# The NaNoWriMo Support Group for Novice Novel Writers with Too Much Time Thread! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 7, 2004, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081 "2004-10-07T19:41:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/301 "2004-11-22T14:21:58Z")
WOOOOOO, I’m on page_three_!!! And I’m less than a chapter away from _actually_ being finished. _insert happy dance here_ ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/302 "2004-11-22T14:55:31Z")
40036 words and the zombie plague is starting to spread. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/303 "2004-11-22T15:09:43Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > WOOOOOO, I’m on page_three_!!! I think I’ve created a monster. 😉 Nonethess, congratulations to all you disgusting writers who are so far ahead of me. My report: I’d said 30k or die. It was damn near die. I finally reached 30k at 3:23 am. Yes, the night before a work day. Yes, I am certifiably crazy, did you have to ask? :o Which put me EXACTLY in the center of page 69. Hmmmm. Today’s goal is more modest: 1. get through the work day without falling asleep. 2. 2000 more words. Excelsior! ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/304 "2004-11-22T15:24:55Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > I finally reached 30k at 3:23 am. Yes, the night before a work day. That’s just proof that you’re dedicated. Personally, I write better with huge circles under my eyes, and sleeping at work the week of Thanksgiving is completely acceptable. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/305 "2004-11-22T15:32:39Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > That’s just proof that you’re dedicated. Personally, I write better with huge circles under my eyes, and sleeping at work the week of Thanksgiving is completely acceptable. 🙂 Acceptable as long as you keep up a decent posting rate to the SDMB, that is. 😉 Priorities. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/306 "2004-11-22T15:33:44Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Acceptable as long as you keep up a decent posting rate to the SDMB, that is. 😉 > > Priorities. Hey, I’ve posted like four times already today. I’m way ahead of the game. And eventually, I’ll have time to actually check the fora for _new_ threads I want to post to. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/307 "2004-11-22T16:15:41Z")
I broke 38k, and I think I have an actual plot to make it an actual novel and all that. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/308 "2004-11-23T18:01:31Z")
Okay, I am seriously _less than a chapter_ from having a full (if not fully-fleshed-out) novel. And yet … I can’t seem to get the last bit out. It’s not even the end, which is possibly the problem. I need maybe five or six pages of whirlwind romance that begins in August 1939 and ends during the Battle over Britain. Then another page or so of aftermath and grief and stuff. How hard is that? Not very. Yet, I don’t seem to be sitting down and writing it. I could be finished _tonight_, but I feel completely unmotivated. I’ve hit my 50K, why bother? Someone please give me a reason to finish, a kick in the ass, anything. I’m begging. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/309 "2004-11-23T18:04:35Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > Okay, I am seriously _less than a chapter_ from having a full (if not fully-fleshed-out) novel. And yet … I can’t seem to get the last bit out. It’s not even the end, which is possibly the problem. > > I need maybe five or six pages of whirlwind romance that begins in August 1939 and ends during the Battle over Britain. Then another page or so of aftermath and grief and stuff. How hard is that? Not very. Yet, I don’t seem to be sitting down and writing it. I could be finished _tonight_, but I feel completely unmotivated. I’ve hit my 50K, why bother? > > Someone please give me a reason to finish, a kick in the ass, anything. I’m begging. Would you finish… for a Scooby snack? :dubious: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/310 "2004-11-23T18:05:31Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Would you finish… for a Scooby snack? :dubious: 😃 Too dry. Maybe a Scooby Snack and a nice merlot … ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/311 "2004-11-23T18:14:09Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > Too dry. Maybe a Scooby Snack and a nice merlot … Hmm, well, if bribery won’t work… how about I threaten you with a whip? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/312 "2004-11-23T18:17:10Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Hmm, well, if bribery won’t work… how about I threaten you with a whip? 😉 _snort_ Yeah, 'cause that’s a _sure_ way to get me thinking about _working_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/313 "2004-11-23T18:25:22Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > _snort_ Yeah, 'cause that’s a _sure_ way to get me thinking about _working_. 😃 Hmm. Finish the novel, or I **won’t** break out the whip? That work better? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/314 "2004-11-23T18:28:42Z")
It _does_ work, but I’m more concerned right now with what it says about me as a person … :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/315 "2004-11-23T18:36:28Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > It _does_ work, but I’m more concerned right now with what it says about me as a person … :dubious: I think it says “WooHoo!”. Maybe that’s somebody else it’s talking about. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/316 "2004-11-23T19:44:18Z")
I’m not sure I’m going to make it. I’m at 32k and closing - but, that final 18k… that’s over 2000 words/night. (Why 1667 seems so doable, and 2000 does not, I don’t know. None of this makes sense. Thank goodness this is a three day week at work…) I have a very strong feeling that the final words of this ever so stupid book are going to be “Sadly, they did not see the bus bearing down on them as they crossed the street. The End.” ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/317 "2004-11-23T20:05:15Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > I’m not sure I’m going to make it. I’m at 32k and closing - but, that final 18k… that’s over 2000 words/night. (Why 1667 seems so doable, and 2000 does not, I don’t know. None of this makes sense. Thank goodness this is a three day week at work…) > I have a very strong feeling that the final words of this ever so stupid book are going to be “Sadly, they did not see the bus bearing down on them as they crossed the street. The End.” No, no, Amarinth! You must have courage! Because it looks like we are sitting side by side in the same boat. I am at 32,945 words, meaning 17,055 more words to go, and 8 days to write them, or 2132 wpd. And if I don’t think it’s hopeless, neither should you! What I am doing is telling myself that the difference between the daily goals in not even 500, and I’m trying to ‘sneak’ those 500 words in earlier in the day. As in, today I got 350 done during my lunch break, and another 100 on my coffee break. So, really, I only have to do the ‘usual’ number of words in this evening’s session, right? Come, on. Let’s hear an “Amen” from you. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/318 "2004-11-23T20:13:59Z")
I’m in worse shape than you guys…I’m only at 28,800. However, I will have lots of time in the next few days, and yesterday I wrote over four thousand words, so I’m still afloat. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/319 "2004-11-24T04:33:47Z")
40037 words, 1 murder victim, 2 dead groundhogs, and at least 3 love interests. Woo! ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/320 "2004-11-24T15:08:57Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > 40037 words, 1 murder victim, 2 dead groundhogs, and at least 3 love interests. Woo! I’m going to spend today trying to keep people out of the mailroom at work so I can surreptitiously print out 30 pages or so at a time with no one noticing … Wish me luck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081.md?page=17)