(I looked, but didn’t see an active thread.)
I’ve been a multiple-time participant, but zero-time finisher.
Crossing my fingers! 
Ohhh-kaaaay. You talked me into it 
I too have tried many times and never “won.” Never. My author profile at the website says I’ve been a member for “almost 9 years.” I don’t think I’ve tried every year, but I have started most years. I have several abandoned Nanos still lurking around my Google drive, just in case I ever get motivated to get editing or write more of them.
My username there is also araminty if anyone wants to add me as a “writing buddy.”
Not per se…but I am currently writing a novel. (Well, a story. Well, a rough attempt at it…)
Is there a link to a website or something, about how to do it? What are the rules? I’ve heard of this thing before but don’t know much.
I’m thinking about it. I have an idea i have been kicking around mentally for awhile now.
Me, me, me. I’m doing it. I’ve stopped writing the last few years, so I’m diving back in.
I’ve got a couple different stories I’m toying with, so I need to pick pretty quickly.
Also need to upgrade my writing software and do some test runs.
Can we form a group on the NanoWriMo platform? Or just encourage each other on this thread?
Not interested in trying this year, but I did win the one time I tried - 2004, I think. Even though I was unemployed with no responsibilities I still found it really hard to get it done, so I understand anybody who tries it and fails and I have tons of respect for anybody who manages to win while working full time.
To anybody giving it a go in 2015 - good luck!
From their “About” page:
When we talk of “winning” we mean hitting that 50k word goal. The idea is quantity, not (necessarily) quality - the value is, for me, practicing the skill of creating a sustained piece of work. Even 50k isn’t that long, for a novel. Several popular books have started as Nanowrimo projects.
Yes, the value for me is getting back in a rhythm of daily work. If I complete a draft, then that will be a significant win for me too.
You know, I’m rereading the 24K words I vomited up in 2013, and I really like it! Maybe in December I’ll have a go at bashing it into shape, expanding it… Is it bad form to laugh out loud at your own jokes?
I’ll be participating and volunteering as a local ML. In fact, I’m throwing our local Kick-off party this afternoon!
My logline for not doing NaNoWriMo is “Bitches, please. I write fifty thousand words *every *month.”
(I just signed with an agent!)
I’ve never “won” in terms of hitting 50,000 words in a month, but a story I began as a NaNo project a couple of years back is now 100,000+ words. I had expected to complete it this summer but didn’t have the mental energy due to some unexpected projects at work. I did finish the second-to-last chapter a few days ago though, and it seems fitting that (if all goes well – knock wood!) I’ll actually finish this thing during NaNo.
I doubt I’d have ever started this story if I’d realized how long it would take. It’s pretty silly (really just a glorified fanfiction) and I wouldn’t even attempt to self publish it without a major rewrite, but it’s by far the longest piece of creative writing I’ve ever done and I am proud that I managed to stick with it. Although I haven’t been playing by the NaNo “rules” I feel NaNo has been a good motivator for me. I haven’t only been working on my novel in November, but Novembers have been my most productive months in terms of word count.
My user name is, oddly enough, ddsun. 
I added you to my buddy list. I better check my profile. 5 years, no novel, it says.
It turns out we are actually in the same NaNo group! :eek: the world, it is so small!
I am…I have actually already started working on it (waiting until November 1st to start just feels like more procrastinating) but I have a goal to have a first draft by the end of the month.
I write all the time, (not published yet) but I do find NaNo to be occasionally useful in explaining why people need to leave me alone to get some significant chunks of wordsmithery done. My normal monthly output is very much less than Sattua’s. (also, congratulations!) and it’s hard sometimes to explain to friends and family that I do love them but seriously I have to write so they have to go away!
This year, funnily enough, I’m participating for work - I’m also a librarian, and we’re hosting NaNo “write-ins” at our various locations, and those of us who write have been strongly encouraged to be obvious about our own work to help encourage patron participants. So, that’s a fun development for this year.
When I have used NaNo for first-drafting, I do find that the output is a lot sloppier and plot-holey than when I take my time with the story. Nothing wrong with that in theory, (everything gets fixed in post!) but it has made it clear to me that I’m not a quick and dirty plotter/drafter. Which in turn means I don’t rely on NaNo or other “gimmick” writing challenges to get my shit accomplished.
It’s good for PR, it’s fun to do, but it’s not how I do the majority of my writing.
So excited to see you guys writing - whether you participate in NaNo or not!
My username over on NaNo is the same as it is here: mage-girl.
I will add people as soon as I figure it out… :o
I’m kinda going to do it–mostly because I like their little word count wizard and the way it lets me track my progress nicely without having to add some widget to my blog.
I’m with Sattua, though–50,000 words in a month is pretty easy for me when I’m motivated. I just wrote a 25,000 word novella last week, and I’m 10,000 words into another one this week. So I’m planning to just keep on keepin’ on, use the wizard, and not worry about “winning.”
Good luck to all the Doper participants!
I am. I’ve wanted to for years but never seriously tried. For me this will be a challenge but I plan to stick with it.
I just signed up! I have a novel that I’ve been outlining since the summer and the start of NaNoWriMo coincides nicely with my planned writing kick-off.
I published a nonfiction book earlier this year so I already have my writing routine down. (Two hours every morning between dropping my daughter off at school and when I have to be at work.) I’ve done a fair amount of writing professionally (VO scripts, ad copy) but never completed a full novel, so this will be virgin territory for me creatively.
I’m The Hamster King on the NaNoWriMo site as well. Please feel free to link up with me!