0500

This is my second year, and last year I unintentionally was an overachiever at 62k :D So this year, I'm an official overachiever. I have three ideas, and everyone is insisting I write them all (including myself), so I'm trying for 150k! Seems small for some of you, but enormous for me! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MageQueenHoshi — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:50:06 -0500

Hey, everyone! Hugs around to my friends Tia, Sushi, and others!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MageQueenHoshi — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:55:11 -0500

I'm trying for 75k this year since I finished with 60k in 2010. Sorry for double post, last one didn't send the whole thing!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:58:16 -0500

I hit 100K last year, and this year I'm going to try to double it by the 23rd (because holidays are stressful). Should be a fun time!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

rosiedoodle — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:09:54 -0500

Hi guys! I think I need to move in here, because I accidentally overachieved last year and this year I want to stretch myself and see if I can drive myself insane trying to hit 60 or 70k (depends on the depth of the story I can come up with in the next few days) :) Good luck to everyone!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:11:05 -0500

Just so you know, there's a known issue with stuff after a less than sign (<) being deleted. So don't use them or use the HTML code < instead.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:19:54 -0500

I suppose I could just check, but are you making a thread for #50kday?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:21:56 -0500

To the best of our human abilities. Obviously, Valium makes it hard to write... Just binge on weekends. That's how I pulled it off last year, with school and work. Joining challenges like #50kweekend helped too! But seriously, binges. Don't worry about x words every day. Shoot more for x words every y days and give yourself some leeway.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:25:02 -0500

oooh YOU GUYS!!! PLEASE READ I just found out something everyone in this forum should know!!! "Word counts over 120k can't be validated. This is a site limitation, rather than a bug. We aren't equipped to handle larger files. You can put a file of less than 120k through the word count validator between November 25-30 to turn on winner status, and then manually update your word count to the correct total." This is from the tech forum. FYI!!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:26:02 -0500

I will be, just not quite yet. I want to figure out how best to word it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:28:36 -0500

Is anyone interested in being buddies? And by that, I mean, I will generally not rest until I have more words than my buddy on any given day. :P My goal is around 175k, and I'm going to fail #50kday and rock out #50kweekend. Fellow competitors? Anyone?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Marauders Girl — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:28:50 -0500

*sigh* I probably -should- be overachieving as - if I win this year it'll be 7/7 for me as far as the number of times I've participated in and won Nano.. However... I'm in college and I'm an english major and I'm taking a heavy courseload this year.. so.. I'm conflicted. I'm thinking -maybe- 75k because I just wrote 75k in September off site for a fiction challenge for another project and I didn't kill myself or my grades.. The problem with overachieving for nano with me is - I look at how many words I have to write that day and even if I can normally write ever so much more than 1700 words in a day.. once I get to that many I'm ready to quit.. and if I do get ahead - then I get lazy one day and don't want to write and lose my lead.. Anyone else got the same problem? What do you lovely overachievers do about it if so?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:30:44 -0500

I am taking this challenge too! We should all stick together :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Drawing Gravity — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:31:00 -0500

My goal this year is 350k, which should be easy enough to achieve, seeing as how I have SEVEN novels to write during November, and if I run out of ideas partway through one, all I have to do is pick one of the others. :) I still think I'm crazy though, I haven't written more than 8k since March, how the hell am I supposed to write 350k?!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:36:43 -0500

Whoot whoot! Overachievers! I'm still one of you guys, even if not to the 200k levels of the two last years. I won't survive those numbers this year, so I'm aiming for something between 75k and 100k. Better not to shoot too high and feel like crap midway because I'm late.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:43:51 -0500

Ooooh, I'm definitely in. I need something driving me this month. I'm going for 200K, and I'll also try #50kday (and fail) and totally win #50kweekend. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

grapefruit1 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:52:58 -0500

Rather than writing 50K, I'm trying to write my whole book! This will probably end up being somewhere around 75K, so not TOO crazy, but still a stretch for someone who's only gone a few hundred over the first two years.....

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MarcyT — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:08:31 -0500

I'm the same way. Last year was my first year and I didn't plan on overachieving, but ended up getting 100k. This year, I'm going for 150k, too.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:13:40 -0500

Commitments? What are those? Pffft.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:18:52 -0500

What Raquelin said. I changed my Three Day Novel goal from 50k to finishing the thing when issues came up and still got 40k and an ending. I also binge on weekends, but with how busy this year's weekends are, I may be binging during the week.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:20:50 -0500

Tia, I said I'd do just 150k last year. I blame you entirely for what happened.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:34:57 -0500

You should make it 77k. You know, year 7 and all.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:43:05 -0500

... I said I'd stick with the 50k last year *coughs* it didn't go as planned >.>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:50:08 -0500

Gaiz, I just want to say that it made me happy when I got home from work today, logged in, and saw how many replies there were to this thread. It's always nice to have a supportive community :) That will be all.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:54:11 -0500

This thread is less than 24 hours old and it already has over a hundred replies. Nano 2011 is gonna be good.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:26:26 -0500

Agree, agree! I love how excited everyone is for this. It's making me forget all the plot knots I need to sort out tonight. =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Muse Writ — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:27:24 -0500

This is my first year doing NaNo but I've already set up a goal of 75K. I'm pretty excited how many people are planning to topple over 50K!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

radioactivealchemist — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:39:11 -0500

I'm considering -- just *considering* -- going for 75k this year. But with November looking busy, and it being my first year as an ML, I don't know... but then our rival region is pretty competitive and I know one of their MLs is aiming for 80k so I might have to step up my game anyway. :-D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

DuraKaN — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:42:10 -0500

Haha, sure, I'll join any group you guys put together - it'll be nice to have some empathy when I'm rubbing various ointments onto my hands. I was unsure about doing this, but you've made my mind up. XD I only made it to 32K last time before I had to pass out, but this time I'll be better prepared and determined NOT to be shamed again! >:D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:48:05 -0500

And this time I actually have Friday-Sunday off. I AM SO EXCITED! Of course, I'm also shopping on Friday at the buttcrack of dawn, so I claim no responsibility for whatever comes out of my brain after that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:51:36 -0500

I feel like this is one of the few threads where I actually respond instead of just lurking. Aww guys, I missed you all!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

floodtheivories — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:01:29 -0500

Last year I set my goal for 75k, and it was my first, as well. I made 62k, but I was at least happy I hit 50k! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Catana — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:08:24 -0500

Once I got the hang of it, 50,000 started looking like not very much. This year's novel will probably be somewhere about 80,000 words, so that's my non-specific goal.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Muse Writ — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:29:48 -0500

Oh, sweet! That's pretty awesome and gives me hope for my own goal, so thank you!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

minionygoodness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:07:08 -0500

This is my first year doing NaNo, so I can't technically say for sure whether or not I'll pass, or even make, the mark. but I write pretty fast. I've been known to write 1,000 words in 5 minutes. So I could technically reach the daily goal in less than 10 minutes. And if I wrote for a whole hour... I think I may be able to go farther than 50K. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Semora — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:12:22 -0500

I'm definitely not an overachiever, and have yet to even hit the 50,000 goal. I just came in to say that I am in awe of your 500,000 words. Truly. You rock! All of you guys are an inspiration. If you can push yourselves (even though you could settle at 50,000 and make it an easy win), the I can too. Good luck to us all!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:13:26 -0500

Excellent! Whoo, now it's definitely on. Say goodbye, fingers. :) *buddies*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:14:55 -0500

I get a buddy to race with. I rely on my competitive streak big time. I also build in big buffers of a couple thousand words, so when I do have a bad day, I'm not screwed.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:42:29 -0500

Alright. I've decided a number will help me focus. So, subject to alterations up or down, I'm going for 150k Yeah, yeah. I know.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

DanWells11 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:49:30 -0500

^Seconded

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:01:48 -0500

Awesome! Last year was murder for me, and I barely made it, but oh the feeling when I did. It's amazing. At some point tonight or tomorrow, I will be posting this as its own thread. Look out for it for details!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:03:48 -0500

I have felt this way for a month. This year feels bigger, more epic. I have no idea why (and it's not just the Nerd Speed Metal that I'm listening to getting ready to sprint for practice, I promise!). There is just something in the air.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:05:47 -0500

You are saying you're going to write three times the stated goal. There's none of us here that will judge you for that as being too much or too little. And it's exciting to have a number! I ought to choose one, but I have a bad streak of going way beyond my estimated goals. Maybe I should choose something reasonable? (Counterpoint: this is me and NaNo that we are talking about)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:07:15 -0500

Yeah, but two Nanos ago, I hit the million mark. And then I became a grownup *grin*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

duckyluver234 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:23:38 -0500

Well I think I'll barely be an overachiever this year. My first NaNo ever, and this is my fifth, I wrote just over 65,000 words just out of enthusiasm. I've barely squeaked out over 50,000 the past three years, but this year I want to write more than I ever have before since it's my fifth year and I'm finally out of college and I'm an ML and all that jazz. So I'm setting this slightly odd goal of 66,000 words for myself, just enough to be more than my first NaNo novel. Granted, my main goal is just to win, as always, but I'm hoping that since I don't have to do homework anymore and since I'll be at write-ins and whatnot that I'll be able to be a bit more prolific this year than I have the past three. :) Except that I feel like a baby-overachiever by comparison to most of you, but that's ok, I suppose my 66,000 still counts. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

anna scott graham — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:28:39 -0500

I always love checking in here; out of my five NaNo's, my lowest count was the first in 2006 at 100K. The next year I wrote three, hitting fifty on each, a total of over 200K. In 2008 we moved house, so I wrote one novel, around 140K. The last two years I've written two consecutively, having an absolute ball in the process! Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, charging on ahead, but everyone has a different rhythm. This will be another double year, but I'm considering writing concurrently as I did with the hat trick. One is lit fic, the other sci-fi, and I'm so stoked about both that I don't want to wait until I finish the literary novel first. Not sure yet what will happen, but either way, I can come here and spill my guts and no one will look at me funny! Everyone enjoy the next three weeks, and may your NaNo's be wordy and wild!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:29:44 -0500

I dream of one day having the time for that (I am assuming at that point I will also have the dedication, stories, and wrists for it, which may be a big assumption, but I can worry about that later). And many awesomes to you for doing it! Last year I did the 50k day to start NaNo (though it took many more hours than I would have liked). One year I'll decide to try for 500k, but not this year. The full time job and social life preclude it; for some reason, my boss doesn't approve of me not showing up for a month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Sean Austin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:39:08 -0500

Hi all After doing 100k for last year and the year before, I'm going to see if I can do it again, make it a triple. 100k for each year I've been doing this.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:48:06 -0500

Oh, well, gee, only a million. Clearly there's something wrong :P I didn't even hit a third of that two years ago, and I'm not going to try to beat that unless I am completely unemployed for a November.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SaintJoi — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:52:55 -0500

Would it be NaNoWriMo if I didn't try for at least 100K? Of course not. :) This will be my 5th year of overachieving, so yay for that! And as a plus: I'm unemployed this year, so more time to write! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Of course it won't be more time to write. More time to procrastinate about writing!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:00:23 -0500

This is one of my favorite threads on the forum, and I go on a LOT of threads here. Just don't tell everyone else. Shhhh. There's definitely a supportive community here. Also, over 100 replies already? Man, we overachievers rule. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:01:54 -0500

At least you're not an Atlanta ML (or warring against us), alchemist. ALL of the Atlanta MLs are overachievers. It's so great. I love it. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:04:18 -0500

Now that last year's NaNo happened, I could probably do 500k for NaNo if I were completely unemployed for a month. This year is not that year, even if I'm piddling around sans adulthood. Those bills won't pay themselves, sadly. But a million? My wrists are already crying.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:06:09 -0500

Dude. Bills? Rent? Obligations? You're a total loser, man :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

leolewis — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:08:48 -0500

Soooo inspiring, all of you! Also glad to know I'm not the only crazy one out there. This year I'm going for 80k, though my outline dictates it will take at least 90k of not 100k to finish the story.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:45:26 -0500

My main goal is to beat my word count from last year, which was just barely higher than the one before that. So I'll say 102k. I'd really love to go for more than that but I don't want to push myself too hard since I'm in school again after being forced to take a semester off. So I'll just see what happens.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

artofcheatery — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:45:36 -0500

Funny thing. This is my first year doing Nano while employed at all. And I'm an ML and I'm a forum mod (for this very forum, a matter of fact). I will be so lucky if I win at all. -X

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

PenGryphon2007 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:48:50 -0500

Ya know what? I might as well overachieve this year. I did it back in 2007--I hit 100k in a month (two novels at 50k a piece) and this year shouldn't be too difficult. I always run over 50k by a good bit anyway. So this year I'll make it official: 75-80k is my goal. ...And now that I've probably jinxed myself, I'm off to bed so I can wake up early tomorrow.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:09:37 -0500

Haha, your NaNo history is strikingly similar to mine! I had a 100K yr, then a 144K yr, then 222K last yr. I think this is the first year that I won't top last year's word count. Ah well, had to happen at some point. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:10:13 -0500

Hey all you overachievers, I want to hear about the novels you plan to overachieve with! Tell us!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:15:54 -0500

My prospective novel is about stuff. See, that's how far I am in planning.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:16:13 -0500

You can do it, radio! My first year as a ML I was all "Oh, no more than 75k (I'd done 64k the year before), I have all the MLing to do." Six days later I was over 50k, and the region told me I just HAD to get to 200k. And I did. Seriously, tell your Wrimos you tend to go overboard, and they'll cheer you on with fat-ass pompoms. I fed off my region's support through the month. Wouldn't have gotten to 200k without them (and the Atlanta MLs)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:18:39 -0500

Wow, Kateness, that's nearly as much as I did! I have "my prospective novel is about stuff... in pseudo-Renaissance pseudo-Italy." I HAVE SETTING. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Rosefighter — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:20:16 -0500

Just popping in to say 100k with dreams of higher if possible, this year I refuse to stop writing until it's completely over.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:22:02 -0500

How is it that *I*, the pantser that I am, know more about both of my novels this year?! SPOILERS: I might have started one of them. But one will be freshly started 11/1 (my main novel, and the one of the 50k day)!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:23:16 -0500

I'm plotting three - one is based on an RPG and is about the reincarnation of a superhero who gets haunted by her past lives, one is sort-of twisted myth adventure, and one is a harem romance with fantasy elements (uhhhh....)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:29:04 -0500

Hee. I'll just put aside the brief I'm helping my attorney draft, that I'm working on at midnight because I took it home with me, and jump on my Nano planning :D It'll be about stuff. Details to follow.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:29:09 -0500

Pokemon novel (thank you Raq!) Terrorists novel based on a quote (well, thank you Raq!) Cullin's Fables (my personal 50kday nightmare) That's all I know :) I will be pantsing two of them. The terrorists long is a lot longer and complex to ever think about pantsing it :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:29:45 -0500

We will be there to cheer you! You can do it, with our pompoms and help and maniac laughs! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:32:08 -0500

Don't worry, one day I can build a house with all the words I've ever written printed out on something. ...Okay, maybe it'll be a tent. At least I like camping.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:33:12 -0500

Hey, anyone know a good box store to pick up a keyboard tray from? Preferably the kind that clamp on. I want to get one in preparation for November since I'm not sure how well my wrists will last with the laptop alone.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:33:57 -0500

This is me this year about not being able to top last year's word count. I wrote 300k last year. How am I supposed to top that this year? Actually, it's not impossible if I succeed at #50kday and #50kweekend, but it's definitely a push, especially given my other commitments like MLing and Wikiwrimo and posting on the forums. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:35:01 -0500

I have a stupidly long outline for these two novels, but I'l try to condense it a bit. They're sci-fi, though, and related, although they're really different in tone - the first is definitely more hopeful than the second.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:37:39 -0500

The first one stars a fellow Nanolanta panda as a Renaissance assassin. This is an idea left from last November that I didn't get around to writing because my last novel would never end. The assassin novel will be full of lulz. There may or may not be time travel involved. Most of this will be written during #50kday. The second one may be about a black market for memories. Maybe. I haven't really decided this one yet. The third one will probably be my #50kweekend novel, and I have no idea what this one's going to be about yet. There's a very good reason for this; I'm not the one choosing it! My top donor to my Night of Writing Dangerously fundraising page will be choosing it, so I won't know what the plot will be until the 20th. Depending on my word count throughout the month and the progress of these novels, there may or may not be time for a fourth one, and I've been kicking around a few ideas for that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:09:45 -0500

Crime thriller that's basically a gang war between a herd of elephants and a pride of lions Romance based around a fantasy/sci-fi (I don't know) casino where people bet with memories instead of money and how this affects the relationship between the main character and her fiance who is a gambling addict Sort of absurdist black comedy based on my discovery that Lewis Carrol is one of the suspects for Jack the Ripper (but it's not taken seriously at all by just about any historian) where he's a mastermind using the murders as a puzzle Sci-fi where the main characters discover a new planet filled with humans (I'll figure out how at some point) and they get put in an insane asylum because no one believes they're from another planet Right now I think I'll probably only get to the first two but you never know.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

braids — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:45:18 -0500

I wrote 70K last year, so I'm aiming for 75K+. I imagine the entire novel will end up around the 100-120K mark when it's completely finished, but I think that'll be a little too high a target for me to reach. It's still in the back of my mind to go past 90K, though.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KitsuneAsika — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:05:19 -0500

Yay overachievers! I love this thread. I've no idea whether or not I'll be one of you this year, since this is my first year at college and I'm not quite sure how that plus NaNo will be like... but I'm definitely hoping to get above 50K! We'll see~ ^^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MysteriousFlower — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:52:27 -0500

Last year I made it to 53k in seven days, which seemed insanely fast to me until I realised other people had done it even faster and I didn't feel like such a stranger anymore. I don;t usually set any targets for a word count in the end, apart from the 50K, and will see where it goes. I have written stories as long as 100K in the past (fanfiction) so who knows... if the story flows well, it might just happen. Too much of rigurous plot planning has made it harder for me to focus. I like to just write and basically find out what the hell happens as I go along.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:15:58 -0500

Hai, guys! This year, I'm going for the big Million. 100k every three days. I am so ready for this.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:20:57 -0500

The current idea is to have a giant overall plot, about the main character's search for the quasi-benevolent being, "The Author". The Author gets mad and throws the character into whatever story happens to be available at the moment. I have about fifteen "small" plots outlined. I'm hoping I can get at least 60k out of each, with the other 100k I'll need to make the Million taken out of the character's "real-world" quest. Whiiiich means I get to write pretty much all the genres this year. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aiyandra — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:50:46 -0500

My novel is about stuff in a Victorian-England-like place with killer butterflies. I think I need this little thing called plot. Caillien, your idea sounds great. I'll be cheering you on with pompons. So the first day of November is #50kday? I'll have school there, so I'll fail, but this is better than never even trying. I can write 1k every 20 minutes if I hurry up, so that would be 17k before getting ready for school and 21k after returning if I give up sleeping and stop procrastinating. Sounds doable... ^^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TeeVee — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:25:31 -0500

I have three novels I plan on completing this November. 1. A spoof novel of silliness so I don't go completely insane. Surgeon from the future, priest haunted by the past, chaos and time-travelling, that kind of thing. 2. A fantasy novel, I think (no planning done so not entirely sure). Incredibly bright scientist has discovered a secret that could change the world and entrusted it to a little orphaned girl. He's killed by a secret organisation and the girl has to go on the run and...that's all I've got. 3. A good old fashion fairytale romance, just to have something different from my other two. I do have a semi-outline for this. It has no beginning or end, just the stuff in the middle.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:51:58 -0500

That sounds really cool and like a lot of fun!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:23:31 -0500

Sweet! Any excuse to blow off my friends & family during the holidays. (I know. I'm a horrible person, but I've long since come to terms with that)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

shifterous — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:39:42 -0500

Last year I managed 2500 words a day with only a smattering of late nights. This year I'm aiming for 5k a day, 150,000 total. The thing is, I have a really intricate plot that I want to actually do justice - not just spew out in a frenzy. There's no question that I have enough material for 150k, but my question, posed to all you out there who have reached that number or higher in NaNoWriMos past - Is it possible to reach such a sum without ridiculous word-padding or crazy-bad scenes written in a Fog Of Insanity? I'll likely do this plot anyway, I was just wondering if there's any hope for its coherence. Any accounts of what level of madness, exactly, I'll be descending into here this November would also be listened to enthusiastically.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:41:04 -0500

Well, once you START overachieving, you tend to do it on everything. There's a small and utterly insane part of me that wants to up my target word count to beat everyone on this forum (1 million words? *raspberry* I'm gonna do 2 million! 3 million! I'm not gonna stop writing until I break the CTRL and S keys!). But I'm going to stick with my 100k, possibly more if I can pull off the 50k weekend.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:51:11 -0500

1st one (and possibly the only one depending on how in depth my outline gets) is about a schizophrenic saving the human race from aliens that plan to destroy it because they're bored. 2nd one (if needed) is a silly time-travel historical novel wherein Anne Boleyn is a rogue time agent from the future. A pair of time-cops (who bear a remarkable resemblance to Ziva David and Seely Booth) must capture her without destroying the time-line. Depending on how those go, I also have other options (One benefit of unemployment is there's lots of time to write!), like a fantasy series about dragons and a gothic romance about an old house with dark and bloody secrets.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:54:41 -0500

That sounds AWESOME! And my wrists hurt just thinking about a million words.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:19:29 -0500

That was my reaction. Cailien, you're insane XD Are you planning to do #50kday too?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:20:04 -0500

My 2007 novel was 138k without any attempts at padding, so I'd say yes.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:24:52 -0500

That's the spirit! After last year's mad dash I am unsure if I want to cross the 300k line again. I decided to be reasonable this year but if I am inspired and in shape after Day 1, I may up that line again. However, I will not cross the 300k mark this year. Oooh no :) When I can I'll add you to my buddy list, if you don't mind :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MarcyT — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:00:12 -0500

I'm writing three novels. One is the final book in a trilogy. Basically, three guys are all after the throne and civil war breaks out. Another is a story about a group of characters who are trying to find buried treasure and make sense of a lot of mysteries surrounding several other people's disappearances. The last is a fantasy story with quite a few little side stories all woven together, most of which involve revenge.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:01:36 -0500

I'm toying with the idea of 200,000, so 6666 a day. How many hours would that take you lot to do?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:13:36 -0500

It depends if I procrastinate or not. If I sit down and only write, I would do this is 1.5 hours. If I procrastinate, 2 full hours, maybe 2.5 hours :) and 200k is perfectly doable! Just concentrate on your writing, avoid the forums like plague but hang out in the chatrooms and you'll be done in a heartbeat! :D 200k wordcount is addictive :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

shifterous — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:21:35 -0500

With only 720 hours in November, you'll have to crank out well over 1000 words in every one of them, day and night. This is undoubtedly one of the most epic things I have ever heard of. You are crazy in the best way. Keep us posted!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:26:30 -0500

Awesome! Do you have a competitor, or are you solo-ing it? Can't wait to see you win!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anastasia — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:26:39 -0500

Last year I wrote 100k in November and it was all usable material. There were only a couple of scenes that I had to rewrite, and it wasn't because they were random bits I tossed in. Every scene was meant to happen, it was just some of the execution that was done poorly.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:30:27 -0500

Thank you! Thats incredible speed though, I reckon i'll be doing lots this year because ive got so much time to burn, but i write fairly slowly, about 1500 an hour.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:31:41 -0500

Somewhere between 2-2.5 hours for me, unless I hit a glorious zone. Or I have a bunch of good sprinty word wars. But seriously, this is when having a decent idea of what comes next comes in handy. 2-2.5 hours does not include thinking time. (That's what October is for. Or forum time, or chatroom time, to bounce ideas!)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:33:06 -0500

Yes. Pokemon and terrorists with Chomsky, and then 50kweekend will be spent on a bunch of novels sitting around in various states of completion. They must be finished.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

nikolaj-kj — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:36:40 -0500

Modest overachiever here. Don't have a specific goal in mind yet, but something like 75 k is reasonable, I think.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:39:04 -0500

I suspect things have gone badly wrong in this challenge when a modest aim is 75k. No wonder publishers love nanowrimo so!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CROWcatalyst — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:54:03 -0500

Your story idea sounds absolutely freaking epic. It reminds me of my story I'm writing but a different scenario altogether.. that sounds complex. XD; But maybe you get what I mean. GOOD LUCK! I attempted the 1 MIL in 2008 and got to 181,000... I would attempt this year, but my full time job is like "NO". Dx Have fun!!! May I add you as a writing buddy when the system works again? I'd love to encourage you, kick your butt when you procrastinate, monitor your progress, and be NaNo buddies in general. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CROWcatalyst — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:58:26 -0500

I hate wanting to try for a high word count that would definitely NOT work. xD; I've been doing what I always do for NaNo... calculating my hours I can spare and yada yada yada... I can reach up to 338,400 words if I use my free time around work and SOME hours during the days... But I want to reach 500,000... Or a million. Yeah, maybe one day.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Generalist — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:33:44 -0500

Hit 55K on my first official NaNoWriMo last year. I reached it early and coasted for a few days. Earlier in the year, doing a practice NaNo to see if doing it while handwriting was feasible, I managed to hit 70K. During the Camp NaNoWriMo, my July count was 76K and my August count was around 52K. The August numbers were low because three out of four weekends were doing events that were NOT writing friendly. I would like to hit 100K in my second NaNoWriMo. I'm doing more prep work in addition to a Phase Outline. I also have taken a few days off, using up some vacation time, so I might be able to have up to fourteen 7K days if things flow well. (That might result in closer to 130K...) We'll see how it works out.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:34:21 -0500

Sure you can add me when the buddy list is back up.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

therekinator — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:06:49 -0500

It would depend on how focussed I am and if I was in word wars and things like that. At my very best with constant sprints and word wars I would say 3 hours if I was working on a policy of 10 minutes writing, five minutes resting. On a bad day it could take all day though.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:21:04 -0500

Cai, you are nuts. But I already told you this. Also, the fact that you're MLing and going for the million means I have no hope at being at the top of the ML word count list this year. Second is good too, right? :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:23:17 -0500

6666 words usually takes me about 2 to 3 hours, all depending on how much I procrastinate. Forums are deadly when it comes to sitting down and writing. Chat rooms are great, though, since I can start a war with BattleJesus, and everyone else can hold me accountable.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anastasia — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:53:51 -0500

I think I'm going to go for 75k this year. I did 100k last year without problems; I technically finished on the 8th and didn't write anything after the 27th so I had plenty of time. This year I have 2 essays and 2 critiques due in November though, so I doubt I can power through to 100k even though I would like to.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anastasia — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:58:23 -0500

I knew I was forgetting something... 5 big assignments. I'm hoping to get 2 out of the way early though, which would leave me with 1 critique and the two research essays (hopefully, already with some research done).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:08:09 -0500

I think it has to do with being busy planning tons of other stories for my classes. New ideas aren't getting shoved into my NaNo, they're being used for class-related shorts. For the record, though, I pantsed 83k of text in 2009 (my first year of ML) and managed to survive. I am increasingly tempted to just run with the flow this year again. Probably because I don't know when I'll have time for more NaNo planning.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:10:27 -0500

Aaah! I hadn't noticed she was MLing too. Here I was, expecting an Atlanta ML razzia of the ML wordcount top. :P I'm taking it easy this year, not even shooting for the Top 10.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:12:19 -0500

Holy macaroni, don't listen to them! They're HYPER SPEED OF LIGHT writers. :P I did 200k two years in a row, and I needed 4-5 hours every day to hit it. Yes. I am stubborn and don't like to sleep. Hm-hm.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:35:50 -0500

Guess we'll have to settle for blacking out the rest of the top five... <_______<

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:39:59 -0500

I figure they must hate Nano because of the bump in submissions they get on December 1. Rumor has it, anyway. ;) And there is no such thing as a modest (well, in wordcount anyway) overachiever! All overachievers are equally insane, it's just how well do their wrists work?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:54:04 -0500

I'm counting on you. :P (hey, if I'm not going to Overachieve to the Top 5, I sure as heck will live vicariously through you doing it) :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:12:04 -0500

I am trying not to be competitive, but to hear that the rest of the Atlanta MLs will black out the top five (both from you and Annalia) does make me want to try to stay competitive. BUT THIS IS IN NO WAY A CHALLENGE. I do know you guys are nuts as a whole; I'm just the lone weirdo in Alabama who writes a lot.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:13:41 -0500

It's not a challenge. :P Let them have their year of glorious Top 5 Overtaking. I humbly suggest we jump on Team Atlanta and just cheer them on as they rock it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:18:37 -0500

I will, without a doubt, be cheering them on, whether they are 100k ahead or 100k behind wherever it is that I end up. NaNo, to me, is about writing lots of story, and helping others to do that. However, I at least like to think that I can keep pace with them :-P. That's all I meant by that. I have no idea if I'll even *want* to, though. The daily WCs to stay competitive are high, and I got burned out on competition last year (though racing with Chomsky was a lot of fun).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:23:49 -0500

I'd love to see them in the top 5 :) Quebec had it's hour of glory last year, now is the time for Atlanta! I doubt I would like to race with them. I'm more about writing what I have to write, without worrying about the wordcount. It was tons of fun racing with you, cosmam! But I wouldn't do it again :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:36:36 -0500

Okay, now the Atlanta MLs HAVE to go for a million combined... or go for Caillien's word count. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kitiwriter — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:46:34 -0500

Last year my overachivment was...54k. I'm doing two novels this year...eh. 100k is my minimum goal. Anything over that IS YAY.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Incandescent — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:47:09 -0500

I'm resisting the urge to overachieve this year. Barely. I'd say there's about a 50/50 chance that I'm going to pledge some ridiculous wordcount goal by the time NaNo rolls around.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:57:12 -0500

Take it easy, Sushi! We will love you anyway even if you don't beat last year's count :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:01:17 -0500

Everything sounds so cool, you guys! Lots of time-travelly/memory/warped reality stuff.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:08:10 -0500

Wow, you all make my waffling between 75K-110K look like an ant trying to decide between two crumbs! Should I go ahead and take out stock in the wrist brace industry? XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:24:09 -0500

I KNEW I recognized your name in conjunction with the million goal! My memory isn't as bad as I thought! XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:25:33 -0500

So now we're four people collectively racing to beat one person? That doesn't seem very fair to us :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:28:28 -0500

Actually, stateside (in most states), Daylight Savings Time ends, meaning she has 721 hours, or she needs approximate 2 less words per hour (1386 instead of 1388). Such a huge difference :-P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:28:55 -0500

And this is a reply to the wrong person! Silly new buttons.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:29:02 -0500

Actually, stateside (in most states), Daylight Savings Time ends, meaning she has 721 hours, or she needs approximate 2 less words per hour (1386 instead of 1388). Such a huge difference :-P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:29:52 -0500

Okay, now I am just testing this. I could swear that I clicked on the right person. Please ignore!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:30:05 -0500

Bug report time!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Marauders Girl — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:54:08 -0500

.. I can't figure out how to quote - hitting the "quote" button doesn't seem to work.. But to Tiakall who said I should try 77k since this is my 7th year... this may be crazy... but I think I'm going to try! Thanks for the idea!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:08:49 -0500

Yeah, quote button doesn't work. It's a known bug that they're working on. You can manually quote by copypasting and using [quote*] text here [/quote*] (remove the asterisks.) [quote]Like so.[/quote]

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:09:54 -0500

Omg, that's so crazy. Good luck. Keep us posted!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Cinnamoon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:54:33 -0500

Well, definitely going for at least 100k like I did last year. 150k would be awesome, but I don't know if I'm going to make it. We'll see.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:07:40 -0500

This is going to hurt, I can tell already. T_T

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:37:13 -0500

Teeheehee, yeessss. :) jooooiin uuuss...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:40:25 -0500

Aww, I feel like a little kid watching the high schoolers. One day, I'M gonna be that cool! ...Yeah!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:49:51 -0500

That's sort of how my hometown feels about the cities of Atlanta XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:26:19 -0500

The bit that currently worries me so much is that I have no frikkin ideas. At all. My head is all full of lawyer-brief. That's....sort-of writing, right? :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ellipses... — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:41:32 -0500

My goal is 60-75k this year. I guess that makes me an underoverachiever? Yay for making up words.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:12:40 -0500

Need a few? I could totally offload, I mean, donate you some plotbunnies >_>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:57:58 -0500

..I just realized that between #50kday and #50kweekend and the rest of the month, it would be possible for me to hit 300k. WHAT THE **** IS WRONG WITH ME

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:56:50 -0500

Oh Baty, I had the same realization a few days ago, especially if I hit 50k in two days of #50kweekend like last year. I told myself I wouldn't do 300k again. What is wrong with us?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bobo_the_bard — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:20:55 -0500

I did two wrimos successfully, so now I'm upping my goal to 100k. That is, two novels with 50k each, and I'm aiming for completion, not just 50k and stop. Should be insane!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:28:44 -0500

Last year I had the fabolous wordcount of 111,111 words. This year I want to aim for even more. :) Beating at least last year's word count would be enough for me already. I'm not sure if I should aim for 150k this year...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CROWcatalyst — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:16:18 -0500

I must be a real nut-case. I'm marking down all my time for writing on my Google calendar... and struggling to fit enough time in to reach a million words. Did I mention I have a full time job, have a college fair to go to in Philadelphia, Thanksgiving, and a girlfriend to spend time with? I'm insane. Absolutely, positively insane.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:30:51 -0500

I had 222,222. This makes me so happy. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:39:59 -0500

I tried doing my 6666 today and was surprised by how easy it was! It is better to keep going and try to make it into a habit ready for nano?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:13:05 -0500

That was my reaction last year :) If you both go for the 300k, I'll be cheering you on! And also, I'll make sure you have time-to-ice-those-wrists breaks! I am sooo happy to hang on in this thread :) It sure feels like going back home!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:18:19 -0500

I think it depends of your wrists. In my case, writing 3333 every day during October was perfect. Then, every four days, I would write the full 6666 words. Of course, if I felt ok after those 6666 I would write more :o If you have wrists in good shape, keep writing! Have fun! If your wrists took a beating recently, it's better to cut in half, let them rest a part of the week and then kicking your wordcount back up! (But seriously, writing every day will allow you to warm up before the big event!)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:32:05 -0500

This thread really does feel like going back home. I don't know what will happen if there comes a time where I can't overachieve. Do it or hang out here anyway, probably.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:59:23 -0500

If you didn't overachieve, what would you do after the first two days? :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Loki Mischief-Maker — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:00:10 -0500

Tentatively, I think I'm going for 90k or the end of the novel, whichever comes first, because 3k a day is a nice round number, and even if I manage employment between now and November, I can probably find the two to two and a half hours it would take to write that. At least, provided I don't loose the bloody plot again this year. *glares at last two NaNos*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:13:00 -0500

That is something that I plan to start doing. This 1k a day is good for habit, but bad for actually warming my wrists up. Maybe next week I will start writing more. Of course, then I might have to find a third idea for November. There is only so much that I can put into The Ultimate Showdown of Mediocre Destiny Two: The Second Coming.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:35:14 -0500

Well, two people now have mentioned 111,111. I just don't think I can resist aiming for such a pretty number, especially since it's 2011!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:39:56 -0500

I plan on starting on October 15th. That will give my wrists time to adjust to writing more quickly. I timed myself the other day and I am a bit behind my normal speed (aka 1k-15 min) so I will work toward reaching that speed again. Having 16 full days will help to reach that speed, warm up the wrists (they have recovered since December '10. Thank God) and help with character development (the thing I had been avoiding like plague since September)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:08:10 -0500

Uh... good point. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:10:44 -0500

You should aim for that pretty number! We're going to have an overachiever invasion in Atlanta the second weekend of November (starting 11/11/11), and our cumulative goal is 111,111 that weekend. Completely doable spread out among all of us. It would be too easy except for that part where we'll be running around causing shenanigans.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Annalia — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:26:22 -0500

LOL. Overachiever invasion? I've always called it ML invasion but you do have a point. We're both. (YEAH!)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:35:48 -0500

I am committing to helping with that, and have one night/morning. You guys might have slack to pick up there >_<

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mae 13 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:51:05 -0500

Hello, first time overachiever, here! This is my third year doing NaNo, and I'm going to shoot for 80,000. My first year I achieved 50,000 words in 18 days, and last year I finished in 15. This year, however, I have a full-time job, which I have never had before, and I am writing in a completely new genre. I'm pretty nervous, so any words of wisdom from longtime overachievers would be welcome!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

chelseyaccionox — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:52:50 -0500

Um... Hi. *waves* It's pretty scary coming in here with all of you nanowrimo pros. ;) I'm new this year! My name's Chelsey, I'm 19 & from Newcastle in the UK and I am going to attempt to be an over achiever. Basically I couldn't think of an idea so I have a long fanfiction novel thing that's completely planned and ready to go, but as of about 2 hours ago I now have a new idea for a psychological thriller. I really wanted to do something original for nanowrimo so I'm going to do that & I want to get that totally finished so about 75,000. But I am really quite attached to my fanfiction idea so I'd like to get that to at least 25,000! I'm not sure if I can count that as well because it's not the same novel... But even just with the first one I should end up as an overachiever! :) Very scared though!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MysteriousFlower — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:59:26 -0500

I have made up my mind. I am going to try and reach 75k. I have no idea if I am going to make it but its worh a shot!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:18:37 -0500

Don't be scared...insanity isn't like the flu, it doesn't give you body aches or fevers, just crazy ideas. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:16:17 -0500

Dear Overachievers, The thread for the ridiculous first day goals (including, but not limited to, the 50k First Day) is now posted here. I have pledged to start NaNo off with 50k. What do you pledge?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

chelseyaccionox — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:24:59 -0500

Hehe thank you! I'm excited but very nervous. I also wish the 1st of November was a Saturday! It would be easier to get a head start!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

highlandgirl — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:27:06 -0500

75K cause I'm an idiot. That is all.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:48:27 -0500

Yay Cosmam! Someone already asked what my day one goal in the 10k day thread since I just said it was significantly more. I was all Uhhhhh...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:59:22 -0500

I'm sure lots of wish NaNo started on a Saturday. That hasn't happened since 2008, my last year of college. At least I made good use of it?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:50:10 -0500

In. And why'd you use such a scary word? Pledge? Eep.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:56:41 -0500

The word usage was very intentional. And terrifying, no doubt. I have no idea if I will be able to do what I said to, but I feel way more obligated from having said pledge.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:13:48 -0500

I'm a full-time student, planning a wedding, making my wedding dress, have to help my grandmother move, AND have to keep my fiancé entertained. The Million is going to happen, even if I sleep away half of December! We're both insane, but we're in good company!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:16:05 -0500

I've been overachieving for two years now, and I have one bit of advice: Don't let a day go by without getting SOME words written. If you don't make a daily goal, that's fine, but it's impossibly hard to get started again after a day or five without writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:53:19 -0500

I've somehow, though I have school, 'pledged' 50K the first day. Should be fun!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lora_Hex — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:25:19 -0500

100k this year. That was my goal last year but school and sickness thwarted it. This year I'm working fulltime but no school and no illness will distract me. It's gonna happen. *determined face* Also, HI, I missed you guys! <3

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

floodtheivories — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:37:51 -0500

Tch, no one here's an idiot! Except maybe our brains, because I think most of us don't CONSCIOUSLY plan to create that oh-my-gosh-what-have-I-gotten-myself-into goal, but our brain convinces us to. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:51:56 -0500

I definitely belong here because I have a feeling that I am going to be aiming for 100K this November. My writing has slowed down since I started school, but I managed 175K in July and 100K for August. I think that I could manage 100K in November, focusing on one project and making myself write for more than just under 20 minutes. :D I think that my novel could hold up to 100K, but if it does manage to somehow end before that I do have other plots that I can work on. But given how I'm just finishing up a 133K novel, I think that it could work. :) Also, this thread has gotten me all excited for Nano. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:24:22 -0500

third year of nano, went 72K first year, 96K last year. i was hoping to get 100K last year, but fell a bit short due to lack of motivation/illness in the later part of the month. this also resulted in an incomplete story, as i was just over the halfway point when i stopped (my story became a 200K epic, which was twice the length i thought it would be). this year, i'm hoping to do at least 100K again (subject to change). depending on my goal, i could be doing a doubleheader in nano, doing the 2011 story on top of finishing the 2010 story, which i haven't touched in months.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:48:44 -0500

Due to the insanity of my schedule this NaNo, I feel like I need a writing buddy. Does anyone want to shoot for a cumulative word count with me?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:23:14 -0500

This advice is wise. Write SOMETHING every day, even if it's a five-minute writing session or a line of dialogue. You'll feel it the next day if you don't. While Wrimos going for 50k will have 1667 to catch up on, we overachievers have many more words to catch up on, and those words collect quickly if you keep going days without writing. And the best way to get in the writing groove is to write.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

hannah.t-d — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:59:25 -0500

Just want to say WOW! Averaging 16,000~ words a day for 30 days is amazing! You're my NaNo hero!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:01:56 -0500

How does that work TypoMania? And thank you Chomsky-Rabbit! I think I might try your strategy. My wrists seem not to mind but some of my fingers certainly dont enjoy it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:08:12 -0500

Due to my ridic work schedule, I'm happy to so stipulate. Shit. The only reason I'm not taking out the end of that sentence is to indicate just how far I'm gone into the legal-drafting-world. Yes, Type. Nanomail me and we'll chat.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Nereti — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:56:22 -0500

I don't really think of myself of an overachiever, but this project needs 75k to get it finished and I really want to get it finished, so 75k it is.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kiwi-kauri-kid — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:12:04 -0500

Aiming for a 75,000 word goal this year, despite barely scraping 50k last year and having less time to write. However, I'm planning on doing an outline this year (and a detailed one at that)... although I still have to write it /procrastinator/

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:04:44 -0500

Apparently Nano 2014 will start on a Saturday, so that's something to look forward to.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:08:27 -0500

I cranked the math on this the other day...you are going to have to spare every minute of time for writing to make that, and, uh, I hope sleep isn't important to you. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

chelseyaccionox — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:56:05 -0500

What did you manage that year? :) Word count wise I mean. ;)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Incandescent — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:08:19 -0500

Oh, screw it. It's not like I have anything better to be doing. Originally, I was planning to write The Empty People this NaNo. Then I wrote ~20k of it for Camp before a Scrivener bug ate a chunk of it and I gave up in frustration. I wanted to write TEP because I wasn't so attached to the characters -- if I made a muddle of things, it wasn't like I was mutilating my baby (which is what it feels like when I try to write the aptly-named Only Child). Then I had several plotstrikes on TEP and it became much more interesting. Interesting enough that I'm hesitant to use it for a NaNovel. Then the plan was to write Hart and Hind, because there's no way I could possibly become too attached to it before November rolls around, and if I don't write it soon, I'm going to shove it in a drawer forever. Started planning that; made some decent progress. H&H isn't going to be fantastic, but it'll reach 50k and it's serious enough that my dignified muse doesn't find it offensive. (Fastest way to kill my muse is to suggest a "silly" story.) Then Blood Debt, the story I wanted to write for last NaNo, started tapping on my shoulder again. It reminded me that I only wrote 3k on it before switching back to Only Child (again). The main character is becoming interesting again. The plot is nibbling on my thoughts. So: Screw it. I'm in for both of them. I have no idea what the wordcount is going to look like. For the sake of having a goal, I'll aim for 100k between the two novels, although that seems like it's going to require awfully brisk scenes to fit the whole stories into such cramped space. With Hart and Hind, I want to write it as a solid first draft, written normally. That'll be my fall-back. But I want to do something a little different with the first draft of Blood Debt. I'm having trouble writing action/dialogue in Blood, and I'm not really sure why. It feels like it ought to be a third person story, particularly because both Teague and Solea get viewpoint scenes, but I'm having trouble approaching it like that. So instead, I'm going to try to write the first draft as a series of character interviews, almost like a cross between a journal and an epistolary novel. I don't intend for the final version of the novel to look like this, but it will give me a more approachable way to figure out the sequencing of things (and give me a lot of material to cannibalize in later drafts). So I'm aiming for a first draft with H&H, but I'll be writing a "zero draft" for Blood Debt, I think. And working 35 hrs/week. And raising my dogs. And attending university. And starting a new relationship with another WriMo. And trying to keep my house from falling to pieces around my head. And exercising. Kateness, will you be blogging through NaNo again?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TAMaxwell — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:14:01 -0500

*waves little GO BOBO pennant* I...don't really belong here. I was just looking to root Bobo on. Good luck everyone! I'll just...exit that'a way. *scoots out*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Breakingchains — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:44:18 -0500

Some of your all's wordcounts have me kind of... studying the anatomy of my hands and going, "Is it physically possible for these structures to hold up to that kind of abuse? Are these guys cyborgs!?" xD I'm considering shooting for 75k, which, if I'm not mistaken, is just around my previous one-month record. But I'm scared of burnout, especially considering I'm way out of my writing comfort-zone already with this project and am not sure I want to add another pressure factor. Weighing my options...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:49:22 -0500

Is anyone else here a Dvorak typist? During Milwordy, I had the occasional problem with my wrists, but what gave up in the end was my fingers. I was forced to switch over to Dvorak in the middle of it all and was reduced to a typing speed of about 5 words per minute. :P That was five months ago, and though not back at my old speed, I now type comfortable at 70 words per minute. My fingers and wrists have not complained once. I hated the switch, but it was no doubt the best decision I ever made for my potential writing career. Anyone else got experience with this beautiful layout?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Incandescent — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:55:42 -0500

Funny that you should say that today. I work at a dog daycare. Two of the dogs who are boarding today have the last name Dvorak. I'm dying to ask their owner if he's related to the guy who invented the keyboard layout, because srsly, how many people do YOU know named Dvorak? Back on topic: I switch between QWERTY and Dvorak. I want to make the switch for good at some point in the not-too-terribly-distant future. At the moment, I have to do a mixture of both. My dogs ate several of my keys when they were puppies, and now some of them are non-functional. To type a comma, for example, I have to press ctrl+shift to switch my keyboard into Dvorak, then hit the key that's W in QWERTY and comma in Dvorak, then ctrl+shift to switch back to QWERTY. I'd just switch over entirely, except then I'd be missing V and W instead. (Solution: Candle needs a new keyboard. I know). But once I have a fully-functional keyboard, I do intend to make the switch.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:16:35 -0500

