Introductions?

I belong to two groups now - Daytona and St. Augustine. Last year I was just about the only one posting in St. A. forum so I wanted to find more people in my area that stick to writing!

I am a teacher of the visually impaired and an orientation and mobility instructor(been doing this for 17 years). I am in charge of Assistive Technology for my school district as well as in charge of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing programs. I have two wonderful sons, 7 and 10. I am the stepmom to three lovely daughters, 23, 25, and 27. I am the grammy to a 1 year old little boy. My husband of 13 years tolerates me writing every November for two reasons: 1 - it is my birthday present, and 2- maybe, just maybe, my writing might someday supplement the miserable teacher salary Florida gave me when I transferred back home.

I grew up in rural Florida, went to FSU, moved to Upstate New York for 10 years. I traveled all over upstate for work as well as for backpacking throughout the Adirondacks. Meeting my husband there, after a few years he was transfered to Monterey, California. We lived there for several years and then he was offered early retirement from the government and took it. We returned to rural Florida so I could be near family.

I love to write and feel the greatest satisfaction when the story is actually finished. Nano has really helped me FINISH novels. I get the whole thing out and then edit later. Love that! I seem to stick with the young adult genre but each year for a different reason. The first was a miserable failure - I just did not have a way to get going. The second year I found the Snowflake method and it really worked for me! I was working on a YA but in the Fantasy realm. I won Nano but still have yet to finish that novel. The third year I found I had bitten off too much. It was YA but historical fiction. I had so much history it was more like 3 books and VERY boring. The story is still hidden to me. Someday I will go back and find the story. Right now it is all background. Last year was my best ever. I not only wrote YA and current events (Hurricane Katrina) but I finished the novel and submitted it to one publisher so far.

This year...well this year's novel is still a mystery. I have lots of ideas but one hasn't jumped out at me as being my Nano for 09. I will probably end up YA even though I would really like to try romance.

Well, I prattled on too much, but I would love to go to an actual Nano meeting of the minds at least once this year. I offered to be the ML for St. Augustine but maybe Daytona would like me instead??

Have a great October! Looking forward to November 1st!

Hi, Betsy and 'Mermaid'! I go here by Dellani, but my real name is Lindlae. I am a happily married mother of 4 and I live in Edgewater. I'm a former English teacher and have been writing full time for the better part of 5 years.

My first NaNo was 2 years ago. I did a sci-fi spin off from my series, The Lone Wolf, which is supposed to be published later this year or early next. Trying to get the publisher to pin down a date isn't easy. I have one novel published, historical fiction, based in St. Augustine in 1739 called "Indian Summer". It's kind of a crossover from YA to romance to adventure. I find it difficult to put a category on a book.

This year, I'm thinking of doing another sci-fi spin off. I have so many cool characters whose backgrounds I want to discover. It's been a lot of fun for me so far writing short stories, but the novel length really gives me more chance to explore.
I agree that NaNo is great to help me FINISH! I have over 30 pending projects (just started another one yesterday) and have tried to finish them. Sometimes I do, other times, I don't. I have to go back in and find out where I went wrong and fix it.

"Indian Summer" sat in a drawer for nearly 10 years before I picked up the drivel I had written and revamped it. I saved a very few hand written pages and pitched the rest. It's gone through many revisions and changes - ending up in a book I'm really proud of.

My original idea was good, but I chose the wrong approach. Then I discovered the Indian tribe I wanted to incorporate died out way before my story was set to take place, so I kicked it back about 100 years. Then the intended villain refused to be anything but the hero. The heroine refused to fall in love with anyone else, the Indian (original love interest) played second fiddle & the secondary love interest became a really nasty villain. They did it all themselves - I didn't do a thing but follow them blindly, praying they knew where they were going.

Mermaid, don't lose hope that you'll fix what ails your story. It may be something very simple where you went off track. I suggest reading through it carefully with a critcal eye and see if you can spot it. Also, about this year's choice. Romance doesn't mean it can't be YA. You can do a YA romance. Of course, it would depend on how "romantic" you want to go. If you're talking about writing explicit romantic scenes, might want to rethink the YA. Another suggestion, if I may be so bold, don't sweat it. Take a walk along the beach or climb the lighthouse and let your mind drift. Get a starting idea and run with it. You don't have to have your story completely planned before you start writing. =)

My brain retains the kind of information that's totally useless for anything - except playing Trivial Pursuit.

