Do you remember when you were a freshman and you were paired with a senior for a week while they showed you the ropes of your new school? Well, this is kind of like that, only without all the patronizing comments about how dumb freshman are. Let's face it: Writing a novel in 30 days is almost/at least/way more (depending on your personality) intimidating than school ever was, and there ought to be someone there to show you were the bathrooms are.
Yes, in theory that's what the MLs are for. In practice, we're only two people. We'd love to be everywhere for everyone, but we can't be. That's why we're hoping to get this Adopt-a-Newbie idea going.
Returning Wrimos, you remember what it was like, don't you? The forums are huge, there are people from all over the globe, and the only thing we all have in common is insanity. (I mean really, what sane person tries to write a novel in a month?) Even for those of us who love forums *Nancy's hand shoots up* it can be a bit... intimidating at first. We're not asking you to hand write someone's novel for them, we're simply looking for people willing to answer one person's questions as they chart the waters of their first NaNo.
And for the newbies... we've all been there. That's why we want to be here to answer your questions for you, on anything from the forums to word count tactics to juggling work and writing. (No editing questions though... these are moral support roles only.) We're all their for you in spirit, and your designated NaNo vet will be on the other end of NaNo mail, ready to assure you that you are not insane.
Post in the thread if your interested, on either side. I'll start--I'm Nancy and I'm willing to adopt a newbie for the 2008 NaNo.
*standard disclaimer: If any of this doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll try to explain it better. :)
----------
54,870 / 50,000
sept. 27, 2008 - 23 58
Hello, I'm Lyndsey (applause), and I'm a Novel-aholic.
(welcome Lyndsey)
I will adopt a newbie as well. And heck, even if you're not a newbie, since Nancy and I are your governing bodies I hereby grant you all a bottle. Be sure and rub your bottle so your genie can help you out! 3 wishes? Pfft. How about a million!
No, really, we are here to help you.
If there are any newbies out there, feel free to claim your "oldies." Don't worry, we're not decrepit. Well, maybe some of us are.
----------To lose someone you love is to alter your life for ever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve
50,201 / 50,000
sept. 29, 2008 - 09 13
Hi, I'm Carissa and I've participated in NaNo for the last five years (and managed to win four of them). I'd be happy to buddy with a newbie for moral support, story-bouncing, and anything else that comes our way this NaNo season!
Carissa
50,457 / 50,000
oct. 2, 2008 - 23 57
Since the crash erased mine, I can adopt one too! Preferably one that could meet at Clark college easily or somewhere nearby.
54,870 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2008 - 00 13
Will you adopt meee? LOL
What do you go by? V? Hope? Just for future ref.
----------To lose someone you love is to alter your life for ever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve
50,457 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2008 - 06 27
I thiiiink you might be a little too experienced for adopting as a newbie LOL
Huh, didn't you go to the meetings at the Washougal library last year? I thought I told everyone about my four names! XD Hope is fine for novels though.
50,168 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2008 - 07 11
Awwww, adopt-a-newbie xDD
54,870 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2008 - 09 52
Alas, I did not go to the Washougal meetings last year. I went to only 1 write-in, and the Kick-Off. So I suppose last year, I was a bad ML. I was active in the forums, but I was having a tough time. I guess it wasn't just me, my ML at the time had family things to attend to as well. It was just the luck of the draw.
Then Hope you shall be. :)
----------To lose someone you love is to alter your life for ever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve
54,870 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2008 - 09 52
Does that mean you want to be adopted?
----------To lose someone you love is to alter your life for ever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve
54,870 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2008 - 09 56
Hello and welcome to the group!
We're eager to know about you as this appears to be your first year on the boards. We're not interested in stalking ya, but if you have a moment and want to tell us about you we're a lively/fun bunch eager to get to know our local-peeps.
Here's an actual link to the intro-page, we'd love to hear from you.
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3010860#comment-3024235
Nice to see ya around!
----------Lyndsey
To lose someone you love is to alter your life for ever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve
50,168 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2008 - 15 27
We're eager to know about you as this appears to be your first year on the boards. We're not interested in stalking ya, but if you have a moment and want to tell us about you we're a lively/fun bunch eager to get to know our local-peeps.
Here's an actual link to the intro-page, we'd love to hear from you.
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3010860#comment-3024235
Nice to see ya around!
Lyndsey
Yays, I posted my info xDDD
0 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2008 - 16 46
Not sure I qualify as a vet since this is my second year and I am an anti social goof who did not attend anything in person last year and can't this year........ but I babble. I am more than happy to be an email buddy to anyone anywhere so if I am a vet then bring on the newbie blood!!!
----------Kimberly Walsh
www.kimberlydwalsh.com
www.kwalshdesigns.com
410 / 50,000
oct. 4, 2008 - 21 24
Yay! Last year was my first year and I won. I'd be happy to walk a new freshman through the month of NaNoWriMo although I can't guarantee their results will be the same. If you're looking for a highly caffeinated cheerleader, pick me for adoption.
----------That's what she said.