Yes! I made the decision to switch after doing the 50k Day last year. My wrists were NOT happy, and after typing so much the rest of the month, I could barely manage a 15 minute sprint without problems. So far, since switching, I have noticed no discomfort. This month will be the real test, though, especially the first day. I haven't gotten back up to my old speed yet (though I can do 70 wpm if I am going good), but for me it was always about comfort, and I type fast enough for now. I will get faster as the month progresses.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:18:05 -0500

A couple years ago, I switched into Dvorak. I used it for a long time, but I never got to the typing speed I have on the QWERTY layout, so I switched back. I routinely go back to Dvorak in hopes of upping my typing speed to something comparable, but I never get close to my 120 wpm, so I always go back to QWERTY.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:21:08 -0500

Yeah, I have work and band rehearsal on Tuesdays... this should end hilariously.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:22:33 -0500

I've really considered switching to Dvorak, but I have to use Qwerty at work and I'm not sure how much it would mess with my brain to have to switch every day.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:28:07 -0500

For me, it wasn't that bad. I switch back and forth at work all the time (I still program in QWERTY, or at least faster in QWERTY). I might be atypical, though. As fast as I was on QWERTY (which sucks to spell in Dvorak), my fingers weren't where they should have been; they were one out from the "correct" positions, so my index fingers were on 'd' and 'k'. On Dvorak, they are where they should be ('u' and 'h'), so the switch to me is physical.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:36:56 -0500

I've played flute for 15 years, competitively for most of it. My hands and wrists are in fantastic shape. =P As long as my typing stays somewhere near "proper," then I am good to go. Good posture is a MUST. (And so is picking a project I feel confident about.) Seriously, y'all should pick up woodwind instruments in the off-season. Watch your dexterity and stamina sky-rocket. Profit come November. ;) But in the meantime, baby steps! You'll hit that massive wordcount eventually.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

S.L.H.Murphy — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:50:25 -0500

Aiming for 60k, though this is my third NaNo and I haven't won one yet.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anastasia — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:01:53 -0500

2008 was my Grade 12 year in high school and the first year I participated. I was spoiled having 5 full weekends my first NaNo. This year, it starts on a Tuesday and I quite literally am at school all day on Tuesdays (8:30am=9:00pm, as which is the earliest and latest my university has classes).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:16:29 -0500

We'd message each other and decide on a cumulative wordcount that we'd want to acheive... so let's say we wanted to get 100,000 words together. At the end of the month we'd add our word counts together and see if we reached that goal. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:16:35 -0500

Yay!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:56:48 -0500

I've been playing clarinet for almost seventeen years. My wrists are in surprisingly bad shape. That's what wrist supports are for, though! I use the ones old ladies use to knit.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:44:21 -0500

You know what they say - shoot for the moon! Even if you miss, you'll land in the icy cold emptiness of space...wait...I don't think that was quite right.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ciuva — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:58:54 -0500

Last year I reached 100k, and since I'm unable to play it safe (also I must be masochistic) I have decided to do 150k this year. It's a goal I set mostly as a joke after last NaNo. The problem is, of course, that life is considerably more hectic now than last year. Last year I wrote my MA thesis, but during November I was still waiting for feedback from my advisor, and then procrastinating. This year I have three jobs, an important four-day conference to attend and dance rehearsals, as well as all my other stuff. In short I'll need a miracle - but I'm still going to try my best.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:15:43 -0500

If I were to write according to a joke from last year, I would have to write 400k this year. I admire you for keeping your incredible goal of 150k! And I feel you on the miracle thing. I kind of need one here, with two papers of 20 pages to hand in by the end of November.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AlainaintheSky — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:23:49 -0500

I'm thinking of going for 70k. I usually have a week or so left to write, so 70k seems doable. 50k will probably still be my realistic goal, just in case things get out of hand during November. Its looking to be a busy month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:45:07 -0500

Is that really necessary? You can so easily switch over between the layouts - no installation or anything. I switch to Dvorak at work, then switch back when I leave the computer so the next person can use qwerty.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:09:39 -0500

I think the violin has done something similar for my hands. Though right now I'm out of practice at both my violin and writing, so I'm getting a little nervous.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MEJKnowles — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:14:17 -0500

75,000 for me this year, as my goal, anyway. My first NaNoWriMo was in 2005, & I set 75,000 as my goal then. I passed it then. I didn't do NaNoWriMo again 'til last year, & I only shot for 50,000. I went just barely over. This year I'm shooting higher than 50,000 because I need the challenge & because I know I can do it. I work nights right now, & it's usually pretty slow in the store in which I work at nights. So I'll bring my laptop & write as much as I can then, as well as at other times. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KaelynAngelfoot — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:17:13 -0500

This is my first nano but I have four different story ideas running rampant in my poor brain - I'm hoping to relieve the pressure by getting one or two out on paper this Nano. Wish me luck! I'm shooting for finishing at least one at 100k or two at 50k each.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:52:48 -0500

I'm the only one that uses my computer, but I'm not sure if I would be able to switch the layouts - they anti-idiot our computers a little TOO well.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:54:05 -0500

You don't need a miracle, just a good time-management plan. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ladypamela — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:14:03 -0500

I usually overachieve, but I havent been posting regularly in here. So Hi to all! My goals this year are to write a complete novel, around 50-60k, and then write the first x amount of words on the next one. Haven't figured out a goal for that one yet, but I've been trying to get it started for a while, and I could use a kick to get it going. Since I've been hitting 50k by the 15th the last couple of years, I think I can ge a good start on novel number two. Yay overachievers!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:45:14 -0500

Will I blog this Nano? Possibly to maybe. I work long hours right now and don't know. I'll certainly try. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chiharu-Chan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:58:31 -0500

Oh man, I've been looking for this thread for agesssssssss. *coughcoughwheeze* I doubt anyone remembers me, but I was that weirdo with the 420,000-word novel last year. XD;; Well, this year, I plan to take the same novel and continue it, writing 500,000 words this year! :D So I'm going for the big half a million words (since I'm too afraid to do a million, ahehehe. ^^;;;). I'm gonna need lots of encouragement!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:01:11 -0500

Also, I AM a cyborg. Tru fax.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:35:38 -0500

I do remember you and your massive word count, Chiharu! And you're going for 500k this year? That is really impressive. You can do it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

etiennefayth — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:39:31 -0500

I've never been an over achiever - I have won twice but the most was at 53k. I want to actually finish my story this year though, and was wondering what was the most words people have written in a single day? I'd love to see that it actually is possible to write a whole manuscript even though two weeks are taken up essay writing!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:41:06 -0500

I got 60k that year. That was when I started taking baby steps into writing significantly more than 50k. Also, if I remember right that year contained my first 10k day ever. Or maybe my second. So you can think 2008 for starting to lure me to the overachiever side, even if 2009 really did me in.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mae 13 — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:00:40 -0500

Thank you both very much! I'll definitely keep this in mind. Without this specific advice, I probably wouldn't have made it a point to write every day (or at least I wouldn't have thought it such a big deal to miss a day). I do have a question for anyone who wishes to answer, though. What do you consider "winning?" is it hitting 50,000? Hitting your personal word goal? Also, for those of you who are experienced overachievers, do you think overachieving by 30,000 words is too much/not enough? I know that no one can answer that question for me, but how do you all choose your personal goals? And do you think 30,000 more will feel like a lot?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:24:23 -0500

The most I've written in a day is about 20k, though I've done it a couple times and I'm hoping to beat that on the 1st. There are actually quite a few people who have managed 50k in a day, but I'm not there right now and I'll be ecstatic to get 21k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:26:15 -0500

You could give it a try at home. Once you have set it up in the control panel (it's already on the computer, no installation needed) it's only a thing of shift+alt to switch between the two layouts. They'd have to be mad to keep you from doing that. Though some people are, of course. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:46:15 -0500

In other OS's, there are even better shortcuts. On my laptop, I use the scroll lock (because what else is that button used for?), but that's on Linux. No idea what the Mac shortcuts are like, actually. Actually, on this computer I have it set up to ALT + SHIFT, because I use CTRL + SHIFT sometimes in highlighting.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:17:35 -0500

I don't consider it a win for me until I've hit my actual goal, partly because I often do multiple novels at the same time and 50k would be, say, 25k in two novels. Often though my goals are fairly nebulous (as in "complete the story, but I don't know how long it'll actually be"...I did that the year I wrote four, intending to aim for 200k...let's just say I overshot that. By a lot.) Given your previous track record, I think you can make that. You can always revise your goal upward if that turns out to be too easy.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:19:40 -0500

How on earth do I learn which key is which if I don't switch my actual keyboard keys?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:21:23 -0500

I did 26k on the first day of 50k weekend last year (twas the Friday after thanksgiving, so I had a lot of time to write), before that I think my biggest was...13k. And now I'm attempting to double that again....

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

theoryoferin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:28:10 -0500

I missed this thread too much to stay away. I'm currently between apartment and house and staying with my grandmother, so there is no Internet and I'm on my phone... I'm planning on going for between 150k and 200k, since I want to do the 50k day AND the 50k weekend. Even if I fail both, it'll be a good word count boost and such. Full time job + moving + boyfriend = not really conducive to overachiever status, but I can't just go for 50k after all these years, haha.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:30:46 -0500

First of all... 53K IS overacheiving! So pat yourself on the back, etiennefayth! For me, my record is 13,300 I think. But that was in my dark, dark past from when I was 17 years old. My second biggest was 12K (opening day last NaNo), and if I really block out my time I can get 10K days somewhat consistently. But honestly, I find that my strength in this competition comes not from spurts and sprints, but from stamina. Last year my average daily word count was a little over 7,000. Plugging away like that, at least for me, is more effective than aiming for huge daily word counts every now and then. (But I do always try to get enormous opening days and closing days, haha. Just for fun!)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:30:55 -0500

I have a handy reference chart! They're all over the internet.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:31:23 -0500

Whoa, that must be quite a novel... seriously, a million words on the same project? Power to ya!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:32:13 -0500

That was me, too! I had 426k at the end of last November XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

anna scott graham — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:53:51 -0500

So I'm going to write two novels, which I've done before, usually consecutively. But my husband may be having his thyroid removed mid-late November, so I am seriously considering writing them concurrently. Which I've done, in 2007, three books all achieving at least 50K. But it was... Not as nice as writing them one at a time. But I don't want to be thinking, "Oh I really should be checking on the hubby" while trying to write, or vice versa. So, I'm thinking I'll give it a try, mindful that the initial novel has twelve long-ish chapters, and as I'll focus on that, one chapter a day, it will be done by 12 November. I'm assuaging my writing brain by telling myself that during Camp NaNoWriMo I faffed around, missing days here and there, and all went well, hitting 86K in July and 70K in August. I am one of those writers that when I sit to write, I do it until the novel is done, one chapter a day, no excuses. But in August we helped our daughter move to Southern California for grad school, and I went with my husband to the East Coast, then got sick. I learned a lot in Camp NaNo; I CAN take those days off if necessary, and still stay IN the story. But I'd prefer not to. Thanks for letting me ramble, as this is one of the few places I can do it and not sound off my head. Yeah, I think I'll try to write them at the same time, letting the second novel sort of fall where it does. Whew! That's a load off my already goiter-filled head...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:54:13 -0500

You can do it, Erin! Lizzy's also going for 150K so Wriye will become the realm of awesomeness and overachieving. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

chelseyaccionox — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:24:01 -0500

Wow that's still amazing. xD Hehe which has been your most overachieving year? :) But ah fair enough Anastasia, 5 weekends would make for an amazing nano. But wow that's a really long day. :( I'm sure you'll still do great though. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:32:10 -0500

I taped a print out of the layout to my screen and looked at that while feeling my way to the right keys. You'll learn never to look at the keys again while typing, in case you are doing that. It worked well for me.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:32:07 -0500

Besides the personal challenge aspect, is there any actual point to writing so much so quickly? I'm starting to wonder whether I shall take my first nano and leave it there. But I don't want to. Please someone convince me its good in other ways to write lots.. :S

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:03:33 -0500

Stickers! No, really. I had these little round white stickers that I put on my laptop keyboard as I was learning. I just wrote in pen on the stickers; it wore off eventually, but by that point I had learned.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:25:53 -0500

Well, the reason I write so much is for the personal challenge, and that's a good enough reason for me to do it. It also gets more writing done, which is always nice. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

FionaJL — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:32:55 -0500

It's strange, reading this, and seeing everyone's typing speeds. I type quite fast - about 70 wpm - but there's no way I can write original stuff that fast. Last year, I reckon I could write about 900-1000 words in an hour, if I wasn't sprinting, and about 3000 words in an hour if I was. That's the difference, or at least one big difference, I think, between my 50k last year and some of the breathtaking word counts that are three or four times that. So, does anyone have any tips about speeding up? It's not really a mental editor that's my problem, so much as taking a while to know what to say. I suppose speed will come with practice, and I'm hoping that planning a bit more this year will help me speed up, but is this something you've consciously had to think about? How did you get to be such a fast writer?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aiyandra — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:42:45 -0500

I found out recently that having a playlist with a mixture of calm and fast songs makes me speed up a lot. The first song being somewhat calm always gets me in a writing mood, so when a faster song comes on, I'll speed up my typing to match its rhythm. That way I can get 1k done every 15-20 minutes. Oh, by the way, I decided to try writing at least 3k on regular days - of course the 50k-weekend will require a bit more :D I found my characters, I found a plot, I have a setting and one epic battle to end it. November is going to be a lot of fun.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:51:40 -0500

Because the one challenge of Nano I would fail at is the challenge of actually stopping at 50k :/ I actually had six separate ideas coming into october, so I feel pretty comfortable with writing three this year (two being projects on special days.) Part of my problem is that inventing stories is one of my coping mechanisms for ADD (sort of like giving the three year old in my head some toys and saying "Go play for a bit, Mommy's busy right now"). And it's nice to be able to get some of them on to paper, even if I end up hating them afterwards.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:53:01 -0500

I'm actually a slow writer as well - I can type at 75-100wpm, but I can only consistently write about 50wpm. Are you a planner or a pantser? If you plan, putting more detail into your outlines (or doing a phase outline) might help with the "don't know what to say next" part.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:59:49 -0500

Last year I was way behind, so I sat in on Thanksgiving and wrote nearly 13,000 words, from 9 in the morning until about 6 in the evening. I probably could have done more, but so far, when I hit 50k, I stop. This year, I'm going to keep writing until November 30th, at approximately 11:59:47 (with 13 seconds to spare).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

skatepixie — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:13:22 -0500

Yay 100k! You've inspired me to do 75k this year. :-) I'm going to win at the Night of Writing Dangerously and continue that pace on for the rest of the month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

FionaJL — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:43:07 -0500

That's true - I do tend to plan, but pretty generally. I'm trying to make it more detailed this year, though, so I wonder what difference that'll make. It's really as basic as word choice, though. I think this calls for experimentation...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lori Ramsey — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:34:41 -0500

Ahhhh - Love this thread! I can write 1000 words in 30 minutes flat. Writing the novel is so easy to me - because I have it in my head already. But is it polished, error free and grammar correct, absolutely not! I bow to those who can do more in less time! If it weren't for the carpel tunnel in my right wrist, I could probably go faster. ;) But I'm up for the challenge. I want to FINSH - COMPLETE this novel. I'm thinking it will be, hmmmm, somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 words.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:56:48 -0500

Part of the point for me is wondering what to do with oneself for the rest of the month. When I was in school I would finish early and then dive headfirst into all that schoolwork that didn't get done because of NaNo. Then I got out of school and started overachieving and writing more after finishing the first book because whoa, school wasn't there anymore to get in the way. So having something to do besides the forums for the rest of the month is my main motivator to writing so much.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chiharu-Chan — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:47:44 -0500

Yeah... I tend to write some freakishly long stuff. Actually, I write every day of the year... XD;;; Well, I'm never really "not writing". XD;;; Usually, I'm busy writing CCFA, which is my baby, and is planned to have 400+ chapters, and I've written abouttt 700,000 words of it, on chapter 78 right now. So yeah, I'm used to like, only four chapters being 50,000 words. And that's really how I get 50,000 in a day and stuff. XD;; Thanks, though!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chiharu-Chan — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:48:36 -0500

Caillien baby, I remember you! :D We were in the same boat togetherrrrr! How's life going for you now? PLEASEEE tell me you're going for the big five o' with me! We'd be like. Buddy buddies! ^^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chiharu-Chan — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:49:24 -0500

No problem, Sushi! ...Maybe I missed this somewhere down the line, but what're you going for this year? :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:14:40 -0500

After a spectacular fail last year at 5000 words, I didn't really write for most of the year. I just couldn't find the motivation anymore. The rational part of me thinks that, with the last year in mind, I should just aim for 50k and be happy with that. But there's still this voice inside me saying that, hey, NaNo 09 was the first thing I ever completed, I had no clue what I was doing, and I reached 50k a few days early. This year, I have a plot, world, and set of characters that I love, and I actually know where I'm going. I know it won't be finished in 50,000 words, so why not push for something like 75k? I'm still wavering over the decision a little bit. Currently there's about a 60/40 chance that I'll listen to that voice...we'll see.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

floodtheivories — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:51:20 -0500

I'm a 70 wpm-er at the max, too, and I can bang out a good 600 words per war. I'm gonna aim for 10 wars a day over the course of the day so that I can meet my goal of 150k :D Two before school, two/three per study hall, one or two when i get home, one after my dance rehearsals, and as many as I can after bed. I'm doing one idea from when I wake to noon, noon to five, and five til I sleep. And I have special playlists. Yeah, I'm an anal planner. But whatever, it's what works best for me!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:27:46 -0500

200k for me this year since I have things this year that I didn't have last year, including MLing for the first time. But more importantly, I'm just under 200k from writing a million words over all ten of my NaNos total so far, so that's my real goal this year. It's technically possible for me to get 300k again if I succeed at 50k day and 50k weekend (especially if I do a true 50k in 48 hours like I did last year), but we'll see about that when I get closer.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiarali — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:03:01 -0500

Hmm. Well this is my first year, and there is personal stuff going on in November :/ I will honestly be thrilled if I can get to 50k in one month. But my actual goal is to finish my novel. It's a young adult novel, so I'm aiming for about 70k total. What I want to do is aim to write about 3k a day. I would also love to be able to do a bit of editing as I go (I know that's naughty, lol!) If I can finish my novel early, I will spend the rest of November planning the sequal to my novel so I can start again in December. This is a trilogy, and I have four months off for uni holidays, so I want the rough drafts of the three to be done by the time I start, so that I can edit when classes start again.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:54:59 -0500

Don't hesitate over your words. Just pick what comes to mind. I know how you feel as I sometimes form sentences in my head and take a minute or two to actually put it down. Write or Die kamikaze mode is pretty good at breaking this thinking....

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:03:54 -0500

I'm going for the Million!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:14:29 -0500

You should XD You could end up rich and able to pay us wrist surgery ;)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:23:23 -0500

I'm also heavily influenced by what I listen to while writing. For me really fast music makes me write faster, and I have a playlist of very fast music for those times the words won't come out. If anyone else is like me and write quickly to fast music, I have one word for you: Dragonforce. You're welcome.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ninjaobsessor — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:53:54 -0500

I'm thinking I might aim for 75k, to make up for last year's pathetic loss.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anastasia — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:11:02 -0500

You always think that you're busier than you are, believe me. Most people in here have hit somewhat ridiculous seeming word count goals in a month while going to school and/or working and maintaining some semblance of a social life. I'll give you a few tips from "No Plot, No Problem!" to managing your time: 1) Figure out everything that you absolutely HAVE to do (time spent at & travelling to work, school, eating, sleeping, bathing, and paying bills are pretty much the only things that fit in this category) and how much time each day you spend doing them. Be honest. 2) List things you would really like to do and are important, but could get away with a big of skimping in November... your social life, going to the gym, and shopping for non-important things (toilet paper & groceries are excluded from this). Figure out how much time you spend each day doing these things. 3) List all the other things you do during the day: Youtube, TV, NaNo forums, Facebook, EDITING, etc. Add up how much time you spend doing these things every day. If you have more than an hour of the time in #3, you should be good. If you can type o 28 words per minute in that hour, you will hit 1680 words that day. If you can type 40 wpm, you're up to 2400 words in an hour and would be able to hit the 70k you expect to need to finish your story... in only 30 HOURS for the whole month. Good luck!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiarali — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:21:18 -0500

To be honest, what I'm most worried about is after dreaming of this plot/these characters all year, I'll finally sit at the keyboard, give myself permission to let loose, and freeze :/ lol. Anyone else get that fear?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Calliopes.Sin — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:41:08 -0500

I too, am thinking 75k. It's the sweet spot of overachieving without zooming into the distance.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:53:24 -0500

Take a look at Write or Die. It prompts you to write by punishing you when you don't :D Also, sort-of name buddies!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anastasia — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:13:00 -0500

I've had that fear on occasion too. I haven't used Write or Die, but I have heard a lot of positive things about it. I tend to tell myself I can't go get a snack, go to the bathroom, or whatever until I've written 500 more words. My sister is also a NaNo-er, so I have the motivation of needing to be at least as far as she is. Really, the only way to get over the fear is that when it does happen, you write the scene as best you can. I usually find that once I start, it gets easier.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cracklizard — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:20:22 -0500

150K this year for me. It'll be the first time ever that I write so much in one month. I've gotten 100K for the past two NaNos - I think - so going over a bit more will be interesting. Plus, I'm a rebel. Novel to 100K, 50K is for everything else. ;)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Incandescent — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:44:09 -0500

I just did typing tutor programs for a week or two, then muddled around until I started to get the hang of it. I still have to think about the top row keys for the right hand when I first switch over, but the rest of it was pretty easy to pick up. It's kind of intuitive -- all of your vowels are together, all of your most common consonants are together, etc.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Arumi — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:46:43 -0500

Yay, my new home thread. <3 I did 200k last year (barely), but admittedly I wasn't as focused as I could have been. Due to life craziness, I'll be happy if I can get 201k this year, but... we'll see. Also, I only have one plot in my head right now, and not sure how long I can stretch it. I could always pants the second novel, but that's taking a big risk. :-P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:25:58 -0500

YAY! You'll still be overachieving, and you never know. Another plot could make its way to your head. They tend to do that. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:10:22 -0500

This so much. For two NaNos now, my main characters (09), or entire story idea (The Ultimate Showdown of Mediocre Destiny) came to me after NaNo had started. I guess planning just does NOT work for me (a lot of the pantsing turned out really well, too).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:41:19 -0500

Adrenaline rush of running a race. It's fun. :) And then I can look back and be all self-congratulatory for actually getting stuff done and not wandering off to 6 different WIPs.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:54:37 -0500

I woke up with my second one on Saturday. Even funnier, it wasn't that I woke up from my dream and though, "oh that would make a good plot". I was literally dreaming about this as a plot and going through the outline. Very weird, but also kind of awesome.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

emberwing — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:05:59 -0500

Considering how complicated this plot is getting, it's definetely going to be above and beyond 50k. Since I made it last year my goal is 60k. I am away the first four days of November. ... Craaaaap

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:32:51 -0500

I hope my body decides to stop acting like a grade-A jerk once November gets here. I am sick and tired of being in pain and feeling uncomfortable. >_<

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Belle of the Brawl — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:07:20 -0500

Everyone on this thread makes 50k sound so dismal. You're all Ahhhhmazing!! But I will try for 50k this year since I have never won before... And I'm still working and a full time student AND the second to last week of November is exam week and the end of turning in assignments and extra credit. I'm trying to get ahead now, but not everything's been introduced yet >_< Plus, I'm a crazy procrastinator. By the way, those of you with 200,000+ words are my heroes. Just so you know ^_^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:13:58 -0500

Same here. At least it's the various parts of my legs and feet that keep causing trouble; I'd be more worried if it was my hands.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:38:34 -0500

I don't even think I could write 100k in 30 days. You are insane - in a completely inspirational way! Best of luck to you and your poor wrists!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Feanorianfangirl — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:08:50 -0500

I really want to try and reach 100K this year. Last year I reached a little over 60K and I know I should probably go to 75K, but I want to shoot big so I have something to be proud of. =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:09:22 -0500

It's funny how many people on this thread I know. I'm so glad I live in Atlanta! :) I figure I'm going to start small and aim for 75k this year. I won last year with 67k, so I know it's doable (even if I am working this year and wasn't last year). I won both sessions of Camp NaNo - the first I finished halfway through the month and the second I won by writing almost solely on weekends - so I figure 75k shouldn't be that hard. I'd really like to write 80k and finish the novel at a decent novel length, but 2500 words per day is such a nice number to keep track of. I've written 1700 in 30 minutes before, so if I can sit down and actually write I should reach my goal easily. My problem is that when I'm not warring, I tend to freeze and not know what to write. I'm hoping to push myself past that. I'm also trying to come up with a list of 75 scenes to include in my novel. I have about 40 so far, but I'm getting there!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:36:10 -0500

Someone, please make the plot bunnies stop. I originally typed 'spot.' Can I quit in October? XD But no, seriously, it's driving me crazy to NOT be writing. Aaaaaargh.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

B_ethany13H — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:29:53 -0500

I'll either be trying for 100k or 150k this year. I'll have school work (four college classes plus regular homework) and then mandatory basketball practice starts up mid-november, so that's why I'm not doing 150k for sure. I've easily hit the 50k goal the last two years (and the first year I started a week late) and so I'm going to see if I can keep up with 5k a day, and if so 150k it will be, and so I'll hopefully get three novels out of it :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:13:34 -0500

I send a character off on a long-winded ramble/rant when I can't think of what to write. I can always edit it out later, and it gives me some idea of what they're thinking. Last year, one of them went on and on about Finland for a few thousand words. Good times.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:15:42 -0500

But just think how much fun November is going to be! (I'm in the same boat. I'm outlining like mad. This may not be a good idea. Oh, well.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

mediarulesthepen — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:18:06 -0500

I don't know what my main word goal is (besides 50k, duh), but I WILL be going at least past 55k, if not 60k and beyond. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

JezzyHatesJazz — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:45:34 -0500

Well... I managed 100k each month of Camp NaNoWriMo but some of my family will be around for Thanksgiving and they're from quite a way away (well, Ohio to Florida) and I want to see them. Maybe... 75-80k? That sounds about right. Also, I love this thread. I'm so glad I'm not the only crazy person out there : )

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kaysper — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:54:18 -0500

I wrote 75K last year. I really, really want to try and beat that and my personal first day best (7k) this year, if I can. Even if it just means writing 75,002 words this year, I'll still be satisfied with that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aiyandra — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:58:42 -0500

I'm kind of freaking out over here. My plot is a mess, my 3 MCs are strangers to me and it's only 13 days! I should really start figuring out my plot since I work best with an outline...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:52:11 -0500

I'm kind of in the same boat. I figured out which story ideas I wanted to use back in April and ever since then I've been putting off making more detailed plans. But I've just decided that I'm going to sit down and work on it right now.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:48:40 -0500

I can help with the "MCs being strangers" thing, because that was my problem a couple of days ago. It really, really helps to think of the person you know who has the most similar personality traits (I assume you know something about your MC, even if it's only "superstitious" or "clumsy" or "witty") and just start picturing that person each time you picture your MC. Soon enough, you'll find little things about that person changing until the template of the real person you used has slowly morphed into a character. It sounds weird, but trust me, it may just have saved my NaNo. (Thank you Ian, half-remembered camp counselor from when I was 10!)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:46:14 -0500

Mine's in the shoulder - it can make typing uncomfortable sometimes. :/ I haven't figured out where/how I'm going to write yet - my desk isn't really comfortable enough for extended periods.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:47:46 -0500

You can do it! This year is going to be the year! :D And I totally understand how you feel - 200,000 was my "dream goal" when I first started (when the word count bars actually stopped at that place!). It took me five years, but I did finally hit it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:52:39 -0500

You should come join the DORG over in Word Sprints :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:15:21 -0500

I will fight the plot bunnies I will fight the plot bunnies I will fight the plot bunnies I will fight the plot bunnies... I need November to be here, now ?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:20:45 -0500

/twitches feebly from beneath seething mass of furry fluffy bunnies

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:21:40 -0500

I feel like I should be wearing mittens for my word count's sake. Let's see you type now, finger monkeys!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kaiberie — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:50:08 -0500

I'm going 75 linked short stories or up to 30 novellas for a total of 325k. It's my ninth year, and I'm raring to go. Given it's also the year my first novel from Nano is officially launched and released (on my birthday, in the middle of November), it's going to be a heck of a busy month, but overachievers WOOOO! Kaiberie

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:57:57 -0500

I'm trying for at least 100k this year. This is my 3rd year doing NaNo and my first year trying to go so far over the normal amount, but I think I can do it. I'm homeschooled so I've been working double time in October so if I slack a little in November, I won't implode in December. Ah! So excited.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mae 13 — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:11:03 -0500

Awesome! I'm very glad you have confidence in me. :) I think I'll definitely be considering "winning" as hitting my personal word goal. You are a very impressive overachiever!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Rosebug — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:19:13 -0500

My goal is also to write the entire book. :) I have no idea how long that will be, however. I'm staring at around 100k, though, cause that's what I wrote last year. I am so excited! and mildly terrified.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

angeliclizard — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:17:20 -0500

Last year I wanted to get to 100k, I made is to just shy of 65k, so this year I am going to go for 75k. Oh yea!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Westwoods — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:08:40 -0500

YAY! I've been looking for this thread! I knew Sushi or Kateness must have started one! This year I am doing two unrelated writing projects, which should be interesting, but I am no longer in school, I'm taking some time off and working retail. If I don't write my brain will turn to mush! My goal is NOT 100k. I rather doubt my two ideas will each reach 50k, I'm thinking they will be around 40k each, but some of my estimations have been waaay off before, so I don't know! I'm thinking I will aim to finish at least one first draft and write at least 70k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Westwoods — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:12:15 -0500

I'd love to make a higer goal, but for being an over achiever I'm a reeeeally slow typist (40wpm).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SaintJoi — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:24:58 -0500

Fantastic!!!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Agent Double Oh Zero — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:25:59 -0500

:-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Agent Double Oh Zero — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:26:35 -0500

Cheering is an acceptable form of communication to this life form.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:59:15 -0500

I only type at 50wpm, so I'm not that far ahead of you :) I'm not Kateness or cailien! and I almost typoed that as 'I type at 50k'. Lol.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Cutecat42 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:34:35 -0500

This is my first year, but I'm going to try my best to do 75k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:30:16 -0500

Awesome! Welcome to NaNo and to the overachievers. We're one big happy family here. Get them while they're new, I tell you... :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

PenGryphon2007 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:39:19 -0500

*tosses carrot and then runs in OPPOSITE direction* Because I'm not crazy enough to say I don't like plot bunnies--I love 'em, I just hate it when they refuse to let me sleep. Ah well, they'll help when I'm aiming for my 75-80k word count. I might strive for 100k, but I don't know if I'm that insane--I do have to pull lesson plans together for my students during the month of November.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ria Lize — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:21:01 -0500

I wanna do 60k. Considering I've got major exams up to the 9th of November and a couple of other stuff going on next month, I know it will be hard, but I'll try my best. =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

lvngbooks — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:44:45 -0500

Last year I didn't even make it to 50k, but this year I'm determined to CRACK that 50k and then some. I've been outlining my story for a couple of weeks now and it needs around 80k - 90k to be complete, the way it looks now, so I'm aiming to write 70k in November. It's insane, but I probably won't have a job in November so I should have a lot of time on my hands to write (or to watch TV/internet/read/eat chocolate to put off writing). I wish it was November already!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:37:04 -0500

It looks like I'll have a good chance of adding a new job and a cross-country move (with cats!) to my November plate. But (and this may be indicative of a serious mental disorder), I am NOT going to abandon my insane 100k goal.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:39:34 -0500

I've locked the plot bunnies in a pen with the plot Tyrannosaurs. Of course, now the plot Tyrannosaurs are well fed. Oh my, I didn't think this through.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

PenGryphon2007 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:43:42 -0500

So as if a 75-80k word goal isn't bad (it really isn't--I've written 100k in November)...now I've discovered that I ALSO have a script that's bearing down on me and demanding to be written! I don't /write/ scripts! I failed miserably in ScriptFrenzy, so why now of all times? I guess I'm writing a novel AND a script.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:46:00 -0500

You can do it! Sounds like you've already figured out the road to success!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

dianne_the_geek — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:49:00 -0500

I'm aiming for 100-120K this year. I know I can do it because I wrote 11K in 15 hours to get my first win back in 2007. Or so I keep telling myself, anyway. This'll be my first year as an overachiever. I need more planning!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

valeriex — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:28:36 -0500

Wow - looks like I'm late to the list. This year, I'm aiming for completing my book. Could be 80K. Could be a little more or less than that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lynnielois — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:50:32 -0500

I did 76k in Camp NaNo. I don't know how long my story will go, I'm thinking 75, maybe.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:15:54 -0500

I never really thought about actually setting a goal for myself to go over 50k. I've been doing it, but that's because I've been driven to keep going, no matter how bad my novel gets. I think it would be cool to reach 100k, but being the wimp I am, my official goal will be, "over 50k". You guys are all awesome! The ones who are trying for a win, no matter the goal.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:46:57 -0500

This year is kind of particular. I am toying back and forth with goals but I have no big numbers in head. I would just like to finish my novels. Two of them are long (well over 100k each) and the two others are shorter (around 40-50k each). So, what I am trying to say is: I don't know the exact wordcount but I'd like to finish four novels. That means, I will write a lot this year. Yeah, I said last year that I was taking it easy this year. (well, at least there will be no competition? Just me, myself and my novels :))

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Waking-day — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:00:05 -0500

I'm aiming for 150k, and this is my first NaNoWriMo - but I have lots of time this year (finally) and my recent writing's been of a good pace.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:12:30 -0500

So I've decided that I'm definitely going for 75k this year. Strangely enough, that just makes me more excited atm!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bluesam3 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:45:53 -0500

I'm going to have a pop at 100k this year. Just missed it last time.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chillytv — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:47:05 -0500

HELLO OVERACHIEVERS!!! Here we go again. Kateness and Sushi *I bow to you both in respect.* Last year I made it to 86k (If I can remember that far back. Still haven't found my old stats and stuff.) This year is going to be 100K. I'm working everyday and busy weekends plus a trip planned this month all while I prepare to head back to central america. This is going to be another wild ride; see you on the other side.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:08:15 -0500

You and me both, bb. (yeah, right, no competition?)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:08:37 -0500

Awesome! We'll be cheering you on! Go big or go home. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:33:38 -0500

No competition? Pffffft. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:37:19 -0500

OMB you're back! You can totally do 100k this month. Being busy can actually help your NaNo. You'll get so good at time management that you'll find yourself sneaking writing into the oddest times. I know this from experience. Good luck!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

lizo27 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:56:30 -0500

Going for 150k, not sure how that'll pan out, what with work and the new kitten I'm adopting. :/

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:30:00 -0500

Teach him to sit on your lap instead of your desk and it gets a little easier. Unless you have a 20 Maine Coon like I do. *stares pointedly at her loveable behemoth*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:30:46 -0500

20 pound*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:19:55 -0500

I have a 17 pound Maine Coon cross. I have finally convinced him sitting on my lap is better than sitting on my keyboard, meaning I won't get random cat gibberish in the middle of my novel this year... -.-

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:52:25 -0500

The problem with our cat is he likes sleeping on hard surfaces, so he really likes stretching out on the desk. We'll see how much cat gibberish gets included before I banish him to the coffee table.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 09:35:00 -0500

Hey, that's exactly how my novel idea came to me last year! And since it was a two book story, this year's NaNo is also the product of that dream. Isn't it nice to get hooked up by your subconscious like that? :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:09:30 -0500

Last year, I'd bookmarked people's stats page to see where they were in their daily goals... >.> (It won't happen this year, will it?) (what is competition? Is that a French word?)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:11:46 -0500

I will bring my plot bunnies in origami so you can smash them with your fists. Happy? :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:00:42 -0500

I think it's Swahili. For uh... awesome. Yes. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:15:32 -0500

I am utterly jealous. I am at university and my two wonderful, wonderful dogs (greyhound mix and a Berner) are far away from me. :( My muses...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:45:27 -0500

I can do with that word in Swahili. Oh sushi, I am learning new things about you every day! Since when do you speak Swahili? ;) But I'll try to behave this year. Annalia is watching me and my competitiveness and warns me when I'm about to declare something stupid to the world. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:47:13 -0500

Same :( My Australian Shepherd is 3 hours away from me and I can only see her every 1-2 months or so. Then, my cats are with her and while I'm happy they are not alone, I miss them like crazy. There are cats where I live but they are not *mine* so :( my muses

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

RainbowConnection — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:46:52 -0500

I'm thinking about overachieving this year. Not sure if I'll actually set a concrete goal, but this is a big plot, so 75k might be nice...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:21:24 -0500

Hooray, and welcome to the land of the overachievers, RainbowConnection! Be warned: Once you go overachiever, you don't go back. So I'm wondering: Are any of you overachievers going to the Night of Writing Dangerously this year? For those who don't know, it's a writeathon fundraiser put on by OLL in San Francisco on 20 November. You have to raise $250 to get in, and you get an entire evening of fun times and writing and mingling with the OLL staff. I know chomsky-rabbit is going, and so am I, but are any other overachievers going? Maybe we should have an overachiever get-together and ring our own bell since we don't get to ring the bell if we've already reached 50k by the 20th.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:45:37 -0500

Heehee, not only am I on the other side of the country, but I absolutely hate social gatherings of any kind and would sooner die than mingle, even if it is with wonderful WriMos. Though I would like to meet you all...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:49:33 -0500

I feel like I could have posted this. If I went I would probably end up awkwardly huddled in the corner, and I doubt I could go there anyway.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

PumpkinAfterMidnite — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:56:59 -0500

How do you physically write 500K? Or even 150K? How many hours does it take over the course of a month to write those? Do you sleep? My mind is boggled. I assume you'd have the have the whole thing planned out to the very last detail. I want my novel to be around 90K but I know I can't write than in a month, but I want to get a large chunk of it done. I can't imagine rushing it, though, just to have words down. The editing needed later would be monstrous.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:33:45 -0500

Greyhound! I wants.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:51:44 -0500

Sorry Raquelin my dear, but I would not part with her for the world. And trust me, you don't "wants" when there's a thunderstorm going on outside...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:44:07 -0500

What's the likelihood that you Overachievers who are on Twitter would toss your @'s into this thread? I'm already following some of you, but the more, the merrier. Especially since you guys understand the...ahem...EXTRA insanity of November. @Tajavioletta

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Cinnamoon — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:26:23 -0500

I think a lot of it really depends on speed. I write about 1k in fifteen minutes, meaning that, say, the 5k-per-day needed for 150k takes an hour and a bit. I'm definitely not the fastest around here - not even close! But believe me, it's very possible.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:27:25 -0500

I'd be hiding in the corner, as well. Also, getting me to San Francisco would be a feat in and of itself. Maybe some other year, when I have money and am more socially capable...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:30:15 -0500

It's 90% magic and 10% "I may be an android". Last year, I got my plot mere days before NaNo started, and the characters formed themselves somewhere between the kickoff party and the first day. I had vague ideas of where I wanted it to go, and it ended up going somewhere else entirely. I do minimal planning. I was writing for several hours a day, ultimately ending at 426k. I would have made it beyond that, but I fractured my wrist near the end of the month and had to take it "easy". Sleep is for the tired. Caffeine is for the writers! Regardless, I'm cheering you on! Write as much as you can, and have fun doing it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:30:31 -0500

@caillien I'm so creative =P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LadyKelien — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 03:13:25 -0500

Im shooting for 150k again this year. Last year my story gave up on me at around 55k which was disappointing since I had outlined and everything. I find I actually get more words when I fly by the seat of my pants. I have done some planning on this novel already though, so I hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the butt.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

lunarseraph — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 03:39:15 -0500

Every year I try to find some way to challenge myself for each NaNo. This year my goal is 100k words, and a finished story xD I have a second story I'm also planning out for when/if AmberFire finishes before the 100k. I want to really push myself this NaNo, and hope to write as much as I possibly can, but 100k words is my minimum goal xD Happy to join all of you =] You're all an inspiration!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:59:57 -0500

My black cat's gibberish is responsible for a significant portion of my words. I just leave the keyboard unattended and by the time I get back she's written an entire chapter of the adventures of eh'oghmorswh and his mystical sword of ;oiAWE RU]-93.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:19:13 -0500

I already follow the both of you, but here is mine! (and also, extremely creative) @chomskyrabbit

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:27:45 -0500

It's all about persistence to me. That and ignoring typos :-P. Even if you aren't that fast, say, 30 wpm? Well, that means in a 15 minute sprint you should be able to do 450 words. Three of those an hour, for two hours a day, and you are at 2700 words per day, or 81k. Any faster you are just helps even more, and last year I spent more than two hours a day on writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:34:37 -0500

Black cats FTW!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:09:41 -0500

Ugh, my schedule is getting fuller and fuller and 150K is seeming scarier and scarier. I'm banking on the fact that the peril will give me an adreneline rush and completely obviate the need for sleep. @NDwriter

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Indigo Green — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:15:52 -0500

I know what I'm going to do. 50,001 words all the way~ Good luck guys your all crazy!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anastasia — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:33:28 -0500

My first year I had 50 002 words and my third year I had 100 075 words (both finished on the 27th). You may join us crazies one day, you never know. =P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Fyreheart — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:05:33 -0500

100k seems quite sensible to me. It gives me the space to write my story fully without being ridiculous about daily wordcount. Last year I did 83k in 16 days and almost managed to do 10k a couple of days running. This year, I intend on settling into a steadier pace and getting a good 100k done.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:01:13 -0500

I'm @tiakall. Obvious, I know. And I already added you :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:04:53 -0500

Even with school/job, it's not as impossible as it sounds. Admittedly when I hit my highest (286k), I didn't do anything outside of sleep, work, and Nano.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:40:04 -0500

@sushimustwrite This creativity extends to the rest of the Internet, I promise.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:01:32 -0500

@jasminemary_ ! I think I follow everyone here.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

theoryoferin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:04:07 -0500

I'm @theoryoferin I tend to ramble a cross between nano and work in november.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kuyerjudd — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:35:56 -0500

This year I'm going 100K, not only because I want to, but also because I've estimated that my novel, via the outline I made, requires that I reach 100K (62 chapters X 2,000 words = 124,000). I didn't really feel the "rush" last year, and I miss the feeling -- you know, stressing out, like, "What am I going to write? What am I going to write?" and all that. *Sighs*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:40:49 -0500

I'm @you_love_lucy

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:23:22 -0500

raylynn2. Following!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:32:54 -0500

I cannot be worse than my dear neurotic shepherd mix, who has his own magic bottle of sedatives. Who grew up in Florida. With hurricanes. And is still terrified of a pop-up 20 miles away.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Glaedr — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:37:07 -0500

The two year's I've won, I've ended up with something like 52/53k. Last year I was aiming for 60k, but my life and malfunctioning computer ate me. So I might aim for 60k again this year and see what happens. I'm much better prepared this year so that should help. I rambled a bit in year one, and probably would have ended up writing more than 50k then too had my hard-drive not imploded 20k into it, hurling my novel into the abyss.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:42:34 -0500

So that's who that is that matt tweets at sometimes! I'm @cosmam, and joining the Super Creative Twitter Username Club.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:50:16 -0500

This made me laugh so hard this morning. Now people at work are really starting to doubt my sanity. Just wait...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:34:47 -0500

I'm going to start challenging you to do non-competitive things, like write for a while without looking at the clock OR your wordcount.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:19:16 -0500

Oh drat. Just when I had told myself I would write *this* novel at a sane pace, without ignoring hubby, kids, dogs, housework and the gym, now you guys go and dangle this carrot in front of me: a club w/ my name on it! So now I have to reconsider - do I crack off the 50k words at a leisurely pace, while also managing to be a respectable mother and wife, or do I rise to this challenge and finish the entire ms draft - more like 125k before edits? Decisions, decisions. I've got characters on my left shoulder urging me to get them all on paper by the end of the month - 125k. I've got kids and hubby and spinning class and my pillow on my right shoulder, urging me to pretend I never saw you folks ...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:30:20 -0500

My public twitter is @getyourownbooks where I will be posting all NaNo stats, and successes and whines.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:34:39 -0500

Now I've gone on a rampant Twitter following kick. I'll have to make a list of you crazy people.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:03:10 -0500

Obviously, the solution is for all of us to have a very private table together!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:05:03 -0500

Join the insanity! It will be much easier to finish the draft in November than letting it slide over to December/January.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:00:04 -0500

What better example could a wife and mother set, than being an Overachiever! It doesn't last forever, too. Just one month. It'll force them to bond more with each other, over how crazy mom's gotten! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnieColleen — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:03:00 -0500

Shooting for THE END, whatever that takes. I'm guesstimating 90K, but probably longer, given past history. (124K, 114K, 74K, and I don't remember the other year.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:08:34 -0500

@thalanien and I would very much like to see you all there. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Generalist — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:15:02 -0500

500K would be out of my range because I hand write. I have not yet developed the ability to go from brain to keyboard and maintain a decent rate. I tend to do a light edit as the words go from the brain to the page. It keeps the Inner editor happy. 100K would be more reasonable. I was able to hit 70K with a practice NaNo when I was tinkering with the idea of trying it. This summer I hit 76K during Camp NaNoWriMo with a normal working schedule. Since I'm taking a couple more vacation days, plus assorted holidays, I'll probably have more time. If I hit 150K, I might even be able to finish the story. That would be the 'pushing it' goal.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:24:42 -0500

Anyone else starting to get a little nervous now that November is coming closer? It's going to be such a busy month. And yet limiting myself to 50k never really seems like an option anymore.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Marauders Girl — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:18:17 -0500

... I see you. And I know you. I love running across peoples' posts that I know.. And good luck with your harddrive not having implosions this year. Will you pity me with my 77k goal?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

charleenlynette — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:24:50 -0500

Well, I have my calendar all worked out. I'm going to aim for 10K on the first day, and 1-5K other days depending on what else I have going on and how much good writing time I'll be able to fit in. If I can stick to my schedule, I'll hit 50K on the 15th, and -- taking the four days of Thanksgiving weekend off completely -- I could reach 87K by the end of the month. Hopefully that will be enough to reach "The End." If it's not, I may just end up pushing a little harder those last few days. Considering my initial goal was just to surpass my previous high word count (62,939), I am getting really excited about how much I may wind up cranking out. Of course, that will make it much harder on me next year if I want to continue the trend.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:27:15 -0500