Hello,

This is my third year of Nano. Last year I didn't make it which ticked me off a bit. Two years ago I did write a sic-fi in the Matrix type theme. I still need to work out the kinks in it. This year I'm not sure where I'm going with Nano, but one thing is certain, I intend to complete the trip. I'm currently posting my daily word count on FB, revving up for the insanity to come in four weeks. I am also signed into the St. Augustine Region as I live in Palm Coast.

I would like to experience a Nano meeting. The thought intrigues me. Other insane people taking on this gauntlet collected in one area. I want to go into this year's Nano with more of a structured plan. I have a book that just came out last week and another due out the first week of December (it's actually and anthology with three other writers).

I'm looking for Nano to help me complete a competent first draft that I can then work and knead into a viable book.

I'm Kate, a senior in high school. This is my third year. I've finished both years. My first year was an urban fantasy. Last year's was a social utopia/dystopia thing. I'm not sure what I'm doing for Nanowrimo this year, but I have it narrowed down to two. One's about a schizophrenic boy, and the other is too complicated to put into one sentence unless I'm Frost.

+ [ [ I shall never grow up ] ] +
Make believe is much too fun

Hey! In Ormond Beach - have been with the Daytona Group - I participated in NaNo in 2006 and 2007, and wrote alongside last year, but wasn't 'official'. I've been homeschooling for six years, but this year my kids have gone off to school. And I've finally actually written past the 50,000 word mark, even past the 70,000 mark, so now I 'know' how to expand a story to do that. Keep throwing your protagonist under the bus!!! So this year, I intend to 'win' Nano instead of dribbling to around the twenty thousand word mark by the end :-)

BruceDeuce (co-mod 2007 and mod 2008) and I started writing together on Sundays in January 2007. In Oct 2007, he and DeeJay and co-mod Chris ran with the ball to form a more cohesive group in Daytona. DeeJay set us up a LJ site for shout outs for meetings. At the start of NaNoWriMo 2008, the Daytona Group had twenty-eight writers show up at Panera's on ISB (just off I-95). That whittled to a somewhat consistent group of ten to twelve by the halfway point. Bruce, how many completed? I know in 2007, that same number completed.

A writer from last year, M, has signed up to mod this year, with Bruce's help- I'll go find him and tell him ya'll are raring to go! Bruce and I still meet every Sunday at Panera's on ISB from at least 10-12 (and occasionally during the week) to write. During NaNo, there will be other days and times and locations (Barnes and Nobles, sometimes). At various times throughout the year, our Sunday group has five or six writers meeting regularly, so there might be peeps there from 9-1. Ya'll come on down and join us, if you want - we're the ones hogging the side near the restrooms, with the extension cords and table-eating laptops :-)

Hi to all! Good to see some names I recognize this year, as well as some I don't. As modoc said, we've been writing regularly together for some time, trying NOT to let this be a once-a-year thing. We're serious about our writing, we sometimes share and critique each other's, and we're good friends. It's a nice group.

Last year I moderated, and co-moderated the year before, in an effort to have a 'real' Daytona Beach area presence on the NaNo forums, and we did well as a group, as far as novelling. This year I'm more of a NaNoRebel, as I'll continue working on last year's novel, so I'm stepping back some. However, I'll still be very involved. (I just found out that the applications are closed for ML, but I'm writing Lindsey, trying to get Michael signed up in my place. If not, we'll just wing it!)

We DO plan to have a kickoff party. We'll bring it together, and post it on the local forums. If you'd like to come, you might email me (novadude64@yahoo) and let me know to expect you. So far we have at least 9 people committed to writing with us at Panera or Barnes & Noble on a semi-regular basis.

I'm looking forward to making new writer friends. See you at the kickoff?

~Bruce

_______________________________________
2006 winner ~ "Drew Copes"
2007 winner ~ "So, These Three Murderers are Drinking in a Bar"
2008 winner ~ "Eater of Sins"
2009 ~ continuation of a WIP (NaNoRebel)

Hello, all!

My name is Megan, and I'm a 16-year-old high school junior at Spruce Creek High (in Port Orange) in the IB program. I was introduced to NaNo by my 9th grade English and creative writing teachers, so I've done it for the last two years. 2007 was a sort of dumping ground for all the random semi-autobiographical crap running around in my head... sort of a cleansing so I could actually write something worthwhile. ;D Then 2008 began as a historical fiction about an adolescent girl who hated high society -- but 5 days in, I realized I knew so little about the time period that nothing I wrote would satisfy me. So instead it became the craziest thing I've ever written: The Adventures of Hannah the Magical Ninja and her Encounters with Intergalactic Pirates Who Knit and Other Beings of the Sort. This year, I spent about 2 hours with my sister last month figuring out my plot, so I have it all written down in bullet form -- and I haven't looked at it since. Here's hoping it'll still make as much sense when I pull it out three or four days before November begins.

