Hey, since NaNoWriMo is beginning tomorrow, and many of you I know are big writers, is anyone else planning to participate? This could be a thread for advice, updates, lamentation and anything else having to do with this particular November. This will be my first time trying to take part in NaNoWriMo and I'm more than a little intimidated.

Don't be. 1600 words per day will ultimately feel like you're just getting started. Go in without fear, stick with it, never edit. Be sloppy, be stupid, be whatever. You'll feel awesome when you win.

I'm gonna go for it this year, and I like my odds. I got a story burning a hole in my head anyway, trying to get out, so I might as well channel it.

mdk said
Don't be. 1600 words per day will ultimately feel like you're just getting started. Go in without fear, stick with it, never edit. Be sloppy, be stupid, be whatever. You'll feel awesome when you win. I'm gonna go for it this year, and I like my odds. I got a story burning a hole in my head anyway, trying to get out, so I might as well channel it.

Ahhhh, I'm really excited. It's just so daunting, especially with me being a student! What's your story about? Maybe explaining it to someone could help it be more streamlined or something.

It's essentially a war story, in the vein of like 'Saving Private Ryan' or 'Blackhawk Down' or along those lines anyway, stylistically -- only it's set in fantasy. The narrative follows a few units around a mission gone bad and just sorta documents the confusion and chaos. At least in my head, it's all super thematic, rather than like an action-orgy -- of course that all turns into your run-of-the-mill 'War isn't heroic' message, so it's really not all that special, but it's clicking to me right now, so I'm just gonna go on ahead like it's the most profound shit ever written, and hope for the best.

That sounds pretty interesting! Is it modern-day soldiers set in fantasy?

My story idea is about your run-of-the-mill fantasy. It's about a girl with a ridiculous name who was essentially raised by sentient, magic-wielding lizard people in a demon-infested swamp. Magic is most commonly used by demons and magebeasts (imagine a plain-looking lion that can shoot fireballs at you and cause miniature earthquakes), so usually it's only races of demon blood (such as the lizardfolk) that can use it, which tends to lead to a lot of wizards being run out of cities and forced to live as hermits for the rest of their lives in huts and ruins. The whole overarching plot of the story revolves around the main character trying to kill her adoptive mother and prevent her from opening a portal that would summon like a million demons. Other stuff happens, a lot of other stuff, but I figure we could share what we manage to write over the month and piece it all together.

Third year doing it, maybe this year I'll be able to finish, despite feeling behind and already hating my concept. Last year was a lot of fun for me and I got pretty damn close to actually finishing.

First Nano, though honestly this is my first thing actually attempting something larger than a short story or world building excessive so while I don't expect to hit the goal ( given some gap points in my story idea, and getting a bad start given how crazy this month has been ) I look forward to seeing how much I do get done. One way or another its a great start to something I am excited about :D

I'm off to a terrible start (1200 right now), but the month is young, plenty of time to come back. How's everyone else doing?

Yes! I totally missed this thread these first couple of days, but I am happy to see that more people from the guild are doing NaNo.

Just like Genkei this is my third year doing it. Won the first two times so I am hoping to keep that going. I am currently at 10.252 words meaning I am right where I should be. ^^

Also I agree with mdk. NaNo sounds scary, but when you get going you'll actually find out that you can get those 1667 words done. And if you are really in a pinch you can always use of the many things NaNo offers you to help you like WordSprints or WriteIn. Or drag all your friends in it as I did. Having a group of people to talk with about your story helps a LOT. You'll find new ideas and new way to figure out what to write next. Let's keep each other motivated ^^

Done it for the last two years, never finished but I feel each time has really, really improved my writing skills, and confidence. Unfortunately I won't be able to do it this year, but I wish everyone else the best of luck. You can do it!