I'm torn between panic and exhilaration. On the one hand, I feel like I'll never be prepared, but on the other I finally get to start writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:47:35 -0500

I just got confirmation that I'll have enough plot to get me close to 100K, i.e. I figured out the structure to my outline. 10 arcs which will hopefully end up to be 10K a piece. And it looks like I'll only have to do 1 or 2 tests during November, so I can go all out. *dances*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Azombieatemyshoelace — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:20:02 -0500

I'm going to be an overachiever again. My goal is 210k this year, although more would be okay and a little less would be okay, too. Next year I'm hoping to go for 300k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:09:09 -0500

Hahah, you're thinking of NEXT year's goal already? Hats off. I'm in up to my eyeballs worrying about this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:34:20 -0500

So am I, and it's "only" 2/3 of what I wrote last year (200k this year, 300k last)! I shouldn't be worried about this. Why am I worried about this? Oh right, the folks who talked me into a 50k day one. With a midnight Nano party at my place, tutoring, and another write-in, and maybe sleep... how is this supposed to get done again?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Rosebug — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:18:54 -0500

Ohhh .... I have just been tempted, but I wasn't going to have a word goal this year (beyond just finishing the story somewhere over 50k). Oh well, there's only one 2011, right? May I join you on this quest for the 111,111?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:46:05 -0500

I'm in the same boat (sort of). I've got school and rehearsal that day, so that's 12 hours out of my day. Can I do 50K? Perhaps not, but I can certainly try.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kitty Taylor — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:07:53 -0500

Last year I only hit 75k, which was a bit of a bummer. This year I have full time college education (like the last two years) but also have the crazy addition of being in a foreign country! Let's see if I can hit 100k, yes? :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:11:43 -0500

Yep -- I have three classes (all of which are 1.5hrs), and I'm obligated to attend a House Council meeting, and I also need to host a NaNo Kickoff Party. Plus I have about a bazillion things due that week. Oh, University. You're a bitch.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:19:25 -0500

Not going. I can be there in spirit, if not in person (or $).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:25:29 -0500

PumpkinAfterMidnite, I usually type at least 2 - 4 hours a day, and often hit 50k in about two weeks. (The first year I didn't have much choice because I didn't hear about NaNoWriMo until it was nearly half over. The next year, I was in the habit of "hurrying", but I stopped before I got to 70k.) I don't plan anything in advance. I tried last year, and went crazy not writing. By the time NaNo got here, I wasn't interested in the plot anymore. This year, I'm pretending to have something, but I really don't. The whole thing, including how many hours a day I type just happens.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:29:28 -0500

I second that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:31:49 -0500

Ouch! Here's good vibes to make your computer behave this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:34:12 -0500

Oh, man! Housework. Dishes. Chickens. Okay, I've gotta get a month's supply of paper plates, frozen burritos, and the like. After all, they'll want to eat.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:37:55 -0500

Definitely. There's always the feeling of "am I going to be able to do this?" I don't doubt my ability to churn out words. I doubt external factors. Also, each year, I think, "Is this the year I'll be writing a coherent storyline?" (If I could chloroform the inner editor for this month, that would also help.) On the other hand, I'm chomping at the bit. Let's get this show on the road!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

angel2161 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:55:15 -0500

this is my first year doing nanowrimo, and i am worried about reaching 50k! but i am an overachiever so i am gonna try for 75k. i mean this is only my first year and i have school and a life! so it will be hard.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

mikeyber — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:16:32 -0500

Would writing two novels of entirely different genres count as overachieving? I have been doing outlines for a Sci-Fi (my first attempt at that genre) and a detective piece that ties in to the sequel to my NaNo-2009. I want to write them both but I can't decide which to do the NaNo with... Call me crazy. But it seems like I got both sides of my brain working here, outlining one with a mini voice activated recorder and the other with a pencil. Heh heh... "Do the NaNo!" sounds like the dance we do when we get up to stretch our atrophied joints from sitting too long!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:21:35 -0500

That definitely counts as overachieving. Welcome to the dark side. :D And yes, the Nano is definitely our dance during stretch breaks. Maybe we should make this a thing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Glaedr — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:22:09 -0500

This year I have extra harddrives and four methods of backing up. :D And I do. *pat*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Glaedr — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:25:13 -0500

Thanks :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:30:30 -0500

I demand choreographed video. With instructions!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TewiInaba — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:04:34 -0500

I'm not overachieving in words (At least, not yet...), but I'm overachieving in time. I'm trying to write at least 50,000 words in 2 weeks. I've done it in 3 weeks last year, but I'm not sure if I'll make it... Do I still count as an overachiever?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:51:23 -0500

cosmam, maybe that can be how we Atlanta MLs embarrass ourselves. Hm... (Also, OMB FLAT MODE. Is anyone else as excited about this as I am?)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hopeakaarme — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:52:25 -0500

Figured a time record wouldn't be possible for me (finished in 5 days last year, and I've got classes this year), so I thought I'd go for words for a bit of a challenge. I was going to aim for 100k. Except then another plot hit me over the head, and I thought I'd take them both to 50k. Except now there's another one... I guess I'll just push them over the starting line and see how many of them I can take to finish line. Or get the first one to 100k and the others to 50k. Or or or...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aiyandra — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:59:16 -0500

Two days ago I was starting to get sick of my plot, so I decided to work on another one. Now I have two novels to write in November and less and less time. It seems our teachers have found out about NaNo and decided to bust my plans with all their might. However the 50k day will give me a good kick-off. That plus the fact I want to try writing 3334 words a day will hopefully lead to a win. (Yes, I'll try the daily wordcount for those 100k-persons. Maybe I can even do that. Failing is not an option next month.) I guess it's about time to start working on an outline for the first project and some plot for the other one.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:00:55 -0500

That sounds excellent - I would love to see you embarrass yourselves that way. (AND YES! ME!)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:04:26 -0500

Ooooh, frozen food. Must stock up on that. And I guess I should be grateful I don't have chickens to deal with!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:06:10 -0500

I vote yes.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

mikeyber — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:28:25 -0500

Um... oh yeah. I forgot about the "other" things. Dang those "other" things. They sure do have a way of getting in the way, don't they?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:34:03 -0500

Absolutely! And it's totally doable. My second year of Nano, I hit 50k right around the midway point.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:34:32 -0500

I sort of like nested >_>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

charleenlynette — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:34:12 -0500

[quote=sushimustwrite] (Also, OMB FLAT MODE. Is anyone else as excited about this as I am?) [/quote] I am loving the flat mode. I am also loving the parent/context links, so for those people who "reply" but don't "quote" I can still figure out what they're talking about. And look! Quoting apparently works now too!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:05:56 -0500

I just want to say that I am in awe of everyone in this thread and that at some future NaNo I hope to be brave enough to join the ranks. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Incandescent — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:06:49 -0500

Did I see someone else mention that they'll be writing with an Australian Shepherd begging for attention? You feel my pain. I have two, and apparently coming to work with me 7 hours a day, 5 days a week isn't sufficient mommy-time. They get home, nap for about an hour and then begin dropping tennis balls and tug ropes onto my keyboard. I'll just have to type super-fast during naptime.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sarai.schu — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:31:47 -0500

I just discovered that I'm aiming for 75k this year (so I have a shot at a sloppy first draft).... I'm not sure if that will happen or not, but that might put me in the "Overachiever" category! Take that, full time job and three hour daily commute!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Basterdette — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:56:45 -0500

I NEED 110k but not sure I'll get there, I hope to get between 60 and 75k... Here's hoping!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:25:23 -0500

I am in awe at those of you who are going to attempt 50k in a single day. I'd love to join you some year, but I fear that's still a bit in the future for me. I did the maths for me... Since I recently switched to using the Dvorak layout, I am still not up to my old typing speed again. I'm lucky to get 3000 words an hour. Even maintaining that, if my brain is still awake enough, that's 17 hours of continuous writing for me. =/ I doubt I'd be able to do that even on a free day, seeing as I need a lot of sleep to function creatively. Maybe in a few years, I'll be back at a better typing speed. 4000 words an hour would make it seem more possible. I'll just watch you and cheer you on for now! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:37:16 -0500

I'll be spending the first 10 days on Nano anxiously waiting to hear whether or not I have a job. Fortunately, I have writing to distract me. I wonder how much I can write in 10 days? Lots, I'll bet.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

esfilce — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:58:44 -0500

100 K goal here! I've won NaNo a few times at 50-75K so this year pushing myself!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:02:33 -0500

Yep. 50k in half the time. Yep.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:07:43 -0500

I wouldn't do it in a day. That's far too much for me. You can join the overachiever ranks if you type 3,000 words a day, let alone an hour.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:56:02 -0500

Just so you know, I only type about 3k an hour. I've never come close to 4k :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Abenstern — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:31:01 -0500

I wanna get 100k words

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:16:38 -0500

FLATMODEFLATMODEFLATMODE. Now we just have to start using quotes. Frozen food is a good idea...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:19:57 -0500

Yep, 3k a day is all it takes to be an overachiever that the masses would still be in awe at. For what it's worth, I can write 2500 to 3k an hour regularly. 4k an hour is a push but an occasional doable one, and I've done a 5k hour once ever (during July's Camp Nano, for the curious). My wrists were screaming by the end of it. So no, not all of us are constant typing machines. Really. ;-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:23:12 -0500

Seconding this. Last year, I was actually doing under 3k an hour on average for the 50k day. I think I was around 2800 or 2900 words an hour, but I still managed it. It's about persistence more than speed. That said, I didn't sleep much.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:10:12 -0500

I can't decide which I like better...hmmm.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lydia_Ember — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:23:26 -0500

I wanted to do one thing for NANo, but then I figured it would be helpful to do a memoir along side it. I think I'll start the memoir tomorrow (hey, writing it is already making me a rebel), but I'll only count what I typed on the other project. It'll be crazy.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:30:45 -0500

I've never done a 50K day before (eep!) but I can steadily do 3000 word hours, with occasional 4K (though I break between them). I've done 25K in a day, and it wasn't really a matter of time. It took something like six hours, total? Once I really buckled down, that is.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:05:49 -0500

If you can do 3k an hour, you can mathematically do 50k in a day. You have to write for something like 17 solid hours though (my plan is to take 15 minute breaks between hours)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TewiInaba — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:23:23 -0500

Well, I'm overachieving now. I'm not really focusing on a wordcount goal to aim for (Although I might try for 75K at the very least), I'm also writing 2 novels. Fun times!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:11:41 -0500

I'm caillien, and I approve this message.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:15:57 -0500

I'm in, but only if I can do the Robot at some point.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

David John Wellman — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:47:08 -0500

Last year I set a goal of 90k, and I reached it. A good 3,000 words a day. This year I've set a nominal goal of 105k. There's some mental health issues going on in my life at the moment, but of course, the same was true last year. My major problem is that I'm not convinced I have enough story to spread over 105k words. Oh, I'm sure a good writer could do it -- Neal Stephenson could certainly stretch the third quarter of my outline over 100k words (see "Solomon's Gold). But can *I* do it? I'll be content with 90k again, if that's where it falls. And I know 50k is the REAL goal. But I want to feel like I'm getting better, more productive as time goes by. In which case, 92k and change is the mark to beat, innit? :-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CurasiTayo — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:51:24 -0500

420,000! Wow. Impressive word count! One year I want to try going for 500,000. But first I will see how far I get this year. It's my first NaNo and I'm aiming to at least 50K, more likely 60-75K and hopefully finishing before the 24th. 500K is almost 17K a day! D: I'm not that fast with my typing quite yet! XD I think 1mil must be impossible. Unless you do NOTHING else. I do also want to try a 50K weekend, or even a 50K day but I'm not quite up to that yet I don't think. Hehe.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:14:04 -0500

What's the deal about the 50k day? Is there a thread on that somewhere, and I missed it? Is it on one specific day and organized under NaNo, or are you just randomly doing this as a way to hit your overachieving target? I was ignoring the references about it until you said it could be done in about 17 straights hours. I'm thinking a cold, rainy Saturday, which we're surely to get in Nov, will be a perfect day to try it ...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:32:00 -0500

Some of us decided to attempt 50k in one day as part of our DORG (Day One Ridiculous Goals). Though we also have the Twitter hashtag #50kday... and its related tag, #50kkillmenow.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:34:31 -0500

Welcome aboard, David :) And more words doesn't make a "good" writer, just a more verbose one. I think the goal to actually finish the story is a good one!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

mikeyber — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:16:38 -0500

Hmm, how 'bout a dance using the best bits of Pee Wee Herman's "Tequila" and John Travolta in Sat. Night Fever?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:12:22 -0500

[quote=sushimustwrite] Yep, 3k a day is all it takes to be an overachiever that the masses would still be in awe at. For what it's worth, I can write 2500 to 3k an hour regularly. 4k an hour is a push but an occasional doable one, and I've done a 5k hour once ever (during July's Camp Nano, for the curious). My wrists were screaming by the end of it. So no, not all of us are constant typing machines. Really. ;-) [/quote] I've managed 4k in an hour, which wasn't terribly difficult for me. However, maintaining a thought process that can run along the same speed as my hands can get really difficult, so I usually go closer to 2k or 3k within an hour. I just don't have 17 hours to spend on #50kday unfortunately. I have about 6-8 I think.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tsukasa — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:30:43 -0500

I'm definitely going for over 50k. I'd like to revise this year's novel and look to get it published, so 50k is just a little short for that (meaning also that I want a full first draft done by the 30th, not just an intro or 3/4 of one). How much am I actually going for? I don't know. Apparently there's caps and such for debut novels, which is discouraging. . . .

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:05:27 -0500

I'm trying for 115-125K this year, just to beat my 100K word count from last year. If I happen to get more then 125K I'll be most pleased. Then I'll start freaking out because I'll want to beat that word count the year after....ha.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Rosebug — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:23:25 -0500

At the risk of sounding stupid, what is flat mode?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:11:24 -0500

[quote=Rosebug] At the risk of sounding stupid, what is flat mode? [/quote] Nested mode is where replies to a comment appear under the comment. It's good to follow conversations, but hard to find new posts. Flat mode is every post in chronological order--easy to find latest posts, harder (when quotes aren't used) to follow conversations.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:18:56 -0500

[quote=tajavioletta] Flat mode is every post in chronological order--easy to find latest posts, harder (when quotes aren't used) to follow conversations. [/quote] Yeah, this is a lot harder to follow in flat mode. XD Can I say that it's sort of nice not having a wordcount yet? I can actually go in Ate my Soul and post to places without hitting that "you have xx words, what are YOU doing here?" vibe.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:57:34 -0500

[quote=tiakall] Can I say that it's sort of nice not having a wordcount yet? I can actually go in Ate my Soul and post to places without hitting that "you have xx words, what are YOU doing here?" vibe. [/quote] Oh this. So much this. I have a funny feeling this NaNo is going to eat my soul once or twice (#50kkillmenow), even though it will be tons of fun. It's not that I don't think I should be able to post there, but I have to weigh the catharsis of venting against the drama of dealing with people like that. I am also staunchly NOT in support of a hybrid thread, like an Overachiever Complaints in Ate My Soul. All who post there are struggling with their personal goals - that is what matters.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:34:53 -0500

Okay, flat moding here. I like the DORG idea! Alas, I will be working most of 11/1, so I'll have to hold my own 50k day on a w/e sometime. Do any of you overachievers work full time? How about work full time plus kids? I just asked my kids tonight for "easy dinner ideas" for the month of November. Their suggestions were casseroles, Little Caesar's and Chipotle. Oh, and one asked for Chef Boyardee ravioli (which I've never, in 14 years of having kids, bought and served). I said, "Absolutely." What do you overachievers do in November in terms of housework, working out, cooking meals, time w/ kids? Or is this really only a group fit for singles or those w/o kids? I'm starting to wonder ...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SianaBlackwood — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:11:32 -0500

I'm trying for 75k. I got it last year (my first wrimo). Although I do work full time now (approx 9-10 hours per day, 7 days a week in a goat dairy) which I wasn't doing last year. Last year I was a student who'd already finished all the assessments but still had to sit around the classroom all day pretending to work. Writing looks remarkably like work when you're at a computer anyway. That's just not going to work in the dairy, sadly. I still think I can get 75k, though. If I can come up with an idea before November 1.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:29:19 -0500

Hello Overachievers! The spreadsheet has arrived! It is amazing! It will track multiple novels (up to five)! It will track multiple goals (up to five)! It will calculate how far behind you are, and how fast you need to write to catch up! It will color code how well you are doing! It will use too many exclamation points! Wait, that last one was me. But yes, I wanted a good way to track my progress across the multiple goals that I set for myself (from bare minimums to pie in the sky dreams) and working across multiple novels. And so I made this, and am sharing it! Any questions can be asked via PM, but I will be out of town all weekend. I will help Monday. Spreadsheet here!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:28:04 -0500

I've managed 4K at least once, told myself that if I could reach 750 words in 10 minutes that I could manage 4K in an hour and I did. Can't do it every day, though.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Apiecalypse — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:42:10 -0500

I haven't yet won a NaNo, but last year I got 41k, so I think I'll shoot for... 60k. About 2k a day. Not anything compared to you crazy half-millers, but I'll be jumping for joy if I can accomplish a goal so lofty compared to my past records :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Apiecalypse — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:46:06 -0500

WOW. Thanks so much for posting this :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

mandiiminx — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:08:30 -0500

I've overachieved the last two years; 50k in two weeks. Then stopped. I suppose I could try for 100k in 30 days but I'm too scared of failing to set the bar so high :( So I'm setting the bar at 60k and see where it takes me :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LunaFancy — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:53:54 -0500

This is my first NaNo, but not my first novel. I've managed 90+k in 5 weeks before so I am aiming at 90-100k. I write short, so that gives me room to move (read flesh out) in the revisions. Yay...four sleeps to go! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sarchasm — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:54:38 -0500

My goal this month is 75k. The three previous times I've done NaNo I've barely made it past 50k. This is probably because EACH TIME I felt dissatisfied with my novel and started over around halfway through. It's utterly ridiculous and I refuse to put myself through it this year. *sigh* Anyway, I'm hoping that with my outline (well, half of it's done) and more background info set up I'll be able to keep going with this story. And also the fact that I've had the idea for a few years and I'd really like to write it finally. Some the super high word count goals in here astound me! Kudos to all of you lightning-fast writers. I feel inspired now. =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:12:11 -0500

I've never aimed higher than 50k before, not really. But I would like to actually finish the novel this time so my aim is 120k or the end of the novel, whichever comes first. :) My rough plans suggest that it's doable. My time line in previous years suggests that it's doable. My brain is telling me that I'm an idiot. ^_^ I'll probably give up and revert to 50k after a few days, but I'm going to try for 5k a day to give myself a buffer. That shouldn't be too hard, should it?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Jennie Mars — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:54:05 -0500

I will be doing 100k this year at least because I have two novels I want to work on. One is my 'main' one, the one I've told everyone about, and my true love for NaNo. The other is one that I've been thinking about, but haven't plotted out nearly as in-depth. The second one will be more of a 'hobby' NaNo though, and one I'm only going to do after I've finished my wordcount for the first one.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

shockwavesyndrome — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:39:22 -0500

I'm definitely going for 75k this year :) I'm not in school this year (heading to Uni next year) and I have nothing to do this November except for work on the weekends. So as long as I ignore my friends for four weeks, it shouldn't be a problem.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:41:56 -0500

Yes, that's what I thought. But there's no way I can give up enough sleep to write for 17 hours straight, haha. I get really cranky without sleep and naps. Though I may just try a Saturday or Sunday just to see how far I can get. Hats off to you doing it, I'll be cheering for you all the way on Nov 1 while I chip away at my 10k. I REALLY hope you haven't got work that day, too!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

shadow_wolf3173 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:23:08 -0500

I'm going for 100k+ this year. I've been an overachiever every year since 2008, but I want to stretch myself even more this year. Highest I ever hit was around 80k, but I'm really hoping for closer to 150k this year. I know I CAN do it (I have the time and typing speed), I just always seem to get lazy after I hit 50k. :/ This year though, I'm determined to get at LEAST 100k. Good luck to everyone else with your goals too! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:06:18 -0500

[quote=cosmam] Spreadsheet here! [/quote] Thanks so much for the spreadsheet! I have a spreadsheet that I've been using since my first NaNo, but this one looks even better! I love how you can have different goals. Thank you!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

dkonen — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:37:22 -0500

I haven't decided yet, Just browsing for ideas. Last year I hit 50k+ after six days (no job and only part time uni)...I'm trying to figure out how to motivate myself for more, since I wanted to do a double (100k) but lost interest once I hit my 50k. Mostly due to the editor demon that sits on my shoulder and tells me to look at what I've written, only to deem it crap. Ideas?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KCWHunter — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:16:25 -0500

I work full time and then some (50-60 hours/week), and last year I had 3 weeks of vacation during November so it was fairly easy for me to hit the 50k target and then exceed it--not by much, but still over. This year, I only have one week of vacation that starts on 10/31, and yet I believe I can write over 50k this year as well. In addition to that, I intend to have a complete novel by the end of the month instead of 1/2 a novel like I did last year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TewiInaba — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:36:11 -0500

Throw him out. Seriously, get rid of him. Shoot him up with bullets, put him in a box, whatever. Just get rid of the editor demon and then take a good hard look at one or more of your ideas.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bluesam3 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:39:27 -0500

[quote=cosmam] Hello Overachievers! The spreadsheet has arrived! It is amazing! It will track multiple novels (up to five)! It will track multiple goals (up to five)! It will calculate how far behind you are, and how fast you need to write to catch up! It will color code how well you are doing! It will use too many exclamation points! Wait, that last one was me. But yes, I wanted a good way to track my progress across the multiple goals that I set for myself (from bare minimums to pie in the sky dreams) and working across multiple novels. And so I made this, and am sharing it! Any questions can be asked via PM, but I will be out of town all weekend. I will help Monday. Spreadsheet here! [/quote] I've made the copy of the spreadsheet, but I don't see any "automation" menu. Where is it?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MerryTwoTwo — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:54:17 -0500

I'm dropping from 300k (Last year), to 200k. My homework load is just too much this year~

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:24:37 -0500

It should appear after a little while. It may take a minute. It is to the right of "Tools" and "Help".

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

detailsofthewar — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:45:24 -0500

Last year I barely skating by with 50K. This year, I have lost my freakin' mind & I'm shooting for 300K. I'm trying to do a trilogy with each book likely topping in at around 100K apiece.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:46:27 -0500

Guyyyyyyyyys I got another really fun plotbunny. Three days before November. T___T I'm already doing three novels! Though depending on whether it plots itself out, it might become my 50kweekend project instead.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aiyandra — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 02:18:48 -0500

Sooo... I know 50k day is on the first day of November BUT when do we do 50k weekend? Last year it was over the Thanksgiving weekend I think and I have no idea when that is.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MysteriousFlower — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 02:53:26 -0500

So... I am definitly going to try and make it to 75k this year. Last year was a "miserable" 53k and I hated the whole damn thing by the end. I have considered editing it and make it better but it seems hardly worth it. This year... this year is going to be different. I am working the moment NaNo kicks off so I am scrambling for time on day 1, which kinda sucks, but hope to make up for it on day 2. so 75k it is. At least.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

S.L Mahon — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:35:59 -0500

I am... I'm aiming for 100k and aiming to reach 40k by the first Monday as I'm counting in 5k on days I have college and 10k on weekends and days off. I also have the second week off, so for most of the days in the second week are going to be 10k. If that all goes as planned [most like it wont] I'll hit 100k by the end of the second week.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bluesam3 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:48:47 -0500

[quote=cosmam] It should appear after a little while. It may take a minute. It is to the right of "Tools" and "Help". [/quote] What do you mean by "a little while"? It still isn't there

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:03:21 -0500

[quote=Aiyandra] Sooo... I know 50k day is on the first day of November BUT when do we do 50k weekend? Last year it was over the Thanksgiving weekend I think and I have no idea when that is. [/quote] I believe it is over Thanksgiving weekend again. I certainly hope it is, because that's when I'm planning on doing it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bluesam3 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:17:25 -0500

Well, I can see everything under Tools/Manage Scripts. If I run "SetupMain", I get "ReferenceError: "SpreadsheetApp is not defined (line 131), and a similar message appears for all of the other functions. The same message (except line 7) appears when I run onOpen, which appears to be the function that is supposed to create the Automation menu.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bluesam3 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:31:55 -0500

Never mind, google has provided the answer. For anyone else that gets this: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/apps-script/thread?tid=01fede5638893443&hl=en "We have identified a particular issue with certain accounts that was cause this kind of failure". If you get it, you just need to make a new google apps account and use that instead.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:11:00 -0500

Ah, I am glad that you figured that out! I never ran into that issue in my testing (nor did the half dozen or so people who helped me test), so I was most confused. Thank you for the information in case it happens again! I have run into a few minor annoyances like that with google apps before, and it sucks, but it's still an easy to distribute solution.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:26:20 -0500

Thank you for this! I haven't gotten a chance to play with it yet but so far it looks pretty cool.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CROWcatalyst — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:25:17 -0500

@crow_catalyst

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

glynes — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:07:26 -0500

Hey Midwest! I work full-time, with a brutal commute ... no kids, but a hubby and 2 very naughty cats ... I've been an over-achiever four years in a row ... and have set a big goal for myself this time. My greatest secret is my Alpha Neo, and a quiet corner in the atrium at work where I go on breaks and lunch ... I can often do a weekday's worth of writing before I even head home, then an hour before dinner puts me ahead. Another secret is giving myself one night off every week to catch up on the annoying real life stuff that won't quit plaguing me ... paying bills, cooking up more refrigerator meals, cleaning catboxes. Then when I go back into writing mode, I don't feel guilty for neglecting things. I think it's cool that you engaged your kids and had them help plan things for the month ... and they sound like they did a great job! You really can't go wrong with Chef Boyardee ...I know, he's my go-to guy!! 8-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

glynes — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:09:22 -0500

Writing does look remarkably like work, if you're doing it right! 8-) It's the reason I started seriously writing in the first place ... early in my career a boss told me I needed to perfect the art of looking busy when I wasn't! This was long before computers, but I made sure I always had a file open on my desk, and a piece of paper in my typewriter, and I put in some very productive hours making stories out of my daydreams!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

DragoonHP — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:21:10 -0500

`I must be crazy (this is my first NaNoWriMo entry), but I'm aiming for at least 75 K...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

savvythewritergirl — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:26:46 -0500

Ok, so this is kind of a puny goal, but since I only got 14K last year I'm going to take this year realistically. I'm shooting for: *50K by the end of the month. *A fresh post on my blog every day - punishment: 1K added to my word count for every blog post I miss. *working out EVERY DAY (I want abs) - punishment: doubled workout for entire remainder of the month for every day of missed workout (i.e. If I do 10 crunches a day and miss a day, I have to do 20 crunches a day for the rest of the month) So, yeah. Kind of excited about this. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:55:30 -0500

Yep, 50k weekend is Friday/Saturday/Sunday of U.S. Thanksgiving weekend. It'll be a blast! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:16:30 -0500

So, yesterday I was chatting with the 'rents about my Life o'Woe, and my mom jokes 'and in the midst of it, do a Nano'. "Yep," I reply. "You're kidding" she says. The reason? My hypothetical 9-5 is more like a 9-9 on a good day. And full of stress. Such that when I come home, the last thing I feel like doing is expending any energy on anything that requires thought. So I joke, 'Hey, maybe I'll write a novel about this paralegal who works at the job from hell" "It has to be fiction," mom says "Yeah, well if I wrote the truth and anyone read it, they'd think it was!"

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:50:46 -0500

[quote=Kateness] So, yesterday I was chatting with the 'rents about my Life o'Woe, and my mom jokes 'and in the midst of it, do a Nano'. "Yep," I reply. "You're kidding" she says. The reason? My hypothetical 9-5 is more like a 9-9 on a good day. And full of stress. Such that when I come home, the last thing I feel like doing is expending any energy on anything that requires thought. So I joke, 'Hey, maybe I'll write a novel about this paralegal who works at the job from hell" "It has to be fiction," mom says "Yeah, well if I wrote the truth and anyone read it, they'd think it was!" [/quote] It's fiction if you say that it is fiction. :) And if you create the character and have that as full fiction, it would still count.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

theoryoferin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 10:15:16 -0500

I agree with Tatra, make the character someone who is decidedly not you and change the other player. Bam. That will at least make it Creative nonfiction, which I think is close enough to actual fiction to count. Besides, they always say to write what you know. ;]

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:28:04 -0500

The character could always discover there is ACTUALLY a portal to Hell in the boss's office. That would make it fiction.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:27:29 -0500

So November starts in two days. I have a lot to research. I'm sort of freaking out, but not to the level where I do anything about it. Argh. (My wrists, though, are ready for a crazy month. I think.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chasing the Horizon — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:00:33 -0500

I'm doing 100k, two projects of 50k each. Though, reading this thread, I don't feel like much of an overachiever, Lol.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:22:11 -0500

Not crazy. Just ambitious! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

etiennefayth — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:02:38 -0500

I am thinking about maing my goal 75 000, for the first time. The first couple of weeks are going to be a little crazy because I have excursions with my placement kids and four assignments of 2500 words each, but I really want to finish my story this year! I might just make it a tentative goal and see how I go.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:13:16 -0500

Wow, I can't believe I only just found this thread... and here I thought I had already checked for it! I'm a chronic overachiever, given that I'm overachieving for the third year in a row... This year, I'm going for something I've never done before. My only REAL goal is to get all the way through a story I've been planning for 9-10 months now. The problem is that I've already done the calculations for how long it will probably be... My first year I wrote 250k. Last year (my second year) I wrote 220k, because I burned out mid-late November due to working out my senior thesis. This year... ... my story could end up anywhere between 400k and 500k. ... yeah, I'm gonna die. But it'll be fun! Hello to everyone, and so glad to see I'm not alone here in overachieving, whether you're going for 51k or a million! Good luck to all. :) (And to non-overachievers, too, of course!) Happy writing! - Lauren

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kjesta — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:31:11 -0500

Been an overachiever during both of my NaNos so far, writing 150k and 175k respectively. This time around I'll be missing 6 days of writing (why oh WHY???) but I'll still be aiming at 150k. Let's see me claw and bite my way there!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

HollyShort9 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:58:35 -0500

I'm going for at least 60k. Preferably 70k. I WILL get there, because I always end up doing what I set out to do every November. I will go as far as I possibly can, though, so I may end up with 80k, 100k, or 110k. We'll see. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kibble — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:01:21 -0500

I never, ever thought I'd be in this thread, but this year I think I'm going to go for 80k. Why? I wanted to use Nano to do short stories as a sort of warm up for a high school major work. But last night I got struck with an awesome idea for a sequel to one of my other novels, plus I think I'd miss the novel aspect. So I'm going to do the usual Nano, plus 1000 words per day on short stories. Can't be that hard... can it? It only comes to just over 2.5k per day, and I figure if I get really stuck, I usually finish a few days early so I've got that as a kind of buffer.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:21:35 -0500

Clawing and biting is a good way to put it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:23:32 -0500

[quote=sushimustwrite] But for a few of us, 50k isn't much of a challenge, so we bring the personal challenge back to NaNo. This is where we set our own goals above and beyond 50k and get to know our fellow overachiever-kind. We write those words, and we write them fast.[/quote] *looks at thread post count* *looks back at first post* HAAAAHHH

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MelodyofChaos — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:38:58 -0500

Well, I'm doing two plots, but one of those is actually me needing a big push to put the final 10k or so on the end of my X-men Big Bang, so I'm aiming for about the 60k-75k mark, but I won last year, having had a big school project at the start of November, so I'm very hopeful I'll hit my target. And my NaNo plot for this year is much less convoluted, but probably just as complicated, so I'm not too worried about running out of plot, and I don't have a massive cast of characters either, to be getting confused about.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

goodbyelove — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:12:01 -0500

I'm guess I belong here. Two plots this year, even though I've never won NaNo with just one. But why not? 100k will be an even bigger accomplishment. Thankfully, my stories don't overlap at all, so this is totally doable. Plus I just finished naming all my characters and novels, so I'm ready to go! YAHOO.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:35:48 -0500

I'm freaking out, but I have never been happier. T - 3 hours for me. Wow.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:16:58 -0500

Good idea. That editor slows me down, too.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:23:04 -0500

AND writing about it will help relieve you of the stress it's causing. Maybe not all of it, but more of it than if you didn't let it out.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:25:26 -0500

Anyone over 50k is an overachiever, in my opinion. I definitely pale in comparison to most of those on here, including you and your goal.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:27:44 -0500

Then you only have an hour to go. I've still got just over 4 1/2 hours to go.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:59:48 -0500

[quote=Raquelin] [quote=sushimustwrite] But for a few of us, 50k isn't much of a challenge, so we bring the personal challenge back to NaNo. This is where we set our own goals above and beyond 50k and get to know our fellow overachiever-kind. We write those words, and we write them fast.[/quote] *looks at thread post count* *looks back at first post* HAAAAHHH [/quote] I know, right? I love all of you. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chillytv — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:15:15 -0500

Wow! I'm just now realizing the benefits of east coast living!!! Woohoo! 45 min and counting! I just want to throw up my first numbers and go to bed. I must be crazy to still be up and have a full day of work tomorrow. But I'm in good company. I know I can count on you all to make those numbers big enough to want to catch up to. See you on the other side of midnight! Don't miss work or school tomorrow with all this fun ;-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:28:33 -0500

Half an hour to go until NaNo starts. Oh, goodness.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:54:25 -0500

Okay, if you want to see me attempt to kill myself, watch me write live on Google Docs: http://is.gd/50kday

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:39:02 -0500

Forty minutes in, and I've written a whopping 312 words! Go me! :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cheydancer — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:40:59 -0500

Goodness! I thought that 500,000 was a typo for a second then I read on and I was all....WOW I thought 100,000 was hard when I did it. Good job faeroe_kitten! - Chey cheyennelynnae.com

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chiharu-Chan — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:06:25 -0500

I'm dead! It's like one in the morning and I had a long Halloween and I just choked out 5000 words. Wait until I'm energized and I can see clearly! XD;;; I'm GOING to get over 10k, man. That is not a choice my fingers have...! *shakes fist* Goodnight, everyone who's still up and writing. ^^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AsheNeff — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:05:19 -0500

Im not too much of an overacheiver by way of word count, hell I know i have trouble finishing a story and if i just sat down and wrote till the words stopped comeing out id have one HELL of a count going. MY goal though, is to be able to write and edit a whole scene each day, atleast to first draft status(you know gramer and spelling errors gone, a bit of verbiage change but nothing to hurt the word count. NEVER REMOVE A FULL SENTANCE! Your mind put it there for a reason!) My count in a bit over an hour for the rough of the first completed scene was 1918, and climbed to 1936 after a bit of light editing where scentences seemed half-finished. Since I happen to have the habbit of reading what i type while i type it, i think this goal will help me stay on track if i cant kick the habbit. Anyone else on that road, or all you all going for speed typing and massive word counts. PS: Havent been able to find work, and thus couldnt go to school this semester, so lots of time to write when im not doing housework to help my pregnant friend or my grandmother. Perhapse depending on how this thing goes ill up my wordcount goal.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Nereti — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:03:08 -0500

I surprised mysefl by winning my first nano (after failing the 2 years before) when my work was going mental. Writing fiction did me a lot of good mentally, gave me an outlet. It's always worth giving it a shot. You can soon tell if it's too much and not going to work that year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dennis Jernberg — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:23:05 -0500

I am going to write 100K minimum this year. My record is 85K. But my goal is to write 5K every day (that would make it 150K, I guess) and hopefully finish the entire first draft of my current book. Unless the book requires that I write 250K, what with 24 chapters of ~10K words each plus a number of interchapter interludes. Or maybe I should go for broke and push myself to the absolute limit writing all 250K words of my novel and finish the thing. But if one thing's for certain, there's no way I'm having a last-minute Panic Time this year. I'll have left 50K in the dust by the time the first week's up!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnEliseMonte — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:48:58 -0500

I managed 10k today, which was five times what I expected to reach. I've been off the writing wagon for too long; I forgot how easy the words can flow when I'm in the zone.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bluesam3 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 07:00:28 -0500

And... I'm on track for my target. And it's still only 12 O'Clock. Now I just need to double that to deal with not being able to write on the 4/5/6th.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Penelope Shedrech — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:00:23 -0500

I set my goals this year (after having done nano last year in less than 48 hours with a final vaidation at 68+k) higher. I've decided to do two books, 60k each. So far, my Scifi write this morning is already at 4078 and my inspirational write is at 1615. A great start, I'd say! Time to do a happy dance and head to the kitchen for breakfast! Pen

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

RenateChanel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:53:02 -0500

[quote=tiakall] Okay, if you want to see me attempt to kill myself, watch me write live on Google Docs: [/quote] Firstly, you are awesome! Even if you don't make 50k day this year, so what! You're awesome for even thinking about trying anything that insane! Aslo, I thought the forums were distracting... Until I tried watching you type live on Google docs! Uhm, oops! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aiyandra — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:26:00 -0500

Ugh... I somehow managed to fail to hear my alarm clock, woke up at 4, wrote 1.5k, went to school and have 3.3k now. There go my plans for a lovely kick-off. My protagonist is hard to write, I can't find a comfortable place to type and right now it all sucks [/rant] At least I got my daily quota done already. Maybe I can stay up late and write then...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Alissie — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:01:59 -0500

Hrmm.... I had originally goaled out 20k for today....but I scrapped a novel, went to sleep, and then decided to attend a write-in and it's an hour away. Will I make my goal? Mmmm....maybe 10k...xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

anissina — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:07:02 -0500

given how well today is going i might up my goal to 60k. not a whole lot over but still a big challenge for me.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Doctorpotter29 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:25:23 -0500

This year is my first year and I was panicking so badly! So far I've written 3730 words and I'm very pleased with myself. This is really fun and I'm glad I'm such an overachiever!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

luvinpadfoot — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:11:06 -0500

I think my goal this year will be to hit 60k. It's just a bit more than what I've hit in the past, but enough to keep me panicking and writing as fast as possible. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:22:00 -0500

[quote=Doctorpotter29] This year is my first year and I was panicking so badly! So far I've written 3730 words and I'm very pleased with myself. This is really fun and I'm glad I'm such an overachiever! [/quote] Congratulations and welcome aboard! :D Note to self: attempt 50kday on a day that's not the beginning of the month, when the shoutouts is going to be the most full of haters. =_=

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:22:43 -0500

My original goal was to hit 75k. I'm almost at 12k now, and I still have four hours before I have to leave for the write-in tonight I was planning to attend. I'm definitely going to hit 15k today, maybe 20k. Maybe I can actually hit 100k this month!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

floe239 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:36:37 -0500

I have about 7k written today so far. A lot for me.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:40:41 -0500

I'm at 4400 at the moment. I have two hours before I have to leave, and I have to eat and clean my room in that time. I think I'm going to try to do fifteen-minute blocks (the goal will be a thousand in each, but my wrists are complaining a bit, so we'll see) with spaces of doing non-writing things in between them.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TimothyTurpin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:14:58 -0500

My first year on NaNo, so I'll just be going for the usual 50,000. Still, I have time for more, I think... But I'm not pushing it. I have to write 2000 words a day if I'm to make the minimum. There's five Wednesdays in November. That's why.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tesla.Ana — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:44:26 -0500

This is my first Nano, but I'm shooting for 100k. Let's just hope I start picking up the pace!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Siliel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:12:50 -0500

Yeah... My Twitter timeline made me aim for 100k so I'm aiming for 100k als last year. ;) This is gonna be fun!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

M.D.Karmel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:21:08 -0500

Pardon my French, but flipping hell! 500K is amazing! I didn't realise that was even possible! Isn't that 16k a day? And I struggle with 50k, wow. You're an inspiration to me :') lol.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

mikemartinez72 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:23:09 -0500

OK, so I was super proud of myself for topping 3600 while still sticking to a reasonable work/life balance. I am so not an overachiever.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:58:07 -0500

I wrote over 6,000 words so far. Quite well for me on my first day. I think tying up the inner editor and letting 99.99% of the misspellings stay helped keep the flow going. I'm thinking my goal ought to be 50 by day 8, then just let whatever happens happen.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Coralyn — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:00:06 -0500

I'll be hitting the 50k today. Managed 30k yesterday. Pretty damn excited.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnEliseMonte — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:36:59 -0500

Aww that sucks you got haters. Congrats anyway.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:11:13 -0500

Well so far my first day has not been the triumph I'd hoped for. I wrote a couple hundred words last night before having to go to sleep and I haven't done anything since. I've still got a couple hours to get something done today, so I'll try not to think of the time I've already wasted and just get going.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:29:55 -0500

I'm at just over 12K now with another solid hour to write before I should logically go to bed. Most of the times I say screw logic though. So far, it's going great. All my MC's are introduced and are just about to get settled into their new life working for a multi-billionare who genetically altered them to be super heroes. I may actually start working on their first mission tonight. I know it sounds all happy but I tossed a couple of wrenches at my heroes that will make them really mad at their new boss. @Coralyn and tiakall: That is absolutely insane. I couldn't finish NaNo in one or two days even if I didn't sleep...haha. Congrats. *is secretly hiding her jealously at the amazing wordcounts* :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

glynes — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:04:46 -0500

Day 1 is a wrap, and in spite of a rough start, and two rogue naps that shanghaied me, I did what I set out to do: 11:30 writing time, 21,270 words. In the process I discovered that writing goes far easier when there's some action! I thought I'd really enjoy writing about the lovely neighborhood, and the beautiful art-deco house, and the variety of people living there. But things just didn't really pick up until word of the old double-murder cold case and the dead dudes' missing ashes got out. Apparently crime trumps pretty prose! 8-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faustacular — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:13:39 -0500

I'm aiming for 90k. I like being able to rock back and hammer out a nice even 3k words each day. Mainly because round numbers are aesthetically pleasing to me.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

phantressoftheopera — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:25:28 -0500

My goal is 75k this year. I'm really going to do it this time instead of shutting down like last year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:46:03 -0500

Jealousy's cool as long as it's a healthy jealousy. I can't speak for everyone, but for me only the haters are irksome. Meanwhile, I hosted a midnight kickoff, tutored a student, hit my goal for today with eight minutes to spare, cleared my Twitter feed, and have posted my region's adopt a day pep talk for today. Sounds like a productive day. Time to pass out.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

RisaIsis — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:55:49 -0500

I'm not sure what my goal for the month is. Last year I aimed for 75k and ended with 84k or so, so that's good! This year, my only real goal was to FINALLY wrap up this trilogy and get 10, 000 words in the first day, which I succeeded. So we'll see where the story takes me. Though I think I might have 100k as a rough goal. (:

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Koriat Cyredanthem — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:00:19 -0500

I'm not aiming for anything, because I'm writing two research papers on top of three essays and NaNo, but I started out my first NaNo strong - 10,237 words written today!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

originalgradk — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:02:08 -0500

I would like to reformulate my Nanowrimo experience based on what I believe is normal Novel Length of 300-500k this might probably take 3 months at a guess or if over the month it is between 10,000 and 16,000 words a day. I probably won't make it. I have to make 50,000, but it would be good to do Nano with this revised model. best wishes all.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

dragonKhorse — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:26:44 -0500

My goal is 200k. I should continue writing, but I'm watching comedy videos on Youtube now. :<

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

douleur — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:33:39 -0500

I was here last year, and I have the same goal this year: 1) Hit 60K, and 2) Finish the novel by the end of November. Last year I hit 60K by November 30, but I needed 20K more words and 10 more days to finish the story. I'm hoping to achieve both parts of my goal this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:38:41 -0500

I'm a bona fide overachiever. My biggest year, I did five novels of 80,000 words each. Yep. I got over 400,000 words that year. Had a sixth novel that got to 50k by the end but I spent two or three December days finishing it after the deadline. So that was my big year. Going for word count alone isn't the big challenge. I have too many unedited trunk novels. Too many of them are good novels. They just don't go anywhere after I write them. I post a good excerpt. I put little teasers on my blog. Friends ask me when they'll be in print... and they don't go anywhere. Not this year. My usual goal of course is 50k or more, finish the book. But every year I set an uber-goal, a super goal that takes everything I've got. I push for that and I've gotten it more than once. This year's Super Goal, the Overachiever Goal is the toughest one I've ever faced. This year I'll write my novel, probably about 80k since I've settled into that as an average length. Maybe 90k or so. Somewhere in between. But I want it edited by December. Not just written, beaten into shape to the level that I could either submit it to a pro editor or send it off to a paid editor to prepare for an indie production. I don't have to decide yet which I'm going to do with this book. I just want to know for myself that I can produce one on this schedule. I entered the 3 Day Novel Contest this year officially, finished my 3DN in the first two days and managed in 14 blistering hours on the third day to edit the entire book before uploading the 60k manuscript. If I could do a rough edit in one day under Three Day Novel conditions, I can do a good thorough job on this novel during November. If I have time, I will write another book. If I get too tired of editing when it's done, I'll write another book and allow myself writing sessions as rewards for doing the editing sessions. Currently I've edited the chapter I just wrote. Knowing I'm still building word count, I'm padding and detailing a hair more than tightening. I added about 150 words total after trim-and-replace edits. I'm pretty good at line editing with a "tighten" or "expand" focus by now. Ray Bradbury, in "Death is a Lonely Business" had his writer protagonist tell the detective who was a closet writer: "Vomit in your typewriter every morning. Clean it up at noon." Maybe that's the rhythm that works for me. Whatever my best editing process is, this year I'm going to discover it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:42:27 -0500

Normal novel length is between 90,000 and 120,000 with good thick novels going up to 150,000 or so. 300k-500k is the "doorstop" level at which the paperback spine cracks in your hands from reading even when it's new. It's beyond King size. Editors may ask you to break it into three or four volumes as a set in order to fit the presses easier. This isn't a bad thing, especially if you structure it in sections that could go into Volumes 1-3 or something. Tolkein's book was that size. Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" series is really one enormous book in seven volumes. Go for it. Your story may just be that big. Just be aware that's not normal, it's exceptional and that of course may be all to its advantage. I like a good thick book or a series that's a really long story in more than one volume. That's more satisfying to read sometimes. Plenty of room for depth, complexity and a large cast.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:43:41 -0500

