Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Nano 2008! Who's in?

righteous_dreamer — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:52:45 -0700

Hello all, I just found this site yesterday while looking up information on writer's block. After reading through it and coming to grips with what a unique and twisted challenge it is, I decided to sign up.

It has been years since I wrote a novel...used to write them all the time, in fact. But my last one, attempted while I was in university, collapsed under the weight of its own absurdity. I wrote way too many prep notes (more pages of note than the actual novel itself) and I just let the plot get away from me, started adding too many characters, twists, etc... (it was a fantasy novel, so it was just SO easy to start adding races and places and gods and pantheons of gods....)

So, I guess one of the questions I have for my fellow novelists would be: are you going to come to November with a prepared idea or are you just going to wing it? I am torn on this myself. On the one hand, I think there would be nothing more exhilirating than to start November 1 completely from scratch, with no plot or plan in mind and just see where my mind takes me.

On the other hand, it might be best to come with at least the germ of an idea or an outline and kind of riff off of that. but sine outlining and notes was what killed my last novel, I'm kind of leery...

But what does everyone think? I'd love to hear some other voices on the whole "outline vs freestyle" debate.

And I'd like to welcome everyone to Nano '08! Should be wild!
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Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

...Chateauguay anyone?

IrishBeck — Fri, 4 Apr 2008 19:35:11 -0700

I don't suppose NaNo writers live in Chateauguay do you?
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--
"I know we aren't friends or anything, but promise me something human to human." -Milton, The Electric Church by Jeff Somers

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Retiring - thanks for everything

Taras — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 12:29:17 -0800

Hi, all.

When I did my first NaNoWriMo in 2002, it changed my life.

It did so again in 2004.

Every year, I have used the project as an opportunity to learn something new.

And this year, in September, I decided 2007 would be my last NaNo. I learned something this year, as I have every year, and now the time has come to take this knowledge and forge a new path with it.

Enjoy the 10th Anniversary next year.

I'll be with you in spirit.

Thanks for everything.

t!
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10% inspiration
80% perspiration
10% instigation

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Wrap party: official announcement

Miseri — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:09:46 -0800

Okay, let's make this official. Wrap Party! 2nd December (Sunday) from 3pm to 9pm. Hopefully this will allow a maximum number of people to make it, if not to the earlier half, then to the later half.

Given the timing, that means dinner will be part of the occasion. Bring food to share.

Most importantly, bring a piece of your novel to share! Let us know what you've just spent the past month doing!

The place will be the same as the kick-off party: 1167A rue St-Marc. See the Events post for further details.

- Chris H.
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Chris H.

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

I DID IT!!

Philo — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:06:57 -0800

I did it!! I WON!!!

For those of you who are lagging behind, you can do it! It's such a sweet feeling over here, past the finish line! Come and join me here!

This is so awesome. Anyone else who won already? Come on and share the joy! Be an inspiration for those still struggling with the word count!

For my part, I'll keep writing in November, as I'm possibly 15K words away from finishing my story... Yikes. Now's the real test: keeping writing even without the pressure of NaNoWriMo...
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Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Close, but no cigar...

JayBee — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:05:55 -0800

According to my spreadsheet I wrote 3485 words today, made it to 2\46,548 ... but not 50K before midnight. I tried, I really did... but I could only make 50 K with a trick ti add fake latin words by the ton to reach the 50 K... and such a cheat would be beneath me, and my cat would deserve better.

I will try to finish it Saturday, what Llakor once called "the forgotten 31st day of November", but I won't make it to 5 tries, 5 wins. I'll keep my integrity though.
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Trying for Script Frenzy win #2

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Any West Islander NaNos?

MadyV — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:55:52 -0700

Francais or English, it doesn't matter.

I can't attend the Wednesday Coffee meets downtown since it's my one night/week I have a class - but if there are any other West Islanders out there interested in a regular Coffee Date, post here and we can set something up!