Will definitely be at kickoff party and probably Friday write-ins (but not Sundays because I work at 11). Can't wait to meet the new writers and see my old friends again! :D

~Stargirl~

"I've learned two things in my life. One that love is the beginning and end of all meaning. And two that it is the same thing whatever shape our souls have taken on this journey. Love is love. Is love." -Clive Barker

~~~'~~,~~{@
"I've learned two things in my life. One that love is the beginning and end of all meaning. And two that it is the same thing whatever shape our souls have taken on this journey. Love is love. Is love." -Clive Barker's Abarat

I'm Cassie, I'm seventeen. I start going to Storefront East, for my senior year, on tuesday. But I'm walking with Mainland High School, on my eighteenth birthday. This is my third year of NaNoWriMo, and I plan on doing more and taking it seriously this year, especially because I'm older and also have my own computer this year.

I love theatre and music as well. I plan on going to Valencia Community College or DSC for school next year for Cosmetology and Theatre Arts.
I'm a Christian and start volunteering at my church thrift store this week.
I'm really easy-going and loud.

I plan on writing a teen romance fiction, but just about what yet.
:]

-/Live for the moment\-

Hey everyone,

I'm David, and while I won't be in Daytona this year (well, never say never, actually - I might be in town early in the month), I'll be there in spirit at least, cheering you all on.

This will be year four for me, with two wins and one epic failure. My first win was a random collection of sci-fi/space opera scenes that never really managed to turn itself into a plot (now under revision to insert said plot). My second win was an idea that sounded a lot better in my head than it come out on paper (now under piles of other papers and a rather large surge protector in order to keep it from seeing the light of day, but the idea just won't die, and eventually I'm going to have to write it). I have several ideas for this year, but can't decide on one to go with yet. There's still time.

Miss you guys,

David

Nano 2007: Scenes from the Starlanes
Nano 2008: Waynorth

"It may not be a word. But can you think of a reason that it shouldn't be a word? Thought not. It's a word. Starting now. Update your dictionaries accordingly."

Oopsy, looks like I'm a little late!

I'm Brianna. I will be fifteen November 21st, and I've been writing for about two years. In 2008 I wasn't all that serious about writing, so naturally, I failed. However, my literary discipline and personality has grown and developed this past year and I'm quite confident that I can win this time around. My novel is going to be a comedy/fantasy sort based on a group of teenagers who are going on a month long RV trip across the US... Only two or three of them are of the same species, and there are seven important characters in the story. Bound to be all sorts of crazy fun. I'm hoping a few cliches won't be TOO much of an issue, since it is going to be very comedic. Here's to hoping I can think up a few good subplots along the way to November.

Not so sure if I can attend the kick off party at Panera but I'll see what I can do, I suppose... :]

2008 ~ Untitled ~ Failed.
2009 ~ Saving the Slayer

Hi there,

This is my first year. I have never written a novel before, so this is my first time at that too. My problem is perfection, I want to write well and exciting in the first draft. It's difficult to just finish a flat and boring story. When I read about Nanowrimo, I thought to myself: It's not possible to write a novel in one month! But I was thinking, a "finished novel", not a first draft.

I can't write longer than a paragraph before I feel the need to go back an edit, because it sounds like crap, or because I feel that what I am writing isn't going anywhere. And that's why I need to write my first impossible draft to a novel --boring, crappy and incoherent and ....all those negative adjectives. I need to get it over with, now, so I can move on, and maybe, actually, become a (better) writer someday.

Yes, I am a pessimistic person, but I want to believe, so badly, that I can do this without losing interest.

I fantasize about being the next Steinbeck.,hihihi..., says the chick who has never even finished a first draft. Ok, but I like to write about real people and real problems, the deep stuff, real life drama.

10, 9, 8, 7.....3, 2, 1 --GO! Good Luck Everyone!

Hi, Frodo. The point of NaNo isn't to have a perfect novel, just a finished one. First drafts are meant to be crap. Even the best writers in the world will tell you that first drafts are not something you try to have perfect. Get it finished, then the perfecting begins. As you progress and become more experienced, those first drafts get better & better. My novel, Indian Summer, was complete crap when I started it. After throwing most of it away, I kept 7 pages & the promise to myself that I'd finish. It's been published just over a year. =) Even Steinbeck had first drafts. He didn't get to be as good as he was without making (and learning from) lots of mistakes.