Incidentally, my avatar is my title character, Trouble. He's a cat. Trouble in the City is that cat's adventures in San Francisco in an urban fantasy. Hey, white skin, golden strange eyes, long black hair, big white fangs, pointed ears? He's a chick magnet, just think about Twilight. It comes natural to him even if he doesn't sparkle.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:46:58 -0500

Congratulations! Whoohoo! That rocks!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:51:51 -0500

Purring at you and frisking happily! Kateness is here, all is well in the Overachievers Thread, all is very well. You soared high and wild, far past me on my biggest-ever year. You are my hero too. Ari and I are in awe of your greatness, Kateness. Ari sheds many Cat Hairs of Inspiration. Whoever starts this (and it was me one of the sequel threads) you're still going to be producing on a galactic scale with the momentum of a literary goddess. I managed a humble double-count day for my first day, a respectable overachievement. More so because I just edited that chapter and added 150 net words when I finished fixing the name change (three of them to figure out who he was!), checking the grammar and making sure all the spoken dialogue was attributed to Brian the human rather than Trouble the cat. Brian still doesn't get it that this cat responds to every word he says and just can't speak English through cat jaws. But he will.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:52:38 -0500

If you aim for the stars, you may reach the moon. Try for 100,000. A hard push to get to twice the goal will get you past 50k on momentum. Have a go!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:56:05 -0500

Push yourself. What if you go for 120k and get 98k? You'll still do better than getting 75k and coasting on a green bar. Besides. This year I'm still settling in from moving to San Francisco, need to get a new bank-like thing (credit union), get two tax forms done, pay my license fee, go out and sell art in the Street Artist Program, jump through paperwork hoops to get a rollator, try to get into low income subsidized housing so I'm not living on $244 a month after rent and handle an offline social life after a decade of Medical House Arrest. I can still overachieve. I may even do two books this year, though it'd be a miracle if Super Goal includes editing both. I've got two concepts so it's distinctly possible.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:56:30 -0500

Mew? There's a Kateness thread? I'll go look and post in yours too.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:06:29 -0500

[quote=Kateness] So, yesterday I was chatting with the 'rents about my Life o'Woe, and my mom jokes 'and in the midst of it, do a Nano'. "Yep," I reply. "You're kidding" she says. The reason? My hypothetical 9-5 is more like a 9-9 on a good day. And full of stress. Such that when I come home, the last thing I feel like doing is expending any energy on anything that requires thought. So I joke, 'Hey, maybe I'll write a novel about this paralegal who works at the job from hell" "It has to be fiction," mom says "Yeah, well if I wrote the truth and anyone read it, they'd think it was!" [/quote] Oh, now this is brilliant. Just blow it up bigger than life. What if the job from hell really did involve working for a demon? Demons vs. Lawyers or paralegals, that's just awesome. That'd be a good one!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:09:47 -0500

This year I've made a strong start. Instead of Monster Word Count, this year I want to write my novel during November, probably about 80-90k long. Then get it edited before December. That's the Supergoal. Beyond Supergoal - also write another book that would come to about the same length, getting to 50k by December (but not interfering with editing the first novel.) If I use the concept I came up with, it will take bleeding on the page and rip some traumatic youthful memories out of my brain to throw them into the book larger than life, raise the stakes on one of the worst times in my life and turn it into a powerhouse with all that pain. I'm writing the fun book first, I froze on the painful one. But maybe once I'm under way and gain a success on the editing goal, I'll have the nerve to do the bitter book.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:53:54 -0500

Hello there! I've participated and won since 2009, but this year I really want to join the ranks of the overachievers. It's my first year at university and so far I don't even have a part-time job yet, so I hope to start strong and keep going throughout the month. I managed 4k yesterday and hope to double my WC or even reach 10k today. My final goal is somewhere between 50k and 75k. I'll probably narrow it down a bit after the first few days when I know how much I can do in between lectures and studying. And I just love to look at your high word counts... they motivate me so much to write more and more! Even though my writing pace is average at best.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Grace Elliot — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:12:39 -0500

Wow! I'm a newbie to NaNoWriMo and I was feeling pretty smug because on both days so far I've written just over 1,800 words. It looks like you guys move the goal posts! OK, so my target is a complete first draft of my novel at whatever length, as long as it's over 50 K...tempting to set myself an arbitrary target of 75 K since I suspect I write better under pressure. Here's to everone out there! Keep writing. Grace x

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:15:18 -0500

So apparently I underestimated how tired rehearsal + writing a lot was going to make me. I can still hit 200K, but I can't pull out any massive word counts on days that I have rehearsal. This is slightly worrisome, but not impossible. I meant to hit 10K yesterday but I got home at nine, wrote 500 words, and fell asleep. Goal for the day: 20K. I think I can, I think I can!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ReNita Raigns — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:15:51 -0500

EXHAUSTED!!! I feel good knowing that all the ideas rolling around in my head for the past few weeks are actually parts of a plot and not just my rediculous skills for observation of escotericism going to want. I thought about things and it became a lot easier to write them out. Even if I don't know how it will all fit I have found that just typing without holding back makes for some amazing outcomes. Of course its obvious I have this as the center of my universe right now but I want to capture this moment and share my perspective with words the way you would do with a painting. Layers, its all about the layers for me right now and I am finally seeing each one come together like a REALLY EXCELLENT peach cobbler. Yes I started the metaphor with paint but its 7 am I have been writing non stop since about 3:30 am and well, I think I will go PAINT some butter on the top LAYER of crust so that when I'm done editing what I wrote or writing the next portion whichever comes first I have something other than words to look forward to.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tesla.Ana — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:16:18 -0500

You know, I was wondering. Do we post all of the writing we do even if it's more than one story when validation time comes around?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ReNita Raigns — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:17:36 -0500

I managed to channel my energy into writing. I leave what happens on stage on stage unless it adds a new dynamic to the plot. It makes it easier otransition between character and creator! Best wishes!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ReNita Raigns — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:19:30 -0500

My professors told me its NORMAL to cry and made me watch the hours. Try it you will find it no less painfull and probably cry more but you will also know you are not alone at it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ReNita Raigns — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:20:52 -0500

That makes me think of that lovely poem from Harold & Kumar! How I wish that I could be like the.... something something 3... :->

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:46:52 -0500

Validation requires you to copy paste your novel into a box on the site, it counts the words. The story isn't posted anywhere. You can copy/paste your stories back to back. It doesn't matter because the validation words aren't seen by anyone. Some people like to find and replace letter in their novel with other letters, creating a validation copy, just so that there's no chance of anyone seeing it, but most people don't bother. But yes, all your writing that you consider counts towards Nano goes into the validation box.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

StuartH — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:29:41 -0500

I thought 75 to 80k was a good overachievement, until I read 300 - 500k. Gulp! Still, 75k for me will see this one nicely home. 4200 after five serious hours and 30 work break minutes. So far, so good.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

theoryoferin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:38:20 -0500

Sort of relevant to this thread, I am loving WriteTrack [http://writetrack.davidsgale.com/] to keep track of my goal, since I know there are some days that I'm going to be able to sit down and write 10-15k and some that I'll be lucky to get the 1,667. With that, I'm able to adjust for the busier days and still see my goal without having to do a ton of math myself. Thought I would share with my fellow overachievers!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Coralyn — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:39:27 -0500

50k! *runs around in circles*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

geekgirlbk — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:47:02 -0500

Well...I fell way short of my intended 50k first day (which is probably a good thing, or my hands would have fallen off and run away) but I did close day one with a total of 10,145. I'm so pleased! My overall goal is 150k (three rough drafts at 50k-ish each)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

panteau — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:47:38 -0500

Wow. I thought I was doing well at 5222 words so far. You guys all win. I'd like to "overachieve" this year in a different way. Because I'm doing NaNo for a capstone course, I'm going to need to have some presentable sections of my novel to turn in. I'm going to try to finish 50,000 words as early as possible and then go right into revising, and see how good I can make my novel before the end of the month (because i have to turn it in in the first week of December).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:52:24 -0500

congrats =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:02:24 -0500

Congrats! Wow that was so quick! How did you manage it?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kitty Taylor — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:16:48 -0500

Since I'm only aiming for 100,000 this year, and since I'm trying to deal with writing a few papers for university, I think 8k at the end of day 1 is perfectly respectable. Today will go much slower. My paper deadline is approaching... Go guys, go!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:18:15 -0500

I think they said this year there's a limit on the amount of words the validator can handle (a pretty low one for many people here), so a lot of us will need to just copy/paste some of it and then manually change it to the right number after it confirms it's over 50k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Irene — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:41:19 -0500

I am actually somewhat amazed that I'm on track to making 100k this year. I have tried for 100k many times, but never made more than 55k. This is the first year that I had enough words at the start of day 2 to be on track for 50k, let alone more. I'm amazed at how much progress I've made. So, I'm officially declaring that this is the y ear I'll make 100k words. It is also the first year that I've actually ended up writing a romance. I've said it before and always changed my mind at the last minute to either Fantasy or Science Fiction. This is also the first time I've had my story planned out to the pint where the story seemed to appear as fast as i can type/speak. Good luck to us all! May we all achieve our goals in 2011!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:25:47 -0500

Today's goal: Take it easy, but still make my 34k happen. After yesterday, this will be a piece of cake.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anastasia — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:17:22 -0500

If you keep up at that rate, you'll have 54 000 words by the end of the month. An extra 200 words day would get you to 60k. Not bad for a first attempt, especially when you consider that the majority of WriMos who start don't finish!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

DimiTheDominator — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:58:21 -0500

I'm not overachieving yet but it will probably be happening eventually.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:05:24 -0500

Wow, look at all the 50k folks. Congratulations to all of you! And to everyone, you're doing GREAT. Keep writing! Write write write!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Incandescent — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:10:53 -0500

Well, I suck. Boything and I are both WriMos. It's a relatively new relationship and I was really excited/nervous about the possibility of writing dates. We both asked to have off work for November 1st and we arranged that I'd sleep over at his house. 24 hours later, my relationship is significantly more interesting than it previously was, and I haven't written a word. I did semi-seduce Boything, eat delicious Chinese food, get pulled over for speeding in a school zone, have the license plate/tags/whatever from my car revoked, spend ~8 hours cuddling, illegally move my tagless car by moonlight to a place where it WOULDN'T get towed away and thoroughly distract Boything from all attempts at writing. Which is basically the opposite of getting words written. But that's okay. That's fine. The way my schedule was written, I budgeted 5k extra words at the end of the month, and Tuesdays are 5k goal days, so if I follow my schedule exactly for the rest of the month, I'll still hit 200k on time. Mondays and Wednesdays are 10k days; all other days are 5k days. It works out almost perfectly. The problem is that I'm completely exhausted right now and writing requires some sort of mental energy that I apparently just don't have. Next step: Load up on pumpkin flavored coffee and try to bash out 10k before I leave campus tonight.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:35:53 -0500

Congratulations to all the winners! (please don't look at my wordcount--I swear I'll write today!) :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tin_penguin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:41:04 -0500

The most words I've ever gotten was 20k, but I think this is an overachiever year. I'm working on a story that I started plotting out 10 years ago, when I was still in middle school. I originally planned it to be a five-book series, and looking at it now that still seems right. I have far more motivation than ever before, so my goal is to finish at least the first book (which is shaping up to be fairly long) and extensively outline the other four.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Augrae — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:12:55 -0500

The good: I seriously underestimated my approximate words per hour when I was figuring out how long things would take. I'm getting 150% my original estimate. The bad: My voice recognition software isn't working right for me, so I'm losing 40-60 minutes of drive-writing time each day. This was a major player in my 90k word count from last year, not just on drive time, since I have CTS (right wrist had surgery last December and left is scheduled this December). The ugly: My motivation stinks. I had time last night to write and opted out. Just because. I forced myself to git-er-done this morning by telling myself I'd do a 15 minute sprint and then could do what I wanted. Luckily, I wasn't ready to stop at 15 minutes and it stretched to an hour, but getting started was a trial. Even the old tried and true "must have the highest word count of my buddy list" isn't working. My goals for this year are to have a 12k day (my best was 11.7k and I want to top it) and to write 120k total. The second goal I think is a bit more flexible, since I have one outline and I don't think it'll stretch to 120k. I'm not really a pantser, so might exchange a second novel for editting one of the others I've written on previous nanos. I just need to find the willpower to get through the first novel!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:31:24 -0500

Oh, it's not that! I just have a lot on my mind and don't want to add writing something coherent to the list. :) I appreciate that!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:31:36 -0500

I just want to cheer y'all on! Go go go go go! You're doing great, you're inspiring, you're fascinating, etc. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:41:00 -0500

[quote=caillien] Today's goal: Take it easy, but still make my 34k happen. After yesterday, this will be a piece of cake. [/quote] I love how 34k is taking it easy. :) I'm just hoping to get to 25k. It sounded easy when I set the goal for myself yesterday, but I am so tired right now! Nine hours of sleep over the past two days is not working for me. :/

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SaintJoi — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:38:08 -0500

I'm overachieving less than a lot of people, but I just hit 8k, so hey. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Angelica Weatherby — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:59:14 -0500

I am aiming for 150k (the amount of words I've ever written in a lifetime) words this year. Day 2 and only have 1,500 words written. Well I can still overachieve by hitting at least 55k compared to previous achievements right? :) This novel isn't starting off well but oh well. There IS the editing portion in writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:59:29 -0500

I have 12K. :P I'm not going over the 50K goal this year so I don't think I count as an Overachiever.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

maxride003 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:19:54 -0500

I'm aiming for at least 100k, if not more if I can manage it. It shouldn't be too difficult, since I'm aiming for about 5-6k each day, and right now I'm at 7,103 words. And with 28 planned chapters and my chapters generally being 5-6k each, reaching 100k by the 30th shouldn't be that bad, right? And wow, that was a lot of numbers.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

maxride003 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:23:25 -0500

Huh. Let's try *23* planned chapters. I actually don't want another five thrown in there.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:23:32 -0500

[quote=KeikoCharna] I think they said this year there's a limit on the amount of words the validator can handle (a pretty low one for many people here), so a lot of us will need to just copy/paste some of it and then manually change it to the right number after it confirms it's over 50k. [/quote] Yeah, last year it crapped around 110k. I use mine as a total count.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Sheba — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:25:08 -0500

I just can't write more than 6k a day and that also not day after day because of carpal tunnel, but I really wanna overachieve this year. My novel is planned to take at least 130-180k words to write (because it's the third part of a trilogy and I don't want to make it much shorter than the other two parts) and I really, really wanna have JanNoWriMo in January for something else. So I kinda need to write all these words in November and December and it's easier to write more in November thanks to the deadline. So I hope to join this club here somewhat. I managed 60k during two NaNos, but never more than that. Here's to a new try.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chiharu-Chan — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:41:33 -0500

I'm totally peaking 40k. I can do this. I totally can. I... I am going to DIE. I'm going to DIE right now. XD;;;;;;;; I am SO exhausted. Can't believe I've almost written 40k in a day. T_T I might as well just get the extra 10k out of the way at the expense of sleep.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ReNita Raigns — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:15:22 -0500

Hand cramping from typing & editing... thats a GOOD thing... write?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ReNita Raigns — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:16:33 -0500

;-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:24:11 -0500

In a strange way, it is, indeed. xD Meanwhile, I guess I'm in need of sleep and I can't feel my rear end, and that's just from the lengths of the sittings I've been doing rather than word count. xD ah well, looking to hit 50k by the end of tomorrow so that it's done and dusted. I'm not going to lie, though ... I think I have a lot less novel than word count goal. Pantsing 80k? Here's hoping I can!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:09:47 -0500

I've been feeling unmotivated and moody these past two November days, so instead of getting 10k yesterday I got 5k. Still respectable, but I'm feeling disheartened about it. Okay, enough pouting. Back to writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

NightmareishRain — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:14:52 -0500

Hello lovlies, I myself am aiming for at least 75K this year! I easily achieved my 50K last year thanks to a rush at Thanksgiving and cranked out 20K in a sitting. I'm off to a decent start, so this shall be interesting :D Cant wait to see how it unfolds. ~Niko

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:23:32 -0500

I have two classes M/W/F, so writing 34k is pretty laid back for me XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:26:11 -0500

I have to admit, there is a twisted little part of me that takes delight in having already written some people's monthly goals...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:55:27 -0500

I think I'll just watch your word count in awe for the rest of the month. Holy crap.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:20:51 -0500

I believe in you, darling :D Go get that daily wordcount of yours! (and from what I see, eeeeeep 50k? already? YOU'RE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB!)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:33:17 -0500

@caillien: HOLY...*insert curse of choice here* How did you manage that in two days? I'm at 33K. I'll hopefully hit the 50K mark by Sunday night. I say Sunday because I'll be out all day Saturday, working Thurs./Fri till 5PM, then will be out half the night both nights. The only writing time I have coming up is Sunday morning until about 4:30PM. It's almost 8 hours though if I get up early enough and I'm going to need it to bash 50K. My original goal was 115K but I think I'm going to hit that by the 20th if I can keep my pace. as for right now, I have to be up in 5.5 hours, i need sleep.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LeahBanicki — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:58:48 -0500

Perhaps It is wishful thinking on my part but I fully plan on finishing my current work in progress and get the novel done my next week, then getting at least 30-40 k on the next book I have plotted out. Obstacles - 1st WIP is contemporary written in 1st person narrative. 2nd book is a historical western in 3rd person set in 1850. 4500 words in so far with an open weekend. ready or not here i come. Leah

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

HollyShort9 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:27:37 -0500

Before I go to bed in 30 minutes, I am hoping to get from 22k to 25k. Wish me luck.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Final_Precipice — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:53:54 -0500

This is my first year doing Nano, but I hope to get over 50,000 - I'm averaging about 5,000 a day at the moment so I hope I can get there, I don't really have a goal but I would like to hit something high. Good luck to all you :3

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

minionygoodness — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:15:38 -0500

I've been doing about 6K a day. I've already hit 13K in the story. This is fun. :D Much easier than I thought.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Desert.Moon — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:20:47 -0500

I think it's kind of nice to finally find a place where my goal of two 60k each novels (for the math challenged, a total of 120k words) doesn't earn me disbelieving stares and accusations of insanity. Honestly, 4k is nothing compared to some of you guys! Best of luck to all of you! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

FrankieDEATHBAT — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:23:02 -0500

I'm still aiming for 50K at the moment, however if I plan some more of my novel, I'm going to change that to 100K especially after how the first day went =]

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

OriDoodle — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:29:56 -0500

Making 2000 words a day. Still gonna write till the end of the month and see where I am then.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Stargoggled — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:27:50 -0500

I hoping to continue with 12.5k a day and hit 50k on day 4 :) I haven't decided an overall goal yet--I think I'll just see how tired/stressed I am after that :P Good luck, everyone! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LadyKelien — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:32:39 -0500

I don't know how you do it Star. Im doing good to get the 6k a day I was planning on. More than that i think would kill me.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:13:58 -0500

Gah, I've slowed up. x_x ah well, 50k by midnight or bust. I just, really, wanted to interject something here - I've been procrastinating around the forums, partly in the 'NaNo Ate My Soul' lounge (because the short story I'm working on right now is soul-eatingly depressing, but that's my own fault). I know these attitudes crop up every year, no stranger too it, but I was just wondering; how many other overachievers aren't worried about the whole 'quantity over quality' thing? I mean, I know this is a first draft and everything, but I'm not nearly as ashamed of my writing this year as I have been in past years, and I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same way? I mean, of course it just feels like some sort of justification for the amount of writing or something, but sometimes it gets to me a little. Was just wondering if anyone else was in the same boat, really. (:

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

charlaine2124 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:10:17 -0500

I'm currently on track to do 100,000, and seeing as how last year (my first year) I thought a 2k days was good, and I've managed 3 4k days in a row, I reckon I can do it. I'm not committing to a word count though, as I specifically came up with a story that I could probably write in 50,000 words, because it bugged me last year that I got to 51K and wasn't nearly at the end of the story so... I don't know Woot for 4k days though :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

charlaine2124 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:13:55 -0500

I actually pay more attention to the quality, because I'm so far ahead of the official goal, My inner editor isn't feeling so bad about doing a bit of touching up as I go, if it means I don't do another 1k with that half hour. And I'm still managing to write a helluva lot of words... at the same time, I know for a fact that while I can write about 1500 words in half an hour, it's 1500 words of drivel. I still do it though...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

EvaJupiterSkies — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:48:14 -0500

I don't have any set goal; I plan on writing until my plot is written out. But I have done 20K in two days, and compared to the prior years paces, my head is spinning, and my fingers aching. Where did that all come from so quickly, and how am I even doing that with my school work?!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:49:11 -0500

Beautiful! Go go go! Also your cat is gorgeous. Like your choice of avatar. You must get lots of Cat Hairs of Inspiration!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CROWcatalyst — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:08:22 -0500

I finally found a goal for myself... 650,000 words. I'm supposed to catch up to 20,000 by tonight.. -crosses fingers-

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

mutewitness — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:10:06 -0500

My goal is to finish it by November 30th. Even if that means it is 100,000 words haha. IT WILL BE FINISHED.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Augrae — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:52:02 -0500

My inner editor is certainly having an effect on how my story's going. I know my own habits and one of them is focusing on character interactions and plot and ignoring setting. So I'm actually upping my word count by going back and adding visual details. Once I start tweaking, my brain seems ready to go on to the next part of the story. That's been one of the few ways I get myself re-motivated to write, since I'm battling the procrastination demon. There's definitely something to be said about being able to look back over what I've written, realize it's not all garbage, and move on with more better-than-garbage. I really think it's partly a matter of practice. The more I write, the better the writing gets because the better I get at putting my thoughts together in a way that makes sense. Pre-planning helps me, but practice helps me take the planning from "necessary to produce anything of quality" to "useful in organizing ideas and remembering details I wanted to include." And I know the depression of producing less-than-quality stuff. My 2004 efforts, while verbose, were terrible and when my 2005 effort looked to be as bad, I gave up at 15k. I didn't even bother with 2006 or 2007, though I dabbled in between, mostly with short stories. When I got back in the saddle in 2008 I wrote the first thing I think might actually be publishable after edits. I think of everything before that as practice, but having that one successful year has really boosted my confidence in my ability to produce quality even under the pressure of Nano.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

WhitNate — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:57:33 -0500

Not a huge overachiever, but if I keep as I'm going, I'll hit 50K by the 27th.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ladypamela — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:09:20 -0500

I think it totally counts! If your goal is still 50k, but you do it quicker than 1667 per day, that is so overachieving!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:22:59 -0500

[quote=Beautiful Illusion] Gah, I've slowed up. x_x ah well, 50k by midnight or bust. I just, really, wanted to interject something here - I've been procrastinating around the forums, partly in the 'NaNo Ate My Soul' lounge (because the short story I'm working on right now is soul-eatingly depressing, but that's my own fault). I know these attitudes crop up every year, no stranger too it, but I was just wondering; how many other overachievers aren't worried about the whole 'quantity over quality' thing? I mean, I know this is a first draft and everything, but I'm not nearly as ashamed of my writing this year as I have been in past years, and I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same way? I mean, of course it just feels like some sort of justification for the amount of writing or something, but sometimes it gets to me a little. Was just wondering if anyone else was in the same boat, really. (: [/quote] I know I need the words. I know I'll have a great time in late December and January rereading, finding ridiculous typos and conjugations, and all the great parts that I forgot I wrote since I went so fast. To me that's part of the excitement. (I actually cheated last night and read what I had so far and LIKED it). I'm not writing drivel. I'm not writing stream of consciousness or breaking the fourth wall. But I'm not stopping to take out three lines four pages ago that I just realized were inconsistencies, either. I get lazy with my hyphenated adjectives, but I'm not pulling out all the cheats. I'm trying to write 200k as honestly as I can to the best of my abilities. Where that falls on the quality/quantity spectrum, I don't know.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:25:48 -0500

I think I'm getting the hang of this. I mean, overachieving. Last year my wordcount stopped at 111,111 words. This year I'm already at 21k on day 3. Of course there will be huge distractions this year and I'm also writing in a foreign language (English). I always wrote in my native language for Nanowrimo so I'm really impressed that this actually works out so good. I mean, I still have to look things up or ask other people for advice but at least it's more fun this way. (And I have to admit that my characters talk English in my head for about three years now so it's about time anyway!) I guess I want to aim for at least 100k again this year. :') Maybe even more? Let's see if I can keep my good spirits up. I might even aim for 150k. :')

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:38:16 -0500

I did the 23k-30k stretch last night, and it took. All. Night. When I have been averaging 5k/2hrs, which I'm happy with. Very comfortable pace. Includes grabbing drinks and occasionally chatting. I Week 2'd in Day 2. But! I'm in the 30s now, so I'm safe! Right? Until I start the next novel?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:18:37 -0500

I don't worry about it too much. I tend to be a perfectionist, so NaNo is my opportunity to (almost) completely let go. I don't do any breaking the 4th wall or stream of consciousness but I don't sit and try to word everything perfectly before moving on either, and if you knew how long I spent typing up this comment you'd see what an achievement that is for me. I do hate the snide "well sure, they have 500k, but what do you think their writing looks like" comments. I think a lot of it probably looks pretty good. I know the work I do on my 20k days isn't all that different from the work I do on 2k days. Though you wouldn't know I'm generally an overachiever if you looked at my word count now. :P I should get to work and finally get a good start. I'd like to get to 10k today. That should be doable with the time left in the day; I've done more in less time.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:21:17 -0500

I almost want to try for 75K, this year. Two years ago, I got to 60K, and I'm at 15,000 right now. I'll see.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:45:27 -0500

There is one person who is really starting to get on my nerves. I swear they must have written at least half a dozen comments complaining about people with high word counts. But I feel mean for letting it get to me because I understand it can be discouraging to some people. I don't even know why I'm taking it personally since I'm behind even for 50k right now, but it's irritating me.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:50:51 -0500

Reached 13K last night. Had stop because of the pain of the 10K-in-5hrs day. :S I'm somewhat better today. I just need about 3670 and this part of the novel is over. Then I can start overachieving on Part 2. *bounces*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:06:06 -0500

(As always, I really hope the formatting works out here. xD if not, my aplogies, people - I'll try and fix it up!) @charlaine2124: that#s a really cool way to look at it, actually. (: having the chance to actually look back and all. I think I'll start doing a similar thing after tonight (once I've hit my mark) ... I'm with you on the 1500 words thing, too. I'll admit, my Write or Die pieces tend to be a little less coherent than in general, but these are the first ones I always make sure to go back on and fix up when I have the time. (: @Augrae: that's a good way to do it, actually - I never thought to go back into the parts I've already written. :D and I totally agree. I think, looking back, it helps me, personally, come to terms with what I did right, what I did wrong, and what to take from it. Like looking back at my NaNo from last year, kind of. (: the less-than-quality, indeed; this was last year for me, definitely, and for some reason, whenever I look back, last year's effort just seems horrendous. I'm okay with '09, not too worried about this year, but last year's, considering I should have been improving, I kind of felt like I took a huge step back. @Raquelin: this is pretty much the exact way I feel. xD I've had my moments so far this month, but I agree; I've looked back a couple times and actually haven't felt disappointed in what I'm writing, which is why I guess it gets to me a little when people say 'the overachievers' quality of writing must not be that great', because actually, everything I've written so far this month is better than anything I've written all year. I do a similar thing. I've been using contractions left right and center because it fits with the prose, so I'm with you. Best of luck reaching 200k, by the way. (: @KeikoCharna: I know what you mean. (: I'll admit, when it comes to typing I'm quite a messy typist, I type fast but it's not always ... together. xD my biggest enemy is accidentally inserting a semicolon instead of an apostrophe. And the snide comments are what get to me, absolutely, kind of why I wrote the above post only I guess I was trying to tiptoe around the issue. No, I'm not writing complete and utter $@%& to reach my goal. I'm actually enjoying my writing, and looking back on it and liking it, and it just feels, to me, like people have to have some justification in why we're writing so much - that justification is that our writing is bad, because we're doing it quickly. And it;s fine. (: I'm sure I've seen you around the forums past years and seen your word count. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

etiennefayth — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:07:45 -0500

This is how I have been working too. That said, I am not the highest of overachievers, and am just aiming for 2500 words a day, so going back and changing a sentence I think is terrible does not waste too much time. I have just decided the magic world knows about the gargoyles, though, and will have to go back and fix up the inconsistencies earlier in the story at a later date.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:08:32 -0500

This. 50k is a huge goal, and I know, and it was for me my first year, but ... what about when it stops seeming like so much after a time? Our goals are just as difficult to hit as 50k is, that's why we've set them for ourselves. I know what you mean about feeling mean for letting it get to you, all things considered, but at the end of the day ... yeah, seeing those comments does sting a little. I was hanging around the 'NaNo Ate My Soul' lounge earlier because what I was writing was really, really depressing, so wanted to let off steam. I guess I kind of feel like I don't have a right to do that, though? But then the depressing-ness is my own fault anyway. xD In a long-winded way, I'm saying I agree.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

etiennefayth — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:13:25 -0500

I think it's all about attitude. I have never overachieved before, and used to hang out the NaNo ate my soul thread. I came into this thread just because I was bored one day, and I was completely inspired. There's support for the not-so-high overachievers, as well as the ones who managed 50K in the first couple of days. If I spent as much time actually writing last year as I had reading comments about how bad people's word counts were, I probably would have overachieved! As it was, hanging out there made me feel like I was not capable of overachieving and that it was for these weird automaton people with epic typing skills - turns out I just had to get up earlier and sit my butt down for longer.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mystic Dragon — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:25:36 -0500

Just got to a fifth of the way there! Hardly as much as some of the overachievers in this thread, but I think having over 10k on the third day qualifies... I see some familiar names in overachieving. I don't know if my wordcount will get as high as it did last year (I think I finished within the first week last year), but I'm sure I'll finish early again this year! Nice to meet all the fellow overachievers, whether on the low end (like me), or the high end (who already have completed the 50k at this point).

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mystic Dragon — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:29:40 -0500

Eh, the way I see it...there will always be someone to complain about something, and NaNo wordcounts are no exception. Way I figure it...write what you wanna write the way you wanna write, and just let the complainers blow of hot air. Nothing anyone says will satisfy them, so just let them whine and burn themselves out (unless they're REALLY into complaining, and manage to go the entire month of November o.o ), and ignore them. If some of those complainers put as many words into their stories as they do their complaints, then they'd have high wordcounts, too, and wouldn't have anything to complain about!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AsheNeff — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:09:15 -0500

Good luck! My first NaNo as well. Im only going for the 50k word goal but more making myself complete a whole scene per day. Also, it must be in the order it will apear in the book, since I post them up on my blog. its sort of a "pics or it didnt happen' thing for posterity. all in all i think ill be writing about two scenes per day, since i like to write out of order. I might even end up close to your goal by the time the month is out

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:23:36 -0500

[quote=Raquelin] (I actually cheated last night and read what I had so far and LIKED it). [/quote] Isn't that fabulous?! Alas, I haven't had the chance to do that this year, but... power to ya. =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Indi — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:25:46 -0500

I started off a little slow, but I'm trying for 70K. I just realized I can't cover the story in 50K. It's my first time being an overachiever, but I write fast and have lots of Halloween candy left. I'm amazed at how fast some of you can write, but my top writing record was around 15K in... I think three hours? But this time I really love my characters and plot, so maybe I'll break that this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:35:54 -0500

I kiiiinda just want to stop writing here, because 111,111 is such a perfect number! But no. I have a goal, and it is far beyond Day Three.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:47:09 -0500

I didn't plan to overachieve, but I'm already at 9k and it's not even an hour into day four. Who knows how far I'll get? @Caillien: WOW o_O

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

heatherbee — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:02:00 -0500

I'm not setting a word goal this year. My goal is to finish Book Two, however many words that takes. Book One was about 98k if that's any indication of how long Book Two will be. Last year I did 101k but two separate novels. I'd really like to overachieve on the same novel just one. I think this is my year!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

geekgirlbk — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:20:41 -0500

I fear you. You weren't kidding. You are a robot. *blinks*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:29:52 -0500

My official goal is 100k, since I haven't been writing much for the past several months, but I'm currently at 17k so I'm kind of going with the flow of where the writing takes me. The fact that day 1 was a 10k day and day 2 was a 5k on instead of a no writing one is extremely positive, since it means I might finally have broken my nasty tendency to crash and burn after high word count days. @heatherbee: one day I'll be able to do only one novel. ~grins~ Currently I'm working on two main ones, each planned at roughly 50k. We'll see if they agree to being finished at 50k or if they want to be longer.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:44:34 -0500

yeah, I'll post it till everyone gets sick of me 10K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry:P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:45:25 -0500

You are insane, and I say this with the deepest respect and awe. But still. Insane.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:53:51 -0500

I passed 11k today, even though today has been 8 hours of pulling teeth just to squeeze out 4k. Briefly considered forgetting this whole absurd overachieving idea and settling for 50k (which would have meant that I could quit and didn't have to write anything today. But I slogged through and did my 3,333 words. And towards the end, I got my second wind and kept going. Now, I can't wait until tomorrow, when I get to write chase scenes! And more manic paranoid ramblings! (those take up A LOT of words)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:04:51 -0500

Your story sounds SOO interesting! If they make a movie of it, I wanna watch it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:10:52 -0500

Actually, this mixed metaphor is very encouraging.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:18:16 -0500

At this moment, you have six ones. 111111 That's pretty cool!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:28:17 -0500

I have fallen into the goal of 6k a day, with the goal of finishing 50k by Nov 8th. Perhaps I'll write more after that, perhaps not. It depends on if the story wants more. This year's story is so much better than the last two years. As of this moment, it still has a plot and there's plenty of plot still available. You all are so awesome! In my mind, overachiever = over 50k by Nov 30, finishing before the 30th, or writing more than 1667 a day.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Techiemoe — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:32:08 -0500

I guess I fall into the overachievers category. Day 3 and I'm at 25K. Last year I ended up with just over 100K when it was all said and done, and it looks like this time will be no exception. Keep on trucking people! Side note: you people with 500K goals are certifiable. Just saying. ;)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:39:41 -0500

So my official goal is 100k, I've posted before but whatever, but I'd really like to finish both novels. I'm currently at 28k, which I feel very good about. Someone of you, though, I am just.... how are your wrists not dead? I'm pushing it with my wrists now, as it is. But congrats on all those huge words counts and on the respectable ones, too!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

theoryoferin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:11:46 -0500

I'll admit: I'm not nearly as far ahead as I would like to be by this point in the month. But at the same time, it's hard to complain. I'm at 15k, while my minimum goal says I should be around 18k by now, and ideally, I'd be around 30k. But, still. Pretty happy with everything that I've managed to write in said 15k, too, which is an accomplishment in and of itself. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

missmandapants — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:16:56 -0500

My current goal is going to be 150k this year. Last year I did 100k (though it was my junior year of high school so it almost killed me with all the junk I had going on.) but this year, I'm making it a habit to get in my 5k a day (It only takes a little over an hour to do.) Still though, my novel is in chapter one and I have over 15k and just over 18 pages. Sheesh. Is this good or bad? I'm not sure, but I'm loving every minute of it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:56:32 -0500

Heeey, I resent that. ;) (Kidding, of course. I'm quite well aware I'm completely insane. Though technically I'm only going for a little over 400k... XD ) Congratulations, everyone, on your amazing writing progress! :D - Lauren

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:09:22 -0500

I will be at 100k by Sunday. I don't think I'd never reached that mark so early in the month. On Saturday, I have a 25k/8 hours challenge with a friend and that will be nerves wracking but I am excited about it! I don't actually mind if I don't reach that because wow, the step forward! My current is extremely fast and there are lots of fight scenes, so it's perfect to reach my goals early. After that? i'll have to slow down, my third novel is a slow baby :) In brief: I'm damn happy of where I am right now!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Jimothea — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:08:42 -0500

Okay, reading this thread made me feel lazy...and inspired! I'm going to aim for 4000 words a day from now on, not including write-ins and such. I'm only a tiny bit ahead today, but tomorrow.... *whips out magical hyperdrive-laser-beam-typing-fingers-and-brain* Wa haahh!!! Take that, unimpressive word count!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Audentia — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:14:30 -0500

I miss seeing people's wordcounts without having to go to their profiles. I'm at 16k, but I'm getting ahead cause I go away tomorrow. so. it'll even out.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnEliseMonte — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:34:11 -0500

I just hit 25k and it's day 4 here in Australia. I think I'm going to amend my goals. Originally I wanted to just hit 50k in a month (since it's my first time) but now I think I could potentially finish the book. It'll probably be a little less than 100k. So finishing the book is my new goal.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aquila_Star — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:22:26 -0500

I've set my goal at 75k. I'd love to write more, I've written a 100k novel in a month earlier in the year, so I know that I can do it, but I've decided to hedge my bets. The biggest annoyance for me is that my w has stopped working. In fact, it stopped working on November 1st. I could not believe it. Getting used to doing ctrl v every time I want to type a w is a pain in the ass. Still 75k! I'm getting there, almost as 'today's' goal (it's one am, so officially the 4th, lol) and \today' hasn't begun, so... Good luck all.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:21:09 -0500

Purr! I am on track for Super Goal. This year's Super Goal was to write a modest 80-90k novel - and edit it before December. I've been editing each chapter as I finish it. I'm getting into the rhythm of that wonderful Ray Bradbury quote: "Vomit in your typewriter every morning, clean it up at noon." Not on time of day, but pattern of write a chunk, edit that, write a chunk, edit, and if anything changes go back and edit the changes in while they're fresh. I'm also in love with my third chapter train wreck. Hero, heroine, cat hero, best friend/gay date and villain all showed up at the same time and the villain tried to manipulate the situation. He failed. All he succeeded in doing was giving human hero a low opinion of him and nastily threatening the cat. But he's now established as nasty, bragging and petty. He's not going to take that slight well, the conflict's begun. It will escalate. I love it. My book just became very solid. I think it's a good one. That's my goal - after all this practice, I should be able to write a really good book during November!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:41:04 -0500

[quote=Raquelin] [quote=Beautiful Illusion] Gah, I've slowed up. x_x ah well, 50k by midnight or bust. I just, really, wanted to interject something here - I've been procrastinating around the forums, partly in the 'NaNo Ate My Soul' lounge (because the short story I'm working on right now is soul-eatingly depressing, but that's my own fault). I know these attitudes crop up every year, no stranger too it, but I was just wondering; how many other overachievers aren't worried about the whole 'quantity over quality' thing? I mean, I know this is a first draft and everything, but I'm not nearly as ashamed of my writing this year as I have been in past years, and I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same way? I mean, of course it just feels like some sort of justification for the amount of writing or something, but sometimes it gets to me a little. Was just wondering if anyone else was in the same boat, really. (: [/quote] I know I need the words. I know I'll have a great time in late December and January rereading, finding ridiculous typos and conjugations, and all the great parts that I forgot I wrote since I went so fast. To me that's part of the excitement. (I actually cheated last night and read what I had so far and LIKED it). I'm not writing drivel. I'm not writing stream of consciousness or breaking the fourth wall. But I'm not stopping to take out three lines four pages ago that I just realized were inconsistencies, either. I get lazy with my hyphenated adjectives, but I'm not pulling out all the cheats. I'm trying to write 200k as honestly as I can to the best of my abilities. Where that falls on the quality/quantity spectrum, I don't know. [/quote] Awesome! Keep going. You're doing well. I fished around a bit but I was setting up well and in my current chapter the book just went solid. Blew me away, first big twist of the novel. Now I know I'm on the right track even if I had to go back into chapter 2 and bring some changes in. I just edit in a few more details as I change things so the net word count comes out higher.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Nessabutterfly — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:42:11 -0500

I went into this thinking I would just barely finish (Have to take off 7-10 days for surgery in the middle of the month), so I adjusted my word count to write 2150 words a day. Well, I'm averaging more like 4000. So I may finish in plenty of time after all. Of course, here I am almost 1/4 of the way into my word count, and maybe 10% of the way through my outline.. So I'll finish word-wise, but may still have trouble getting through the story. If I do finish the story before the end of the month, I have a fanfic I wrote 5 years ago that is the first of a planned trilogy. I always meant to go back and write the rest, but I had a kid. And then another kid. I outlined the second book 2 months ago and was going to write it for NaNo, but I went and got an original idea (and what writier who wants to be published is going to pass over something original for fanfic??). Anyway, if I get through with my current storyline, at least I've got another story outlined and ready to pick up! But most likely I'll just stop writing and get to work on Christmas presents. Cause I make them by hand. And that gets stressful.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:43:00 -0500

[quote=Beautiful Illusion] (As always, I really hope the formatting works out here. xD if not, my aplogies, people - I'll try and fix it up!) @charlaine2124: that#s a really cool way to look at it, actually. (: having the chance to actually look back and all. I think I'll start doing a similar thing after tonight (once I've hit my mark) ... I'm with you on the 1500 words thing, too. I'll admit, my Write or Die pieces tend to be a little less coherent than in general, but these are the first ones I always make sure to go back on and fix up when I have the time. (: @Augrae: that's a good way to do it, actually - I never thought to go back into the parts I've already written. :D and I totally agree. I think, looking back, it helps me, personally, come to terms with what I did right, what I did wrong, and what to take from it. Like looking back at my NaNo from last year, kind of. (: the less-than-quality, indeed; this was last year for me, definitely, and for some reason, whenever I look back, last year's effort just seems horrendous. I'm okay with '09, not too worried about this year, but last year's, considering I should have been improving, I kind of felt like I took a huge step back. @Raquelin: this is pretty much the exact way I feel. xD I've had my moments so far this month, but I agree; I've looked back a couple times and actually haven't felt disappointed in what I'm writing, which is why I guess it gets to me a little when people say 'the overachievers' quality of writing must not be that great', because actually, everything I've written so far this month is better than anything I've written all year. I do a similar thing. I've been using contractions left right and center because it fits with the prose, so I'm with you. Best of luck reaching 200k, by the way. (: @KeikoCharna: I know what you mean. (: I'll admit, when it comes to typing I'm quite a messy typist, I type fast but it's not always ... together. xD my biggest enemy is accidentally inserting a semicolon instead of an apostrophe. And the snide comments are what get to me, absolutely, kind of why I wrote the above post only I guess I was trying to tiptoe around the issue. No, I'm not writing complete and utter $@%& to reach my goal. I'm actually enjoying my writing, and looking back on it and liking it, and it just feels, to me, like people have to have some justification in why we're writing so much - that justification is that our writing is bad, because we're doing it quickly. And it;s fine. (: I'm sure I've seen you around the forums past years and seen your word count. :D [/quote] Some famous writer said that you need to write half a million words of crud to get good at the craft. This is why I tend to assume the heavy hitting overachievers are churning out good prose. The sheer amount of practice of getting to the scale you or Kateness or any of the top overachievers do is bound to push the quality up. Those high points of noticing "That worked" lead to doing what worked again. And it's not like we're not also readers - whether studying craft or "learning by ear" it's bound to soak in with practice.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Arisuzawa — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:48:41 -0500

I'm also just over 17k currently! I don't really have a set goal, other than anything over the 50k mark and finishing the novel, but I kinda would like to shoot for 100k. It's been sooo long since I've written with this much intensity, I really hope it keeps up! Good luck with your writing!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:03:41 -0500

Wow. How do you do it? D:

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:05:49 -0500

That's the point: It's discouraging for them and because of that they have to let it out. They think they can't do it themselves or don't know how so they complain about us because they can't keep it to themselves. It's really just a bad way of blowing off some steam... They should rather sit down and write and let the high word counts inspire them. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:08:47 -0500

Actually, what bothers me most isn't those that complain about those with high word counts (if they are that concerned with someone else's word count, they are missing something about the spirit of NaNo) - it's when they say that, because I have a high word count, I can't complain. Overachievers get stressed. They fall behind their own goals, and deal with a story that wanders and characters they can't connect with. They have good days and bad, and sometimes need to scream, or jump for joy, or sigh and wonder what in the world their MC is doing. The fact that they have more words than the NaNo goal while doing so doesn't change a thing for them.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:24:29 -0500

Somehow, I wrote 7.5K yesterday, putting me at 20K. I will definitely get to 25K by the end of this week, but I'd rather be at 30K. My chapters were supposed to be about 5K each, and they're averaging between 5K and 7K.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:45:57 -0500

I don't know how it happened but I decided to write my nano on index cards. They're all over the floor, the boxes I brought for them already full. I'm on my sixth pack. If I manage my planned 200,000 I will have wrote 2666 cards. I have lost my mind.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:25:41 -0500

[quote=etiennefayth] I think it's all about attitude. I have never overachieved before, and used to hang out the NaNo ate my soul thread. I came into this thread just because I was bored one day, and I was completely inspired. There's support for the not-so-high overachievers, as well as the ones who managed 50K in the first couple of days. If I spent as much time actually writing last year as I had reading comments about how bad people's word counts were, I probably would have overachieved! As it was, hanging out there made me feel like I was not capable of overachieving and that it was for these weird automaton people with epic typing skills - turns out I just had to get up earlier and sit my butt down for longer. [/quote] There a lot of things I want to say in reply to this, but I'm not sure how gracefully I could do so or how well it would be received. So instead I will just cheer loudly, thank you profusely, and +1/like it to death.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:46:07 -0500

[quote=robertsloan2] Some famous writer said that you need to write half a million words of crud to get good at the craft. This is why I tend to assume the heavy hitting overachievers are churning out good prose. The sheer amount of practice of getting to the scale you or Kateness or any of the top overachievers do is bound to push the quality up. Those high points of noticing "That worked" lead to doing what worked again. And it's not like we're not also readers - whether studying craft or "learning by ear" it's bound to soak in with practice. [/quote] Word. There might be some exhaustion-fueled crack, but that's part of the fun. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

misszalicia — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:04:41 -0500

^^index card?! i'd love to see pictured on the final day! lol last year i did 75k this yr im trying to do just the 50k monday-fridays only while at work or school (im full time for both). excluding holiday or vacation days i've taken from work which leaves me with 19 days of actual writing. if i write 3k a day ill reach my goal. so far im only at 8k :( i have lots of catching up to do! nano is looking quite scary for me this year!! maybe next year ill try 100k!! :) good luck to all you overachievers!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Augrae — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:07:28 -0500

