All-Ages Coffee House

I searched for a topic on this, but outside of my local area I did not find one. I am actually more inclined to have writing buddies online, because during NaNo I really don't have time to spend traveling everywhere to meet people.

So, that being said, if you want to be a writing buddy, go ahead and add me.

AND, if you want writing buddies, post on this thread.

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NaNo Artisans

Does anyone know the location of a timed typing test? Preferably the kind that uses words instead of gibberish.

And another thing: is there a program that allows me to take text from my NaNo into a timed typing test? Because that would tell me exactly how fast I can write my story, after it's been written anyway.

I love Jesse. I really do. He's one of the clearest, most well-defined characters I've ever had. He's never at a loss for words, he always keeps the narration moving, his story is sad, but so REAL.

And he SCARES ME.

I'm constantly thinking, "I'm just not good enough for him!" because his story is so complicated and deep and there's so much metaphor and symbolism and conflict, and I just don't think I can do him justice.

But as a person he scares me too! He's volatile, he's angry, I never know when something is going to touch him off. If something hits a nerve, he flies into a rage and gets violent. Now, he has excuses for all this--his life is kind of a living hell, he's isolated, he's alone, his father's a sociopath, etc--and the entire story is about him getting out from under his father's shadow, but still, he's not exactly warm and fuzzy.

And furthermore, I have to make this guy a character that readers can identify with.

Soooo, is anyone else afraid of their characters?

I gotta say it...CONGRATS TO THE SAINTS!!!

WOOT!!!

Before you, my story was average. So average in fact, that it was getting boring to write. That all changed when I discovered the Plot Ninja and Plot Repairman on NanoWrimo! Now, my werewolf story has turned into a wonderful spoof on horror novels, where the Plot Repairman and Plot Ninjas run rampant with wild abandon, appearing in my story whenever my character is cornered or when it's getting a little boring. All thanks to you! THANK YOU NANOWRIMO! HIP-HIP HOORAY!

I met Raf (the MMC who's pretty much good in my book) last night. I'd already met two of the other characters (one WEEKS after I'd described him--met him at the local Barnes and Noble in Fairbanks, and the bad guy more than a MONTH after I'd described him, and he's probably a decent guy--just have to get past the wow--you so fit his description thing).

I took my daughter to the local roller skating night last night and one of the other moms there introduced me to a THIRD mom, and this young man in his early twenties (near Raf's age) came up and she introduced him as her son. Oh..my...Heavens. It was so the character I wrote about--even down to the smile and some of the mannerisms. I couldn't say anything, so I'm sure the two moms were thinking...is there a problem?...'cause I'm sure I was just STARING at this kid, not believing my eyes....

Anyone else have this happen?

Sure there are a lot of things that make us stand out as writers. And Nano writers are likely to have a lot of these characteristics.

I've even posting things about myself in this respect in other "I'm a Nano..." forums.

But, you can be a Nano without have a lot of weird, quirky things about you. You seem to be a just an ordinary person around other ordinary people. You may not even stand out as being unique. Others may not even know that you are a writer.

What quirky things DON'T you do, still being a Nano.

*
For example:

I don't hold conversations with my characters out loud when I am around others.

I don't talk about my characters with others as if they are real people.

I don't write notes on my arms when a piece of paper isn't handy.

I don't interrupt conversations with others to write down an idea. (I may write it down at the next earliest convenient time.)

I don't drop my jaw in horror at the idea that others don't actually want to write.
*

Sure I'm a Nano, but I don't HAVE to be totally weird. Or even partially.

What are some of your normal characteristics you maintain even though you're a Nano?
What don't you do that others may think you should to do if you're a Nano?

When I write, I listen to music but it's always really loud. The max. volume for sound on my computer is 100, and usually I have music playing all the time when the computer is on, but it's quiet (usually the volume is on 2 or 3) but when I'm writing, I like to play music on volume 10-20. When I'm not writing, music that loud bothers me XD And I can't properly write without music.

I have to have hours of time to write, if I have 15 minutes of free time, I just can't bring myself to write, even though usually when I do write, I often only write for about 15 minutes.

Share your weirdnesses! XD

Anyone doing something that they just love? Something without the intent of anything other than to have fun?
I'm thinking of doing something like that, just to get that long lost creativity flowing again...
So I'm wondering... what's everyone doing? Let's hear about those projects that are just for us 'cuase they can be the best in the end!