I had the same problem- I couldn’t figure out how to update my word count (2000+ now) but the update word count function is not up yet. You can get it in there by going to Edit Your Novel though. I keep having time-outs when I try to use the site, even this morning but it seems a slight bit better.
I’m behind too, but the fact that I’ve actually written even 3000 words is amazing to me. I don’t know that I’ll be able to finish with 50k, but even 3k is HUGE for me. I hate to write, but I’ve totally turned off my internal editor for this, and that helps. It really doesn’t matter to me at this point that my writing sucks. Nobody has to see it but me. And it’s good for me to get some ideas out.
Me too. I am catharting all over the place. Highly therapeutic, and 100% cheaper than therapy. Whoo!
Yup, thats the main reason behind this for me, too. A while back I liked writing a lot, but then got pretty depressed for a while, and my self-esteem went down the crapper. It convinced me my writing was terrible and should never be shown to anyone, ever. Even to the point I couldn’t write if anyone was in the room because their psychic powers allowed them to know what I was writing and judge me. (I kid you not). Now that I’ve managed to fix my self-esteem for the most part, I was thinking I should give this a whirl.
I started midnight last night and have 2,600ish words. That’s more than I’ve written outside of research papers for years. I’m already happy.
Awesome. Keep up the good work. It took a while for me to get going on the first day, but after I did, the words just started pouring out. I’m at just under 11k already and I still have plenty of story left to tell. I’m really glad I signed up for this. Go, Space Pirates!
Excellent. I’m writing probably just enough, but that’s OK. I’m at 5,208 words so far, so I’m on pace to actually finish. I suspect this is going to be highly unreadable when it’s finished, but at least I have been able to spit out some story ideas I’ve been kicking around for a while. Gives my brain some more room to store reality show trivia.
After abandoning my last idea, and restarting two days in, I’m at 1855, which is well on track to getting caught up.
I’m at about 1800 odd after four days (NZ’s ahead) - but the house and garden are looking lovely!
Guy Fawke’s party here tomorrow and I’m working on Thursday with a bit of running about at each end of the day - so, still looking at Friday before I get a decent run at things. I might have to ask mum and dad to have maggenkid for the weekend. They’ve been through my nano attempts before, they *understand *(and mum’s hanging out to read the mss).
I’m 1200 words behind where I should be. 
OTOH, I plan to spend most of this evening typing while I semi-watch campaign coverage, so that should get me out of the hole, and maybe even ahead.
Now that I think of it, maybe I have should have signed up. Or, definitely should have if I weren’t working on a screenplay (the same one I started in ScriptFrenzy).
The reason I haven’t finished the screenplay is I’m still trying to learn how to create the proper structure: a nice tight narrative. I’ve got 110 pages of dialogue, most of which will have to be thrown out.
With a novel, I could spread out as I like, have as much dialogue as I could possibly want, and let things develop organically from the characters. Also figured I’d be a novelist; but I want to finish at least one good screenplay first, just to prove I can discipline myself that well.
Yeah, I tried that today (12+ hours ahead of the US) and got absolutely nothing done. But the election, and my obsession with it, will be over soon, and I can get on with it. Im at about 3500 words, not too far behind.
Don’t think is terms of how far you are behind - think in terms of how many words a day you need to add to finish - the number feels much more manageable that way, and isn’t as discouraging.
Well, I’m at 4,500 now, which is pretty good. I spent about a half hour writing last night between watching the CNN coverage, and I was just getting into the zone when a long-distance friend called to chat. I had to take the call 'cause I really miss her. But then I couldn’t get back into the zone.
But today is a new day and my goal is to make up for it by writing for an hour or so.
I have also learned that I can’t write in the same room with my husband while he plays Fallout 3, because he keeps trying to get to me look at the game and then says “oh sorry!”
I will have to seclude myself a bit more.
PS Anyone want to be writing buddies on the WriMo site? My name there is phrasework. Add me!
Ugh, I don’t know how people can turn off their inner editor. Last year was my first year and I failed, several times, yes several times in one NaNo. I actually got about halfway through the first, decided it was too cliched and dumped it. Started over and got good portions of it done not once, but twice, and scrapped both, giving up for various story flaws.
I want to do this, I love writing, but it just becomes stressful and I’m not sure if I should do it given last time, my inner editor HATES me. However, as my description of last year should show, the fact I’m behind if I do decide to throw my hat in doesn’t mean much considering how fast I can spew stuff out to get sizable portions done three times… (well, to be fair, to maintain that speed I was losing vast amounts of sleep, so there’s a reason I had an abnormally high word/day and was descending into madness simultaneously).
After my fruitless day election day, I got about 2400 words written today and am almost back on track. I thought the Johnathan Stroud e-mail was excellent, it made me realize that real, published writers also struggle to get these things out–that it isn’t all inspiration and brilliance. It was good for me. How’s everyone doing?
I got stalled out on election night, I was too focussed on watching the results. But riding back from downstate with a coworker, I was able to write around 2600 words, and finally today will be the first day where I’m not insanely busy and can do some more writing in earnest.
Bah. I keep stalling out; I’m only at about 5,000 words now. 50k is looking to be a big stretch.
I think I posted earlier but I’m PaleoGamer on the NaNo site. I also just stuck the first part of my novel up on my blog just to prove that I have been working on something.
I’m adding you as a buddy tan. I have come down with the creeping crud and my throat is so sore I just want to curl up and whine.
I’m hoping to make up the slackage this weekend, 'cause all I can think about right now is my runny nose.
I’m way behind. My total would look okay–if this was day 2.
But tonight I’m going to a write-in at a neighborhood coffeeshop, so I should get a bit more done. I’ll still be behind, but maybe not totally beyond hope.
And while the writing is horrible (it’s supposed to be, right?), I kind of like what I’m doing. It might even be worth spending some time over after the 30th.
I knew I was going to have trouble which is why I pushed so hard on that initial weekend. I can’t do creative work with someone looking over my shoulder (I’m just too self conscious) and I have a house guest. That should improve in the next couple of days but I’m only up to about 11,000.