I'm officially falling behind by about 1k each day. I'm starting to get frustrated with myself because the fact of the matter is that I HAVE another 30 mintues a day to keep myself on track. I even (mostly) like my story. My writing sessions have been productive rather than frustrating (at least when I go in a different room than the kids; if I don't the frustration is coming from them and not from the story.) There's really no reason for me to be falling behind. There's part of me that feels like I should be happy with the 3k a day that's coming easily and stop being so hard on myself that I'm not hitting the goal of 4k. But the reality is that I'm not really happy with 3k. I want my 120k at the end of the month. So somehow I have to trooper through the last 1k a day and make it happen!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Generalist — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:21:40 -0500

Word wars while in a virtual write in got me to 10K last night, day 3 of NaNoWriMo. I'm trying for 100K, which might be able to get me to a complete story. Hopefully the weekend will be productive enough to put me at 25K or so.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:23:02 -0500

Yeah that bothers me too. I could see if they were complaining about being behind and someone came in and started complaining about being behind for a 500k goal. I don't necessarily think it's fair but I can understand it. But when the problem is not knowing where to go in your story or feeling like everything you've written is terrible and wanting to delete everything, then it irritates me when they say you don't have a right to complain if you have more than this many words. Who cares? It's the same problem no matter what your word count is.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:08:52 -0500

13K, but i'm falling behind.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

JacenTheBard — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:38:40 -0500

I may have to break up with my brain over this. X_X 5k into this year's NaNo, it started pointing my eyes at the manuscript I didn't finish during last year's NaNo. "Hey, remember this? Remember how much you loved writing those characters? How it gave you the courage to polish up and submit some an excerpt to a writing contest?" "Yeah, brain. I know. I want to finish it. But I'm writing this one this year." "You could do both." "No, I don't think I can. I've participated for three years and have yet to reach the halfway mark on any of them." "So do it this year. Really push yourself. Get this one finished early, and then spend the rest of the month finishing last year's." "I'm pretty sure that's against the rules, brain." "You'll already have won by that point. It's extra. It's outside the rules." "Stop making sense, vile temptress." Kerblarg. Well, if I decide to take my brain up on this offer, it will mean ~85k in 30 days. I'm in awe of the people who have decided to do this and much higher from the getgo. I could see myself getting to that point someday but for now, I'm gonna Little-Train-That-Could it. Good luck to everyone!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Iwanttobeher — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:53:35 -0500

I'll def take a photo of my room when I'm finished, I wonder what 2666 index cards actually look like?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:58:36 -0500

25k on day four. I've always been pretty fast before, but this is the fastest ever! I'm actually on track to meet my 120k target. Though as this novel has divided into a series of novels, it might not all be one book any more. I might shake things up and write an entirely different story when I've finished book one of this series, just to shake things up a bit :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:41:00 -0500

16k on day 4 which puts me on target, but my wrists are starting to hurt. =/

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:06:19 -0500

This is a great concept! How will you keep everything together? I'm approaching 10k today, which is right on track for me. I'm not overachieving as much as some of you, but I'm feeling pretty good about my writing at the moment. I had a minor plot crisis yesterday and only wrote about 800 words, but I managed to shape it into something slightly more logical.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

hknamida — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:36:51 -0500

I think I'm a closeted overachiever. I was going to write 2,000 words per day just to give myself a small buffer for lazy days, but now I'm close to 15,000 on day 4. I think I may end up shooting for 100,000, or at least 75,000.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:13:13 -0500

I'm thinking I'll pull an all-nighter tonight so I can get back on track with my goal and see if I can finally write more than 20k in a day tomorrow.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

IamSamThisIsMe — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:16:46 -0500

Hi I'm not an overachiever, but I'm popping in to say that you are an inspiration to me. I'm aiming to write about 55k for my novel this year, and I'm about on target, but scrolling back through the pages, I am amazed at some of the goals that you guys are setting. Still, I'm trying my best, and, who knows, maybe I'll join you next year. Good luck!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:55:37 -0500

Aw, IamSam, that's so nice of you! I didn't write as much as I wanted to today. Started late and only managed 1k until I was sick of it. I think what I need is inspiration, so I'll watch some episodes of a random series to get some fresh air into my brain. Let's hope that's the key so I can make up for it and write like mad tomorrow...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

chelseyaccionox — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:22:44 -0500

I seem to have accidentally fallen into over achieving because although I wanted to get my whole novel finished in November I didn't really know what kind of word count that would be at. But it's the end of day 4 and I've just hit 11k. Not bad when I haven't started writing until nearly 10pm each day. xD Hoping to more than double it over the weekend. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:33:53 -0500

I am about a quarter of the way through my novel and have JUST hit 50K. I love how I just took a break from starting to write a scene where my telepath is looking through someone else's eyes as they think about their surroundings but I had to report. I originally set my goal for this year at 115K. I've got about 4 hours left to write tonight so I'll definately hit the half-way point of that goal by tonight. I may have to raise my own bar...ha. Also, does writing other stories count towards the word count or no? I'm just asking because sometimes I get distracted and have to write a short story and don't know if that counts...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:36:31 -0500

It looks like I'm going to be changing my goal yet again. First I was going to for 75k. Then I upped it to 100k when I wrote 19k on day 1. Now I'm thinking of changing it to 150k. That's only about 4.5k each day, and I'm doing 5-6k per day now. I also got a new idea for a novel as I was driving home from work yesterday. I'm thinking of joining those of you doing 50k weekend to see if I can get that story written then!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Joe Union — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:43:19 -0500

[quote=Iwanttobeher] I don't know how it happened but I decided to write my nano on index cards. They're all over the floor, the boxes I brought for them already full. I'm on my sixth pack. If I manage my planned 200,000 I will have wrote 2666 cards. I have lost my mind. [/quote] What a great idea! I may try that myself, after November. Thanks for the idea.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:44:46 -0500

I was going to ignore overall wordcount and focus more on meeting my goal each day, since I have more problems with consistency than I do with total wordcount. And that was going great, until today hit and I had absolutely no desire to write. It's nearly eight pm and I've written nothing. Well, actually, I wrote my 750 words post and a blog post, but no actual novel. (To be fair, there were word wars I could have done that would have helped, but my roommate wanted to watch Jurassic Park, and I'd never seen it, so... yeah. Writing didn't happen.) I just need to get started, mostly. Once I get started everything will be fine, but starting is always the hard part.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Marley143 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:20:38 -0500

So, I didn't mean to overachieve until tonight. I KNEW that I was going to top 50k, just cause last year was my first year, and I still managed to get 70k. Well...I got kind of mad at one of my writing buddies(not ACTUALLY mad, but...competitive mad, I guess) and decided to shoot for 100k. I'm on track for that, believe it or not. Cause I just wrote, like 4k in forty minutes, after just deciding that I needed to do 100k. Who knows, maybe with a 100k goal, I can actually FINISH the book, which is my actual goal, word count be damned.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Starkirby64 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:46:31 -0500

You have only 700 words. I'm going for 100,000 too, and I'm behind at about 5500 at the moment. I'm gonna catch up over the weekend, though.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:46:38 -0500

[quote=JacenTheBard] I may have to break up with my brain over this. X_X 5k into this year's NaNo, it started pointing my eyes at the manuscript I didn't finish during last year's NaNo. "Hey, remember this? Remember how much you loved writing those characters? How it gave you the courage to polish up and submit some an excerpt to a writing contest?" "Yeah, brain. I know. I want to finish it. But I'm writing this one this year." "You could do both." "No, I don't think I can. I've participated for three years and have yet to reach the halfway mark on any of them." "So do it this year. Really push yourself. Get this one finished early, and then spend the rest of the month finishing last year's." "I'm pretty sure that's against the rules, brain." "You'll already have won by that point. It's extra. It's outside the rules." "Stop making sense, vile temptress." Kerblarg. Well, if I decide to take my brain up on this offer, it will mean ~85k in 30 days. I'm in awe of the people who have decided to do this and much higher from the getgo. I could see myself getting to that point someday but for now, I'm gonna Little-Train-That-Could it. Good luck to everyone! [/quote] What rules? o:) I agree with your brain. In fact, I'm spending all of the Thanksgiving weekend working on things hanging around in Incomplete purgatory. jooooiin meeee

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:47:23 -0500

YES YES YES

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Starkirby64 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:48:16 -0500

Last year I found myself consoling someone who failed to shoot for 1,000,000 words.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:35:26 -0500

I have 17K. I really want 21K. What to do about it? If I haven't written 3K by tomorrow night I will be VERY unhappy. The whole point of having a 10K day was so that I won't be scrambling around Thanksgiving weekend for any reason and I have a buffer against any Calamities that might happen in Week 2. They always, always do. Get with it, self!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:48:54 -0500

Well, I'm going for 300K which I figured I could do if I wrote 10K a day. Today, I finished the 50K word goal and I'm still pretty much on schedule after missing out on 10K yesterday because of a series of workshops my school made me attend. So, yeah, now I've given myself the rest of the day off and plan to get back to writing tomorrow.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dani Marchand — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:28:05 -0500

Hi everyone! I'm a nut for calling myself an overachiever when my top typing speed is like 60 wpm and I've only won two out of seven attempted NaNos, but here I am. My goal this year is a finished plot, which I expect to do at some point between 80k and 120k. Good luck to everyone!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Anshin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:13:58 -0500

I might as well stop in here, since I'm...slightly more confident now. I've managed to stick to a 2500-words-a-day writing schedule so far, which is working out nicely, so I'm aiming for somewhere between 60-70K this year at the least, and at most, I'd like to top my last personal highscore with 75K. So yeah. I'm excited. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Adreago — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:28:59 -0500

I'm reading over all these 100k goals, and wow are yo guys awesome. I'm hoping for 60, 000 this year. So far I'm a head of schedule though, so maybe I'll get more. Who knows?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mew Knightley — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:35:19 -0500

At first I was like "Pfffft, NaNo is easy, I can do 100 easily!" But I had never done NaNo before, so I wasn't sure if I could actually do it or not. And here I am, 15k at day four, and I'm thinking 100k in 30 days isn't such a bad idea.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:11:59 -0500

Responding to a bunch of stuff, don't be alarmed if it's old - I haven't really stepped outside of Shoutouts for the past two days. Keikochama: Honestly, that's (one of the reasons) why I tend to avoid Ate My Soul... they tend to have a better variety of posts (this thread excepted, Better than I Hoped just reads to me like one long string of YAY!) but some people are so freaking negative about everything. Waah my wordcount is inferior. So stop worrying about it! Waah I'm behind. So get writing! Waah the forums don't have my favorite sparkly toy yet. But they work, don't they?! When the whole "oh, it can't be good because it's fast" argument came up, I told them to go read what I wrote since it's public on Google Docs. >:) etiennefayth: Welcome aboard, I like you already! IamSamThisIsMe: You're already at 10k... technically, you ARE an overachiever :D Dani Marchand: I average 50wpm, less than that so far this year. It just means more time sitting down and writing :D In other news, I made great progress on day 2 even though I didn't hit my DORG... and then yesterday, my computer had an epic hard drive failure. The good news is that I got all my files off/backed up, but it cost me an entire night of writing to get a new computer and get it set up (and I still don't have Write or Die back yet.) And then I only got 5k more tonight, so I'm languishing at 45k. Wryyyyyyy ;___;

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 07:42:25 -0500

So apparently I've lost my ability to stay up all night. I was too tired to work last night and went to bed. Ehh, I'm glad I'm finally sleeping on a normal schedule. There's plenty of time to work during the day.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:08:44 -0500

Seems like I'm back in the flow and can write more without glancing at the word count every five minutes. Turning the WC feature off in Word really does the trick for me. And good music. Definitely good music. So I hope to overachieve a little more today! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:46:21 -0500

What kind of computer do you have? I have a Mac, and I really want to turn my word count feature off so that I'm not obsessively checking it. Does anyone else know how to do that? Also, 2K away from 30K. Getting to 25K last night was like pulling teeth. I had 900 words to write, and I sat there for two hours. I think it's just one of those "yay, milestone!" things, and my brain stopped working for a while, or something. >.>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:11:21 -0500

I have a normal PC with Windows XP, so no idea how to do it on a Mac. xD But you could also put a post-it or something over the screen where the word count feature is? And congrats on hitting 25k! That's awesome!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:17:06 -0500

What program are you using to write with?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SetsunaSakamoto — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:06:35 -0500

This is my first NaNo, so I wasn't sure about giving myself personal goals. But it's day 5 (Remember, remember the 5th of November!) and I'm at 13k. I probably won't stop at 50k, just for the sake of getting as much out as I can before I decide I can't look at it again for 3 years...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:23:16 -0500

Acile- Thanks! C.J.- I'm using MS Word.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:27:36 -0500

I'm finally back at the pace I was at last year! I just got back from a write-in where I got 5400 words done in two hours. Now I want see if I can break my record for the most I've written in a day. I'm almost halfway there and there's still more than seven hours left in the day.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:06:38 -0500

Writing anything above 50k is still overachieving! One of my internet friends has never made it past 20k and writes exclusively by hand, and I consider THAT overachieving.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:11:07 -0500

I shoved the word counter on Word into my dock, so it's hidden by icons. I could probably figure out how to turn it off forever if I poke around a bit.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:48:43 -0500

If I remain on track like this, I will break 200k sometime tomorrow. I'm scared. o.O

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

breatheinbreatheoutrepeat — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:32:02 -0500

Why not, let's give it a shot, did 125,000 last year, first go. How does 150,000 sound to everyone? Full time masters in Astrophysics going on too. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:43:29 -0500

I finally broke 25k, yippee! I'm so happy! I had a really bad start with NaNo this year, what with getting really sick on day 2. But I made it, and hopefully there will be better days ahead! Keep going, you amazing overachievers!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:26:28 -0500

Interesting that you all find the word count feature to be a hindrance. I find I can't write without knowing the word count, which is one of the reasons I like that word '07 has it at the bottom of the screen for easy access. Everyone's different, I guess.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:27:10 -0500

That's super impressive. Awesome job!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KeikoCharna — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:54:35 -0500

I prefer being able to see my word count too.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:10:36 -0500

You are my new inspiration. If I stay on track, I'll break 200k... next Friday night. And this is the most I've ever written in that time frame. You... are insanely impressive, and I give my admiration and respect. Take care of those crazy typing hands!! Thanks for giving me a burst of motivation to stop procrastinating and get my personal goal done for today. XD - Lauren

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:21:40 -0500

Is it the 2007 version? You can right click on the "Words:" bar at the bottom of the screen and a menu will pop up. You can uncheck the Word Count option and it'll go away. Don't know about any other version, but 2007 is the one I have.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:22:43 -0500

I like seeing it too. I keep the spell check on. The squiggles are comforting psychologically. :S

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:27:49 -0500

I'm not going over 50K this year (...I think I won't. I'm not trying to at least.) but now I have 20,505. I'm trying to hit Day 13 mark (21,671) before the end of the night so I can be ahead of any calamities that may happen in Week 2. I've done NaNo for 6 years, and Week 2 has always been terrible for me. Ugh, my brain is mush. C'mon, it's just 1200 words more. C'mon...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Pretentious — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:44:12 -0500

Um gaizzz, I just found this thread and I was liak wondering if you had room for another member? xD I would never have envisioned myself here but after finishing in 4 days, 23hrs and 17mins, do I have grounds to pop over? :D I was considering stopping at 50k but with you bunch of lovely people I feel I should aim higher. So, if you'll have me.. I pledge 100k, 150k, 200k? I haven't decided yet, but can I join plzthnx? :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:53:35 -0500

Yay! You're already an overachiever, just by making your 50k happen in less than thirty days. Keep writing, and keep being awesome!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Pretentious — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:05:23 -0500

Right back at you, your word-count is INSANE. I'm going to keep going so will keep popping in here throughout the month and I guess I'll just see how things are going before I pledge myself a 200k total just yet. :D Thanks for having me though, you people are awesome.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:39:51 -0500

Seconded. xD absolutely crazy word count, caillien, but in an inspirational way. Welcome. (: and if you've hit 50k in 4 days, you can absolutely do a 200k total. ^^ it took me 7 days to finish last year and I got to 180k. So absolutely best of luck with whatever you decide to do. ^_^ And naturally, congratulations on the fast 50k. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:02:41 -0500

Omg why you so amazing, caeillin????

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:03:14 -0500

Broke 50,000! I'm so relieved! I feel like I can breathe again. Time to go stuff my face with food rewards.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

qh2 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:29:12 -0500

The writing is for me - writing. Following through will be a huge accomplishment. But my overachiever goal is a bit different - it's to post in threads like this. To actually attempt to interact with other wordsmiths. To share top of my head brainstorm fast writing without shame. I like being a loner. Writing is my solitary solace. And I'm a perfectionist and neither of those things really lend to interaction or sharing even bits and pieces of my writing and myself. So my goal would be to visit at least a forum a day. To thoughtfully comment on something someone else posted and to leave a post of my own. That is huge for me. Far more than words when real people are responding in real time when I'm not quite ready for it. All qh2 posts (c) 2011 All rights reserved.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

j-cat — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:37:06 -0500

I'm sooo glad to find this thread! My friends are HATING on me because I'm at 22,000 today and it's decent stuff. I didn't plan to be an overachiever, it just happened. I have a really tight outline and the words are flowing. My only goal was to finish (this is Nano #4), but now I'm hoping to finish early and start re-writing before December. Gulp. Did I say that?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:23:26 -0500

Pretentious: First off, I love your username XD and second, WRITE MORE. WRITE UNTIL THE BITTER END. :D j-cat: Welcome aboard! We love your wordcount! :D I finally broke 50k today - 5 days is the fastest I've done it outside of 50kweekend, but, uh...it's still four days late. >____>;;

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:49:24 -0500

Tia, please keep in mind that you are awesome. There's always next year and we'll be there to cheer you on when you'll cross that 50k line on day first. Oh we will. We will prepare together in October, sprinting, messing up our sleeping pattern but we will get there, you and me both. Five days? 50k? before this year I had never done that outside of 50kweekend. Please, be glad :) And we love you and your wordcount!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

valeriex — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:12:59 -0500

There's a catch up thread over on nanowrimo ate my soul. I was about to add a post saying I was only at 15K when I wanted to be at 22.5K by the end of today. I think there's something about this overachievers thread that skews your thinking. So, let me just say, I don't have as much time to write this year, so I'm getting a little dejected about the word count. I really want to get the whole book written this month but I don't see how I'll have time to write during the week. Guess I'll just plan on working into December if I have to.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Augrae — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:41:00 -0600

I buckled down today and made 8.6k, which completely made up for the day I had less than 500 words. I'm still 2k behind, but that's completely manageable compared to the nearly 7k I was behind at the start of the day. I'm hoping day 6 will be a 6k+ day and I'm be totally back on track going into next week, which just might be my craziest week of the month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:20:52 -0600

If I keep up these shenanigans, 200k will fall faster than I ever thought it would. Which is supposed to happen, yes, but I don't think I've been this close this early in the month before o.O

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Pretentious — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:31:32 -0600

Thanks for the very kind welcome, the congratulations, and the best of luck. :D I've decided to just keep going with the novel until it is finished (at least.. finished without a big edit or anything xD). Then I'll either start a spin-off story or something new. :) Congratulations to you too, and thanks once again. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Pretentious — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:07:59 -0600

Thank you. :D & I will keep going, I have decided to push myself all the way. xD Don't be so hard on yourself, like Chomsky-rabbit wisely said, there's always next year and five days is still massively impressive. YOUR AWESOME. Remember that. :) As for the 50k in one day, if you fellow crazy people want another person to join, I'm in. I think with a lot of practice and a lot preparation I can do it, so yeah.. roll on next year. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Pretentious — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:09:34 -0600

Great job caillen, you're an inspiration to all. :D Time for me to get out of here and get writing, can't let myself stop now I've hit the big 50. ;D Good luck to all. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:50:56 -0600

Oi. I keep complaining about the same things, I know, but I'm not getting enough sleep because I'm worried about the musical and school and things like that, and so I'm woefully behind on my goals. I can't write when I'm exhausted, and I feel exhausted 99% of the time. And Hell Week starts on Monday, and I'm supposed to hit 50K today but that's over 20K away and I've got things to do for a good chunk of today. Things that I can't get out of. And all this week I'm going to be at school until ten at night, from eight in the morning, without a portable laptop. Oops. Sorry. Rambling and things. But! I am pleased with what I've written so far. It's coherent and there's not really things that I feel the need to delete. There aren't many spelling errors, and I'm more pleased with this novel so far than any other NaNo I've done.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:51:17 -0600

Oooh, good job! :) That's fantastic!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Pretentious — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:02:15 -0600

I know it sounds lame but stick at it. :D You're doing great so far already, so don't let yourself get too bothered about being behind on personal goals - not when your doing so well as it. I'm glad you're enjoying what you've written, that's always a bonus when you feel like you don't have to delete much, or even delete any at all (I'm feeling the same about mine this year). Anyway, best of luck for the rest of the month and keep it up. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:14:14 -0600

Ahh, I'm approaching the dreaded 50k. Every time I've ever won Nano before I've got to 50k and just... stopped. It's like the number stops me dead in my tracks. I want to get to 120k this year. I'm bound and determined that I'm going to do it, but there's still this sneaking suspicion in the back of my mind that 50k'll hit and I'll lose the momentum. But I'm writing faster this year than I ever had before. I've set myself a daily goal of 5k, which I've exceeded every day so far. I've got to do it. 120k is so doable, even with a full time job. Definitely. *nods* Also - so much awe for the people who've already won. Every year I stare at your word counts with disbelief. I don't think I'll ever be able to get it down below a week.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

originalgradk — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:54:42 -0600

10k hit hooray! I am trying to do a normal normal length novel but need 16k a day to make it over the 30 days.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tashie — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:10:23 -0600

Something tells me this year I'll become an overachiever simply because I'm not stopping until my novel is written start to finish. I'm estimating between 75k and 100k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tashie — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:11:49 -0600

This is exactly what happened with me and my NaNo last year, but I stopped at 50k. Poor abandoned novel. :(

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:15:02 -0600

I don't know about next year. If I'm still modding shoutouts, the first is pretty much the worst day for that forum. After the first few days, about the only issues are moving wrongly-placed threads. And I definitely want to learn dvorak before I try it again. As for the sleep schedules, well, that's what sleeping pills and caffiene is for :D But yeah, I don't really want to try it again until I know I can beat it. [quote=valeriex] There's a catch up thread over on nanowrimo ate my soul. I was about to add a post saying I was only at 15K when I wanted to be at 22.5K by the end of today. I think there's something about this overachievers thread that skews your thinking. [/quote] That is so very true and I was about to say something to the same effect. It's a sad day when 5k bums you out for being "a bad day". Heh.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:33:19 -0600

I should hit 50k today, a day ahead of schedule. I don't think I've ever hit it quite this early before, though granted I only really deliberately overachieved one other time. Here's to hoping the trouble I had early in week 1 means that week 2 will be easier...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:33:26 -0600

Hi Pretentious! Your avatar is very pretty! So, I don't really feel like an overachiever anymore. I mean, I'm at 13k, but right now writing is a chore... I'm not looking forward to it. That might be because I did something wrong with the story. Maybe it's because it's set in a real city I know very well (too well?) and I need something different. Maybe it's because while I planned it, I'm shoving in random scenes here and there and I don't like it how they keep popping up. I'm kind of lost though, I don't really know what to do... except for write and hope that it gets better without me doing anything. Does anyone have an idea about what the problem is?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:41:03 -0600

You might be just tired. 13K is a lot of words. Maybe go to a new section of your outline if you have one, and come back?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:55:11 -0600

Say screw consistency and just start doing what you want to do. Change POV, tense, style, etc until you're happy and excited again. You can deal with the mess later. :) I hated what I was writing last year because it was too plot-oriented. After I dove back into my MC's head, everything went peachy.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:51:56 -0600

Thank you! :) I appreciate that. I figure that once I'm done being busy, I can get more on track with my personal goals. (It appears that with the light of the morning comes less angsting about that sort of thing.) I'm reminding myself that this is my best NaNo so far, at least quality-wise, and that's lovely.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

originalgradk — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:56:38 -0600

11,757 words done!! it doesn't feel too much what is remaining but I am using every bit of Waterfall Inspiration I can to move my plot along and strangely it is providing inspiration.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

originalgradk — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:58:47 -0600

I am aiming to overachieve just to be 'normal' and leave 50k to valid Novella with valid decent literary models.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

originalgradk — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:00:38 -0600

I am aiming at reaching 50k in discrete non related chunks which I will end up compiling into some kind of MS. Once I hit 50k get the Scrivener Discount!! and then press ahead onto a more normal novel size.!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Apiecalypse — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:04:22 -0600

You may just need a new plot. Around 11k my plot screeched to a melodramatic, slow, info-dumping halt, so I just jumped straight into the middle of a different plot that had been drifting around in my head for a few days, and I've nearly doubled my wordcount since! December is the time for sorting out plotting issues- I'd say just pick something and write 50k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:57:38 -0600

Go go go! *cues the cheering section*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:03:23 -0600

I do this ALL THE TIME. If I switch to something else and come back, I usually have a better idea of where things need to go, so I can go back and write how things get there more easily. A couple years ago, I wrote the entire story backward, from end to beginning. I still write the final scene first, then I'll go back and rewrite it if the characters ran away with the plot (a common occurence). It's nice to have some sense of where everything needs to end. Maybe what you're staring at there isn't the beginning of the tale, but it's somewhere in the middle or beyond your timeline. Switch something up! Worst case scenario, this has all been a dream and you can start over fresh with a new plot.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:32:09 -0600

Thanks a lot, everyone! You have some awesome advice there! :D I might try the switching around thing because it sounds really exciting - although I figured my problem was a different one. There was something wrong with my thinking, I suppose. Anyway, I'm back on track and just hit 15k! I could also enjoy the story while writing it. So I'm all good at the moment.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:00:51 -0600

Today has been kind of hard. It's 6pm and I've only got 4k. This is not good... I wanted to try to reach 50k today. I still do. I have the time. Hoping I can do it. I only need 5k more until then. Hope you're all going strong! Keep it up! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:16:21 -0600

So I did 50k day on the first and then have written just 13k since. This was not part of the plan. While 200k is easy for me this year, assuming I also complete 50k weekend, I was sort of secretly hoping to reach 300k again. That's going to be very difficult at the rate I'm going now, especially since I have more than the zero commitments I did last year when 300k happened. And now I've been feeling all emo kid for the past couple of days, coming down to an extreme low today. Ergh. This does not bode well for writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:28:37 -0600

I'm fluctuating rapidly between "Oh my gosh, inspiration! This novel will be amazing!" and "Oh my gosh, I have no idea where my plot is going. Everything is a disjointed mess and I don't want to write. I'm going to die." Need to write about 3k today if I want to catch up to where I should be...ffft. I agree that switching around can provide the inspiration you need. I'm currently in a different tense than where I started and am including a series of Dream Sequences That Really Happen that definitely weren't in the outline.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:17:03 -0600

The bad news: I failed #50kday, and I failed Double-Your-Wordcount-Weekend. I need 14k in 3.75 hours. YEAHNO. The good news: Despite the amounting failures, I am still on track for 250k. My super-goal was 200k. The net result: BleeeeeeehgonnagoreadfanfictionNOMUSTWRITEfanfiction ooh a cookie!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:34:16 -0600

If I could give you some of my words, I would. I'm sure you can kick this in the pants and write as many words as you want, because you are twelve different sorts of awesome. TWELVE. THAT'S A LOT!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

etiennefayth — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:40:43 -0600

Congratulations!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

etiennefayth — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:44:02 -0600

I finally decided to just commit, and say that 75k is my goal, on the same day that I am 6000 words behind for that goal. With two essays still to write, alongside job applications. Bring on the caffeine! And everyone who has already reached 50k will be my inspiration - you guys are amazing

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

j-cat — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:35:51 -0600

I'm so glad I checked in here today. I am still, in my opinion, overachieving (at 30K now) and am close to the end of my story. Then I'm going to go back and fill in lovely details I brushed right over. But I just started dragging for the first time and I'm on my second to last chapter! So I'm taking the mix-it-up advice here and going to play with the end, or go back and do fun filler stuff... anything different. I've cranked straight through but it's time for a change. Phew. Dang, I wrote 17,000 words this weekend. No wonder Brain. Is. Fried.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:41:59 -0600

I hit 50k! I did it! Whew, I'm ready to sleep now, okay? lol That's the most words I've ever written in such a short amount of time. I am just so excited, I want to tell everyone! lol

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

PenGryphon2007 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:40:40 -0600

Well, I wrote 10k today. And now my brain is mush. Mush I tell you! I'm satisfied though. Every year there's been at least one day where I write 10k, and this was it. I'm gonna go conk out now since I can't form any coherent sentences anymore. I'm sure December will be fun to re-read what I've written--but oddly enough, my characters are BEHAVING themselves. What's up with that?! And also, congrats to werewolfluvr119 and everyone else who has already reached the 50k. You guys are amazing! Be nice to your wrists and arms, shoulders and back, and keep up the awesome writing. (Seriously, if you can do 50k in a week, you should technically be able to write 200k during the month of November). No pressure. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:06:20 -0600

I did something like 11k today, so I don't feel so bad. I still haven't finished the damn story, though. STORY Y U NO END YET??

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:58:45 -0600

[quote=tiakall] I did something like 11k today, so I don't feel so bad. I still haven't finished the damn story, though. STORY Y U NO END YET?? [/quote] Story ended, AND I'M TOPPING SUSHIMUSTWRITE RIGHT NOW. It won't last once she wakes up, given that she'll probably beat the pants off me while I'm at work, but I'll take what I can get.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:26:04 -0600

I hit 50k earlier today, turning this into National Novel Writing Week :D I'm still about 25k from the end of the novel, so I've got plenty to keep me busy for the rest of the month. I have my first exam in two days, so a slower pace will be required. No more 11k days like yesterday for a while...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Timpeni — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:33:26 -0600

Okay. I'm only at 13k, but... this story is a 100k-er, I feel it. My MCs are visiting 21 different countries- the first two were half-visits, they're going back to France, plus they've just touched down on China. Don't forget the epic American roadtrip they've planned. Oh, dear.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 06:44:42 -0600

Wow, that sounds really interesting! Do you switch between countries as the mood strikes you or keep it linear? And did you do a lot of research or is that for later? I hope you have fun with such a big project. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:16:25 -0600

*breathes down your neck* :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:29:10 -0600

So I hit 50k yesterday and managed to bring my total word count up to 54k. And now I'm stuck. I had my novel planned out to 30 chapters, and Part 1 of my story was supposed to be 6 chapters/20k words long. Instead, it's 7 chapters/50k words long, and I've found myself losing interest. I feel like I've forgotten all the parts of my novel that were supposed to be interesting and insightful. Now I'm just stuck with a whiny character who complained about not having a job for months and now hates the job she finally got. That's not what I wanted - at least not so soon. I think I need to sit down and seriously reorganize my novel, as I cannot continue with the outline I have now. It's boring and just one long rant after another. I can't do it. And here I thought the common week 2 problems wouldn't apply to me since I had already hit 50k. Hah.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:45:33 -0600

[quote=quixotic_hope] And here I thought the common week 2 problems wouldn't apply to me since I had already hit 50k. Hah. [/quote] The week two problems happen no matter how far ahead you are, whether it's one word ahead or 200k ahead.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Augrae — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:13:22 -0600

My 8k day on Saturday toasted my wrists for yesterday. Even so, I managed an 11k+ weekend and doubled my word count. I'm doing my best to be happy with that. I might be revising my goal. I was aiming for 120k, but I find I'm running pace for about 100k. I'll try and get my voice software fixed this week, but if it doesn't happen, I'm probably changing the target to save my hands.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Feanorianfangirl — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:06:05 -0600

I'm at 17k right now but I feel totally behind. Meh.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:29:03 -0600

It is. I often have to fight to make myself sit at the computer and write. There are so many "important" things to do instead.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:32:29 -0600

On a normal keyboard I can type over 70 wpm. On this cramped laptop keyboard, no way, unless I want everything to look martian. I think I'm lucky to hit 50 wpm now. You belong here, I promise.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:35:02 -0600

Ouch! Very good to have your files backed up. I'm glad for that part of it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:21:03 -0600

I took yesterday off, so now my goal is to write 12k to make up for yesterday. I've got over 9k so far today. You guys didn't tell me this was addicting!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:22:11 -0600

Yes, 17k is SO Not behind.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:26:17 -0600

I'm so happy I just have to share it with you fellow overachievers. It's not about word count - I can plough through hundreds of thousands of words without substance if I have to. Not sure that's a good talent. But today, the barrier finally broke and the story that has been 'okay' from day 1 finally turned into 'amazing'. Suddenly, out of the blue, I have plot points I didn't have before, I have a vague idea where I am going, I have characters I am starting to like, and I have time travel! Yippee! (Okay, yes, it took me 40k words to get to that point. That's really bad statistics. BUT I never would have got to the point if it hadn't been for NaNo and overachieving, because then I surely would have given up by now!)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:43:54 -0600

[quote=Madrynea] But today, the barrier finally broke and the story that has been 'okay' from day 1 finally turned into 'amazing'. Suddenly, out of the blue, I have plot points I didn't have before, I have a vague idea where I am going, I have characters I am starting to like, and I have time travel! Yippee! (Okay, yes, it took me 40k words to get to that point. That's really bad statistics. BUT I never would have got to the point if it hadn't been for NaNo and overachieving, because then I surely would have given up by now!) [/quote] Yay! That's so exciting! And I know how you feel. I hit 54k and then didn't know what to do with my story. I had an outline, but I hated it and wasn't at all interested in it anymore. And then I sat down today and came up with a new idea that I think will make it work. I'm actually excited about my story again!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:00:47 -0600

[quote=quixotic_hope] So I hit 50k yesterday and managed to bring my total word count up to 54k. And now I'm stuck. I had my novel planned out to 30 chapters, and Part 1 of my story was supposed to be 6 chapters/20k words long. Instead, it's 7 chapters/50k words long, and I've found myself losing interest. I feel like I've forgotten all the parts of my novel that were supposed to be interesting and insightful. Now I'm just stuck with a whiny character who complained about not having a job for months and now hates the job she finally got. That's not what I wanted - at least not so soon. I think I need to sit down and seriously reorganize my novel, as I cannot continue with the outline I have now. It's boring and just one long rant after another. I can't do it. And here I thought the common week 2 problems wouldn't apply to me since I had already hit 50k. Hah. [/quote] Week 2, or 50k Hangover?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:16:38 -0600

I felt like I was slogging through the mud last week, but this evening I've already managed 900 words in about 20 minutes of dedicated writing, and I'm really starting to hit a good stride and some exciting parts in the story. I guess my Week One and Week Two flipped on me. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Rhiannon Brid — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:48:09 -0600

I'm hoping to write at least 75k but we'll see.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:21:46 -0600

Probably both.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:23:01 -0600

That's my target, too.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

radioactivealchemist — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:54:21 -0600

I'm still plugging along, on track to my 75k (if the story can make it that far). It would be nice if I could get a day ahead tonight and actually stay there; I hit 15k a day early but then wrote absolutely nothing yesterday so I'm back to where I'm supposed to be. 5k is a pretty darn good day for me. 7.5k is amazing and has only happened a handful of times in the last 6 years I've done NaNo. 10k is right out; I nearly killed myself on a 10k day in 2008 and I'm never doing it again unless I somehow get massively inspired and can't stop.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:45:17 -0600

The fact that I am even in the same ballpark as sushi, Raquelin, and tiakall is making me giddy with delight. I feel like I'm sitting at the popular kids' lunch table! And does anyone know where Kateness has gone? :( Off to wordwar...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SpiritofClyde — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:09:34 -0600

I don't have a definite overachieving goal - just whatever I can get by the end of the month. I am hoping it will be more than 50K, and I am almost half way there to 50K.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:39:00 -0600

[quote=TypoMania] The fact that I am even in the same ballpark as sushi, Raquelin, and tiakall is making me giddy with delight. I feel like I'm sitting at the popular kids' lunch table! And does anyone know where Kateness has gone? :( Off to wordwar... [/quote] Awesome! I'm one of the cool kids now! It only took me a few decades.... I'm at 69k...and I'm topping sushi again. Heh heh. #thatswhatshesaid

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SirenPrincess — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:43:46 -0600

Overachievers--I need some overachiever encouragement. This is my first NaNo, so I didn't sign-up to be an overachiever because I wasn't even sure I could reach 50,000. But I am the type that likes to push herself. I hit 30,000 on day 6. I'm only at 32818 now, and I feel so sad because my little bar hardly moved any for day 7. I just don't feel like writing tonight. I think I've hit a point in my plot that's difficult and somewhat pivotal, and I just don't have the energy to deal with it. I know if I post anywhere else, people will tell me to be happy that I'm over 30,000, but I don't want to be happy with a 2,600 day. I wanted to hit 35,000 tonight. So I guess I need an overachiever butt-kicking. Someone encourage me. Tell me that I can do a lot better than 2,600 in a day, and I need to get writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

brionyjae — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:25:12 -0600

*peeks in* Hahaa, I saw the title of this thread and somehow knew it would be sushi who created it :D I'm not overachieving, sadly, but I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK to you all! :D:D You all inspire me to think that if you guys can get WAY more than 50k, I sure as heck can get just the 50k :D *sends around virtual motivation cake* ^_^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:18:05 -0600

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE! Aw, what's the name of that little cat again? He's so cute! And he's such a wiseguy! Well, congratulations on 30K, that's amazing =D Keep working hard -- and it is *totally* normal to have days when you have less output. You are giving yourself time to recharge, so you can go back to that "trouble point" in your story with refreshed vigor. If you ever feel anything less than pure delight when working with your story, ask yourself this: why am I writing this? Why did I plan this scene (even if you didn't necessarily plan it, why did you dream it up)? There has to be a reason, because let's face it: Siren Princess would not have conceived an idea for this story if she didn't, at least in some way, like it. Bottom line is, you should NOT feel guilty about 2,600, but your drive is admirable. Now that you've had a relaxed day, push yourself extra hard today and set a very distinct goal for yourself (maybe 7.5K so you can combine the two for a 10K duo?). Keep up the good work!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:19:15 -0600

Aww, thank you. It's so sweet to hear stuff like this as opposed to accusations of cheating, or, as it was so eloquently put two years ago, "writing stream of consciousness crap." =) Thanks for the cake!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:25:24 -0600

[quote=TypoMania] The fact that I am even in the same ballpark as sushi, Raquelin, and tiakall is making me giddy with delight. I feel like I'm sitting at the popular kids' lunch table! And does anyone know where Kateness has gone? :( Off to wordwar... [/quote] OMB. I'm popular? /teenage moment of altenating pride and panic JOIN OUR THREE-WAY RACE. MAKE IT A FOUR-WAY. :D And Kateness is working her butt off, I believe.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:57:20 -0600

I've figured out my problem. I have too much going on, and I expect myself to write the same amount even when I'm at school all day with no computer. And I need sleep. So. Revising my goals per day so that I can hit 200K by the end of the month, but this week I'm letting myself get less than the necessary amount per day, and when the musical's over I may be so happy to have my afternoons/evenings back that I'll feel okay writing 10K a day. So I didn't write anything, but the goal is to hit 50K today (I think I can, I don't have anything going on for 6 hours). Hooray!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

dragonwriterhp — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:17:06 -0600

I have changed my goal. Instead I am going to just go for 50k, but I need to get it before November 21st because my fiance is coming to visit me so I won't be able to write after that because I will be too busy spending time with him. So I am still an overachiever, but a much more reasonable overachiever. I really wanted to get more this year, but I just don't think I will be able to with the amount of time I have to spend working and studying/doing homework.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:28:47 -0600

That really makes no sense to me. Where did the myth come from that 'writing fast' means 'writing crap'? Jealousy, pure jealousy, my friends!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:29:44 -0600

And since we are all overachievers, I just wanted to throw some confetti and say yippeeee! I finally hit 50k. :D I know many of you are way past that already, but it still always feels like a milestone to me. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SirenPrincess — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:41:06 -0600

Congrats! I'm impressed.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SirenPrincess — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:47:03 -0600

Thanks! Your words helped me with the guilt factor. I think because it's an important scene, I'm succumbing to 'it needs to be perfect'-itis. I woke up this morning and decided that I just need to embrace that this is NaNo and write it, let it be however bad it turns out, and fix the imperfections later. And the nights rest did help me work out the details I'd been struggling over. PS--The kitty's name is Jiji. I have a shapeshifter that turns into a black cat in my story, and the hold on for your life feeling implied in the icon made me think it was quite appropriate for NaNo.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SirenPrincess — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:47:52 -0600

Thanks for the encouragement. I had to comment to say I love your icon. That alone was good inspiration. :-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:56:07 -0600

I'm still on track to reach 50K on day 10! After that....I hope that I can continue writing the novel.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:11:51 -0600

*throws confetti for you* :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:34:24 -0600

6 whole hours! You can definitely do it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:42:30 -0600

...do y'all think I could win NaNo in another week? I have 26K today. I plan to have 28K later tonight. o_O Whoa, why am I even thinking about this?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

JacenTheBard — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:46:44 -0600

I like the way you think! Thanksgiving weekend for me will either be spent loafing around at someone's house or loafing around at an all-but-empty workplace. Maybe I can get a couple of really great days in and wrap up last year's. Had a really great 4k day yesterday (and I got a lot of other stuff done, too!) after a wordless weekend, so I know it's doable if I can keep that momentum up. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:27:23 -0600

Haha, I'll never win, but if you want one more person to beat... why not? I'm in! :p (tiakall, definitely lol'ed at your that's what he said...)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:56:05 -0600

I'm pushing to get ahead of my goal because I'm getting some massive dental work done in the next couple days, and I know I'll be out of it. Ugh.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:07:47 -0600

[quote=C.J. Sandiego] ...do y'all think I could win NaNo in another week? I have 26K today. I plan to have 28K later tonight. o_O Whoa, why am I even thinking about this? [/quote] You totally can!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:46:57 -0600

Well, I did it! I took Sunday off, so in 7 days, I made 50k. Not as wonderful as many of you on this thread, but a record for me. I don't think I've finished 50k in less than two weeks before.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:59:17 -0600

you can do it! =) ... Why am I here? I didn't even plan to overachieve, but I may accidentally. I'm at 25k right now and I may finish well before the 30th. xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:59:54 -0600

What, except for amazing epicness, IS your actual goal? =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LadyKelien — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:11:30 -0600

I should have made it to 50k early tomorrow morning, but A cold front is moving through and the last two days has sent me running for the Advil sinus and tylenol. My head has been pounding for two days now. But, I finally hit 40k a little bit ago and I have about an hour before hubby gets home and kicks me off the computer. So Im going to shoot for at least 41k before he gets here. I'll hit 50 with any luck sometime tomorrow and still be fairly on track for my goal of 150k by my birthday on the 25. Im not doing Thanksgiving this year. Hubby is going to provide the kids with traditional superbowl fare for watching football while Mom writes. Of course between games he actually wants to watch, I will have to fight him to keep the computer. Hes doing Nano too and we have to share this year. But, it's all good.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

RamblingArtistNina — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:22:40 -0600

I've nearly hit the halfway mark due to not doing anything but writing. :| I'm hoping to complete my novel around... 75k words, maybe.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LJn — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:52:54 -0600

"stream of consciousness." I tried that. It didn't work.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:04:40 -0600

A million words in November! I'm writing ALL THE WORDS.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:19:14 -0600

[quote=caillien] A million words in November! I'm writing ALL THE WORDS. [/quote] Will you write some of mine if I ask nicely? :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Bangkokwriter — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:21:11 -0600

this is my 6th nano and i've never written so much in such a short time. 30 000 as of this morning... the reason for this is mainly that i'm writing every day (or night) with a group of overachievers in online write-ins and they are just setting the pace for me. this has also never happened before, usually i am the fastest writer in the write-ins. i am so happy about their determination and delight in writing. i have been writing for a very very long time and never expected another 'growth spurt' like this. I still dont consider myself an overachiever like the rest of you. 150000 totally out of my reach. but for me, this is bliss. just wanted to share that and good luck...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:53:32 -0600

[quote=TypoMania] Haha, I'll never win, but if you want one more person to beat... why not? I'm in! :p (tiakall, definitely lol'ed at your that's what he said...) [/quote] Come on! You're neck and neck with me now as it is! You've been hanging; you can totally keep hanging. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:54:47 -0600

If it were physically possible, I could finish this novel tonight. It's that loud and enthusiastic in my head. Kinda cool. :) (If I disappear, the terrorists won.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SirenPrincess — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:34:29 -0600

This sounds really interesting. Can you tell us more about the overachiever online write-ins?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ecchymoticism — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:06:52 -0600

Give that person a brownie and explain to her that she will die if she tries to write one million effing words in a month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

lumi — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:07:04 -0600

hi, everybody! i guess i'm an overachiever, since i'm tentatively going for over 100K and on track to exceed that. It's just scary to say it out loud in case i jinx myself and get writer's block for days. It's amaing to see what some of you have managed to accomplish so quickly, truly inspirational.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ecchymoticism — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:09:23 -0600

I'd totally be one of Trouble's girls.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

brionyjae — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:12:41 -0600

I agree, accusations of cheating and crap doesn't make sense to me either - it's just the same as what the rest of us are writing, it's just that some people spend longer writing than others, and also could just be speedier typers and all that. Any writing is awesome writing! :):)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

brionyjae — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:13:38 -0600

Eeee, thanks! ^^ I must admit, I couldn't resist using it here, I heart Ianto AND Myfanwy! :D Glad to provide inspiration in any shape or form :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

agreysky — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:14:07 -0600

My stats say that I'll finish my novel by the 12th (I'm at 31k right now), so I'm contemplating the idea of writing two novels this month, and making it to 100k. I just don't know how I feel about torturing myself any further, but it's going to feel strange to be done with NaNo only halfway through the month. I don't think I could live with myself.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:02:41 -0600

*pants* *collapses* *dies*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:21:36 -0600

If you ask after the offending tooth has been removed from my jaw.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

nbell345 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:20:03 -0600

First of all, you guys rock socks :) Secondly, although it's little biscuits compared to some of the massive counts on this thread, I'm at 28k... can I join you overachievers? Think I'm going to try for 10k today :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tannadine — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:04:49 -0600

I'm feeling a little silly at the moment... the above post by nbell345 is my account that I abandoned. THIS account is the one I'm using for this year's nano. Doh! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

WiresInABox — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:08:22 -0600

I didn't plan to overachieve, but my novel has three parts and when I had written the first one I was already beyond 25 000 words! So assuming part 2 & 3 will be around the same lenght, I guess my final draft will end up around 75-80 000 words. Probably more. What I'm trying to say is that I don't have a specific word count as my goal, I just want to finish the novel!! I try to write at least 3334 words a day.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:46:37 -0600