YOU CAN DO IT! Dellani

My brain retains the kind of information that's totally useless for anything - except playing Trivial Pursuit.

Hi, Brianna! Hi, Frodo! Welcome aboard. I hope you can come write with us at Panera. You'll find us to be fun, but dedicated, so after a little chit-chat, we get down to it! (and we DON'T edit while we write! lol)

Lindlae made a good point. I consider my first "novel" to be almost complete crap. My second, I purposely haven't looked at for two years, tho I think it could be made into something good one day, when I'm accomplished enough. My third was a 50,000 word compilation of ideas, dialogue, and generally writing myself inside the head of my main character, with word count pretty much secondary. This year I'll be writing on the same story (which makes me a Rebel in NaNo's eyes), but with much more of a plan and, hopefully, improved skills. We'll see.

It's all a learning experience. Just have fun!

~Bruce

_______________________________________
2006 winner ~ "Drew Copes"
2007 winner ~ "So, These Three Murderers are Drinking in a Bar"
2008 winner ~ "Eater of Sins"
2009 ~ continuation of a WIP (NaNoRebel)

Hello all, Taz here. After much arm twisting by bruceduece it looks like I’m this year’s ML (funny, the twisted arm hasn’t affected my typing as much as I expected).

To the newbies (Frodo and Mermaid - at least to us) the ground rules:
1. have fun
2. keep pounding keys, and have fun
3. When in doubt, kill a character, and have fun

All seriousness aside, welcome to the newbies, welcome back to the battle-scarred vets. I’ll try to set up a calendar ASAP. As bruceduece mentioned, the write-ins are at Panera on ISB in Daytona, Sundays 10-12, the kick-off is also at Panera on October 30th at 7 p.m.

Short and sweet and active verbs. See ya there.

Michael

2007 - Doors of Perception
2008 - The Alien Who Fell

Hey, my name is Rebecca. I went to Creek once upon a time, and currently I'm supposed to be a sophomore in college. But I'm sticking it to the man (among other things), home for the rest of the semester until I transfer to Flagler college, where I will be studying history and psychology. For now, this will give me far too much time to write and hopefully go to the beach.

I haven't decided what I'm going to write about yet, but my friends are going to kill me if I don't finish the novel i'm working on right now. So I may get my 50k from that. We'll see what happens.

I am very excited for the write-ins, and I may wear my lucky beret for good measure.

Hi Rebecca!
Sounds like we can expect you at some of our write-ins. Excellent! :-) We currently meet on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM at Panera on International Speedway Blvd (U.S. 92, or Volusia Ave. to us old-timers!) We haven't set other times yet, but I'm planning on hosting a write-in at least one evening during the week, probably also at Panera (they're good to us, and they have wall plugs.)

If you didn't see it, our kickoff party will be this Friday night at the same ISB Panera at 6:30 PM. Hope to see the beret?

~Bruce

_______________________________________
2006 winner ~ "Drew Copes"
2007 winner ~ "So, These Three Murderers are Drinking in a Bar"
2008 winner ~ "Eater of Sins"
2009 ~ continuation of a WIP (NaNoRebel)

Howdy folks. I'm Chris, and I'm been Nanoing since 2002 (hit the 50,000-word goal 5 times, failed twice, number of actual completed novels produced: 0).

I write a pop culture column for the Daytona Beach News-Journal and my own stuff at BashingInMinds.com. So far I've swung at funny science fiction, funny urban fantasy, funny young adult fantasy, funny mainstream fiction and funny erotica (there may be a trend, there). This time I'm heading back to the mainstream, mainly because the story idea that got stuck in my head 3 weeks ago won't leave me alone until I type it out. Now if I only had an ending.

Or a middle. Or much of a plot at all, really. Got some good scenes in my head, though, and, um, some character names...

My wife is cheerfully indulgent of my November insanity as she has her own fanatical obsessions to keep her occupied (big-time Bon Jovi fan, and they're releasing new stuff in Nov. so we may not see each other much). Older son doesn't do fiction, younger son has in the past and may again if I nag him enough. I'm hoping to get to the kickoff Saturday night.

Not sure yet if I'll make the weekly write-ins but I hope to get to the kickoff.

C. A. Bridges

'09: "It Ain't Stalking if Your Heart is Pure"

Hey everyone!
As suggested by my username, my name is Liz.... the "bb" stands for "Broadway Baby". It's also my yahoo e-mail address, just fyi.