1,485 / 50,000
oct. 4, 2008 - 22 37
Hi, I'm Melissa, and I'd love to be adopted. I registered a long time ago but have never been able to participate, so this is my first year. I'm a little nervous, but I'm hoping to be able to make it to some of the live events and really get to know people while I work on my novel. :)
----------The true dream is being able to dream at all.
50,233 / 50,000
oct. 5, 2008 - 10 27
Hey Melissa, I'll adopt you! I'm Nancy, and this is my 5th NaNo (6th if you count last year when I did all the prep work but then couldn't write... I don't know, 5 1/2 maybe?) Anyway! Adoption. :) I'll add you to my writing buddies right now and send you a NaNoMail.
Now unless my eyes deceive me, there was another newbie up there who's waiting to be adopted. Lynds? Ris? Other vets whose names I have forgotten? Just post in here to claim your newbie so we don't have double adoption. ;)
----------1,485 / 50,000
oct. 6, 2008 - 11 50
Yay, thanks for adopting me Nancy! I'm excited. :D
----------The true dream is being able to dream at all.
9,116 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2008 - 03 14
Hi everyone, Andrea here....or Andie, whichever is fine.
Please adopt me? I don't bark at night and I'm 90% paper trained, I promise.
54,870 / 50,000
oct. 12, 2008 - 19 13
Hello Andrea! Welcome! I'll adopt you! Don't worry, if you can't pee on the mat, we'll just put you out the back door on the lawn. Then all you have to worry about is stepping in it.
Also, Axeaquestion, I still can't figure out if you were asking for someone to adopt you, or if you were just cheering on the 'adopt-a-newbie' program. We have someone to adopt ya, but we'll need to know you need adopting before sending in the reinforcements.
----------To lose someone you love is to alter your life for ever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve
9,116 / 50,000
oct. 13, 2008 - 01 45
Ah the lawn, we're old friends. Thanks much for the adoption.
26,554 / 50,000
oct. 23, 2008 - 22 13
I am a newbie, but one of the adopt at your own risk sort. I
don'tbite... much. ^^-Mo (nica)
----------Haunted by her song;
a bird I dreamed of once.
awoken, lost forever.
50,201 / 50,000
oct. 24, 2008 - 08 28
Heya, Mo! I'll adopt you. I'll even remember to feed you . . . sometimes.
Carissa
4,124 / 50,000
oct. 26, 2008 - 22 00
Hi I'm Bee....
I'm not even sure if I'm going to be able to do this along with school.....but hey! if someone wants an easy newbie, but a with only a 50% chance or so that I'll even be doing this, shoot me a message.
50,413 / 50,000
oct. 28, 2008 - 12 13
Hey, Bee...
I'm trying to remain positive this year (but it may be hard). Even though I've won each of the last five years, this year I have a whole new set of challenges: I just celebrated my one-month wedding anniversary. Nano-ing while married:::new experience.
I'll gladly adopt you, so perhaps we can help each other out a bit.
Best,
IudieKarie (aka... Dennis)
7,673 / 50,000
oct. 28, 2008 - 13 57
Hello! *waves* My name is Kylie and i'm a newbie (shown this wonderful site by Kouya. ^^ yay!) Adopt me please? I will draw for you luverly pictures! lol
----------Have you ever wondered, that there can only be so much happiness in the world... that every time you smile, a unicorn gets punched in the face by David Bowie wearing gauntlets and socks?
52,036 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2008 - 18 00
*Emerges from the shadows of Writersblockland, trembling like a newborn kitten in the light of a new day*
He-hello. My name is Kaiyah and... I-I'm a nanonewbie.
*Summons more courage and plunges onward*
Yes, we're just starting on week two and I only realized today that we have a forum for fellows in our area. *coughs uncomfortably*
I'm mucking my way through all of this insanity, having heard (and been terrified by) Nanowrimo about 3 years ago, but only this year having found the courage and/or free time to attempt it.
I'm having the worst time keeping my word count up on the weekends thanks to my husband being home, and wanting to spend quality time with him, but he's been my best (and only) supporter through this- Not counting the Wrimo forums, of course. But sometimes it's difficult to say "Bah! It's the weekend and I still have work to do!" And then... do it. So I suppose I could use a cheerleader. Or just someone who knows what I'm going through.
The last two days, writing my requisite words per day has been like to trying to gnaw off an appendage. I feel like my story (a fantasy) is screaming with cliches and bouncing erratically over my many plot holes.
I appear to have a pinched nerve or something in my shoulder due to the first few days which were 5 hour marathons of trying to catch up since I started on November 2nd (Too hung over to start on the 1st thanks to Halloween), and my neck feels like there are two long slivers on either side of my spine. But still I plug on.
I try to tell myself this is something that I've wanted to achieve since I first learned to read when I was a kid. I can do this.
But it IS good to know that I'm not alone in the attempt.
Best wishes to all of you fellow Wrimos out there and a big "THANK YOU!" to our ML's, who look like they've set up a bunch of really fun get-togethers for November!
And I feel compelled to say that having a requisite amount of words per typing session seems to have affected my posts. Phear my long-windyness!