O_O Wow. NICE going!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Spacebabe — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:17:11 -0600

I'm setting my goal at 70k this year. Better not be jinxing myself now.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:05:56 -0600

Yes! Jooooiin uuuussss

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MJE — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:29:20 -0600

I have the new goal of finishing the barest draft of the entire novel in 30 days rather than how many words. 50,000, phff, I'm already nearing that goal's halfway mark a week early. Now getting the barest rough draft of a novel in 30 days ... that takes much more work.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MJE — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:30:21 -0600

BTW, this is my first NaNo.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:41:29 -0600

Thank you both! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:11:15 -0600

...Week 2 has arrived. *sighs*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:26:58 -0600

Raq and Tia are still topping me. I don't like being topped. #doubleentendre At least I have a write-in tonight, yippee! Even if I am less productive at write-ins than I am sitting at home, but the social aspect makes up for the lack of productivity. We'll see if my taking over two hours to write 1667 was due my inability to decide what to write next or my penchant for being social with the Wrimos who were there because we were definitely carrying on. I still have to do all the things that aren't writing. Boooooooooooooo. Can I just write really fast and get paid by the word? People still do that, right? We do need an overachiever chat of some kind. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tannadine — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:51:35 -0600

Hit the 10k I promised for today - just shy of 37k now, I'm very tempted to set my own personal challenge goal at 75k. To be honest, more of a challenge would be to get the raw story out and finished! I'm frightened I'm rambling on a bit :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:56:56 -0600

We can has Overachiever chat?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Jenna Kernan — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:48:27 -0600

This is my first NaNo, but not my first complete manuscript. I am here to admit that I am also an overachiever. Nice to be among my own tribe. I'd like to hit at least 80,000 words this month or have a complete first draft of between 80 - 90K. I'm on track for that now. I have some extra writing time coming up with Veternan's day and Turkey day. My oven is broken and my family knows that I do not travel on the most traveled holiday of the year. That means less calories and more words are on the menu.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:56:02 -0600

So the dentist tried to fix my damaged tooth today and failed. This means I'm spending the next several days writing to get WAY ahead, then getting it extracted and sleeping for two days. Woo.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:54:15 -0600

[quote=nbell345] First of all, you guys rock socks :) Secondly, although it's little biscuits compared to some of the massive counts on this thread, I'm at 28k... can I join you overachievers? Think I'm going to try for 10k today :) [/quote] Of course you can! All overachievers are welcome! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:55:55 -0600

[quote=Raquelin] We can has Overachiever chat? [/quote] I thought it was called #nanolanta >___>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

charleenlynette — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:42:50 -0600

Word count bars are back! Now everyone can see that I'm an overachiever . . . hmm, not sure if that's a good thing or not.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

etiennefayth — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:00:37 -0600

And they show that I am not and yet am still hanging out here! It's all part of the plan you see. Lull people into thinking I am just going for 50K then BAM epic word counts of doom the minute I finish my last essay....I hope :p

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:44:13 -0600

Impossible! I am not in #nanolanta < /conceitedness>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:46:15 -0600

Is anyone else hitting the week two skids? I swear my story moved faster and was more interesting last week. I could sit down, lose myself in it, and come out 2k richer. This week? I'm lucky to get 400 words in edge-wise before I decide that the internet (or forums) are a fun place to be. ...Just ugh.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:40:45 -0600

I just found 9k I didn't know I had. It was lurking in the forgotten word file!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:00:29 -0600

[quote=tiakall] [quote=Raquelin] We can has Overachiever chat? [/quote] I thought it was called #nanolanta >___> [/quote] Ahahahahaha. This is true. :D And we have word count bars back. Yay! Finally hit 80k today. I'm about a day behind for my supersekrit goal of repeating last year but a good bit ahead for 200k. I'm definitely going to be falling a little behind for both, though. Aaaaaaaaaah.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:16:57 -0600

i finally got over the 20K's of doubt. i'm at 30K now, and the plot gets nice and juicy.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:32:44 -0600

I've been hopping from plot to plot, because none of my plots have enough draw for me to write them this week. Silly Week 2 =P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

brionyjae — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:27:31 -0600

Okay, I just had to let you guys know - this thread is so positive and inspiring that last night I sat down and wrote 2700 words in an hour :) Definitely helping me on my way to catch up!! So, THANK YOU GUYS for putting me in a great writerly FUN mood!! (especially because before, I was feeling the usual Week Two Blues!!) *fresh gingerbread men for all* xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:24:02 -0600

I think I hit the week 2 blues at the end of week 1, because I'm on back on track with the overachieving. I love to be ahead of the regular WC... but I want to get ahead even more. I'm glad the WC bars are visible everywhere now - that's even more encouragement! Sitting at 20k today... My official goal is 23k. Depending on how smoothly it goes, I might also shoot for 25k. Hitting the halfway finish line in 10 days would be so cool! Not sure if I can do it though.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:21:24 -0600

ugh, good luck with all that!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

originalgradk — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:47:06 -0600

If I write 3000 words a day then I could get 90,00 words taking me well into Overachievers. I haven't been making 3000 words a day so catch up. At least I have 17,000 words to my name.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

seliza — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:19:17 -0600

High five to all the overachievers! Keep dreaming big! *cheers*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:22:49 -0600

Oh yeah. I barely wrote anything yesterday, and I just managed to chuck something out when the clock was already reading 20h30. ~_~ It was mildly funny that that day was bad for five other people I talked with. It's like the 9th was jinxed, or something...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:33:28 -0600

Colette with an aureola! That's so awesome~ *being a nerd over the icon, excuse me* Might as well make this comment productive, and say I'm going for 200K this month. It's my first nano, and I picked that aim because I'm barely hitting it at the moment, and I want nano to be challenging. >3 I also love how the calendar icon calculates my day's productiveness based on the goal I put into it, instead of the normal 50K! All my days would be dark green with a 50K aim.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:54:35 -0600

[quote=brionyjae] Okay, I just had to let you guys know - this thread is so positive and inspiring that last night I sat down and wrote 2700 words in an hour :) Definitely helping me on my way to catch up!! So, THANK YOU GUYS for putting me in a great writerly FUN mood!! (especially because before, I was feeling the usual Week Two Blues!!) *fresh gingerbread men for all* xD [/quote] Mmmm, gingerbread men. And yay! That's a great pace, and definitely on par with many of us overachievers. It's so great to see this thread being populated by self-identified non-overachievers in a positive way instead of the "How on earth do you write 50,001 words?" (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but not by much.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:59:56 -0600

Aww, that is amazing! Congratulations! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:01:21 -0600

So, Overachievers... we are officially a third of the way through the month! How are we feeling? As for me, I can't really split the month into thirds because when I'm home for Thanksgiving I won't be able to do any writing, so I have five days less of this competition than I'd like :/ But seriously, how is everyone else?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:03:33 -0600

I am not going to have the time for writing over the next three days (this one included) that I would like. While I can still get a few thousand in, I feel like I should be writing more, moving on my story more. Since much of the reason that I won't be able to write is driving (10 hours over the next two days while I bounce around the region), I might try to find some speech to text software and dictate in the car. No idea how well that will work, or if I have time to get it working, but it would be interesting to try actually telling the story, at least.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Solunar — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:27:29 -0600

WOW. The wordcounts in this thread are astonishing. Makes me feel like such a slacker.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:58:05 -0600

That's awesomely inspiring!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:25:57 -0600

At least you're less of a slacker than I am! Look at my bar! To my mind your word count is amazing. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Solunar — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:54:00 -0600

Aw shucks. Thanks. Well, at least you're ahead of wordcount! That's always good. I'm thinking of having a rivalry with someone here. (I need competition to excel.) Hm.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:15:12 -0600

Clear of 50k... now, I've got to try not to let the second week slump convince me that as I've already won, I can stop writing. I will write until the novel is finished. I will write until the novel is finished. And then, if I'm not at 120k yet, I'll start another one.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:21:04 -0600

Hm, you'd need someone who's about as fast as you are. I guess I should consider myself lucky that a couple of people in my buddy list are about as far into the WC as I am, so that's always good competition. Especially if you catch up to them and the next day they're ahead again... x.x But looking at the overachievers and picking a few would be a good start?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LadyKelien — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:02:53 -0600

I hit 50k last night and I am a bit behind schedule still even after a 10k day. But, I will get to 150k by my birthday. Everyone here is doing great. Keep up the good work. Im just wondering though... Has anyone heard from Kateness?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

pocketsoul1127 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:06:00 -0600

Going for 150k this year. First time I've tried for a word count past the 50k mark and so far it seems to be going well. I think the biggest hurdle is not allowing the mindset of "I won at 50k" to sink in and just keep writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Telamir — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:57:51 -0600

I'm going to actually try and finish the novel this time. In past years, I've hit 50k and tossed it to the way side. I want to see where this one ends, and it's not going to be at 50k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:32:02 -0600

i'm hoping to finish my story this year as well. i almost hit my 100K goal last year (a cold late in the month last year was my downfall), falling just over 3K short, but worse, i never finished the story, getting to around the halfway point. i'm on episode 6 of 12 right now, and at this rate, my story is going to be finished around 75K, and will probably be wrapped up before thanksgiving. i'm wondering if i should add my word count for the 2010 nano, which i'll continue once this story is finished, because if i did that, i'll definitely get past 100K, and hopefully finish that one.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:33:51 -0600

Hey all! *takes a gingerbread cookie and thanks brionyjae* I've been hiding from this thread, and my little blue bar will show you why. But that isn't a righteous Overachiever attitude, is it? I've had a lot going on, but NO EXCUSES--my NaNo goals are a responsibility, just like everything else I've agreed to take on, and it's time I put them closer to the front of my priority list. And others in my life will just have to deal with it! :D So I have a proposition. Now that the NaNo Overlords have enabled forum progress bars, I see that there are several people--like me--who have a ways to go before we reach 50,000...let alone enter the rarefied realms some of you inhabit. So I propose a Winning Weekend. Reach 50K words before midnight on Sunday, get that milestone out of the way, and spend the second half of the month climbing up to where we really want to be. Plenty of you all are probably going to reach 50K this weekend at the pace you're at. I just wanted to know if anyone wants to do it as a mini-event, for moral support and mutual cheerleading. Kinda like #50Kweekend, except the goal is to reach 50K, so that massive Overachieving can then commence! Anyone interested? I'm starting tonight. 10K a day will get me there.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:34:08 -0600

Have to admit, you guys are all awesome. I love having wordcount bars finally =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:09:34 -0600

I finally realized that! Ah! Awesome. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:09:53 -0600

(The wordcount bars, I mean.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:15:16 -0600

Pff, you're an overachiever. You're already way ahead of where you need to be.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:42:06 -0600

Same story here. Damn the NaNo-forums that are so easily available and so interesting...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:43:52 -0600

With word count bars active now, I don't dare to go into 'NaNoWriMo ate my soul' anymore, so I'm going to be spending a lot more time here now. ;)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Solunar — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:50:53 -0600

That sounds awesome! But I'm heading out of the country over the weekend. Hm... Well, I could aim to write 8k tomorrow and leave 1k each for the weekend. That does sound doable.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BloodRoseAngel — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:02:20 -0600

I'm not sure how long this story will be, I keep discovering new things every time I think I'm lagging, but I definitely don't think it's going to be as long as last year's 177k story (which I only wrote 135k of in the month, in case anyone thinks I'm better than I am, haha XD), so I'm going to aim for somewhere between 75k and 100k. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:29:42 -0600

I reached 50K and definitely think that my goals are now possible. But it was epic, staying up an extra hour or so to pound out the 2.6K I needed in 42 minutes. :D Now I need to finish the rest of the novel, 13 chapters left, and then I can start writing a crack novel.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:34:00 -0600

I broke 70k! Yippeeeee! I'm so happy. It was such an effort and my fingers are so tired, but I didn't want to stop so close to that big number tonight. I made it with half an hour left of the day. Now my hands have deserved some rest, I think. Go go overachievers!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:04:49 -0600

Me too, but I didn't want to say it out loud. >.> You can, though! Since it's yours. And all.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:05:25 -0600

[quote=cosmam] Impossible! I am not in #nanolanta < /conceitedness> [/quote] AND WHOSE FAULT IS THIS. >:|

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:06:10 -0600

[quote=sushimustwrite] [quote=tiakall] [quote=Raquelin] We can has Overachiever chat? [/quote] I thought it was called #nanolanta >___> [/quote] Ahahahahaha. This is true. :D And we have word count bars back. Yay! Finally hit 80k today. I'm about a day behind for my supersekrit goal of repeating last year but a good bit ahead for 200k. I'm definitely going to be falling a little behind for both, though. Aaaaaaaaaah. [/quote] Ahh, the familiar feeling of getting my butt kicked by sushi. I wasn't sure what to do with myself for awhile there. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:06:44 -0600

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:07:41 -0600

[quote=Madrynea] With word count bars active now, I don't dare to go into 'NaNoWriMo ate my soul' anymore, so I'm going to be spending a lot more time here now. ;) [/quote] Ha, I know the feeling! Well, not that I've had a lot of time to lurk the forums since November started >_>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:08:22 -0600

[quote=TypoMania] So, Overachievers... we are officially a third of the way through the month! How are we feeling? As for me, I can't really split the month into thirds because when I'm home for Thanksgiving I won't be able to do any writing, so I have five days less of this competition than I'd like :/ But seriously, how is everyone else? [/quote] Slightly disturbed at my own productivity. Waiting for the crash. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:08:35 -0600

Good luck with that taja! I think hitting the 50k by the end of the weekend definitely puts you on the insane side of overachieving! XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:09:33 -0600

[quote=Solunar] Aw shucks. Thanks. Well, at least you're ahead of wordcount! That's always good. I'm thinking of having a rivalry with someone here. (I need competition to excel.) Hm. [/quote] I declared war on my MLs. It's solely responsible for my wordcount. I definitely encourage friendly rivalries/wars/competitions.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:11:34 -0600

I am apparently also warring with tiakall over forum posts in this thread, too. Keep posting, tia! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:07:50 -0600

Hey all! I created a thread to track my seriously warped (for me) idea of reaching 50K in three days. If anyone wants to join in, we can egg each other on to further heights of insanity. I know peer pressure works wonders on my wordcount! Winner Weekend: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/word-wars-prompts-sprints/threads/32776 Not to detract from this thread. Just to give those whose bars aren't quite blue yet a place to play catch-up to you titans of typing! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:10:19 -0600

Actually, there was a thread started there earlier by someone with 40k. I am watching it to see how well received it is. I still am careful about where I post (even in my neighboring regional lounge) because of my wordcount, but I hate that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:35:15 -0600

My wrimos are not exactly happy with me, but the regions we're wordwarring with are even less pleased. I'm limiting posting to here, unless it's absolutely necessary elsewhere =P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:36:11 -0600

Where was this two years ago? I almost wish I was below 50k, just so I could join you! Almost.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:10:28 -0600

[quote=Raquelin] [quote=sushimustwrite] [quote=tiakall] [quote=Raquelin] We can has Overachiever chat? [/quote] I thought it was called #nanolanta >___> [/quote] Ahahahahaha. This is true. :D And we have word count bars back. Yay! Finally hit 80k today. I'm about a day behind for my supersekrit goal of repeating last year but a good bit ahead for 200k. I'm definitely going to be falling a little behind for both, though. Aaaaaaaaaah. [/quote] Ahh, the familiar feeling of getting my butt kicked by sushi. I wasn't sure what to do with myself for awhile there. :D [/quote] Ahhh, I do like topping you and Tia again. :D #doubleentendre

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

SirenPrincess — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:45:25 -0600

I'm in! I'm closer to the 50k mark, but as busy as I am at work right now, this will be a good challenge for me and give me incentive to really hit it by Sunday.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:12:30 -0600

I have an excerpt! I never have an excerpt! It may or may not suck, but it's something at least. And have at least four stars on 8 of 10 days.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:18:15 -0600

You must be part robot or something I swear, I could never hit that kind of word count in only 10 days unless I never slept. I'm both insanly jealous and impressed. Anyway, I just pushed over 70K tonight and it feels good. I'm completely floored by my own progress though, last year I was only at about 30K by this time.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:44:12 -0600

I finished my first novel for this November!! I feel fabulous!!!! I am overusing exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:45:11 -0600

Whoa, 2.6K in 42 min is miiiiiiighty impressive.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:48:11 -0600

You finished a novel! I would be overusing exclamation points, too!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

brionyjae — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:26:05 -0600

*blush* :D Maybe after a year of practicing and writing more, I'll be joining you guys as a true overachiever next year ;)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:37:52 -0600

[quote=sushimustwrite] [quote=Raquelin] [quote=sushimustwrite] [quote=tiakall] [quote=Raquelin] We can has Overachiever chat? [/quote] I thought it was called #nanolanta >___> [/quote] Ahahahahaha. This is true. :D And we have word count bars back. Yay! Finally hit 80k today. I'm about a day behind for my supersekrit goal of repeating last year but a good bit ahead for 200k. I'm definitely going to be falling a little behind for both, though. Aaaaaaaaaah. [/quote] Ahh, the familiar feeling of getting my butt kicked by sushi. I wasn't sure what to do with myself for awhile there. :D [/quote] Ahhh, I do like topping you and Tia again. :D #doubleentendre [/quote] I'm coooomiiinng. *leer* Literally. See you tomorrow. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:38:53 -0600

[quote=brionyjae] *blush* :D Maybe after a year of practicing and writing more, I'll be joining you guys as a true overachiever next year ;) [/quote] There are no "true" overachievers. All overachievers are created equal! And you finished. So you are just as awesome as anyone else! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:42:11 -0600

[quote=cosmam] Actually, there was a thread started there earlier by someone with 40k. I am watching it to see how well received it is. I still am careful about where I post (even in my neighboring regional lounge) because of my wordcount, but I hate that. [/quote] Athens is a viable region this year, with a ML and write ins and everything, but I'm not there. It sucks, but what can we do, really, that doesn't involve not being true to ourselves? Tough spot. Oh well. At least we have heeere.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:03:12 -0600

I just crank out a lot of words. I'm finishing a plot every two days, then blowing right on through to the next one. All in all, I spend about eight hours a day writing, but a good chunk of that is in the early mornings. I write during classes, even. It's not so much lack of sleep as it is sheer force of will. I WILL reach my goal, or I'll run my fingers into the ground typing. Congrats on 70k!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:23:01 -0600

Congratulations, that's amazinng! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Gray Nomad — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:55:22 -0600

WONDERFUL to see this is a BIG thread and I'm not a minority getting my words down. 108,000 and the evening of writing ahead of me...I am VERY happy with hope the plots are developing and the words are coming out. Great to have the encouragement of NaNoWriMo participants to take away the loneliness of writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Gray Nomad — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:57:15 -0600

Congratulations on finishing TypoMania, I began a new novel today and just tacked it on to the other score..as it is all in the same series, same characters, could be a continuation or a separate book and it keeps me in NaNoWriMo for the month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:26:08 -0600

Today, for 11/11/11, I pledge to write at least 11,111 words (since I've already hit 111,111), AND to have written 1,111 by 11:11 am. If I can do all that, I will say I have 'one' today.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:02:40 -0600

Your word count bar makes my jaw drop. I hadn't looked at your stats in a while >.< I must not compare myself to others... must not compare... Meep!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:03:47 -0600

I've been hanging out there anyway, then remembering that my wordcount bar might annoy people :( I'm trying to be as subtle as possible - and supportive.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:07:16 -0600

Hahahah that is onederful. Good luck :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:10:26 -0600

It included some impressive Nanoisms, like my one character flopping down on the table instead of a chair or in front of the table, but I wanted to get to bed and get to 50K. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:46:22 -0600

Great idea, and I'm in too! Let's do it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:47:23 -0600

Holy crap cosmam - great job!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:47:48 -0600

Hmm... I think I'll aim for yesterday and today's total to be 111,111. That seems reasonable.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:50:34 -0600

Nice!!! Way to go!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:52:04 -0600

You have a funny definition of reasonable ;-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:56:23 -0600

Yay Typomania!!!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:57:08 -0600

Cheer while you can :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:17:41 -0600

I'm going for 11,111 as well. I've gotten behind and I'm currently more on track for 50k than 75k, but I'll fix that today. :D I never fail to be impressed by the word counts here. Great work, everyone!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Always-Abby — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:34:59 -0600

This is the first year of doing NaNo that I'm expecting myself to go past the 50k mark. After the past two years of getting frustrated with the minimum 1,667 words, this year I said, "You know what? I'm going to push myself." Going for around 80k this year. And so I did. I still feel like a slacker for only around 2,500 words a say, but I'm still proud that I'm actually about a week ahead right now. I plan I reaching 50k sometime next week, hopefully! Maybe next year I'll push myself to get 100k - but we'll see. ;P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

strawberrydarhling — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:39:17 -0600

This is my first year of doing NaNo but so far I am doing quite good so I have decided to up my goal to 60K, its not that much more and it only means writing an extra 333 words everyday, which I have been pretty much doing everyday anyway. I'm only 2K behind at the moment and I can easily catch up tonight and also get ahead during the weekend.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

KitsuneAsika — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:12:24 -0600

I read this post at 1:11. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:06:45 -0600

I was actually wondering that as well. Hope everything's okay with her.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:08:26 -0600

Yes, the wordcount bars are awesome. (Also, congrats on the fantastic wordcount. I don't remember, are you officially going for 1kk this year?)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:10:45 -0600

That's super fantastic and totally deserves all the exclamation points you can throw at it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:12:40 -0600

I should try that. I really need to snap back into writing, since I powered through to 50k on the 6th and then totally slacked off. I need to get back on the writing train before too much more time passes.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:13:31 -0600

This. So much this...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:19:54 -0600

I had a crash at the beginning of this week when, as evidenced by my stats page, I stopped writing for three days after hitting 50k. At least I was expecting it, so I had a decent cushion and I'm not too far behind and should hopefully be able to catch up again fairly easily, assuming I get back on pace. Plus tomorrow is Saturday, which means I'll be spending all day in the local coffee shop again. Trying for 20k. We'll see how that goes. Also, I hit roughly the 1/3 mark of one of my novels, and know how the other two thirds are going to go, so that's exciting.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

charleenlynette — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:38:01 -0600

11 days, my new personal record!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Michael S. Repton — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:46:08 -0600

Ten, but I attended a retro-gaming convention in Blackpool, so really only FIVE. (However, I have to admit that I'm not sure I'd have had the stamina to reach 50K in days 1-5 without a break.) I'm taking days 11 and 12 off to deal with some financial matters I can't put off any longer, and to attend a write-in (just for the company; I don't have a laptop so I won't be doing any writing there). Then, who knows? Shinali, my friend who got me into Nano, as soon as she saw how well I was doing issued a challenge to me not to stop but to see how much I can get written in the month come what may. It's my first Nano so I really have no idea yet of what my own limitations are.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bluesam3 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:13:13 -0600

Yay, finally back on something resembling track, with my first over-target day since the 6th.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

lifegoeson — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:25:03 -0600

I never really considered myself an overachiever, but I figured that after doing the 11, 111 words in a day thing, that I may have become one! So I will tentatively slide my way in here to say hello :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

pookersmom — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:23:53 -0600

Hmm... I have mysteriously hit 52,000 words in 11 days. Therefore, I shall up my goal to 75,000. Of course it's 47,000 words of pure garbage and 5,000 of decent material.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Riemann29 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:52:14 -0600

I see a lot of talk about volume, but what about time? Has anyone written 50K in 24 hours yet? Next year, that's what I'm going for. I hit 2,000 words an hour on the first day I started, so I figure I might be able to hit it, if I push very hard.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

brionyjae — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:35:33 -0600

Awwwww, love it. You guys have an epic atmosphere, totally worth the keyboard mashing required for me to get such a massive word count!! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:08:19 -0600

I average 4k an hour, so theoretically I could manage it if I didn't sleep for 24 hours and had nothing else to do all day. (Because there's no way I can type for 12 hours straight...) I don't have the attention span for it though. My goal is still to manage 15k days without crashing the day after. Pretty sure Cai managed, like, 70k on the 1st this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:57:49 -0600

Overachievers in this Starbucks right now: me, Chomsky-rabbit, Annalia, Raquelin, Hype, Mattkinsi, ridayah and tiakall. Cosmam wil be with us soon. You know you're jealous of this invasion. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:08:19 -0600

And quixotic_hope! Because I had to respond to a text from cosmam and hit submit!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:05:48 -0600

Madly jealous. :( It's 11 o'clock here and I'm all sad and alone because I severed all human ties to write this novel. Also, I am about 30,000 words away from killing my beloved protagonist (about whom I've already written 415,000 words) so my life is pretty miserable as is. But, on a happier note, have fun and make lots of good words!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:18:23 -0600

Wooo! And I totally feel like an overachiever today. 5k in a little over 3 hours? Oh yes.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:38:29 -0600

I'm totally there in spirit, y'all! Write write write! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

C.J. Sandiego — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:03:38 -0600

I wrote (over) 11,111 words yesterday. *bounces* I'm 12.5K in reach of my final goal. I feel on top of the world. Or maybe it's all the Coca Cola I've had. *twirls*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

-Rochelle — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:55:51 -0600

Wasn't expecting to end up here, but since I've already hit 50k I guess I'll be tentatively aiming for 70k now. Really, I just wanted to come here and tell you guys how awesome you all are! I am in awe of your wordcounts right now. So, yes. I guess I'm overachieving a little? /waves

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

chelseyaccionox — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:16:10 -0600

I'm a little bit behind my now 100,000 word goal (over the month, not by now. ;) ) because one night this week we didn't get in until basically 11 at night and it's very hard to write that much in an hour hehe. but I'm getting back on target. I need to be on 40,000 by the end of today but as we're going out tonight I don't think I'm going to get it, but it just means that I'll have a little extra to do tomorrow by which point I need to be on 43,337. :D My word count feels very small in here though hehe. :(

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

theoryoferin — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:17:02 -0600

I have... Once. It made me hate my life, but it wasn't that bad. You just have to know how you write, have someone else to do cooking and such for you, and be able to sleep / write in spurts. I would write for 5 hours, then sleep / break for 1 throughout the day trick is to be able to write 12.5k in four, five hour groupings [2.5k/hour]. Unless you can just type and type and type straight through without the breaks. But, with your wrists' best health and the rest of the month in mind, I don't recommend that. Mostly, you have to just be able to not get distracted, if you're typing speed will allow the 2.5k+ hours. A lot of discipline and such.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

theoryoferin — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:18:05 -0600

Yay 50k! Now to do 150k more in the last two weeks! xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:38:15 -0600

38K now. i thought i would be a bit further along [word wise] than this, but i just reached the halfway point of my story, that is if we go by plot points.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:54:11 -0600

Oh, I'd forgotten you'd done it once. I really do have to try it some time. Maybe for the augno kick off, since I won't be in school.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:13:11 -0600

All the freaky people make the world beautiful ~.^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

elwrites — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:05:31 -0600

Reached 50k :D I aim to finish my draft by the end of November. I know this may not happen because of college work :/ and I don't mind if I cut into December a little bit, as long as I'm nearly done. I just want to get this draft done. It's a load of crap and I keep changing the plot, and having to leave notes to myself so I know what to do differently in the next draft (I don't count these as words). I like to get a draft done as a frame. It's incentive for the next one, an, "I've done this before; I can do it again," thing :D Anyway, rambling, I'd better get back to writing... :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:12:02 -0600

Hi Riemann, I believe you have to hit 2.8k an hour to make 50k in 24 hours - that's assuming you never step away from the computer (let alone sleep). I can hit 3k in an hour, so theoretically it's possible for me, but it didn't happen this year. Sushi, cosmam, and chomsky all hit it though I believe. (Did I forget anyone, aside from caillien, whose robot-like techniques would be of no benefit to the common man? ;) )

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:14:21 -0600

Beg pardon - you can do it with a little over 2k an hour - I think my number came from including sleeping time.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

-Katlyn- — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:22:31 -0600

Hmmm.... I'm going for 100k, but I have a block of 9 days with no school, and I'm doing pretty good without the break, so I may have to kick it up a notch! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

agreysky — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:44:50 -0600

My goal is two write two 50k novels this month. I finished the first one yesterday, and I'm going to start the second tomorrow. (I had to give my hands and mind a break.) I'm really excited to get the second novel written and reach 100k! And I wrote 15k yesterday to finish. I think that counts as overachieving, hehehe.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:00:14 -0600

Congrats on the 50K! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:01:00 -0600

Congrats, that's fantastic! I know what you mean about needing a break... I didn't give myself a break and it as an extremely, extremely rough day for me yesterday. Today I am taking it waaaaay easy.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ShelbyDanvers — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:01:41 -0600

Just reached 50K earlier this afternoon. 100K is looking like it might actually be possible, so long as I don't let myself slack off too much. Now, to finish the story...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

jswwrites — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:36:11 -0600

I have set a goal of 105,000, which, while seeming to be random, was based on my adventure/treasure hunt having 7 locations. So I decided that about 15,000 words per location would be about right. I have to days in Nov where I can't write, so that was 3750 a day. I hit 50k today (woohoo!) - it's my first NaNo, and my first novel, so that's pretty exciting for me. I'm on pace for 120,000, and if my story will carry that far, I'll do it. If not, I'll go back and start adding description, which I know I'm lacking at the moment. Then real editing in December. So so far I'm pretty happy, and having a blast! For you Wrimos who are doing hundreds of thousands of words, you are totally inspiring me for future Novembers!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

jswwrites — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:36:45 -0600

hopefully I'm spelling better in my novel - I have *two* days in Nov I can't write!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

agreysky — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:38:50 -0600

Yeah, I'm hoping that by tomorrow my eyes are a little less puffy and my fingers are a little less stiff, haha. Congrat on YOUR word count, geez. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Octa — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:42:26 -0600

Well I wasn't planning on overachieving, but here I am, day 12, 54k and still much more story to write. I guess I'll be going for 100k this year?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Gray Nomad — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:55:22 -0600

I am happy with how things are going for me. I am not focusing on the numbers just writing as fast as I can to release the story lines in my head.. having got over the 100K (111,000 by last night) morning of the 13th day, I'm taking time now to part edit. No idea what number I will be getting to, not concerned with the numbers now, focusing on the story. I will even take time out during the remainder of the month to write less, read some more reference books on writing, a couple of novels and get some more exercise in my life. Two weeks of obsessive focus on NaNoWriMo has produced more than I expected to achieve in all of November and I realize I do not have to work this many hours at it (I have cut back sleep to 5 hours a night since Nov 1 to get the numbers I have) to reach a novel draft in one month. I know now, I only need one week of full time focus to achieve a first draft written out, working with a well developed story in my head. That in itself is valuable information I can use in future time planning. If I slow down and get more of a balanced life while I write, I could do 50k first draft in 2 weeks easy next time and not skimp on other things so much. That's good to know. Well back to my NaNoWriMo 2011 work now. I don't chat a lot...that too helps me get my word tally up.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:55:46 -0600

Thank you! It will be a relief when I get past 102K, which was my lowest NaNo word count ever. I'm very busy this year, but I promised myself I'd never dip below 102. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

chel.c.cam — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:52:32 -0600

I can now officially join this thread! I wanted to reach the goal of 50,000 on two stories. I've got over 50,000 on one, but it's going to need at least another 10,000 before the story is remotely complete. My plan is to get as much done tomorrow and then start fresh on Monday with my second story, bang that out and go back to finish the other. I'm not used to going back and forth on stories, so it should be interesting....

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Hype — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:02:16 -0600

Just did my first 10k day for this month! The most I had done was 5k in any day this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

madandmatkeene — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:22:13 -0600

I'm hoping to reach 50k by the fifteenth! I wrote over 7k today, and I'm not anywhere near the pivotal point of my story year... I guess I'll go for 100k? lol.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

madandmatkeene — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:22:43 -0600

***yet, haha

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Boondar — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:49:38 -0600

Glad to see I'm not the only one that's nuttier than a squirrel turd. This is my first year doing Nano - didn't have any idea I even had a novel in me. I know 50K isn't going to tell this story so I'm not sure what the word count will be - I'm thinking 65K or 75K might tell it. How should I know? I've never done this before! haha Just for the record... I'm not pushing myself - it's my dang characters that won't leave me alone. :-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Netherworld_Inc — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:13:06 -0600

I don't know if my goal is overachiever-y enough, but I'm going for 80k or 90k this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:52:12 -0600

Of course, you're welcome here! Anything other than doing 50k in the full thirty days qualifies as a full-fledged crazy overachiever (not that 50k in thirty days isn't completely crazy and a marvelous achievement on its own ;) ). Congratulations on your excellent word count! :D - Lauren

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

saunved — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:00:59 -0600

I am an overacheiver too!! Got 57k till now, and yet, not even reached the climax! Looks like I will be getting 70k

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

j-cat — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:47:01 -0600

Well, I'm not going for the big word count, just hoping to get to 50K or more this weekend -- and then revise and polish the rest of the month. After I learned that "Double Indemnity" is only 35K words, I figured my noir novel is fine at around 50. It'll probably grow anyway as I revise. My goal is to e-publish this thing before year's end.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

j-cat — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:49:37 -0600

Ooops, It's "The Postman Always Rings Twice" that's 35 K.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:44:18 -0600

I seem to recall reading something about the trend being more toward smaller/novella-size books in e-publishing (due to the twitter-sized attention span developing among computer users). So there you go :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

FifiB — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:42:39 -0600

Got 70K today, finishing my novel ^^ I could aim for 100K by starting another book...But I asked a friend to stop me from doing that, for safety reasons xD I want my life back ;_;

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 15:05:58 -0600

I'm... only 14k behind where I want to be. That's not too bad, is it? *flails at keyboard*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

pocketsoul1127 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:36:12 -0600

I doubt I'm the only one who feels like this...but every time I post somewhere on the forums I feel self-conscious because I already passed the 50k mark. I'm having fun aiming for 150k though, because it actually feels like a challenge. And then I feel bad when I realize how much others are struggling with the regular goal of 50k. ><

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:59:24 -0600

And honestly, you want to know the hardest thing about the 50k Day? Day 2, when you still have to write more and a lot. I've done it two years in a row now, and likely next year, fwiw.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

valeriex — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:09:21 -0600

Look at that. Get too busy to look at the forums for a couple days and blue bars appear. Hey - sort of disappointing not to have green bars for those of you over 50k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:30:55 -0600

Oh, ditto, especially in Ate My Soul. I miss having an Overachiever's thread there too.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

pocketsoul1127 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:54:15 -0600

Yeah, that would be good. I think I'll make one just so it's there xD. Great idea ;p

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

pocketsoul1127 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:01:19 -0600

For anyone who needs it, there is now a thread in the Ate my Soul forums for us achievers :) http://nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/35498

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:07:35 -0600

Well, now I'm only 3k behind where I wanted to be. Too bad the quota just reset... 10k day tomorrow!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:08:05 -0600

Yesss. Thank you. Now let's hope this doesn't get taken over by non-overachievers complaining about us. Also, I am now topping everyone I want to top at the moment. :D Let's see how long this lasts.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:20:22 -0600

~sigh~ 10 pm, written zero words today. I'm vaguely nauseous and fighting the tail end of a vestibular migraine. Writing tonight will be fun... (/end pointless complaining)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:21:18 -0600

And I should have checked the thread before posting this. Off to Ate My Soul to commiserate properly.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:38:59 -0600

I'm about 10K off of my original goal of 115K. My novel easily has another 10K in it because there's still a three day time period that CANNOT be skipped over. My problem? I'll probably finish before Friday. That then leaves me with the option of either writing three short stories I have to get done, ranging from 3-10K OR I can start a plot-less, idea only Christmas novella that I want to be at least 30K words. I can't make this decision on so little mental power, I'll figure it out after I finish this beast, take a day off and wander back into the wonderful world of NaNo. ...no that was not a complaint. I'm merely rambling to sort out my own messy thoughts about 115k words. I'm happy that I'll finish this thing by Friday and put novel number 5 under my belt. WOOT!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

arcana07 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:48:36 -0600

It looks like I might very well reach 75k myself, or at least 60k. I'm looking to give myself a break this week, so we shall see. But I started late -- the 5th -- and am at ca. 38k words already, and my story is by no means going to be finished at the 60k mark, so I might be inspired late in the month when, fueled by the carb-filled gorgefest that is Thanksgiving and being given a couple days off at work, I just might be able to do a heap of writing toward the very end, even though I'll have already reached the 50k mark before then.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ChoKiba — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:48:36 -0600

I can actually reasonably join you ladies and gents this year! I have tried before but failed miserably. My goal for this particular story is 80k, but I also plan to toss in another story. We'll see if I can get 50k for that one too.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

arcana07 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:54:54 -0600

Agreed. Isn't an epic something like 250k words? Like, something people might take years writing? I mean, my story's probably going to be a 2-parter (as in it'll take up two book-sized parts) and I'm looking at MAYBE 200k words total. 250k would be pushing it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Thekherham — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:40:12 -0600

According to my stats I should finish my 50K on November 24, so if I keep typing for 6 more days, I might get in an extra 12,000 to 18,000 words. Not much of an overachievement, but it would be over.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:33:44 -0600

Oh-my-gosh. I actually want to set my tracking sheet to 200k (as a goal) but sometimes I'm just too ... ugh! Week Two Blues kinda beat me and I had to work my way back to my average daily wordcount slowly. I guess I'm on track again right now. Maybe hitting 100k today or tomorrow. It's only the 14th and I'm already anxious about not finishing my story again. D': (Also, if someone has too much time on their hands right now: I got a link to a poll in my profile about my MMC's eye colour since I seriously don't care too much about it and thought it would be funny to let other people vote about it. Ignore the german text, the options are in English.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:11:09 -0600

I'e spent the last two weeks getting a bit bored of my first novel and saying 'when I finish this one I'll do something completely different' and now that I'm starting the completely different novel, I just want to write the sequel to the first one. But I know if I do I'll get bored with it again. Aargh. But, I did finish my first novel at over 88k, so I'm happy. Most I've ever written for Nano before and the first time I've ever finished a Nanowrimo novel.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:36:14 -0600

It depends on the series, I think. Stephen King's Dark Tower series (yeah, I know he is long winded) currently sits at 1.3 MILLION words, and another book is about to be released. It is really just one story; there aren't much in the way of time jumps between the books*, sometimes none at all, and it follows the same character(s) throughout. What I mean is, it's not a series in the same way, say, Harry Potter is a series - that takes place over many years, where the story only focuses in for part of them. This is one long (LONG) narrative. I think it would be highly unusual, though. And I am rather curious as to *what* she's writing, though I think she's more or less on track. *There is currently one big time jump between books 3 and 5 (4 is almost entirely flashback), but the 8th book is fixing that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:06:43 -0600

i can smell 50K now. i was barley keeping up with my 100K pace ever since day 5, usually getting to my quota about an hour or so before midnight. well, it's only halfway through day 14, and i've already reached my quota, and i think if i keep up, 50K is mine before midnight. however, my story isn't quite finished yet, and we're getting to the best part.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:27:25 -0600

Congrats on finishing a draft!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

arcana07 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:41:35 -0600

Point taken when it comes to a SERIES of books rather than just one novel. I mean, I'm sure Dark Tower comprises at least five books or something, and I can see that being -- at the VERY least -- 750k words right there. Maybe even more. I mean, I'm sure the complete Hitchhikers' Guide is about a million words long, but it's five books' worth of stuff (even though Douglas Adams, the joker, called it a "trilogy"). FYI, I revised my thinking after thinking how far I am in my plot. I think each part of my two-parter will end up being roughly 115k words in length for a total of 230k. Oh, and this will end up being my very first novel, and I'm counting on being able to do some fast forwarding and shortcutting through certain parts of the plot once I finish establishing the first week of the story. Though if I have to do any more extra setups and explanations, it could very well end up reaching 125k per part/250k total.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:42:39 -0600

Congrats on finishing! That's awesome! It's people like you who keep me motivated. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Jenna Kernan — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:50:25 -0600

Finishing a novel is a wonderful accomplishment, Mariana. Congratulations!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

jackcampbelljr — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:00:28 -0600

This is my first year, and my first novel for that matter. I was worried about finding time to get 50K, but it seems I will be hitting 50K tomorrow. It went a lot smoother than I thought. Hopefully every year goes like this.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:12:16 -0600

For the people saying 52k or 60k or what have you is not "much" of an overachievement, I'm reminded of a joke: Q: "What do you call the doctor that graduates at the bottom of his class?" A: "Doctor." (Not saying that you're graduating at the bottom of the class, but that any graduation qualifies you as a doctor :D)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Misty_Karen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:34:47 -0600

I'm aiming for 200k this year <3

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:26:22 -0600

At 100,092 words, I have finished my novel! This is the first time I've actually finished a novel during NaNo, and it feels fantastic! After some encouragement from Tia, I've decided to be a rebel and try to finish last year's NaNo. I just have to reread the last chapter and remember what was happening! :D It's funny...when I started my goal was 75k, and I was worried that I wouldn't make it. My dream goal was 100k. Now I've hit 100k, my goal is 150k, and my dream goal is 200k. I'm planning to attempt 50k weekend this year...if I do that, I might actually get 200k. That would be amazing. And now to go review last year's NaNo so I can write more tomorrow. I'm already too far behind!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

heysamantha — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:07:30 -0600

I"m just aiming for the usual 50K, but I need to get way ahead because I won't have barely any computer access all of next week. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

radioactivealchemist — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:28:07 -0600

I'm hoping to hit 50k on Thursday, because my part-time job goes full-time for over a week (from the 18th to the 27th). I'm still gunning for 75k, but we'll see how much writing I actually get done during that time and in the last three days of the month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:47:00 -0600

just got to 50K a few minutes ago, writing a total of 6K today. the last 2K or so look horrible though due to me rushing through it, and i may just clean some of that in a few, despite being against nanowrimo mantra. i'll continue my story tomorrow, my fingers need a break.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:51:58 -0600

Today was a much better day. I think I have kicked the week two blues. Time to truck through week three and hopefully start a novel at some point.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:12:58 -0600

Five-star day! Still 2600 behind where I want to be, but I'm making ground. Although I really need to plan this out better and not try to squeeze my entire 8k quota into like three or four hours... it's not fun. #Overachieveresponsibly

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:54:22 -0600

120k. Finally. I'd love to get to 140k before leaving for NOWD Friday (holy crap, I leave Friday. Yay!), but who knows if that'll happen. All signs point to maybe at this point. I can write on the plane, right? :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:51:20 -0600

Day 15 and I might (no, WILL) be at 50k by midnight. I'll start another story on the 16th! I think I'll might be overachieving... HI GUYS =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:17:05 -0600

Hoorah! *gets out the pom poms*`

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:19:52 -0600

I'm behind for my goal, but I still cranked out enough this morning BEFORE the dentist to not feel awful about being behind. I'm just a day(ish) behind, and I can catch up on that without much trouble. For those curious, the tooth had to come out - my dentist tried to fill it, but the break was too close to the nerve and I couldn't afford a root canal. I'm betting there will be a few "What on earth was I thinking?! Oh. Yeah. Drugs." scenes.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:15:20 -0600

I've been thinking of making my goal 120k instead of just 100k, but I've been severely slacking on everything else in my life, so I, sadly, don't think I can. But I'm going to keep writing all month even after I hit my goal of 100k. I hope to hit 80k by tonight! I would probably already be at 100k if the week 2 blahness hadn't hit me as hard as it did. But I'm getting back on track. So yay!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:56:38 -0600

[quote=Elluna Hellen] Day 15 and I might (no, WILL) be at 50k by midnight. I'll start another story on the 16th! I think I'll might be overachieving... HI GUYS =D [/quote] Welcome aboard! I see we have converted you to the dark side... >D Don't worry, we have cookies!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:58:09 -0600

/me hands you a rebel bandana and invites you aboard the good ship Pandamonium :D Congrats on your six digits! And, uh, stop breathing down my neck >___>

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:55:58 -0600

@ caillien: Haha, drug scenes are insane fun! I'm sure it'll be equally funny if you read through them later and wonder what you thought while writing them. But oh well. That's life. :P I slowly feel like an overachiever again... although it's nothing compared to the rest in this thread. >.> At least I'm actively working towards getting ahead again and bringing a good amount of words between that line in the graph and my WC bar. That's good. And I like the story too, although it isn't really going anywhere, haha.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Quinzy — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:23:03 -0600

I am hoping to write at least 200 pages

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:16:19 -0600

YAAAAY cookies =D! =P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Emmie_Fisher — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:04:36 -0600

I'm at my normal 50k blues... I'm having trouble finding motivation to write. But I will push through... I will push through. I have two half-finished novels that I need to bust out all the way to the end.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:05:44 -0600

50K! *runs around in circles* Please allow me WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH =D =D =D =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Intertangled — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:09:40 -0600

Way to go! *throws confetti*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Intertangled — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:17:31 -0600

I keep forgetting to post here, though I've been eyeing this thread since it started. I'm not so much overachieving, as I just want to finish this story before November is over. I have never finished a novel in my life and it's starting to drive me crazy. This year, I should be able to. I'm at 57k words now and have about a third of the plot left to go, which should be doable, considering the date. Also, my unhealthy obsession with making sure that the "My Month" tracking widget is green for every single day is propbably going to keep me going for a little while more at least. I refuse to be lulled into complacency when there are stats that could be improved! I'm completely in awe of those of you going for 100k+ words, though. Maybe next year...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:25:44 -0600

You are overachieving though, as you're at 57k =). You may never have intended to (neither did I) but you're still overachieving! =P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:16:27 -0600

50k on primary novel! Also, finally a subplot is connecting to the main plot and making sense. My characters have reasons for the things they're going to do. I am a happy writer.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:53:51 -0600

I DID IT. I CAUGHT UP. AND I GOT A 2K BUFFER. /crawls off for tacos and a hot shower.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:00:21 -0600

I hit the low side of my original goal just now. If I get another 5K words in this month, I'll hit the high end of that goal. I'm elated and stumped at once because the month is only half over...haha.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:09:06 -0600

I just hit my 2009 NaNo total, exactly halfway through this month. I'll certainly take it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:11:34 -0600

Nooooooo, you're ahead of me, Raq! But did YOU meet dragonchilde today? I don't think so. That's my excuse and I'm standing by it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:14:56 -0600