My personal preference is for Thursday nights but I'm easy-ish (single mom, so my schedule is nutty). Or maybe weekends?
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Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Who else is writing tonight?

ai731 — Thu, 8 Nov 2007 16:06:41 -0800

I've got:

- A full pot of hot tea

- A big pile of CDs next to the CD player

- My other half is out for the evening

...so here I go - I'm aiming for 2000 words tonight.

Is anyone else spending this evening at the keyboard?

Jan

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Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

C'mon Daphné!!

Philo — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:08:28 -0800

When I started out, I saw you jolt right up to 40K... And yet you're still sitting there and I'm 2000 words away from victory!

Go go! Finish this book!!

(Trying to get you motivated a little! :) )
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Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

eke! eke!

Taras — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:43:15 -0800

When can I read Incunabulum?

(This is me, hoping your username works for ya this year.)

t!
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10% inspiration
80% perspiration
10% instigation

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Forced into early retirement

tessykins — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:59:02 -0800

I'm sorry to disappoint you all, but I'm going to be the first NaNo casualty. I just can't do it. I'm in the midst of writing THREE term papers and I can't give my story the time and attention it so rightly deserves. That's what winter break is for.

So mourn for me, o friends! I am resigned to my tragic fate! Alas! Alack!
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Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Great Lines In Literature

Miseri — Fri, 2 Nov 2007 19:53:59 -0700

Every now and then, one has to stop typing/writing for a moment just to admire what one just wrote. anyone had that happen yet? What's the best line so far in your novel?

I just have to say that I am very fond of this little bit:

"Excuse me if I don’t offer to help this double-feature creepshow with their bags; I’ll be waiting at the car."
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Chris H.

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

2K word challenge?

JayBee — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:59:24 -0800

This is our final coffee meet this year... are we doing the word challenge this week?
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Trying for Script Frenzy win #2

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

New Computer Desk!!!!

Tara Ann — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:28:54 -0800

I finally did the work and got my pc moved over to the computer desk I picked up in the laundry room of my apartment building. LOL I sooo desperately needed one, and there it was. Problem was that I moved it into my apartment, but then got lazy again and didn't move the computer over until tonight. Silly me!!!

If feels much more comfortable now, actually having a working space, and a chair to sit on with the keyboard there in front of me... nice. And I was also thinking that I might actually do the paperwork stuff I have to do that I've been procrastinating on. I didn't previously have a writing surface.... very annoying... so I basically just put everything aside.

I'm seriously a total geek, I have to have my office area in my home. I need my filing system and all my office tools. I unfortunately don't have a lot of that stuff anymore, since I left it all behind move after move... eventually it just became to costly to keep replacing everything. That and I simplified my life significantly in order to figure some things out.

Hmm.. this appears more of a journal entry.... I think LiveJournal is calling my name. LOL

Sorry for the needless rant, or rather it was needed OR I probably wouldn't have just went on like that.

Point is; I feel much better about my novel simply because I have a new pc set up. It's amazing what effect your environment has on a person.
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Peace and Love
"No man's life can be encompassed in one telling. There is no way to give each year it's allotted weight, to include each event, each person who helped shape a lifetime.... " - Ghandi

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Author Name....

Tara Ann — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:53:05 -0800

How do I change my author name? I know it's a little late for it today..... but it's just one the nano things I've been procrastinating.
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Peace and Love
"No man's life can be encompassed in one telling. There is no way to give each year it's allotted weight, to include each event, each person who helped shape a lifetime.... " - Ghandi

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

I've really set myself up for one this time... oh boy....

Tara Ann — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:11:54 -0800

I'm a definate believer in the impossible... but oh boy, I have my work cut out for me.

I only have 11k.... I haven't written in 10 days, it's the last week, and I somehow have to plug out 10k a day for the next 5 days..... Oh dear Lord help me!!!!!

I'm so unfocused.... although... I did get a taste of what it takes... which is a good representation of what it takes to accomplish anything valuable in life. I've learned that I've still got quite a bit of work to do, but that I've actually come quite far in my evolution during this life. I am proud of myself. I reminded myself that I am a writer, and that i will always be a writer. I have that natural raw talent at my core... I always have. It's there when I'm ready for it.

