Well, I’m not official, but I am writing a book, really hard. So why not. Mine is a slutty comedy about a Siren and a cowboy. I’ve been working on it a couple of months, which I think isn’t allowed, but whatever. I’m 21,000 words in, and if I could get to 70K by the end of the month I would be pleased as punch.
I’m about finished on my novel, but I’ve been writing it for years. I expect to finish the first draft in the next day or so.
Finished the first time I entered…have had unsuccessful returns every year since…
This year I have been busy getting ready for the PHR exam that is TOMORROW.
If I pass- then maybe I’ll start for this NaNoWriMo with my short stories idea…
If I don’t pass- I will be too devastated to think
I keep wanting to share with someone to make sure i am not (very slowly) producing complete crap. But I tell myself - just keep writing. Even if it is crap.
I am on a NaNo roll this year!
As of today, I’m up to 13,446 words, and I don’t think I’m done yet for the day.
I’m not going to question it. As long as the words keep coming, I’m gonna keep riding the wave.
Wow! Go Infovore!
The first draft is supposed to be crap. It becomes the fertilizer for later drafts.
I just awarded myself the Procrastination badge. The blurb on the website says: Give yourself this badge if you’ve achieved putting off “noveling” in new and exciting ways.
I cleaned out the filter in the bottom of the dishwasher.
You?
I did the dishes and killed a wasp, but that’s not really new and exciting procrastination.
Is there a snail badge? It’s been four days and 4K words before I found the real beginning of my novel.
Okay, so…why weren’t you writing? If you chose to do this instead of write, it can’t be just laziness, because that task is kind of a pain in my experience. See if you can articulate what you were avoiding.
</nudge> 
I made it to the end of chapter one this morning – about 2500 words. I seem to be settling into the plodding routine that I used to write my first book – 300 to 400 words a day. I doubt I’ll be able to get to 50,000 in the next three weeks, but if I make it to 10,000 that will be a good start.
Try not to stress about your rate of production. Congratulate yourself on producing! I’m currently at 1344 words, with about 6-7 pages of handwritten copy to transcribe. At the rate I’m going, I’ll hit 50,000 in February. However I’ve gone months without producing anything at all! So I’m psyched. Even if what I’m writing is mostly dialogue, rather uneven in tone, and includes anachronistic Pokemon references.
It’s been my experience that once you start sharing your story in any detail, you start over-thinking it. You wonder if it’s good enough to even share. Is it good enough to even write? Why are you writing? You should just quit. 
If you’re going to share before you have a finished draft, I’d advise picking a “cheerleader” type reader rather than a “critic” type reader. A critic will be super helpful once you’ve got a draft, but at this point their comments and suggestions may slow you down. You need someone who’s going to encourage you to keep going. 
Hope this was helpful; keep in mind that every writer has a different process, and what works for me may not be for you. Just keep writing!
I’ve been writing about a novel a month’s worth of stuff for the past year, but they haven’t always turned into novels … I write a lot of novellas. But I also sell them on Amazon so not sure I could participate. Not sure if indie writers count as pros or amateurs in Nanowrimo.
I just had the horrible realization that I’m working on a multi-book epic.
Send help.
Thanks! I know it’s not share-ready by any stretch. And sharing now would be very very bad for my creative process. It’s just that i start wondering if its just a terrible idea, and maybe I shouldn’t bother investing a month of my life to produce crap.
But I think this is good for me. Writing every day, even though I am far behind schedule - it doesn’t matter. I am spilling my digital ink all over the screen, and it works for me.
Keep writing! I bet the Pokemon references add charm! (and even if they don’t – well, as long as you keep spilling that digital ink…in fact, as long as we ALL do
Chocolate, booze, or ink cartridges?
Standing by to offer assistance…
At this point booze would be best. I took a day off novelling yesterday to work on the out-of-control outline. Never again will I wonder how Tad Williams wrote a 125-page outline for Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.
My characters are taking over my thoughts. I’m taking a few hours off to process that turn of events. But yeah, I’m trying this insanity again.
I’m still plodding steadily along at about 400 words a day. However, I’m quite happy with the quality of what I’m producing. As I approach the end of Chapter Two, the plot is just starting to kick into full gear.
Reading the Nanowrimo forums, I’m struck by the number of people who are already closing in on 50K words. One poster had a word count over 200K. :eek: It’s totally foreign to how I work.
I’m up to 5,400 words now. I lost time yesterday and today for various reasons. Looks like I’m going to have to change doctors; however, my mother’s tooth infection is improving! But that’s neither here nor there.
Very pleased to be making any writing progress. It’s definite morale boost to have the official NaNo USB Bracelet (with a copy of my story) on me at all times. It’s available at the NaNo site, if any of you are interested.
BTW, thanks for your reply @Raventhief, and I’m glad I could be of assistance. 
RE: Including Pokemon in my story… It appears that in the far, far, future, its’ origins as a game have been lost, and it’s become a kind of belief system. As a Pokemon fan, this makes me laugh so hard. 