Wellpers, I am 19 years old, and I live on the other side of Volusia. I go to DSC, and I'm majoring in Liberal Arts. I'll have my associate's degree at the end of this semester, so I'm taking next semester off to visit my sisters in Utah. Then, I'm returning to Florida to attend the Rosen college at UCF, where I'll be getting my BA in Event Managment. I'm not yet sure whether I'm going into wedding-planning or business convention planning, but either way I'll be planning events, and I love doing it.

I started writing a novel my senior year of high school. It's a Light fantasy novel, but it probably leans more towards the Literary side, since it's extremely allegorical. Now, I've been working on this novel for what seems like forever, but it's given me a lot of trouble, as I've never completed a novel before. So, I had this brilliant idea to write a short, pre-teen-type novel in which I change all of the characters, settings, and circumstances, but I keep the themes of my original novel. If I do complete it (and I do plan to) then I believe it will help me complete the longer, more symbolic novel. It should give me better direction. I decided the best way to force myself to write it would be to finally participate in NaNo, which I've always wanted to do.

Here's to a crazy month of 50,000 words!
~ Liz

Good for you, Liz! As you live outside the immediate area, it doesn't sound like we'll be seeing much of you, but you are certainly welcome at our kickoff party tonight, and at our write-ins. We have a nice mix of younger and older people showing up, and we're very supportive of each other. The main thing is to write, and that we do.

I look forward to hearing that you got your 'main' novel kick-started by NaNo this year ... and to going to a convention one day, planned and facilitated by you!

Good luck.

~Bruce

_______________________________________
2006 winner ~ "Drew Copes"
2007 winner ~ "So, These Three Murderers are Drinking in a Bar"
2008 winner ~ "Eater of Sins"
2009 ~ continuation of a WIP (NaNoRebel)

Thanks, Bruce!
I'm really hoping I'll be able to make it to at least one write-in. Sundays are difficult for me, as I teach music in church during those times, but if there's ever one on a week night, I'll probably pop in!

I have a similar problem, Liz - I teach religious ed. and don't get done until 11:00 - then I have to take my son home, so by then it's pointless to get there. I will be able to make the Nov. 15th write in since Sunday school is canceled for the day. The church bazaar is the day before & it will still be all set up. Y'all come!

The CCW donates the money they earn to the church and uses it to do a lot of good in the community. Our Lady Star of the Sea, beachside, New Smyrna. Sat. Nov 14th. I will have to double check the time. I think it's 10 - 3 but might be 9 - 3. Okay, done my good deed for the day!

My brain retains the kind of information that's totally useless for anything - except playing Trivial Pursuit.

Hi! My name is Gwen. 2 years ago I failed miserably at the NaNo, but have been writing a great deal lately, almost every day. Also I have a better idea of where I want to go and what I want to do with this novel. So I'm kind of in the habit again, and I think maybe I can pull this thing off. Missed kickoff party, but hope to attend some write-ins over the course of the month. Nice to meet you all on the boards, and hope to meet you all in person very soon!

Hi, Dellani (and everyone else),

My name is Donna. I live in Port Orange. I've been writing for ages...since I was about 15 and I've completed 3 novels and was in the middle of a fourth when this NaNo idea hit me and I had to run with it. Sorry, fourth, I'll get back to ya one day. Other than that, I graduated from Flagler College in '06 with a degree in public relations but went back to school (this time UCF) to do what I really love, Creative Writing.

Anyway, Dellani, I saw that you have been published. Any advice you can offer to those of us who share that same goal?

Hi, Dellani (and everyone else),

My name is Donna. I live in Port Orange. I've been writing for ages...since I was about 15 and I've completed 3 novels and was in the middle of a fourth when this NaNo idea hit me and I had to run with it. Sorry, fourth, I'll get back to ya one day. Other than that, I graduated from Flagler College in '06 with a degree in public relations but went back to school (this time UCF) to do what I really love, Creative Writing.

Anyway, Dellani, I saw that you have been published. Any advice you can offer to those of us who share that same goal?

Sorry, didn't mean to double post there. :-P I hope to be able to make it to some write-ins this year, but aside from being NaNovember, it's always a crazy month for me, especially now since I"m back in school, which usually means finals somewhere in the middle of this month. (don't you just love my giant run-on sentence.) For NaNo's sake, I'm not even gonna edit it. :-P Besides, writing, I love reading...and subsequently, editing. That is one of my goals aside from getting published is to be able to make a living out of reading other peoples works and providing feedback and editorial services. YAY YAY YAY! Can't wait.