That said, I am still going to try to finish this novel. I'm a little intimidated because there was so much I wanted to add to it, that I'm getting the feeling I won't be able to because of the time constraints. Oh well, further development is possible during December.

I'm going to do my best to get into the groove tonight... if not (I've been on an emotional rollercoaster for a week now).... I'll just have to do what I can and start all over again tommorrow. This is a process, not an event....

Peace and happy typing....
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Peace and Love
"No man's life can be encompassed in one telling. There is no way to give each year it's allotted weight, to include each event, each person who helped shape a lifetime.... " - Ghandi

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Mustela Putorius Cogito

Taras — Sun, 4 Nov 2007 12:56:46 -0800

Every year, in November, several novelists living in Montreal put a psychic ferret - yes, that's right, a

PSYCHIC FERRET

into their novels.

One way or another.

So!

Who is doing it this year? Discuss! Discuss!

I am doing it, of course, and will post about it once the section is written.

t!
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10% inspiration
80% perspiration
10% instigation

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

I'm writng 20 K this weekend

Taras — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:28:13 -0800

Anybody else want to put down a commitment in writing, in public?

tcaptain?

mousme?

I'm at 26453 - for now.

t!
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10% inspiration
80% perspiration
10% instigation

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Effusive and well-deserved praise for this year's website!

Taras — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:06:02 -0800

What?

I'm not gonna lie.

t!
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10% inspiration
80% perspiration
10% instigation

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

meish_kaos is a Winner!

Taras — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:08:51 -0800

Also, she very generously bought us all coffee.

THANKS!

And congratulations.

t!
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10% inspiration
80% perspiration
10% instigation

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

I LOVE this weekend!

Taras — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:46:15 -0800

You know in that movie, where the Hero takes a pounding for most of the Final Battle, and then, just when it looks like everything's lost, the Hero stands up, that one last time, and you know the Hero is about to pound the stuffing out of the Bad Guy once and for all?

That's this weekend.

I think I'm giddy.

See you all in the homestretch!

t!
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10% inspiration
80% perspiration
10% instigation

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Edmonton vs. Montreal: It's Still Personal

SarahJanet — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:57:00 -0800

Hi guys!

I've been waiting for the word war widgets to show up to make this post, and they're finally here and better than ever!

So! Edmonton challenges you. Again. After discussion with your delightful ML, we've agreed to race to highest percentage of winners and highest average word count. And the NaNo Gods are smiling on us this year - check it out! The word war widgets can have average word count built right into them!

So here's the widget for our challenge. Percentage of winners we will continue to figure out manually, but this is a nice way to track things easily throughout the month.

It is ON, Montreal! Sure, our football team sucked this year, and our hockey team is painfully bad right now, but the EDMOWRIMOs are an unstoppable force!!!
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Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Hey - Jobber!

Taras — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 18:12:26 -0800

This isn't a count-out, man.

Get off the mat!

You know you can - you've done it before.

t!
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10% inspiration
80% perspiration
10% instigation

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

Starting over (sort of)

Moonie78 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:36:41 -0800

Well, I'm really REALLY bored with what I have been writing. Time for a serious change, and hopefully it will all come together later on... If not, I can sit comfortably in the knowledge that this is the first time I have done this, and I'm learning a heck of a lot for next year!
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http://zoei-speaks.blogspot.com/

Canada :: Quebec :: Montreal

2,000-word challenge! Week 3!

Mousme — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:41:24 -0800

Come one, come all, and sign up for the third 2,000-word challenge of the month!

The rules are simple. Post your current wordcount now, and write a minimum of 2,000 more words before tomorrow's Coffee Meet. There will be cheers, gold stars, and swag for those who make it.

Current Wordcount for yours truly: 42,642

Daphné
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"You're not the Antichrist. You're just a malcontent who can spell."
~Quills