# For the Nanowrimo folks **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 13, 2003, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115 "2003-11-13T22:15:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/21 "2003-11-14T22:40:58Z")
Just passed 23,000, and I’m sort of enjoying myself. I’m doing a contemporary urban fantasy/horror thing with no literary merit, but buckets of blood. Hey, it keeps me off the streets. ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/22 "2003-11-20T18:31:38Z")
I hope to hit 20k words today and at least 35k words this weekend. I should be able to hit the goal now. I have hit a stride where the characters are writing themselves. It is pretty fun. I have a livejournal now too that I have put up a few chapters on. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/23 "2003-11-24T14:54:25Z")
I think I just gave up. I’ve had too many medical episodes, both mine, my spouse, my cat and my dog, which added to a couple more financial crises, which also battled for my attention with the stress of a new job started October 1st. I can’t give myself another source of stress, so I think I’m going to have to admit to another failure, which sucks. And I was doing so good - I got to almost 14,000 words, and I really liked what I was writing. But I just couldn’t face the computer this weekend, so I think that was me telling me that I was taking too much on. Rats. ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/24 "2003-11-24T15:04:35Z")
[Bender] I’m boned. [/Bender] My new goal is to simply hit the halfway point by the end of the month, and finish the entirety by the end of the year. Still, I don’t feel too badly about it–it’s definitely been a mostly positive experience, and it’s certainly gotten my writing juices flowing again. Granted, not at at completion rate, but any flow is better than zero. ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/25 "2003-11-24T15:41:47Z")
I doubt I will finish too. I got busy house shopping this weekend and couldn’t get into writing. However, I am liking the characters and will still finish it. PS. Elfikin, you never wrote back comments on my story. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bren_Cameron_1)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/26 "2003-11-24T21:47:32Z")
Wow. I made my 50K on Friday morning. I’m hoping to hit 70 before the end of the month. I _think_ I’ve got that much story left… ---
**Author:** ![Nekosoft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c2a13f/32.png) [@Nekosoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nekosoft)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/27 "2003-11-25T02:06:37Z")
Hmmm… I’m boned as well. I haven’t written anything since I’ve last posted… I won the last two years though… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/28 "2003-11-25T04:49:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dorkusmalorkusmafia \* > \*\* > > PS. Elfikin, you never wrote back comments on my story. ☹ \*\* You’ve got mail.😃 Though I’ve all but given up on my story.☹ ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/29 "2003-11-25T14:35:08Z")
Last Thursday, I was certain there was no way I was going to get done. I’d used up all my plot. I’d sit at the computer for two hours and type two words. It was awful. But I forced my way through somehow, and now I’m at 42,000. I mean, it can be done. The only way through is just to keep writing, even if you know you’re going to excise that chunk the moment you begin to edit. Just type. Type anything. But don’t give up on your stories, unless you’ve really got some emergencies to take care of. Keep going. [Cartman]Don’t give up on your dreams. You can achieve your goals. I am living proof. Beefcake! _Beefcake!!!_[/Cartman] ---
**Author:** ![Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bren_Cameron_1)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/30 "2003-11-25T15:05:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by look!ninjas \* > \*\* The only way through is just to keep writing, even if you know you’re going to excise that chunk the moment you begin to edit. Just type. Type anything. But don’t give up on your stories, unless you’ve really got some emergencies to take care of. Keep going. You have discovered The Secret. It bears repeating. ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/31 "2003-11-25T18:10:04Z")
Thank you kindly Elfikin. I really liked your story. I want to see what happens. It reads really well, like a fairy tale, but it is much more detailed and grown up. I was looking forward to reading the finished product. ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/32 "2003-11-25T19:54:32Z")
Thanks for the extra info in purple too. I know what you are talking about. I have an updated copy if you w ant to read that too, elfikin. (I have had a friend who is a professional editor going over it though he only has edited the first 10 or so chapters so far, if you want to read that too.) ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/33 "2003-11-28T19:16:17Z")
I’m on the final push and will probably hit 50k by the end of the day. I’m at 47.3 right now and have a couple of scenes still in my head that aren’t down yet. My story won’t be finished at 50k, but it’ll be close, and then I plan to go back and put a lot more meat onto the bones, so to speak. This is my first year doing this, and it’ll be great to finish it. I feared my muse left me over ten years ago, but I’m surprised at how easily this all came out. Of course, it helps that I picked a topic close to me. Good luck all of you. Personally, I’m impressed by anyone who even gave it a go. It’s a scary thing to commit ones’ self to. ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/34 "2003-11-28T19:20:04Z")
By the way, Western Mass folks, there’s talk of a TGIO party on the first in Northampton. If it materializes, I’ll be there. Look on the NaNo forums for details. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/35 "2003-11-30T01:29:36Z")
Well, kids, the hour draws nigh. Be ye ready? I finished yesterday. Actually, I finished my story on Wednesday, but I wasn’t quite at 50,000, so I had to spend some time going through and adding more material. It gave me a chance to do some reading over. Surprisingly, it doesn’t suck. Tell me you didn’t give up, guys. I want some Dopers across the finish line with me. ---
**Author:** ![Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bren_Cameron_1)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/36 "2003-11-30T01:31:23Z")
You’re not alone. As of tonight I’m at 70K, and I’ll probably tack on a few thousand more in the morning to finish the story. Anybody else? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/37 "2003-11-30T16:34:01Z")
**dorkusmalorkusmafia** I may finish the story, but definitely not by tomorrow. If I do I’ll send it along to you, and I’d like to read the rest of yours as well. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/38 "2003-11-30T18:16:44Z")
Finished at just over 50k (plenty of room for expansion and improvement in the rewrite and editing phase of things … at the moment, it sucks, big time, but at least it’s finished!) ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/39 "2003-11-30T20:57:03Z")
Got to 50,000 on Friday, and yesterday I finished the story. The first draft, at least. There’s a lot of editing awaiting me now. Man, that was fun! ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115/40 "2003-12-01T02:12:53Z")
Rock on, guys. I’m really proud of us. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-nanowrimo-folks/213115.md?page=3)