Hi Gwen! I remembered your name from a couple of years ago. (BTW: you didn't fail miserably ... you just "underachieved!") :-) As Laurie said elsewhere, I'll be hosting write-ins EVERY Friday night in November at the ISB Panera Breads store from 6 to 8 PM. I hope you, Liz, Dream, and whoever else can't make the Sunday meetings can make it to some of those.

I should also point out that y'all can arrange your own meetups on the UNOFFICIAL WRITE-IN thread if you want. Just post when you can be somewhere, and maybe you'll make some new friends with the same love of words!

~Bruce
_______________________________________
2006 winner ~ "Drew Copes"
2007 winner ~ "So, These Three Murderers are Drinking in a Bar"
2008 winner ~ "Eater of Sins" (or something like that)

_______________________________________
2006 winner ~ "Drew Copes"
2007 winner ~ "So, These Three Murderers are Drinking in a Bar"
2008 winner ~ "Eater of Sins"
2009 ~ continuation of a WIP (NaNoRebel)

Hi everyone! I am making myself do this introduction so that hopefully it will help make me more accountable for my book :) My name is Jen, I live in the West Volusia area. This is my 2nd year of trying NANO, I attempted last year and even made it to one of the write-ins (which was awesome, btw) but then life got in the way and I didn't finish. I am married, have two young kids, work full time, etc, etc....but I am really going to try to make this happen this year. I have always LOVED to read, so when I came across an article about NANO I decided to give it a try. I have lots and lots of ideas but my internal editor and perfectionism make it really difficult to keep writing, instead of going back to rewrite the crap I just wrote! lol So, any ideas on how to put a lid on that would be most appreciated!! I really hope to make it to the finish line this time, even if I have smoke coming out of my ears.....

Hey Megan, I'm Ashley and attend the same school as you do. I don't know who you are but it's nice to know I'm not the only one. This is only my first year and I'm a freshman. I'm kind of confused on how this all works. The blogs and everything. I'm very excited to have joined though becuase I started a book or ideas for a book and never really went through with it. This has given me the chance to start back up with it again. Anyways how has NaNoWriMo been for you? What has the experience given you?

-tbfan05

tbfan05

Donna, the main advice I can give is keep trying. Don't take rejection personally and keep working on your novel until it's the best it can be. Have others read it, proofread, edit. I can't stress enough how important that is.

The Internet is wonderful for looking up agencies who are looking for your kind of novel. Once you do a search and have a list of names, check them with Preditors and Editors. They give you the skinny on who's legit and who isn't. There are a lot of people out to take advantage of naive authors. Don't be one who gets taken. http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

Get a strong query letter together. This isn't as easy as everyone makes it sound, and I'm terrible at it. There are a lot of sites that offer advice, but the fact is, no one has a magic formula. Once you have that together, check the websites for the agencies you want to query. MAKE SURE they take your kind of novel. If you're writing steampunk, you don't want to send it to someone who handles westerns and vice versa. Get together just what they ask for. Typically, this is query letter, first 20 - 30 pages and a short synopsis. SHORT being the operative word. One page tops. Don't rewrite the story, hit the highlights.

That's the best I can think of at the time. Oh, and WRITE WRITE WRITE as much as you can.

My brain retains the kind of information that's totally useless for anything - except playing Trivial Pursuit.

Jen, the goal is to finish. Editing can come later. I know the impulse is to make it perfect and I really have to rein in that urge because I like a first draft that's as close to perfect as I can get it. Unless you bog down (like I did last year) just keep hammering away. I ended up cutting huge hunks of my story, but I kept them in a separate file labeled "cut from Deserted" I do that with all my stories. This way, if i decide I like that scene I cut somewhere else, I can cut & paste it in. Also on my nano, I save it and add it to my word count. I wrote it, I just didn't use it, but it was there at some point, so I think that's legit.

Just keep after it! You can do it!

My brain retains the kind of information that's totally useless for anything - except playing Trivial Pursuit.