Instead of being disappointed that I still haven't finished my novel or that I'm not at 100K yet, I will focus on the fact that I just beat my highest word count for Nano in half the time. Feels good. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:06:16 -0600

I just realized I left last year's total in the dust! Onward!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:28:45 -0600

I am so close to 100k. SO CLOSE. But I just couldn't write any more last night, not even 700 words. :( Ah well, I'll have to break 100k tonight. ^_^ Not quite double in half the time, but almost!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:19:30 -0600

Close enough to count for me, congrats!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:26:08 -0600

Congrats! Will you write more now? :3

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

rage-chan — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:53:53 -0600

I was honestly hoping to wrap mine up before 70k. ;w; But nooo, stupid Alec had to make a cameo. I will finish this shortly. Hopefully.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:59:52 -0600

Of course I will! I'll start another story as soon as I've finished this one, probably today =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CoreyMikaVerLeth — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:07:01 -0600

I hit 60K yesterday! Right now, my plot is meandering a little bit, but I'm hoping to get it back on track.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:15:54 -0600

[quote=sushimustwrite] Nooooooo, you're ahead of me, Raq! But did YOU meet dragonchilde today? I don't think so. That's my excuse and I'm standing by it. [/quote] No. I didn't. I was too busy topping ALL of you. :) (My brain hurts.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bethverde — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:33:33 -0600

I bow down before all you 100k gurus....I am amazed... ...but also happy that even with my comparatively puny wordcount I have managed to get 20 of 30 planned chapters finished so far. Totally finishing the story arc this month! Yay Nano! Beth

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:15:08 -0600

Today's goal: Make 500k, come hell or high water!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:20:41 -0600

Good luck, I bet you can do it! =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:06:27 -0600

Good luck!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:17:39 -0600

WOOHOO, I just started my second story! I'm only 300 words in now and I don't know if I'll have any time to go on later today. Also, I can't write tomorrow at all, and maybe I can't write on Friday, but hey... I've reached 50k already!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Intertangled — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:40:39 -0600

Oooh, awesome! Good luck!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

magically.yours — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:08:33 -0600

I'm at 40,000 after 16 days. I am CHUFFED TO PIECES! I can scarcely believed it! I've NEVER been this far ahead. I wrote 20,000 words since Friday! :O I plan to finish by Friday night/Saturday morning. It WILL happen for me! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:05:09 -0600

I just managed to write some words anyway for the 17th, gotta love midnight sessions! (now I gotta sleep). Damn you, stats, now it looks like I've written ONE WORD on the 16th, but oh well xD.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tiakall — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:36:02 -0600

Ugggggh. I feel like I am just doing so poorly this year and nothing of any value is going to come from this year's Nano. I'm not that fond of the one I finished and don't think I'll even polish it for my website, and I absolutely hate the other two, and not sure I won't hate the two potential ideas I have for #50kweekend. I don't even have the desire to work on my rebel project. I need a novel idea that doesn't suck.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:49 -0600

It's not capping us at 500k this year! Woohoo! I'm still a day behind. Bah.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:28:35 -0600

For the first time this month I've been forced to implement the time skip of I-don't-give-a-fuck to keep going. There are scenes there that need to be written (I'm thinking two) but I don't want to and, frankly, at this point today, I don't care. At all. I'll write them later. I just need words today.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:30:33 -0600

Congratulations, that's amazing! And congrats on HALF A MILLION WORDS, that is monumental!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:34:34 -0600

WHOOO 500K! YOU SHOW THE MAN YOU WON'T BE KEPT DOWN *needs to stop writing*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:34:52 -0600

Omg, just began the last project I plan to work on for this NaNo and I am LOVING it. This is the first novel (novella, more likely) I am pantsing since I was 14. This is so exciting! In other news, this means I finished the last book in my pre-NaNo trilogy, so, double yay. And the illness that beset me yesterday is beginning to abate. I guess if you just stop sleeping your body gets used to it eventually.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:42:30 -0600

i'm at 55,555 right now. however, this episode is lasting alot longer than i expected. thankfully, it's almost finished, but it's almost 10K long. this may have to be split in two in later versions.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:53:03 -0600

YAY 500k! You show that word counter who's boss! Hit 130k. I know I'll have little time to write tomorrow or Friday since I have to do all things tomorrow and I'm leaving for San Francisco Friday. There probably won't be outlets on the plane and my laptop has a half hour battery life... guess I'll be writing for that half hour and then writing on the phone, right? At least my flight has wifi so I can Dropbox it up...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:36:55 -0600

Thanks to Dropbox, I can sneak-write at work! Story eating me alive. Loving it. I really should listen to it better when it tries to tell me something.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Quinn_Zoe — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:26:32 -0600

I'm going to aim for... 75K, this year. It's a huge jump for me, because last year I made 40K, but I already have 40K, thanks to all that sprinting. 23K in.... three days. That's a record for me (The 11-11-11 challenge and the 10K weekend challenge). So I'm completely ahead, and procrastinating. I'm going to aim for 75K!!! :D Good luck to all you people with your ridiculously high goals! I mean, 500K! That's amazing! (even though this is a really late answer.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:55:57 -0600

Well, I got to my word goal of 300K but the strangest thing is, that I can't seem to stop. So here I am, aiming for a new goal of 500K and possibly even a little higher.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:58:25 -0600

Damn it, I mean 600K and a little more. Gah, the numbers on my keyboard are squashed too close together

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:18:36 -0600

Oh good luck with that! That's one epic goal!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:26:07 -0600

Now I feel like an underachiever! MUST WRITE MORE WORDS!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ThraeElddim — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:11:58 -0600

This is my first time even being over 10,000 and I probably won't get far beyond the 50,000 mark. But I wanted to pop over and tell all of you over-achievers that you're very inspiring. :) I hope to be able to do that next year!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:22:00 -0600

Imagine how I feel... XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Solunar — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:13:25 -0600

Yay! Finally hit 50k last night. Came in here to look at the big word counts and get motivated to continue. This thread is such an inspiration. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

hknamida — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:09:51 -0600

I finally set a new goal for myself, which seems to have alleviated my post-50k laziness somewhat. I am now trying to reach 80k by the end of the month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:20:39 -0600

Thanks. Congratulations to you on breaking 50k! ^_^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:30:30 -0600

Dear Overachievers, I got you something. It's our very own chat room. Somewhere we can go and chat with each other, complain about our novels and expectations, and have people that understand that just because we hit 50k, doesn't mean we're done. It's pretty much exactly like this thread, but live. Also, a place free of competition and putting people down/being put down over word counts (not that I have seen that in this thread, which is one of the things that I love about it). Yours, -Cosmam

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chillytv — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:23:43 -0600

Agreed. This is a safe haven for overachievers. I can't imagine that every changing. A place where we can chat instantly..... Well, that's just genius. Thanks Cosmam, Chillytv

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Naomi McFarland — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:01:26 -0600

Aiming for 5k a day, so hopefully I can finish my novel in 150k words. At first it was easy, but this last week has been a struggle. A few years ago I did a spectacular 125k novel, and it's time that I did more! I don't aim just to win Nano, I want to finish ze book! Resolve the plot! Git 'er done! Of course, this book informed me a couple days ago that when I hit 75k I was only halfway through said plot, so 150k might be squeaking it XD drat! Stupid character having a long life!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:54:27 -0600

Only 8k away from my personal goal of 120k! And I'm really getting into my stride on novel two. It's so much fun to be basically plotless again.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:58:18 -0600

it turns out that i can handwrite at around 1K per hour. found that out after spending nearly an hour in a hairdryer earlier today and transcribing to scrivener. about to reach 57K.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:09:20 -0600

I finished with my novel the other night and had a mild panic of "OMG what do I write NOW?" because I didn't have the back-up novella planned at all. BUT, last night (after a good two hour nap once work was done) I plotted the novella. I have a slew of new characters to work with and a goal of about 20K for it. Maybe 30K. I have to flesh it out a lot more because I'm all ready on day 3 of a 5 day novel and it's a mere 3K works. But hey, I'm tired and haven't felt like making my characters talk yet. That'll change tomorrow night. My new goal is 150K, not including the 3 short stories I want to get done this month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:46:51 -0600

I finally had one of those spontaneous writer-y moments today. I was walking for work, stopped at a bench, grabbed the paper I was scribbling work notes on (I was on a preventative maintenance tour, so lots of unrestricted walk-around-thinking-with-a-pen-and-paper time), and started making my new playlist and scene list for the next part/installment of this novel. It was pretty sweet. And now part of my novel notes are on a torn out legal pad sheet and have dorm names and biometrics lists on the back. Does this make me legit? XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:23:38 -0600

Friday. 10k+ day before I go to bed.* Someone come down and beat me if it doesn't happen. *this may be after midnight, but I want 150 before bed.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:54:08 -0600

*long sigh* Hit 300k tonight, and am still going. I'm in one of my rare writing grooves, and I'm milking it for all it's worth! I've now had to stop giving myself daily word count goals and have switched to doing daily chapter goals. I now have to do reverse-NaNo: trying to make my already-super-long chapters not quite as long by cutting out any possible unneeded narration/dialogue/content, or at least forcing myself to get 2-3 chapters done per day like I should. But this story is going to get written, one way or another. Looking through this thread is AMAZING, seeing everyone's progress! Congratulations to all!! Happy Week Three! :D - Lauren

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:34:51 -0600

I finished my novel!! Totally just aced my goal for Nanowrimo and now I can start up a complete crack story and have some nonsensical fun. XD I can't believe that I've written this much or actually finished my novel in November. Mind boggling and I definitely think that I was visited by the awesome fairy this year.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:02:34 -0600

How do yo do that? I mean ... can you write all day long? I'm envious now. o_o' (working full time and doing nano is sometimes hard D: ... !)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ItsDoro — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:25:48 -0600

I'm loving all of you overachievers and I'm proud to count myself as one of you. I teaching fifth grade full time and I can't believe I've gotten as far as I have already. I'm not even bummed to be sick with strep because it means I can take a day off and write in my pajamas all day. :) Like many of you, I'm aiming for 100,000 only because my goal is to finish this novel and 50,000 just isn't going to cut it. This is my first year and I'm. Having. FUN!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:02:11 -0600

I just set aside 20,000 odd words in Trouble in the City. It's a good book. Trouble is, it ground to a halt because I overworked it. That super goal of editing during November choked me. So now I've started a horror novel from the gut. Going to wring out every childhood terror and throw in anything horrible I ever read about on top of it. Two abused boys face nearly identical circumstances and grow some supernatural power along the way just to make things worse. The nasty one has all the advantages right now. I'm excited about it, banged out 4,375 words tonight and will keep going at that pace or faster till it's done. I didn't get started till late, so let's see what tomorrow brings - and how fast I can catch up and surpass the one I set aside for later. Heck, if this gets me going well enough, I'll be back on track with my old method and able to pick up Trouble in the City again and finish that by December too. So that's my new super goal - this book "Dark" and Trouble both done by December. I'll be happy to win though, the choke was a bad one. I haven't felt that bad about my writing since I was a kid, hence this walk down amnesia lane to explore abuse.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:51:30 -0600

[quote=Raquelin] Friday. 10k+ day before I go to bed.* Someone come down and beat me if it doesn't happen. [/quote] I will send my army of unicorns after you. You will find yourself trampled beneath a stampede of golden and silver hooves, and you will be impaled at least seventeen times by their ornate horns. Or you can write the words. Your choice.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:28:46 -0600

[quote=cosmam] [quote=Raquelin] Friday. 10k+ day before I go to bed.* Someone come down and beat me if it doesn't happen. [/quote] I will send my army of unicorns after you. You will find yourself trampled beneath a stampede of golden and silver hooves, and you will be impaled at least seventeen times by their ornate horns. Or you can write the words. Your choice. [/quote] All hail the Unicorn Man. *writes at work*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:33:50 -0600

I can't believe that I am going to say this, but I... I think I need to do some planning for my next novel. What is that?! And it has to be soon, because this one is getting towards wrapped up (finally), and I want to settle in to the next one and move on it. It's more structured, more intentional, and I have, like, themes and stuff I want to do. Intentionally, not serendipitously. I'm so confused about how this is me, the pantser, wanting to plan more than "there are these characters they start here and then GO".

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:34:25 -0600

Congrats, that is so exciting!! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:49:03 -0600

You wrote 200K words in a day, whut. D= *goes cry in the corner*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:53:26 -0600

I totally second that xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LadyMage — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:43:26 -0600

I had an outline for the first few bits of my novel. I hit past 35K words and realized: I just wrote through everything I outlined. IN ORDER!!! Better yet, my novel had effectively decided to take off on its own, so the next few bits of chapter I will be writing right from the gut. And the way it has been going, I'll be done with this bit faster than I thought. I originally thought I'd be done by Thanksgiving Sunday...looks like Thanksgiving Wednesday. And moreover, rather than stumbling through the story that I'm laying out, I'm just sitting back and letting my muse do the talking.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:11:19 -0600

Today's goal: Make 600k. It'll put me back on track for the Million!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:13:06 -0600

You can do it!! I know you can, you've already amazed us all beyond belief more times than we can count! *cheers*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:02:43 -0600

I love having a personal cheering squad ^.^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bibliosylph — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:14:24 -0600

That's neato and all, but, would it be rude of me to ask why? I'm just really curious about this.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:24:43 -0600

I am interested in her reply as well, but I can tell you why one day I'd like to be able to do it (it's a time thing for me). When George Mallory, one of the first men to try to summit Mt. Everest, was asked why he wanted to, he responded: "Because it's there." To me, that's why.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

the-Greatest-Show-Unearthed — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:44:37 -0600

I'm at 48, 510 words as we speak...and my story is at the quasi middle! I am no stranger to writing over 50K but I haven't done that since '09! And in '09 I planned to do it! I can't really explain how I feel about it- I'm sort of happy, then terrified, and then really really really sure that I could pull it off and win it with a bunch of extra words! God, I'm such an overachiever that I wrote all day yesterday to get to that blasted 48, 510 words! It was like over 11K with stops only for bathroom breaks and getting more coffee from the coffeepot in the kitchen that also happens to be one of my bestest friends this month! Help?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MattHawthorneIsAMyth — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:30:33 -0600

Ok, so I'm a little confused here because in order to write 551,551 words, if you started on November 1, 2011, you'd have to average around 30,641 words per day. That equates to about 1915 words per hour assuming you wrote for 16 hours per day, every hour, every day. Perfectly doable if you're motivated. Now, your first day total was 75011. That means in a 24 hour period, if you allow for sleep (I was generous here and gave you 8 hours) you averaged 4688 words per hour. That doesn't include bathroom breaks, working at a 9-5 job, etc. etc. While perfectly doable at 78 wpm NON STOP, most writers don't write non-stop, and hardly any of them can achieve that word count every hour for 16 hours straight. Either you don't sleep, you're the next Tolstoy, you're a really fast typist, you're writing incoherently, or you're the God Damned Batman.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:35:24 -0600

[quote=MattHawthorneIsAMyth] Now, your first day total was 75011. That means in a 24 hour period, if you allow for sleep (I was generous here and gave you 8 hours) you averaged 4688 words per hour. That doesn't include bathroom breaks, working at a 9-5 job, etc. etc. While perfectly doable at 78 wpm NON STOP, most writers don't write non-stop, and hardly any of them can achieve that word count every hour for 16 hours straight. [/quote] Allowing for sleep might be the mistake :-D. I don't know about her, but those of us that wrote tons of the first day did not tend to sleep much during it. Though she is a word producing machine of incredible caliber, no doubt. I don't see how she does it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:37:57 -0600

I vote Batman because Batman is awesome and Caillien is definitely awesome.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Shem-the-Penman — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:45:32 -0600

[quote=MattHawthorneIsAMyth] you're writing incoherently [/quote] Looks perferctly legible to me. -Shem

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:25:52 -0600

Go go go! I know it helps a lot to be a fast typist and JUST NOT STOP! You're giving me heart. I know you can do it. I type fast too, on the Dvorak keyboard.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:26:52 -0600

Just keep going! Forget the wibbles and worries, cling to those soaring moments you believe it's the best thing you ever wrote and just keep going. Push when it's hard, coast wildly when it goes well and keep pounding keys!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:28:22 -0600

I got up at 11:30 and I got in chapter 3 on the second novel. I'm at 6,512 and should at least get in 10,000 today to start catching up with the 20,500 that I set aside. I have NOTHING else scheduled today. It's a Friday. I can just work on my novel and stay immersed. I've done Three Day Novels. I can DO this. Next goal - catch up to what I set aside and keep going! Also crank up the terrors!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Midwest — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:40:58 -0600

Awesome! Way to go!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:59:50 -0600

Got another chapter in. It's going well now. I want to see how far I can get today, during 3 Day Novels I've done 25k-30k in a day on the first day. This may not be that big but if I get past 14k by the time I go to bed, I'm good. Couple more chapters to go. This may turn into Magical Reform School by the time it's done. Weird but it might.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ladypamela — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:12:24 -0600

I hit 50k today! which my average speed. My overachieve-ness is usually hitting the 50k goal much sooner than Nov. 30. Next up: Finish this one, which is wrapping up, then go over my outline for the story I put aside on Oct. 31 and start it! Yeah for Nano-momentum! I don't have a word goal beyond what River Crossing gets to, but I'll definitely keep adding the words I write in Nov. to my word bar.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:13:35 -0600

Congrats on hitting 50k, Ladypamela. :D I am happy. I have had a couple of good progress days after floundering for what I consider to be a really long time. I have no idea why, but I feel like I've upped my game! Until I hit another slump. xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:20:23 -0600

Ok. Day one? I hit my 75k at 11:48 PM. I had several 5k hours in that. I did not sleep. I type 120 wpm, at my best. I can reasonably expect 3,500 out of an hour, with peaks up to 4,800. Theoretically, if I typed nonstop at that speed, I could crank out 7200 in an hour, but I'm not THAT insane. I DO spend several hours per day writing. If you don't believe me, it's not my problem. I'm done explaining this.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Aytheria — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:22:43 -0600

Looking at all these word counts sooooo high above my pitiful 70k makes me that little bit more motivated...and also reminds me I should not be sitting here watching re-runs of Dexter when I've got a day off from work! Ugh! Personal goal this year: Finish a 3-part novel which will probably put me between 120k and 150k, maybe a bit lower or a bit higher. So far: 70k. WAY BEHIND. Gotta step it up and turn off the damn re-runs. Like right now.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:04:25 -0600

Awesome! That's super exciting!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:05:02 -0600

One. Motherbleeping. Fifty. 10k words today, with an hour to spare. So no need to beat me, yay. I love this novel. It's horriawesome.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:11:52 -0600

Yeah, allowing for sleep is probably a mistake. Speaking for myself, at my current typing speed, it would take me a little over 18 hours to get 75k. Which, yes, is a long time and, no, I personally could not do it in 24 hours. But for someone more motivated/with better concentration than me, it's perfectly doable, especially if they type faster than I do, which Caillen does. She is definitely an inspiration to many of us, myself included.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:14:39 -0600

So my goal for today is to write 10k without the help of ADD meds, since I'm kind of getting worried that I'll end up utterly dependent on the things. Currently I'm sitting at a little over 2k and it's quarter after nine. This will be fun... On the other hand, if I can just finish this one scene I'll have crossed another major plot point and move into the last third or so of the novel, which is exciting since at that point it will hopefully pick up momentum on its own.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:15:06 -0600

Congrats!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:59:47 -0600

finally out of the 50's, at 60K. i think there's a 50-60K rut as well, like the 20-30K rut. mostly because 50K is the standard goal, it's my second biggest rut i tend to run into.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:18:25 -0600

[quote=bravrayj] finally out of the 50's, at 60K. i think there's a 50-60K rut as well, like the 20-30K rut. mostly because 50K is the standard goal, it's my second biggest rut i tend to run into. [/quote] There is. It's not just you. :) 20s make me crazy. The 50s are like a bad literary hangover.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:25:39 -0600

Totally agree; that's why I pushed hard to get a 11K day after getting 50K (well, also because I wanted to write 11K on 11/11/11). :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 02:59:16 -0600

[quote=Tatra] Totally agree; that's why I pushed hard to get a 11K day after getting 50K (well, also because I wanted to write 11K on 11/11/11). :D [/quote] That's fantastic. I should have thought of that, it would've been so cool.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:16:26 -0600

Oh maybe that's why o_O. Or maybe it's because I didn't have much time over the past few days... yaaaaaaa.... I don't know xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ladypamela — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:45:57 -0600

Thank you for this. I often feel the 50k slump more than the Week Two slump. Now I know that's normal too!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:39:02 -0600

It was an idea floating around and there were a lot of challenges for it, but I kind of just did it on my own because it was cool. Plus, I really was happy to get past the 50Ks. Now I think I need a 10K day to propel myself into my second novel.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

PenGryphon2007 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:03:05 -0600

Okay, so remember when I said my novel would get to 80k? Yeah. It ended at 50k. Not even 51k, but 50k and change. So anyway, I'm starting a second novel--and seeing how far I can get through it before time runs out. xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

delphii — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:11:09 -0600

Trying to hit 65k today. Don't know why it's being so difficult. It's like I can barely motivate myself to write 200 words at a time without getting distracted. Argh! =(

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ladypamela — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:51:41 -0600

I'm in the same boat. Mine ended at 51 and change. My kids talked me into starting the second book in this series (I didn't know there was going to be a second book!). So instead of either adding to 'River Crossing' I'm going to quickly outline book two (which I've already named Ixia's Landing) and rush headlong back into the Nano Frenzy! Yay!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ambrele — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:02:17 -0600

I'm aiming for at least between 70-80k this year making it my longest novel to date.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:03:33 -0600

I'm almost at 60k! (only I haven't updated my wordcount yet...)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

charleenlynette — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:23:36 -0600

Woohoo! I finished my novel! Final count: 65,731!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:48:48 -0600

60k, WOOT! Apparently the cause for my 50k slump was too little time because I just wrote 7985 words in a day. WOOHOO

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:25:48 -0600

Congratulations! Cute cat on your avatar too.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lanxal — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:28:54 -0600

This thread is filled with awesome. I hit 50k a few days ago, and then totally hit a wall for two days which I spent playing Oblivion. Now I'm back to it. Right now it's 11:28 in the morning for me, and I'm at 1.9k. Hopefully I can breach my previous day-best of 5.5k by the end of today. xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:50:22 -0600

Just caught up and passed where I was when I got blocked. Tomorrow's entirely free so this should be good for surging ahead. I'm only 10k under par now and will be getting there tomorrow most likely. If I put them together I'd have over 40k right now, but I'm not. One book counted at a time.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

The Dark Enchantment — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:13:03 -0600

I'm finally back on track for my 100k after a week of lousy word counts. Now to see if I can bank a few thousand words so I don't stress Thanksgiving.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 03:32:34 -0600

I was forced offline for a day because of band obligations. On the plus side, this means I once again have nothing to do but write on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Too bad November is almost over XD I spent the day in uniform, lurking in the back of the tuba section, typing furiously away on my iPod Touch.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:01:40 -0600

Reached 100k! Granted it was in large part because of new novel energy, but oh well. This one's scheduled to be roughly 50k total, so hopefully it'll go pretty quickly. (Not that I've actually finished my primary novel yet, but I'm taking a break for the weekend. The idea was to write ALL THE WORDS this weekend, but so far that... hasn't happened. Hopefully tomorrow I can write a lot and milk the new novel energy for all it's worth.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LadyKelien — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:06:44 -0600

My goal for this year was 150k... Ive hit 93,610 and my story ended. Finished itself right off.... LOL Guess, Im starting all over so I can try to hit that word count.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:50:10 -0600

Seriously, every week until now, there is this ONE DAY that puts me on track for 100k. This will happen today too; I'm going to reach 66,666 and the par is 33,333... Should I... Try to reach 100k, then? o_O

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

JoyceHeatherington — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:20:18 -0600

I surprisingly finished in 20 days. Yippi!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ladypamela — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:10:08 -0600

Good for you!!! Yay!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

awesome-me94 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:29:54 -0600

Jesus, you guys are insane...but if I make it to 50K and my story feels incomplete, I'll see what I can do...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

elwrites — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:53:00 -0600

Reached 100k! Still have a chunk of plot left to go... I hope I finish before the beginning of December :|

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:36:17 -0600

66,666! XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:35:58 -0600

Passed the halfway point on my second try. Well past the amount of words I had before I choked. I'm going strong. The story's getting richer too. I've even got an excerpt - chosen carefully so the reader can't even tell which of the boys that is. Suitably scary too. Sets up the whole Evil Seed thing well to a reader - it's the kind of front-page excerpt that doesn't give away the story or its ending.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:56:06 -0600

One more chapter and I'll be more or less caught up. At most two. 7,000 words today and the day's goal is 10k and caught up. It's going well thanks to http://www.writtenkitten.net and not editing the new book at all. The book took off and it's on fire. It's going well. It's scary and cool and the kid stuff is reading true. I haven't placed it as per year yet, may shove it back in time to the decade when I really was ten because I'm resting so much on childhood memories. Or leave that open for a "Twilight Zone" feeling. I'm going to make it. I might even get ahead today. When I do, if I added both manuscripts together I'd have a full bar - my count also has a silent 20,500 hanging under it. But that won't count till THIS book is done.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:26:11 -0600

50k and all caught up! It actually feels more anticlimactic than I thought it was. Probably because I know there's still 25k to go for me. Might also be because I hit 50k in the middle of a sad scene, so I'm having all these strange emotions. But it's still a milestone. I think this year's novel is much better than my other winning NaNo, too :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:35:16 -0600

Congratulations! It's natural to have mixed feelings. I cried at the end of last year's book when I killed my heroine and she died so heroically. I loved her. It's a great milestone. You've done it. This matters. Keep on going!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:37:07 -0600

I'd be at 49k if I added in the text of "Trouble in the City" too. That's all right though. Those 20,500 words won't come back till I reach the end of "The Dark Ones." I might be caught up to par at the end of the next chapter. It's still early, only twenty to eight. I have time. I'm going to keep going. Now is the time, today is the day, I can do 10k in a day this time to get caught up again. Then surge ahead. I need to buy time, definitely prefer building up a cushion to falling behind after using it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:58:23 -0600

Made today's goal of 10k but still haven't crossed the line into "Caught Up Completely." Actual total with the other novel thrown in would be over 50k now. I'm still going strong. Cranking up the stakes. This is going to be good.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:02:22 -0600

12571 today. Back on target. Ended on a palindrome. And did it in about 4 hours in two writing sessions. It is time to DO SOMETHING ELSE and then go to bed. Freaking work tomorrow. I want a day off. XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Inspie_Girl — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:02:38 -0600

If I finished NaNo on the 16th with two days in there of no writing at all, and my goal is to hit at least 70k by the end of November, does that make me an overachiever? XD I like the idea, in any case. It gives you a goal to go above and beyond the 1,667 words a day, and it challenges you to write quantity over quality which is what November is all about. Yes? Yes! I love this thread. Heh.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:16:13 -0600

I must say, it's quite lovely to come here and remember that I'm not alone in overachieving and also not freakishly ahead. Now if only those wordcount scoreboards could get back up it would be perfect.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:11:30 -0600

I made it to 100K! And I have 10K in my story and an outline and a pygmy sheep named Moonglow Gentlesheen Sunring Glitterfluff Sparkleflower. Glitterfluff for short. XD It is a fun novel to write. Had a bit of trouble with my ADD, but then told myself that if I turned away from my 750 tab to go onto my other tabs I would have to close them and so I was able to focus and write. Now I just have to write the next couple of 50Ks quicker than the last two. At 10 days per 50K, I'd only have time to reach 150K. But, I only have 2 days of school this week (unfortunately a test tomorrow) and then I have 5 days off.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:26:05 -0600

Wonderful! You all came so far! Today's been a great one! Tatra made 100k and got a pygmy sheep named Glitterfluff! This rocks! Tamara, you were already there and are going so strong! Inspie_Girl, yay for your 70k goal, you're gonna do it! Go you! I did it! I'm on par again - after zeroing it on the 18th I have climbed past the gap. After ten days I'm finally over par. Of course I'll keep going. I've got Momentum now! Also I don't know how much of tomorrow will get taken up catching up on painting, since I have art I owe people and switching back and forth between Art Mode and Writing Mode is the other hurdle.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:31:53 -0600

Yay for 100k! Also yay for pygmy sheep with awesome names!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tamara_the_muse — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:32:44 -0600

Congrats for getting caught up! That's super awesome! And huzzah for momentum! I like exclamation points right now apparently!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:40:29 -0600

Purr! Thanks!! I do too! Especially in forum posts!!! Happy Cat Dance! I'm ahead! I got ahead all the way through tomorrow (which will be here in 20 minutes) and the day after, I have my cushion back - and only 12k to go! Whoohoo! I'm back to Overachieving! And I've got the Kitten Scene coming up, when the evil twin decides to torture an animal! That's got to be in the next chapter! Animals before people. It's turning into a big deal whether Evil Twin kills or not, something that might be up for grabs right to the end. This one's not going to be long, somewhere between 50-60k, ebook size, convenient for e-publishers that pay monthly royalties.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:46:44 -0600

Screw it guys, I'm in for 100k xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:19:39 -0600

[quote=Elluna Hellen] Screw it guys, I'm in for 100k xD [/quote] DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT Six digits is just so satisfying.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:09:25 -0600

I should be able to do it, because there has been this day that put me on track for it every single week. I can easily write 3,333 words a day, mostly =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

cosmam — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:19:14 -0600

Hookay. I have been feeling way less than motivated the past few days (and my word count progress shows it), but today is my chance to turn things around a bit (NO PRESSURE SELF). I finished the novel that I was getting bogged down in (stupid scenes with themes and dialog and stuff that needs to be written carefully), so I just summarized the last few scenes and moved on with my life. Too bad that the novel that I am about to start writing needs planning, because the structure matters. But I am planning this morning/afternoon, and I want at least three stars today! (we'll see)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:29:04 -0600

So I got my motivation back and I am going to see if I can make it last to 100k today. That will be the most words I've ever written in a day! 14k. I can write 1k in 20 minutes, it's just the matter of turning of the internet and not opening it to peak at YouTube. I guess I should get writing, then! Also, all of your word counts are so inspiring. Keep on writing, everyone! Not many days left, really. (That kind of makes me sad. I'll miss November.)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bluesam3 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:29:23 -0600

And I'm actually over a target for once. Yay.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MysteriousFlower — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:53:49 -0600

I am back on track for my 75k and with the 60k only a mere few words away, I feel quite confident I can make it. There is so much still left to write. *fingers crossed*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:30:01 -0600

[quote=cosmam] Hookay. I have been feeling way less than motivated the past few days (and my word count progress shows it), but today is my chance to turn things around a bit (NO PRESSURE SELF). I finished the novel that I was getting bogged down in (stupid scenes with themes and dialog and stuff that needs to be written carefully), so I just summarized the last few scenes and moved on with my life. Too bad that the novel that I am about to start writing needs planning, because the structure matters. But I am planning this morning/afternoon, and I want at least three stars today! (we'll see) [/quote] Because remember, you can't settle for one star. NOT THIS WEEK.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Carbon Altered — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:01:49 -0600

Wow guys! Came on to share my smugness about hitting the 50k mark in my first ever nano (and indeed, book) and see you lot shooting for the stars. Right, that's it. Next year 100k. But now I need sleep!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:03:09 -0600

Congrats! =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:23:03 -0600

Still time to write more! ;)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:07:23 -0600

70k!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:24:30 -0600

[quote=Carbon Altered] Wow guys! Came on to share my smugness about hitting the 50k mark in my first ever nano (and indeed, book) and see you lot shooting for the stars. Right, that's it. Next year 100k. But now I need sleep! [/quote] Sleep now. Then join us for 50kweekend and get your 100k THIS year. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:07:26 -0600

90k. I can. Do. This. *crawls* *collapses* I'll get to 100k tomorrow, maybe a couple thousand more words tonight to make it easier tomorrow. I am just so excited to GET THERE, I just want to BE THERE. Though, when I hit it, I'm going to continue writing.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:44:42 -0600

Congratulations! YES! You did it! Your FIRST nanowrimo! You definitely belong in Overachievers. Go for the big one next year. This year, you are ahead so far that it's definitely Overachieving! Ain't it fun hitting the goal so far ahead of deadline?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:45:36 -0600

Yay!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:45:54 -0600

Go go go! Ari sheds Cat Hairs of Inspiration on you!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:17:41 -0600

I'm not coasting on my getting ahead today. It's time to get to my novel. I'm scared of the next scene, but it's a horror novel. That's really good if I'm scared of the next scene.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:36:00 -0600

Yay! Cat hair inspiration! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Jacob Hopkins — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:15:59 -0600

I hit 50k on the 15th, so I was on track for 100k... Then I stopped. I just couldn't go on, for some reason. I was stuck. But now, I've fallen in love with my characters all over again! And for the first time, in several cases! They're rapidly growing extra dimensions, even where I didn't expect them. Minor characters are suddenly becoming critical, if not to the plot, then at least to the colonists themselves. Darren, who I thought was just a jerk, turned out to have a few epiphanies in him. Disparate subplots that had nothing to do with each other have turned out to be tied together in a coherent whole! I've even filled plotholes, as crazy as it sounds, with other plotholes! Somehow, two things that don't make sense can combine to form one that does. My average is climbing again. My wordcount is climbing again. 100k or bust!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Joe Union — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:17:54 -0600

I think I am an Overachiever this year. The words have just kept coming. I am in shock that I have hit this high. But a very happy shock.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:48:52 -0600

Ugh, going through hot and cold feelings for this new "should have been a novella but is turning into a novel" that I'm working on. I challenged myself to pants something this November and, hey, what can I say, I can't turn down a pathetic self-made challenge so now I am struggling. The next few thousand words should be easy, but after this scene, things get hairy again. Arg. What's a girl to do?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:49:12 -0600

You're doing swimmingly! Congratulations at your remarkable word count!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:03:26 -0600

Seriously, you think so? Of course you are! Yaaaay =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Intertangled — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:00:53 -0600

I... actually just finished my novel. And I have no idea how to feel about this. It's kinda surreal. I never really expected to hit my goal. And there's still like 8 days left. During which I could be writing... This is all gonna end with me starting the sequel, isn't it?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:50:49 -0600

[quote=Intertangled] And there's still like 8 days left. During which I could be writing... This is all gonna end with me starting the sequel, isn't it? [/quote] Probably. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:52:37 -0600

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

PenGryphon2007 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:59:57 -0600

Funny how that happens. I guess we're so programmed to write, we can't stop while it's still November. I'm writing a second novel--though not a sequel. I've already made it to 23k in two days for this novel because I've been working on it for 7 years; though as of the 20th I've been re-writing it from scratch. *sighs* I gotta limber up my wrists if I want to make it to 50k before the end of the month...and well this week will have /no/ writing done on it. I'll be writing a 100% original character/plot crossover with a friend instead. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Intertangled — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:57:23 -0600

Argh, curse you all for being awesome and inspiring and making me want to challenge myself to do better! This thread is infectious, I tell you. Infectious! *shakes fist*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Intertangled — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:05:22 -0600

[quote=PenGryphon2007] Funny how that happens. I guess we're so programmed to write, we can't stop while it's still November. [/quote] Yeah, it's like, if I stop now, my graph will go completely flat for the rest of the month, and I can't have that. I can't even look at a calender right now without starting to calculate word-counts in my head. It's weird. And wow, 23k in two days? I think the most I've managed in a day is around 10k. I keep seeing how much people are able to write, in this thread, and I'm just continually amazed. I really need to start focusing better.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:24:09 -0600

I totally second that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TimothyTurpin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:53:34 -0600

I concur. If you stop, the graph begins to flatline. This NaNoNewbie found that out a couple of weeks back. Ouch.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

R_C_LandPsMommy05 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:47:38 -0600

Well, I really don't want to post this like it's a shout out, but I'm very proud to have made it over 50,000 before November 23. I am going to not be able to write for a while, so I'm very happy! :) My goal was to make it to 50,000 by Nov. 23 and I surpassed it! :) Congrats and good luck to everyone!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

R_C_LandPsMommy05 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:48:39 -0600

Correction, i will not be writing on a computer for a while. I will be gone. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:05:16 -0600

This is fantastic! That's just what happened to my book! The chapters are coming hard and fast, twist after twist after twist. Cliches are turning into painful reality with deep psychological impact, hitting hard on flawed people who had too many traumas already. Scenes I thought were too wussy, that I thought I was holding back not giving it the full horror blast have turned into absolutely essential suspense buildup. The characters are deep and memorable. All of them fascinate me. The plot comes together in ways that are riveting me to my seat. Everything I did was right. The only changes that could work on this plot are things like tightening the prose or adding more descriptive detail.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:05:50 -0600

[quote=Joe Union] I think I am an Overachiever this year. The words have just kept coming. I am in shock that I have hit this high. But a very happy shock. [/quote] Oh yes you are! Whoohoo! This is some serious Overachieving! Double-wide and still rolling! Go go go!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:09:29 -0600

[quote=TypoMania] Ugh, going through hot and cold feelings for this new "should have been a novella but is turning into a novel" that I'm working on. I challenged myself to pants something this November and, hey, what can I say, I can't turn down a pathetic self-made challenge so now I am struggling. The next few thousand words should be easy, but after this scene, things get hairy again. Arg. What's a girl to do? [/quote] Hang on to it. I felt that way about a lot of earlier chapters. I thought I was turkeying out and softening it up too much for what I set out to do as a horror novel. Instead, all of the "almost turned nasty" moments have been building suspense till I could cut it with a knife. The ironies are there in every twist. The theme has raised its head and roared. Your unconscious is a better writer than you are. Stick with it and don't make changes. Keep going. It will all make sense.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:15:04 -0600

I can't stop now. I'm a chapter or two away from the end and away from the Winner Bar. Every scene I wasn't sure about has turned out to be absolutely necessary, has built suspense. Sometimes it was just the cat. Sometimes it's not. The Evil Twin isn't the one who's going to blow up and kill someone with black magic. The one teetering on that abyss is the Good Twin, who feels justified because he's avenging someone he loves. A lot of the Dark Ones want that too, blood gives them strength and so do deaths.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

novemberrose92 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:33:51 -0600

So... this is my first NaNoWriMo and when I signed up, I was not at all confident I could do this. And tonight, I just hit 100K. Yay! I'm so absurdly excited for myself it's probably pathetic.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:40:52 -0600

Finished the darkest, creepiest, nastiest "happy ending" that I've ever written. Definitely in the "thank god we survived the book" category of happy endings. In many ways, just more of a truce point before potential sequels. Some of the sequel conflicts are painfully obvious. All the dangers of the book are still potentially there. The only thing against that nightmare is that the characters have grown within it. Weirdly enough, they all did. Dang, when you look into the abyss and it looks into you, novels get Deep. It's awesome. This is not a happy little zombie romp or werewolf howl. It's not even a chainsaw massacre. It's out in the mountains of madness and it's started snowing. The Dark Ones is finished. Right now my count is just The Dark Ones. I won. I ache, that ending is still giving me the shivers, but I finished the very first Horror novel of my life. It got the *right* ending. Exactly the *right* ending. It went down from dangers larger to life into hope that's very small, life sized and human. If I never write a sequel, the best they can all hope for is A Day At A Time, a lot of therapy and lifelong scars. The truce point is more of a turning point though. The human scale hope is there. It's got a nice balance between "pure tragedy" and "all sewed up clean." It's got enough of both in that ending, with all the menace still hanging in potential. They did get through it this time, and it counts for a lot. I've got to calm down and let it go before I can go back to my happy little Magical Cats novel, that's in such a bright world, where sometimes cats can heal the damage human beings do to themselves and their loved ones. My cat is draped graceful on the bed, smug and happy. His coat is glossy and shining, he's back on the super good cat food that keeps him in frisky Rowdy Cat condition for his Midnight Crazies and he seems utterly content. He's done a good job this year as Feline Muse and I know he'll be glad to get back to Trouble in the City. I did it. I didn't get much sleep last night plowing through those last chapters. It's done though. Base Goal done: 50k novel in November. Base Goal 2 done, said novel has The End written on it. Top goal: finish Trouble in the City before December. Bring it to what will probably be a rather happier ending, more on the level of my other Magical Cats novels. The cat lives. That is part of the series premise. I do not kill the cat. I've got that to look forward to. I also deserve a break, and I'm going to take one. My first Horror novel, ever, after 50+ fantasy, science fiction and comedy ones, is a Life Goal achievement. I loved Horror as a kid. This year I went from tasty tropical cocktails with umbrellas in them to chugging the black rum straight up, and it's good stuff.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:47:09 -0600

[quote=novemberrose92] So... this is my first NaNoWriMo and when I signed up, I was not at all confident I could do this. And tonight, I just hit 100K. Yay! I'm so absurdly excited for myself it's probably pathetic. [/quote] YOU DID IT!!!! Congratulations! I remember what that was like! I remember when I wrote "The End" on the first novel I ever *finished* in my life, after dozens of tries. When I slipped and slid and giggled to an ending that brought the goofy thing to a last pratfall, stared at it and felt it change who I am. I spent all of my childhood and most of my youth as an adult determined to become a writer. When I typed those two magic words, The End, on that first book, I was a different person. I tell people "I'm a novelist." When they ask what I've written, I have some titles to give out. If they want to read it, I can send them a copy. You did it. Writing a novel will never be Impossible again. Difficult? Sure. Even after it gets easy, sometimes it gets painfully difficult. This year's was a difficult one for me. But I knew I'd done it before. It made all the difference. I knew it could be done, not only that, but the really important bit that it could be done by me. Doing it again is never as hard as facing the blank page and starting the first time, pushing when it hurts, learning how as you go, drawing on everything you have in you to make it happen with no guarantee of success. They get easier. It does get more fun every time. Even in a year like this when it comes hard.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:02:44 -0600

I just hit 100k. I JUST HIT 100k!!!!!!! (well about an hour ago.) haha. SO EXCITED. I am just about ready to completely pass out. Exhausted. 10k day. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:50:18 -0600

[quote=R_C_LandPsMommy05] Well, I really don't want to post this like it's a shout out, but I'm very proud to have made it over 50,000 before November 23. I am going to not be able to write for a while, so I'm very happy! :) My goal was to make it to 50,000 by Nov. 23 and I surpassed it! :) Congrats and good luck to everyone! [/quote] You did it. That's overachieving. It's not 50k in 30 days, it's 50k in 23 days! Congratulations!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:50:46 -0600

[quote=werewolfluvr119] I just hit 100k. I JUST HIT 100k!!!!!!! (well about an hour ago.) haha. SO EXCITED. I am just about ready to completely pass out. Exhausted. 10k day. :) [/quote] YAY!!! Those 10k days are fantastic!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Bangkokwriter — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:08:54 -0600

i never thought i would say this but this is my sixth nano and it seems i am an overachier now. this time, i am totally in love with my novel and can't wait to be with my lover again each day. i've also been pushed and pulled by other overachievers in my regional group who showed me that, indeed the sky is the limit.i i reached 100 000 last night and it still hasnt sunk in. thank you all for this thread- reading around in it has helped me to understand my condition!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:13:41 -0600

I finally hit 150k! I'm actually a little over 153k at the moment, which means several things: 1.) I hit my original "super dream" (and now just "dream") goal of 150k a week early. 2.) I am 2 days ahead of my current "super dream" goal of 200k. 3.) I am beating sushimustwrite! I'm mostly excited about about #3, because I haven't been ahead of sushi since about 4 am on Nov. 1. I'm only about 600 words ahead of her right now, and I know that that lead won't last for long, but I'm still really excited right now! I wrote like 2k all day long...and then I went to a writein and wrote an additional 8k!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:49:39 -0600

I might just have challenged myself for a 20k weekend this weekend. Oh sh-- o_O. I know that now that I've challenged myself to, I'll REALLY try it. And I know some of you guys are doing a 50k weekend but eehh... HELL NO xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:42:58 -0600

I decided to set my goal to 200k. :) I hope everything goes well. It's just that I probably can't write much on the 29th because of work and my after work classes. D: Meh. I guess I have to try and write more so that I'll hit 200k on the last day. :D Right now I'm more struggling with the plot since my characters always want to tike wild turns to avoid the ending. D:< Wth? Hmm. /: But I have to start wrapping this thing up today because it won't end otherwise. I guess that's the reason why I have this amount of words this year: everything takes so freaking long! Even when my main character got into a brawl it took two big paragraphs to get this written. o_o' (Even though nothing much happened!) Hm... But it still hurts when people say I'm "not human" for writing so much. DDD: Meh.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BrBckRider — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:46:29 -0600

So my carefully planned novels and dreams of 3,333 p/day kind of crashed and burned. (Short story shorter: My story needs to die screaming in a fire, but I can't figure out how to do that without simultaneously destroying my computer, and likely my house. *shakes fist at physics*) BUT, I am going to try to get back on top over the Thanksgiving weekend and trying to do 50k by Sunday. Then I will be back on track and I might still pull 100k out of this November!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:46:50 -0600

And I still haven't updated my word count. Blame getting home really late and not thinking about it then. Whoops? I'll make sure to do it soon. Really. Hooray! But it is on now, quix. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Acile — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:24:34 -0600

You know, there are plenty of people who write even more than you. Being at 148k by now seems pretty normal if you compare yourself to them. You should tell those other people and watch their reaction. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

writeandknow — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:50:36 -0600

I'm hoping to be finished with my 50k today. (Hoping!) Then I'm going to work on putting the story in order. <3 that will be the hard part. Got about 34k in order atm. The rest? Loose scenes.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:51:04 -0600

I get that too. They're struggling to get to 50k and it seems impossible. The only thing I have to say to them is that this is possible, this is what happens after 50k. It also has a lot to do with how much time you have, how fast you type and how little you hesitate before throwing in the first thing in your head.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

werewolfluvr119 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:55:46 -0600

They really are! More so on my word count and emotions, though, then on my wrists. But... that's fine. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:48:25 -0600

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:49:39 -0600

[quote=quixotic_hope] I finally hit 150k! I'm actually a little over 153k at the moment, which means several things: 1.) I hit my original "super dream" (and now just "dream") goal of 150k a week early. 2.) I am 2 days ahead of my current "super dream" goal of 200k. 3.) I am beating sushimustwrite! I'm mostly excited about about #3, because I haven't been ahead of sushi since about 4 am on Nov. 1. I'm only about 600 words ahead of her right now, and I know that that lead won't last for long, but I'm still really excited right now! I wrote like 2k all day long...and then I went to a writein and wrote an additional 8k! [/quote] GO GO GO GO GO. She is sneaky. You mustn't rest. Gooooooo

