Okay, let's face facts. We're all insane.
You know what I'm talking about. I'm talking 'The Big Crazy'... hopelessly 'doo-dah' clueless. Completely Nutters. We want to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. The lights are on, but nobody's answering the door, because we're convinced that the Pizza delivery guy is working for the FBI.
Again...
Heck, even Piers Anthony said it in his Week Four email 'Pep Talk' last year. He said, and I quote-
"You're a fool. You know that, don't you? Because only a fool would try a stunt as crazy as this. You want to write a 50,000 word novel in one month?! Do you have sawdust in your skull?"
I knew that guy was against me from the beginning...
Fact of the matter is that November takes a lot out of people, because this *is* a crazy sort of activity, and we *are* insane for even trying it. Still, if we're going to go ahead and do this thing, we might as well be prepared. So, if you've successfully navigated the treacherous waters of Nanowrimo madness in the past, there's a whole host of newcomers who need your help! Let them know what they're in for!
So, just so you know...
1. Meets are Fun! Seriously, we Calgarians (and those who dwell in surrounding hamlets) who show up to Nano meets are a terrific bunch. If you're shy, or scared, or not certain that you want to go... well, go anyways. Trust me on this. I'd be hard pressed to find a more accepting, easygoing, welcoming group of people anywhere on the planet.
2. We want to help! Seriously... if you're stuck, if you don't know what happens next... and if you tell your fellow Nanowrimo's (Nanonians? Nanites?) that you've hit a brick wall, they'll help you bash it down, or climb over it, or tunnel under it, or whatever the situation requires. For every problem you can run into, there's a fellow Calgarian who has already been through it. They can tell you what they did, or suggest things to try.
3. Take your vitamins! Seriously, stay healthy. This is a stressful process, and while vitamin B will be quite necessary for things like the 12-hour write-in, any sudden shocks to your system will deplete your vitamin C reserves! Do you want to phone in sick for work because you're actually *sick*? No... you want to phone in sick because you're at 47,049/50,000, and today's the day it all comes together. Not that I've ever done I'd ever do that.
4. Have fun! Seriously... have you noticed that every point I've made so far is followed by the word 'seriously'? That's just strange. But hey, we're strange people, and most of us start to look forward to November sometime around February, approaching this odd activity with a passion that borders on lunacy. It's a joy to experience, and there's great people to meet and much fun to be had. Don't miss out.
I'm pretty sure there was a point 5 somewhere that I've forgotten. Does anyone remember what point 5 was again?
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Three blind mice. Three blind mice.
See how they run...
...where in the *Hell* are they going?
43,437 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 09 03
My guess would be it was something like "Seriously, do not even think about opening that World of Warcraft browser during the entire month. You won't get anything done for the rest of the day."
That's something I wish I'd known the first year, anyway.
----------All stories are Anansi's stories.
54,585 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 11 51
If you're not much for going out to the meetings (Personally, I have difficulty keeping my word count up at said meetups 'cause I actually like socializing with people), definitely check out the Calgary Chat. We hold almost continuous word wars there, we're really friendly, and you can use it as a reward...
Did you write a paragraph? Check the chat for 20 minutes while you eat your cookie/carrot (and wait for the next word war). ^__^
----------For those that love me, no explanation is needed. For those that don't, none can be given.
www.writersretreat.darkbb.com - The forum for Writers who know that Imagination is the essence of all Creation
41,332 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 11 38
I would add a healthy dose of self-forgiveness...
Yeah, your housecleaning and chores might not get done.
Yeah, exercise might suffer.
Just make sure to pick these things up once NaNo is done, and don't let them get to you. Housecleaning will always be there, NaNo's only there for a month. :D
98,500 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 12 40
There is also the Hemmingway solution to writing...while coherency and accuracy may be a problem you'll find your arm get's a good workout at least. I wouldn't recommend his final solution though...it would literally kill your word count.
Seriously though, I wouldn't worry too much about the word count when your actually writing. Rather, allow yourself to be swept away by the flow of your story. When your thoughts end, you may be surprised by how far it's taken you. When I worry about the actual count, I find not only do I not write as well, but I also don't progress as quickly. It's all about finding your rhythm and riding it like Tom Cochrane's proverbial highway. It may take a little while initially to get on but once you are, it's a sweet, sweet trip...
57,310 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2009 - 10 47
Stay away from all reading material until after you've got your daily quota of words in. If you don't, you won't write anything at all that day. Seriously.
54,528 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 08 23
Facebook is not your friend. Not even an aquaintance. In fact, you don't even know that Facebook exists in November. Right?
----------[Insert witty comment here.]