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:51:17 -0600

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:43:49 -0600

I'm just going to say that I'm impressed by everyone here. Cheesy, but it's true. No matter what your word count is! Even if your current WC is less than mine, you're still writing, and that's pretty incredible, at least to me. So good work :D I'm coming up on the end of my outline, but not the end of my novel. Rachel and Rhea have to enter the Spectrum and...after that, I have no clue. I'll probably finish my concrete plot by tomorrow, which is kind of frightening.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:10:03 -0600

[quote=Elluna Hellen] I might just have challenged myself for a 20k weekend this weekend. Oh sh-- o_O. I know that now that I've challenged myself to, I'll REALLY try it. And I know some of you guys are doing a 50k weekend but eehh... HELL NO xD [/quote] jooooooin uuuussss :) >:)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:25:08 -0600

i'm out of my writing funk, and wrote over 2K so far today. i could finally see the climax and the ending of the story. episode 9 (as well as the start of 10), was a total nightmare in terms of direction. thankfully, we're out of that now.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:14:32 -0600

I hit 150K. I hit 150K. Holy crap I hit 150K. Even stranger, I still have about 5 hours tonight that I can dedicated to writing. Now my goal is to see how much I can actually write this month. I know come next year I'm going to shoot myself because I'll want to beat whatever word count I finish with. I'm kind of blasting myself in the foot with a laser gun right now but screw it. I'm having way too much fun.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:28:29 -0600

for 50k? NO! o_O I can't write 25k a day! XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:50:56 -0600

It's a three day weekend. So really you only have to write 16,667 a day. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:28:42 -0600

Three day weekend? I WISH! I'm Dutch and it's just two days here. xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lilia Sparks — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:51:31 -0600

Yeah... I'm usually an overachiever in like EVERYTHING. But I've had no time this month. And now I'm way behind. But CONGRATS to you OVERACHIEVERS!!! I WILL be one of you guys next year. I SWEAR IT!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:56:20 -0600

We only get two days, too. I just meant that you get three days to write it. 50k "weekend" is the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after US Thanksgiving.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:02:34 -0600

[quote=BrBckRider] So my carefully planned novels and dreams of 3,333 p/day kind of crashed and burned. (Short story shorter: My story needs to die screaming in a fire, but I can't figure out how to do that without simultaneously destroying my computer, and likely my house. *shakes fist at physics*) BUT, I am going to try to get back on top over the Thanksgiving weekend and trying to do 50k by Sunday. Then I will be back on track and I might still pull 100k out of this November! [/quote] Go go go! Print out a page of the objectionable story, roll it and burn it in an ashtray. Then rise from the smoke and type like a fiend! Don't actually delete the burned bit, that just shoves it far into the distant future when you're doing edits and might toss it to the cutting room floor. You can do this! That's what holidays are for!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:04:10 -0600

PURR thanks, Lilia! Laugh at my bouncing word count. Yesterday, it was 51,839. I just switched back to the word count for "Trouble in the City" and will go change the title and excerpt to the one in progress. Maybe not delete The Dark Ones from the excerpt box though, just put a separator and tuck in the title before putting Trouble back.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:08:17 -0600

Thanks, guys, I will keep trucking on.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

awesome-me94 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:18:14 -0600

Wow, all these word counts are AMAZING! Don't think I'm going to reach 60K, but this trial scene between all my main characters and the judge is taking up well over 1000 words as it is so far, and there is still the matter of an epilogue, so 55K is definitely doable. My story is wrapping up, so there's no way I can reach that kind of a word count this month(60K or more). No point in continuing what can't be continued, right? I'm no expert in court scenes, seeing as I've only read a couple of them and nevre bothered trying to write one either. I usually provide justice through death. But since a court scene takes longer and provides more background to my antagonist, I was all for it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

A.U.thoress — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:30:16 -0600

Visiting this thread depresses me.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:33:33 -0600

i guess something flicked on once i started cooking some thanksgiving dinner last night (made cranberry sauce). ever since then, it's been a river of ideas coming back. i almost have 5K words so far and i have over two hours left to increase the count.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:26:30 -0600

After days of slogging my way through to get back to what I HAVE to write every day to make my goal, I caught up. And tomorrow's Thanksgiving. Crap. *runs off to write more*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

The Hollow King — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:13:28 -0600

Just finished about an hour ago, and the plot's still not done. I should still be writing through November :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:36:04 -0600

Talking about 50kweekend, I shall get us a thread, huh? I have been lurking quite a lot but I'll go dig in the other forums to see if we have a thread already but expect one tomorrow!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnEliseMonte — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:51:59 -0600

My novel keeps surprassing all my wordcount goals, so screw 'em. I'll just say I'm aiming to finish the thing. Guessing it'll be between 85k and 90k, but who knows? I've been wrong several times before :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:08:14 -0600

Well but I don't have time on Friday xD.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:52:57 -0600

Yeah, I know. I've seen people's wordcounts in this thread. xD It's awesome that some people can write so much. Well, duh, whenever I tell my wordcount at write-ins, some people go "D:" and some don't believe it ... meh. It's hard...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:55:38 -0600

Well, there's a lot of stuff going on in my novel, from weird character quircks to subplots overtaking the main story. I had to start writing the end yesterday because I know it's going to take me so long. /: Every scene feels so long and even my chapters are extraordinary long compared to last year. I only started Chapter 18 yesterday. As for typing, well, my best in 15 min sprints is about 800 words. :'D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Viper_Rock — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:21:19 -0600

Going to hit my 100k goal in the morning. I know it. I have to, because I won't be able to write for the rest of the day! I can do this! And then I'll have several more days to see just how far I can push this thing onwards. Awesome.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Bangkokwriter — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:27:05 -0600

to breathe this heady air is an awesome experience. i feel like a baby among all you overachievers and i know how hard it is to write even one single word. it's so good to travel on your coat tails...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:38:28 -0600

I've hit my goal of 120k and I'm still going. Woo! Now I need someone to tell me I can make 200k and I'm not a complete idiot for thinking that I should try. That's only, what? 9140 a day... that's doable right? If I do 15k a day at the weekend... That's 6.8k a day the rest of the time. Totally doable. Though my max in a day's been 11,111 so far this year. Maybe I should go for 180k instead. Though I could try (and fail) at 50k weekend. Aaargh! Well, it's supposed to be a challenge, isn't it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

elwrites — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:45:44 -0600

50k weekend? I would be up for that if I didn't have to work both days :| Dammit, real life! Happy with my word count. I just hope the draft is finished by the end of November. The shorter it stays at this point, the better, as it's going to be a b**** to edit and rewrite with all the alterations I have to make if it gets a lot longer.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:42:13 -0600

[quote=Mariana OConnor] I've hit my goal of 120k and I'm still going. Woo! Now I need someone to tell me I can make 200k and I'm not a complete idiot for thinking that I should try. That's only, what? 9140 a day... that's doable right? If I do 15k a day at the weekend... That's 6.8k a day the rest of the time. Totally doable. Though my max in a day's been 11,111 so far this year. Maybe I should go for 180k instead. Though I could try (and fail) at 50k weekend. Aaargh! Well, it's supposed to be a challenge, isn't it. [/quote] Of course you can do it! If you have any days off work/school that you can dedicate to your novel, it will be even easier. 11,111 is a terrific amount to write in a day, and I bet you can do even more. Before this year, the most I had ever written in a day was 8k. This year I started the month out with 19k on the first day. I've also had one 11k day and one 15k day. Before this year, I thought 10k in one day was more than I could ever do. You just never know until you push yourself. I say aim for 200k. Even if you don't make it, you will have tried. (Although 120k is still an amazing number!) Good luck!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:34:49 -0600

Hee! Thanks. You made me smile so much. I don't know how much time I'll get off seeing as work has suddenly decided they want me to work overtime. (Not in November >.<;;) and I sort of need the money. But I will try! It's already more than twice what I've ever done for Nano before. Thank you so much. And wow to your 19k day before. I think I once wrote a 17k fanfic in a day, but I was a student then and days were longer and sleep happened less... A lot less.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:37:36 -0600

Ok guys! #50kweekend is on : http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/word-wars-prompts-sprints/threads/42595 Just a reminder though, I let it open to other challenges as well, just like last year. If you want to make icons, feel free to do so! and also, for those on Twitter, post your username if you want new followers. Hashtag: #50kweekend, 2 days before the madness! <3 50kweekend

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lisa.Vail — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:44:28 -0600

I don't think I can call myself an overachiever because I'm not writing a hundred thousand words but... I am over 50k and have A LOT of story left to tell, so by the time it's done I may be an overachiever. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:30:30 -0600

If you're off to write more in the remaining days of November, you're going to be an overachiever! And YAY 80K!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:38:29 -0600

I've finally hit 50K! I feel sort of like a failure because I stopped at day eight until... last night, but I was really busy and managed to get 10K today, so. And I'm going for 75K this weekend, and another 25K before Wednesday. That'll bring me to 150K, which is definitely more than I've ever done in a month. These next few days are going to be hell, but I finished my Model UN thing, and I've got no other work to do. I feel like a real Overachiever now. :D Though I still pale in comparison to most of you.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ley Firewalker — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:38:37 -0600

I am aiming for 70K before this is all said and done, but I know my story itself will be much, much longer then 70K... I could possibly squeeze 80K before the month's over, but that might would be pushing the limits of what I can squeeze into what's left of the month. :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LonelyDiamond — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:06:55 -0600

First year: 60k. Second year: 75K This year: 100k. I hope. That's the plan, anyway. I've gotta squeeze 19k more... I think I can do it. =) And I'm slightly gloating over my beautiful purple bar. It makes me happy. =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Augrae — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:19:47 -0600

I feel like I'm no longer overachieving, though I guess technically I am. I'm back to aiming for the 50k, but due to a lovely combo pack of life messes (which are actually good things but take up a lot of time), the challenge of writing my first fight scene ever (between non-humans, so lots of thinking about what body parts would do damage and where and how), and overall blahness about the whole nano process (which usually inspires massive enthusiasm in me but just isn't doing it this year), I had a whopping 10 writing free days and another 6 days where I clocked less than 1k each day. This means I'm shoving about 45k into just 2 weeks time. With one hand that, nearly a year later, isn't back to normal after carpal tunnel surgery and the other hand due to go under the knife on 12/15, it's probably overachieving, though it doesn't feel like it because it's not the word count I wanted. On the bright side, I clocked 6,100 words today, my second best day of the year thus far, and pulled myself out of my usual 25-30k mire. I have clear thoughts on how I want the next 2-3 scenes to go to the point where they should nearly write themselves if I can scrape up the quiet time and order my hands to cooperate. I have some blocks of time to use over the next few days and with a heavy dose of sheer stubbornness, my remaining 18k is definitely doable. I wrote that much in the first 5 days this year. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:31:59 -0600

right now at 75763 words and wow, i only have one episode left in my story...i'm a bit sad that Jovita and Dylan's journey is coming to an end so fast. it was just one month ago when these two were mostly figments of my imagination, and now they are fleshed out characters that have learned alot, and i learned about them as well. but they aren't going to say goodbye without a bang. and yes, things are soooo much better now writingwise than at dreadful episode 9, which might have killed my chance at a 100K month, but, unlike last year, won't kill my chances of finishing this story in the next few days. this last episode was fun to write, despite a turkey coma being crammed in the middle of it.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:02:47 -0600

I am in love with my purple bar. Congrats, all of you!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 07:17:55 -0600

Purple? Where is the purple bar? *looks under desk* Is this a metaphor, or is the site not working for me?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Spuggey — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:02:00 -0600

I'm going for 100,000 this year. I'm at 82,000 and I still don't feel much like an overachiever!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:06:59 -0600

My shiny purple bar! :D I'm so pleased. Now that I'm awake and well-rested, I can push out a stupid number of words, yes? Yes.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:10:52 -0600

YAY let's go for 100k together with VERY similar wordcounts XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:11:33 -0600

Internet explorer I suppose? That's the problem. Doesn't work for me either but relax; you're still a winner =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bibliosylph — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:06:32 -0600

Congratulations on this 800k thing. Guess you will reach a million for sure. I'm still curious as to why, though. Perhaps it seemed rude of me to ask seven days and that is why you did not answer. But here at NaNoWriMo, one of the things that helps many of us along is to discuss and encourage motivation. I thought perhaps I'd get an interesting answer in the overachiever's thread.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:16:01 -0600

Purple bar! It's so pretty! :D Congratulations, everyone!! Whoa, caillien, WAY TO GO on 800k!! :D Now that Thanksgiving is over here in the US, I think I can finally work through this final stretch. Whew... Happy writing! - Lauren

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:05:20 -0600

[quote=Lisa.Vail] I don't think I can call myself an overachiever because I'm not writing a hundred thousand words but... I am over 50k and have A LOT of story left to tell, so by the time it's done I may be an overachiever. :) [/quote] If you write more than 50k during November, you are an overachiever! My original goal this month was 75k, and I didn't feel like I belonged here, either. Just keep writing and see how far you can get! You never know how much you might surprise yourself! Just know that you're already an overachiever if you've hit 50k early and are still writing!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:11:13 -0600

[quote=Elluna Hellen] Internet explorer I suppose? That's the problem. Doesn't work for me either but relax; you're still a winner =D [/quote] I was wondering why people kept talking about purple bars but I hadn't seen any yet. :( Will I ever see the purple bars, or should I change from Internet Explorer to something else? Because I like purple!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:42:37 -0600

As tempting as it is to get my own purple bar, I'm not validating until I hit my goal of 75k. If I do it now I'm not sure I'll have the motivation to continue on!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:52:55 -0600

It's been submitted as a bug, so hopefully it will be fixed soon. The thread in the tech help forum says that firefox and safari are the most stable. http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forum_comments/840164

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:48:08 -0600

[quote=Faeiri] As tempting as it is to get my own purple bar, I'm not validating until I hit my goal of 75k. If I do it now I'm not sure I'll have the motivation to continue on! [/quote] Same! Must hit goal!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:51:31 -0600

You guys are all doing great :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:43:18 -0600

[quote=Kateness] You guys are all doing great :D [/quote] Purr! Kateness! What's up? You zeroed out your count, what happened? VERY happy to see you again. This isn't a mega-year for me, my only Overachievement for sure was finishing early. But it's a subtle personal achievement. This year I did my first-ever Horror novel. I was in a cold sweat, shaking for hours after I was done but I got it done and it's good Horror. As good as any other novel I've written. I've got a second book in progress but I don't know if I'll finish it this week... still easily distracted from it and not sure if I can get back into the swing of it that easily. It got seriously interrupted and it's always hard to pick up again after that. I want to finish it, just don't know if it'll be this month. So I validated to remind myself it doesn't matter if Trouble in the City takes long rumination pauses. One book is done and it was done on the 22nd which ain't bad for a small Overachievement. This year I was scared it would turn into another 2002 with only half a novel and no winner's certificate. It is quite possibly the toughest Nanowrimo that I've ever faced.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

robertsloan2 — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:44:12 -0600

Purr and Congratulations to all the purple bars!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:36:57 -0600

Yay! Good luck to you! ^^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Bovver — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:10:03 -0600

Having just received my purple bar only moments ago, I have decided to count myself as an Overachiever. I am over 50K, and with 5 full days of NaNo left and an average of 2,001 words/day, I have decided to attempt 60K by November 30th. It may not be 100K+ but I'm officially an Overachiever!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

CaseyAzalea — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:36:59 -0600

You are all so inspiring! I hope I can get my brain and my fingers up to your speed one of these years. Congratulations to all of you!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chiharu-Chan — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:52:32 -0600

I feel like I've been so detached from you guys! D: Well, I finally reached my goal of half a million and a lil' bit over, but I think I'm gonna call it quits now, maybe. XD;; But I'm writing chapters of another story I have, so do you guys think I should add those words too? XD;;; This November has to have been the most wild November ever. I'm never going for half a million again. There were SO many days I forgot up update my word count and had to put this huge word count in for the next day. XD;; Or next-next day. XD;;; Crazy stuff.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:53:03 -0600

I can get another 50k in the next five days. Easy, right? /stares at self in mirror

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:59:50 -0600

Girl I... I would need a 75k/5 days for me to reach my Purple Goal. It's dangerous.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:01:16 -0600

150K! Hit my goal with five days to spare! I won't have the opportunity to be super productive for the rest of the month, but I'm hoping to finish as strong as I can manage & keep writing until the end. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:02:19 -0600

You're back!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:03:45 -0600

In AWE of your word count. Of course you should count other chapters -- if it's fiction, if it's going towards anything that can be considered a novel, then it should go towards your National Novel Writing Month wordcount. Congrats on .5mil! :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:04:40 -0600

You can BOTH do it. Cross my heart. Message me if you want to word war -- I suck at word wars and am a GREAT confidence booster.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:22:47 -0600

I'll Make A Man Out of You is playing in the back of my head right now.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Kateness — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:27:01 -0600

You frikkin rock, dude. I know how hard it is to get there - I know how many hours/dedication it takes. You have my total respect :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:03:32 -0600

I had an entire scene based on that song. Then I killed off all the characters and moved right along with the plot. Next year, if I do this insanity again, I think I need to have a story that doesn't break the fourth wall every other paragraph...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:40:37 -0600

i finally got to 80K. i'm at my second to last scene, and it's tearjerker worthy, just like the scene before it. though the final scene will make up for it [it's an action scene, similar to the very first scene]. i won't be validating or updating my word count on this site until i finish the story.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:47:27 -0600

I don't have a goal anymore. I'm just writing as much as I possibly can between now and the 30th and seeing what I come up with. Oddly enough, I took a week off (in total) and still have this stupidly insane word count. Well, stupidly insane for me anyway. My friends keep asking me how I can write so much and I don't really have an answer. But it is fun to remark that some people *looks at caillien in awe* are well on their way to 1 million words.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Siliel — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:50:48 -0600

Okay... I wrote more than 11k today - more than ever before - hit 100k - my personal goal - and I still like both of my novels. I think I can be proud of myself. And I'm so tired...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

bravrayj — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:47:01 -0600

just finished my nano about 15 minutes ago, and validated it for an official win. i wanted the satisfaction this year of validating a completed novel instead of an incomplete mess like last year. and speaking of that, it will be finished, starting tomorrow.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:54:27 -0600

I have one planned plot left for this year's NaNo. I can probably drag 50k out of it, tops, and I'm 20k into it. I think i'm going to start writing a story I tried to write so many times, but never had the words to write... Worst case scenario, I'll polish off the last 100k or so with terrible fanfiction.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:16:01 -0600

You're epic for even TRYING.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:33:19 -0600

Me? Give up? NEVAR. 250 WILL BE MINE. ormore.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:24:40 -0600

*gets a pretty ribbon for the finish line*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ZoraSkywalker — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:30:15 -0600

I've been meaning to drop by here, and kept forgetting. This is my sixth NaNo and my first as an overachiever! Yay! A week or so into NaNo, I decided that I was going to try for 100k, now I'm looking at my word count and IF I can knock out 15k tomorrow, I'll be over my goal -- especially if I write more today -- and then I may try for 120k, I think. O_O I've found I can knock out about 10k during my long break between classes if I lock myself in one of the study areas, so I might be able to make that. And then there's my long break between classes again on Wednesday as well as a nice long write in after my last class, so I think with that in mind and a whole lot of perseverance, I can get to at least 120k. :D If I win, I usually hit 50k last minute on the 30th, so I'm ecstatic to have made it this far! :D Hope everyone else is doing great with their own goals!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chomsky-rabbit — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:30:28 -0600

I may drag my sorry butt to the 250k mark but it may not happen. I just want to bang my head in a wall. Of course, the 70 pages essays I have to write in December may be discouraging me a little.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:38:50 -0600

I cobbled together enough of a plot to cruise the rest of the way to a million. I hope. It's going pretty well for now, at least!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:40:59 -0600

New plan. I'm gunning for the Million by tomorrow night.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:02:11 -0600

Holy crap. I believe in you!... but holy crap.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:04:32 -0600

Okay, you're nuts. GOOD LUCK!!!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH 100K B-TCHES! O_O (sorry)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:10:23 -0600

I think insanity has just crept over! I'm planing for 1KK too. I'm just too close to not go there!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:19:16 -0600

50k Weekend ROCKS! for everything but my wrists. My characters are playing nicely again, I got a sneak villain who came out from left side and threw EVERYTHING for a loop. I have an idea how this is all going to come to a climax, I wrote the most I have ever written in a day ever today at almost 21k, and 200k is 2k a day away... I think I'll probably end up with 210k instead. God I am so happy. Apart from the fact that I have to work tomorrow, but still so close to 200k.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:52:56 -0600

I humbly challenge you to a race to the Million! First one there gets bragging rights and a virtual high-five.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ZoraSkywalker — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:01:01 -0600

You both are beyond awesome, for sure. Keep going! We're all rooting for you! Out of curiostiy, has there been anyone to reach a million since '08? I know Hanxa and delayra both did that year, but I don't remember hearing about anyone reaching it in '09 or '10. Either way, it looks like we have a few well on their way to getting it this way!!! :D Awesomeness, I could never do that.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:06:36 -0600

I know Kateness did in '09. And hooray for all of the people going for it, that's insane in the best way. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:01:36 -0600

I'm rooting for all of you :D Holy crap I just realized I'm only a little off from 75k. NaNo went by so quickly. I don't think I'm going to finish my story anytime soon, either. My MCs know who the villains are but now they have to find them and figure out a way to defeat them...I expected my 11k-day scene to be much closer to the climax. Oops. I think I'll be okay with this.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

alicerabbits — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:20:38 -0600

My personal goal was 75K on my first ever NaNo. Some called me crazy. But I know how fast I can write, and writing every day with no job, and no school as yet, I should be able to meet it. Haven't done any typing over T-day weekend and am now playing catch up.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ZoraSkywalker — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:38:33 -0600

Okay, cool, thanks! I knew she'd gotten pretty high, but couldn't remember if she hit the million of not. It's definitely a fantastic goal!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:51:22 -0600

50k weekend: victory. Now to get another 50k over the next three days or finish book three, which is currently at around 10k. Whichever comes first. Oh who am I kidding, I'll try to finish the book. Caillien and Lonewolf, both of you can do it! Go go go! Now to do something about these people within my reach word count wise, now that I know what I'm capable of on a regular basis. Bwahaha. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:03:29 -0600

Yes! I love watching races! Post here often, both of you! 50kweekend: Done, with a victory lap of an additional 3k. Just because I could. And I was feeling vindictive on behalf of my fallen comrades. Also, my novel kindasorta ended. SELF-FANFICTION FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS! PARTY IN MY HEAD!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tatra — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:38:57 -0600

Hmm only got 22K for 50K weekend, but I still managed to write 13K on Friday, so it was a pretty good venture. Plus, there was shopping on Saturday and laziness today. I've managed to start another story for Nano... Atylcor just isn't cracky enough and it keeps dragging. This new one has plenty of crack and is almost at 3K. I'm still going to try and see if I can get to 50K on Atylcor, though, which means 7K in it each day. But, it's close to the end of Nano, so that means that the adrenaline will kick in, hopefully. XD In any case, I've decided to just write as much as I can for Nano.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Lorata — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:46:01 -0600

HOW DO YOU STILL HAVE FINGERS????

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:17:11 -0600

You inspire us all to keep on going 'til the end! Truly amazing. Go, go, go!! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:25:44 -0600

In the last 40k stretch for the next three days... but, more importantly, only 2.5 chapters away from finishing this darned long story! I didn't even know I could drag a story on for this long... and I actually had to cut scenes down to keep it under 500k. Once I finish that, I can fill in the rest of the way to 500k with little fanfiction pieces. Which will be quite the relief after working on the same thing for nearly a month (as a chronic overachiever, I usually write at least two pieces each NaNo, so just doing one for almost all of it is pretty new). Wow, now that I'm so close to the end, I'm getting all emotional about saying goodbye to the characters... and I'm writing fanfiction. That's... actually kind of funny. When I think about it. Congratulations, everyone!! To the final stretch (and beyond)! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:11:48 -0600

I'm just going to go for 111,111. =P Why not =D?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:19:24 -0600

Haha, that's what I'm doing as well. Apart from fleshing out scenes that I kind of dropped at some point even though they were kind of interesting (like, my characters visiting an excavation, a bathhouse and other quircks I actually wanted to do but then forgot about them). Btw, I already wrote one short self-fanficiton yesterday: coffee drama at the news! xD Also, my infamous chapter 16 can be milked for a lot of scenes that lead to smut. Hahaha. (in Openoffice in Arial, 12 pt, one spaced lines, this chapter is 56 pages long) I guess that counts as self-fanfiction as well... But then again, I had to beat myself yesterday to write an extra chapter because I left out too many things before writing the epilogue. /: Stupid me.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:21:44 -0600

Oh gawd... why are you so awesome? xD Can you teach me how to be this awesome until the next Nano? xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:46:16 -0600

Why not indeed? With 3 days to go, you can do it! ^^ Didn't think I'd sneak a 10k day in yesterday (mum was on the computer doing some accounting), but glad I just about did. xD very, very pleased that I've beaten last year's total as there was no reason I shouldn't have other than sheer laziness on my part last year. So I'm pretty pleased that I've made it this far, now. I was honestly starting to worry that I wouldn't make my goal ... 300k next year, I'm thinking.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Mariana OConnor — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:47:19 -0600

Why not indeed. It's a very beautiful number and very appropriate. ^_^ Go for it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

the-Greatest-Show-Unearthed — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:49:02 -0600

Okay, I forget what page my post was on, but I commented like 10 days ago that I had no intention of letting my story go over 50K and happened to be terrified of attempting...well, I've just validated mine and am coming in at 71, 146 words. Yay! I didn't think I would go this far this year but I'm so happy...and tired! But all the coffee I drank to make sure I finished tonight is forcing me to stay awake past 3am. Tomorrow is going to be a very strange day and maybe in a week or more I can start editing my little untitled monster!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

UpBeat — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:16:42 -0600

I just realized that 1667 is nothing. This is my first NaNo and I realized this is too easy. I don't know when this happened. I mean I have done this and that all the time and I haven't had any trouble to stay on schedule. I can write about 1k in an hour so... It isn't any trouble to even write 5k in a day even if I have something else to do. That means 150k in a month. I have just relaxed in this November. I am so aiming for 100k in 2012. Maybe 150k in 2013...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:51:24 -0600

I did 126k my second year, 426k the third, and this year has yet to actually finish, so I'll get back to you on the final count... but welcome! It's good to have new faces ^.^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:56:04 -0600

Yay, welcome ^^

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:29:49 -0600

The best part now is that there are no concerns about where to squeeze it in canonically! Yay! #alltherandomness

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Earthsick — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:56:49 -0600

OMG yes! I'm even writing an AU fanfiction right now. School setting of course since that's the most fun. I almost always misspell Zane's name. xD It's so funny!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

.the.blue.dinosaur. — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:01:56 -0600

I'm currently at 101K. I stopped after hitting 50K for the weekend, and now I'm not sure what I'm going to try to do. At least 5K today and tomorrow, to bring me to 111K (as I can't write anything on Wednesday, going to be at a conference), but I'm not sure, I think I'd like to do more. 100K is half of my original goal, but I'm pleased with what I managed to do this month, considering only twelve days out of the twenty-eight have been spent writing, so far. Perhaps I can get to 120K for the month? Better get to writing. I've got about 15K left in this story, and then I don't know. Back to the short stories!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:49:35 -0600

yay, I didn't burn myself out completely yesterday! As I didn't start until like 11.25 p.m. today I'm just aiming for 101,010 xD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:00:40 -0600

There. I'll need to write a bit more over the following two days, but I will reach 111,111!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:45:27 -0600

So... I pulled up the old nano file from work, and it is also missing 3k. I am befuddled. But whatever, I didn't hallucinate that, and I know what the scenes were. I think. I really don't want to rewrite them, except for one short one that says a lot. The words were counted in my spreadsheet online and I'm not dropping them. Curse you... computer demons, or whatever it was that magically ate 3k. Anyway. On to writing Random Stuff!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:54:23 -0600

I accept!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:58:51 -0600

I'm way to close to the million to give up! Non-stop writing commence!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:39:33 -0600

I finished my novel at about 1 am this morning. As this was my first NaNo, I wasn't actually expecting to get much higher than 50k, but I hit that 50k in a week and took the rest of the month at a more relaxed pace to make room for exams, auditions and general exhaustion.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:42:29 -0600

Man, we're a good match for each other! Write on, my excellent rival!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

freakflag333 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:57:03 -0600

hahhaha :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:30:42 -0600

Yay, the two of you are awesomely inspiring~ YOU ARE ALMOST THERE, GOGOGO!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:34:45 -0600

I hit 200k, which I had made my goal when I saw how fast I reached 50k, yay! I haven't hit the end yet though .... but there are still two days, there is still hope I will hit it this month.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:47:50 -0600

Keep going, amazing ones! Amaze us once again!! :D YOU ARE ON THE VERGE OF PURE AWESOME VICTORY.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:36:52 -0600

I just love going into your profiles, looking at your stats pages, and seeing how the target word count points are almost a horizontal line. xD I...might actually hit 75k tonight. What. This novel has grown and changed a lot. I was writing a fluffy scene with my two main characters and it suddenly hit me that things have moved so far, both for me and for them. Unfortunately I have no idea how much story this thing has left. I guess I'll find that out when I'm there, haha.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ZoraSkywalker — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:05:18 -0600

You know what I finally realized about being an Overachiever? I'm never going to be able to be satisfied with 'just' 50k again. It's definitely a noteworthy goal -- one that I have struggled with every year but this one, but from now on I'm going to be wanting more. I'm going to be wanting to see just exactly how high I can make my word count each year and I'm going to have that constant drive to beat my previous year's goal even if it means I have no life outside of my novel(s) for a month. And you know what? I'm looking forward to it!!! XD I used to stare at all of your word counts in awe (and in a lot of your cases, I still am) but now I know I have a chance to reach them too! And it makes me want to go for even higher goals. ...And that turned a bit more sappy-ish than I intended it to, but you all catch my drift!!! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:42:08 -0600

[quote=ZoraSkywalker] You know what I finally realized about being an Overachiever? I'm never going to be able to be satisfied with 'just' 50k again. It's definitely a noteworthy goal -- one that I have struggled with every year but this one, but from now on I'm going to be wanting more. I'm going to be wanting to see just exactly how high I can make my word count each year and I'm going to have that constant drive to beat my previous year's goal even if it means I have no life outside of my novel(s) for a month. And you know what? I'm looking forward to it!!! XD I used to stare at all of your word counts in awe (and in a lot of your cases, I still am) but now I know I have a chance to reach them too! And it makes me want to go for even higher goals. ...And that turned a bit more sappy-ish than I intended it to, but you all catch my drift!!! :D [/quote] I know exactly how you feel! This is my fifth year doing NaNo, and I had only won two of them before. When I first set a goal of 75k this year, I thought there was no way I could actually hit it. I thought about trying to push it further, to 90k, but just the thought of writing 3k every day seemed like way too much. Now I'm averaging 6.6k a day, and it's amazing! And you're right - I will never be happy with 50k again. I'm already trying to decide what my goal should be for next year, and it's going to be even bigger than what I did this year. It's crazy and awesome, and I can't believe I've managed to keep up with some of the fastest writers in my region. Granted, part of that was because they all had bad weeks and had ML things to do, but still....I did it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:45:12 -0600

You two have way too many numbers under your name for me to properly estimate how many words you have left! You are both crazy in a completely amazing way. I can't believe how many words you can write so fast! That is so amazing! *offers virtual wrist massages*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:53:05 -0600

*Blows horn* I did it! And my fingers are killing me! I think I better lay off the keyboard for now...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:53:49 -0600

LITERALLY SECONDS LATER! *high fives* Also, the new word cap is exactly a million.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:55:56 -0600

Yup, I know. I tried adding a "3" at the end of it and got a big red bar XD *High Fives back*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:57:09 -0600

I'm sitting at 1000010 XD My wrist is in agony. I'mma take the rest of the night off XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:58:46 -0600

You know what's funny? I was just in another thread and saw you there with like 990,000 (or whatever it was before you updated) and was like:"OMG, need to buddy to see someone with 1,000,000 words" Then you and caillien both hit 1,000,000 at once and I'm completely in awe. Amazing job. I need about 27K to hit 200,000. I have two nights. I'm not entirely sure I can pull it off without really killing the whole sleeping/working thing. Plus my cat's just been really sick the past few days and I'm worried about him so I'm not concentrating on writing. I can't complain too much though. My original goal coming into this was 115-125K. At least next year I'll have a nice even number to shoot for. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ladypamela — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:01:42 -0600

That is Amazing! Simply Amazing! Way to go, you two!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:02:19 -0600

These are my feelings exactly! I remember lurking in this thread in years past. It always tempted me to go for more, but after my amazing failure last year, at the beginning of October I staunchly told myself no, you're not going for anything higher than 50k, I refuse to put up with this tomfoolery. And then this thread, reading through it in those days of a new forum, planted the seeds in my heart for a bigger goal, bigger plans for NaNo. And those seeds have grown into a wonderful tree, one that's positively dripping in sap. Oops. I'm not sure what I'll do in NaNo 2012, but I think I might have to go for more now! And I have ideas to work with outside of NaNo, too. I can't believe I forgot what having /fun/ with writing felt like! Very enthusiastic about NaNo this year. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:05:03 -0600

This is amazing. Especially because it was such a close race. Congrats to both of you! I've hit my own goal of 75,000 tonight as well, and with that it's time to get some sleep. (It's only 10 PM here. I've never really been one for late nights. :P )

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

quixotic_hope — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:38:39 -0600

You two are my heroes. Congratulations!!!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

ZoraSkywalker — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:08:02 -0600

Holy cow!!! I did it!!! I made my 100k goal today!!! It's late, I'm tired, I wrote the last two thousand or so words with my fingers cramping up from writing half the day, but I managed to do it!!! I am so totally stoked right now!!! :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:36:34 -0600

Captain Lonewolf and Caillien: You two are nuts. Congrats =D!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

BloodRoseAngel — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:20:25 -0600

Gah, this time last year I was on about 130k. o_o Then again I did have some commission artwork to do this month so I couldn't focus all my attention on my writing. X3 Oh well, I guess my wordcount is OK, even if some of you guys make me feel like a slacker! =P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

The Dark Enchantment — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:31:45 -0600

OK, serious kudos on the million words. That's crazy! But definitely inspiring! I am on track for my 100k this month, which is new and exciting to me as the most I'd ever done for NaNo was 55k before. An this year I feel FAR less fried than last year. Hrm, I'll need to think about this more.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Joe Union — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:40:01 -0600

Captain Lonewolf and Caillien amazing accomplishments. Congratulations to both of you.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chillytv — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:49 -0600

I wasn't so sure I was going to make my 100k this year with my trip right near the end of the month. So close now I can smell it. So glad to see the million markers out there. Stop giving me ideas ;-)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Chillytv — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:03:06 -0600

I see you, and I like what you've got going there. That's right! If you're going to do it why not do it this year. I just might join you :-P 111,111 (So what I only have two days left and a full time job:)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:34:56 -0600

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Raquelin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:36:45 -0600

Excellent! sooo... who's going for the mil next year?

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:45:15 -0600

Captain Lonewolf and caillien, congratulations. The million is nuts by itself, but finishing early?! Holy crap. Overachieving really is a drug. I discovered it with my first year of overachieving in 2009 when I wrote what was it, 131k? I set a nice goal of 150k... and then blew that out of the water. And this year... I'm still battling my way to 250k, possibly 260k, mostly so I can finish this book. I've done the math with everything I need to do. It's possible. In theory. We'll see, though.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LonelyDiamond — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:38:43 -0600

Captain Lonewolf and Caillien - You guys are my heroes. Seriously. That is incredibly awesome. I hope to someday achieve epicness such as yours. Gosh, i feel like my poor little 100k is nothing now. =D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:39:48 -0600

But 100k is epic o_O (I hope xD)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:08:33 -0600

I apparently have to write over 7000 words in order to get to 111,111 before tomorrow midnight. Good thing I like the idea of last day sprints Hello epic word count day, again >=D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:09:07 -0600

well I mean today midnight, it's the 30th here. Let me rephrase that OH NO, IT'S THE 30TH O_o

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:24:22 -0600

Captain Lonewolf and caillien -- hats way off. You people blow my mind. You're really an inspiration to Overachievers everywhere.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:56:37 -0600

Congratulations Caillien, Lonewolf and all the other overachievers who have hit their goals this month - or are going to do so tomorrow! It's been an amazing month yet again. I'm saving my last 900 words for tomorrow so I can end on an easy high. I'm proud, although I didn't start out with a goal as such. Maybe next year I'll try for the 200k. :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Tania Scott — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:47:21 -0600

I've been a bit of a lurker on this board over the last month, and I've just hit my 50k for my first nano, but I had to pop in here to say congrats to all you overachievers. You are total inspirations. Although I do pity you guys in one way - you've now got a hell of a lot to edit! Oh, and well done to the two mad millionaires, no word count scoreboard but I'm guessing Caillien and Lonewolf would top it, congrats guys!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

LonelyDiamond — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:14:45 -0600

Good point. It IS epic. We're still overachievers - just not quite AS overachieving overachievers. =D I admire your goal of 111,111. I'd try and do that also, but my story has just plain run out of story. I'm hoping to get as many more words as I can, but there's only so much that I can squeeze out of this! =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ley Firewalker — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:56:32 -0600

Congrats everyone on your achievements!!!! I am quite pleased with myself! I am going to be able to meet my highest goal I set for myself. (Which is 80K) I am going to try writing the final 3K tonight. =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:30:46 -0600

Well, I'm not going to be overachieving this year, after all. The job search ate my November, sadly. But I wanted to pop in and give a little love to you all anyway, and congratulate the winners on their winning--whatever their final word counts! I fully plan to be reaching 50,000 words in the next 22 hours, which means writing about 20,000 words. Perhaps that still counts as overachieving? XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Gray Nomad — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:55:21 -0600

I started the edit half way though the month as I frankly had enough words. Even I didn't know I could write so many words in such a short time i simply had never worked so many hours in a day at it before and on my new iMac keyboard, made a huge difference. I am enjoying the editing process.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:14:03 -0600

It does for me, good luck!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:47:39 -0600

Part of me says, "HELL YEAH! LET'S DO IT AGAAAAIN!" but the rest of me thinks I should aim for something a little less... insane, especially since I will (hopefully) be working on my doctorate...

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:19:57 -0600

Absolutely! I will be rooting for you and checking your wordcount throughout the day like a dedicated sports fan. :p

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Madrynea — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:57:07 -0600

The day ends in two hours here and I just crossed the 150k-line. Feels good, in a way, but I am also sad that Nano is ending. It's worse this year than ever before, possibly because it's been a madder rush than ever before. Just wanted to post a thank-you to all you overachievers for keeping me going through the month and inspiring me with your amazing word counts whenever I was down!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Ley Firewalker — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:56:43 -0600

YES!!!! I reached my ultimate goal for nano this year!!! 80K!!!!!!!! Next year, who knows? I might try for 100K! **dances** Congrats, fellow over-achievers!!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:55:28 -0600

YOU GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYS! I did it! 111,111 =D!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Bovver — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:45:42 -0600

I MADE IT EVERYONE!!!! 60,000 words this NaNo!!! (Ha, it's no million, but I am beyond proud of myself)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

The Dark Enchantment — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:57:55 -0600

Good luck!!!!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

The Dark Enchantment — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:59:04 -0600

I DID IT!!!!! 100k! with change! Congrats to everyone who made their goals and those who didn't. We are an awesome bunch!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:32:14 -0600

... I did it. I actually did it. 9:26pm, 500,062. *hits self on head with nearest object on desk* This was doubtlessly my toughest NaNo yet, but man, was it ever worth it! I finally reached a personal goal of mine that once seemed impossibly far away, AND I had a ridiculous amount of fun. I'm only reminded more and more how amazing NaNo is to my writing and my life. CONGRATULATIONS to everyone!! And I know everyone else has already said this, but Caillien and Captain Lonewolf, you two are fantastically amazingly awesome. I bow to your glory, and hope that maybe, someday, MAYBE, I can join you. ... not this year, though. Now I sleep. XD I don't think I've gotten more than one night with a full eight hours since NaNo began... Thanks so much to all who reminded me that I'm far from alone in my overachieving ventures, whether you went for 51k, 50k in a day, or the big million! Happy end of NaNoWriMo 2011 to all, and I hope to see all of you and more when next November comes along!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:27:01 -0600

Never compare yourself to other people! 60k is still spectacular, and I'm not just saying that. Keep on keepin' on!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:27:27 -0600

HOORAH! *throws confetti everywhere*

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dani Marchand — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:53:42 -0600

Congratulations, everyone! See you all next year!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:01:03 -0600

CONGRATULATIONS!!! =D You are awesome! I am almost curious to know how far past the word cap you have gone, if you wrote anything past that instead of shutting your computer off and swearing off it for a month, lol

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Realta — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:13:02 -0600

Congratulations to everyone! =D I'll be watching for this thread next year. <3

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:19:01 -0600

I'm not sure if I find it hilarious or offensive, but there's a bunch of people complaining about me in the 30's and 40's forum. Congrats, everyone who hit their word goals! For those who tried and fell short, you still gave it a shot. I still think 50k is daunting sometimes (please ignore my word count for the moment). Frankly, the only reason I got to where I am is because I have a disturbing amount of free time. Spending eight to ten hours a day writing wasn't a hard thing for me. I can't imagine doing anything remotely like this with a crazy schedule like I had a few years back. TL:DR? You're all awesome. Don't forget it!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

nak — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:50:04 -0600

This year went better than I could have possibly anticipated... :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Coralyn — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:16:40 -0600

Finished at 200,022 words. Met my goal. Very happy.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:53:03 -0600

Congrats to everyone who reached their goals this year! And a big congrats to everyone who didn't either. At least you tried and frankly, the fact you did just makes you more awesome than you already are :) I'm guessing December has finally come around and sad as it is to end NaNo, I guess we"ll all be doing this all again next year!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

caillien — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:56:48 -0600

I'll be back next year to race to ridiculous heights with you again! Thanks for giving me the inspiration (through sheer force of will and a race) to get to my million!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:14:36 -0600

Congrats, Caillien, and welcome to my personal Hall Of Fame! See you all next year, when I will actually Overachieve! XD

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

sushimustwrite — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:17:06 -0600

We did it, overachievers. We survived another NaNo. And I'm proud to say that I got only one bad comment about my word count. Considering it was from my very dedicated blog troll, I can take that. And I didn't get 250k like I tried to get, but considering my catnap took longer than I intended but was definitely needed, I'm okay with that. Not every year can be as epic as last year was. Congratulations, everyone! We wrote those words and we wrote them fast.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

tajavioletta — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:34:07 -0600

Congratulations, Lonewolf! Man, you all are amazing. I wasn't able to get anywhere near my goal this year, mainly because a DC job search is a full time job in itself, but also because I didn't plot out my novel near enough, and the plot complications it took on halfway through November took some time to work out. But sushi is right--overachieving IS like a drug. I'll be back around for my hit next year. Maybe even get the 100K (I know, I know, that's small potatoes to you lot)!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Captain Lonewolf — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:44:34 -0600

Same here! Even though I said I was going to try and get to 1KK, I was lacking all motivation until you came along and proposed that race :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Westwoods — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:42:45 -0600

Congrats to all, especially those who reached a million, you guys amaze me! I ran out of ideas this year but still made my 50k. I'll be back in the overachievers thread again next year, and maybe I will actually over-achieve! (especially now that I know that I am capable of doing 4-5k days quite consistently when I am motivated enough)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:51:06 -0600

It's still awesome, congrats=D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Elluna Hellen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:53:54 -0600

It's not, 100k is still epic! O_O *looks at own wordcount* I don't know what I'll be DOING next year November. Well obviously NaNo, but I'm not sure about overachieving :P

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Beautiful Illusion — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:08:33 -0600

Bleh, ignore it, I say. I have to admit, I don't see why it's so difficult for people to accept ... but I suppose it's just perspective and all. Anyway. Your word count is inspirational (as is Captain Lonewolf's) and makes me want to push myself more next year, and the year after, and so on (providing I can), because you've proven that it's possible with enough drive. So congrats to both of you, as well. (:

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

TypoMania — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:09:30 -0600

Congrats to **everyone,** you're all amazing! =)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Faeiri — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:15:08 -0600

I'll say it again: Congratulations, everyone :D

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

banditsrubyangel — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:17:04 -0600

This is my second NaNo. Last year was my first --- 115K. This year I expected to do at least that, and I surprised myself with 170K. My muse informed me that the book from last year needs to become a series, so I still have some writing to do. I'm pretty happy with what I did both years. Congrats to all the overachievers. See y'all back here next year!

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

kaliawai512 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:36:07 -0600

Aww, thanks!! :D Glad your typing fingers seem to be doing okay. ;)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

MarcyT — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:41:01 -0600

I met my goal of 150k. I'm happy, but incredibly tired. I am just now writing again (I finished on Monday). I think I burned myself out. :)

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Dairenna — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:11:41 -0600

Congrats to everyone. Caillian, Lonewolf, you two are FREAKIN' AMAZING. I would try for a million but I know I won't have the schedule for it for a long while yet. Maybe in a few years... Anyway, I look forward to seeing everyone again next year (and in the coming month if anyone's still around) and over-achieving with you all again.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Generalist — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:40:38 -0600

More than 50K, less than the 100K target. Coasted for about seven days during the month. But considering that I was handwriting, I'm happy with the results.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Telsanasee — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:39:45 -0600

I got to 66,000 in like a week and a half. I wasn't doing it for nanowrimo, it was just I wanted to finish my series and get it over with, you know? It was funny because I would sit in my room and do nothing but write vigorously and listen to music; I would only leave to go to the bathroom and eat chocolate or other meals... Anyway, I want to be a writer when I grow up and that's why I try to work with these type of deadlines. It was funny because my mom would always tell me to stop hiding and do something else so she was really excited when I was done. A week later, she sees my typing and she asks what I'm doing. I tell her I'm writing and she's like "what? I thought you finished!" Then I tell her that it's another book and it's just.... funny.

Re: The Overachievers' Thread

Telsanasee — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:40:28 -0600

two weeks and a half. Sorry. I got to 66,000 in two weeks and a half. Typo