# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![Den\_Mum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@Den\_Mum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Den_Mum)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/141 "2004-11-02T21:24:09Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > Hah! > Fools! > I haven’t started yet. > > I work best under extreme pressure. I always tell myself that I work best under preasure too! The truth is…I had read about this in my local paper Sunday and hidden it away to reread and maybe even build up enough nerve to actually sign up and do it. My first question to all of you “old timers” is…do we actually have to share our written words with … actual persons? 😕 That would dictate that we need to possess at least a modicum of writing ability. Drats! That won’t work… ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/142 "2004-11-02T21:37:48Z")
Fantastic. Now I’ve got fifteen titles to sort through. 🙂 And _Motley Crude_ made me choke on my tortilla chips. _repeating mantra to self_ Finish work, **vote** , _then_ write. It’s entirely possible I’ll be home in front of my computer at 9 p.m. with a vague feeling that there was something I was supposed to do today … ---
**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 2, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/143 "2004-11-02T21:39:35Z")
> [@Den Mum](#): > > That would dictate that we need to possess at least a modicum of writing ability. Drats! That won’t work… You used “modicum” correctly in a sentence! And you think you can’t write? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Den\_Mum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@Den\_Mum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Den_Mum)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/144 "2004-11-02T21:55:08Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > You used “modicum” correctly in a sentence! And you think you can’t write? 😃 Can’t! But, on the other hand…if I understand the NaMoWriMo concept of Quanity vs. Quality …who cares! ---
**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 2, 2004, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/145 "2004-11-02T22:26:21Z")
> [@Den Mum](#): > > My first question to all of you “old timers” is…do we actually have to share our written words with … actual persons? 😕 That would dictate that we need to possess at least a modicum of writing ability. Drats! That won’t work… Nope. 🙂 You have to send up the text file if you want it ‘officially’ counted, but they suggest to the paranoid (or shy) that you do a half-dozen or so search&replaces first. As in, change all the E’s, T’s, A’s, N’s, O’s, I’s, S’s etc. to W, or whatever your favorite letter is. After that, NO ONE can tell the difference between your prose and Shakespeare’s. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/146 "2004-11-02T22:45:53Z")
Still no title for me. I started a third chapter yesterday and finished it today. It’s the longest so far, although all three are between about 1800 and 2300 words. It was the most spontaneous, too. I’m still happy, and I’m over 6000 words total. ---
**Author:** ![Den\_Mum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@Den\_Mum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Den_Mum)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/147 "2004-11-02T23:00:16Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > Nope. 🙂 > > You have to send up the text file if you want it ‘officially’ counted, but they suggest to the paranoid (or shy) that you do a half-dozen or so search&replaces first. As in, change all the E’s, T’s, A’s, N’s, O’s, I’s, S’s etc. to W, or whatever your favorite letter is. After that, NO ONE can tell the difference between your prose and Shakespeare’s. 😉 Thanks! I am relieved. I doubt that I need ever have worried about that as the writers block set in approximately two minutes after signing up. Seriously, multiple ideas for story lines, characters, you name it, were there just waiting to be put to paper. Then Viole’ they were gone! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/148 "2004-11-03T00:24:56Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > You have to send up the text file if you want it ‘officially’ counted, but they suggest to the paranoid (or shy) that you do a half-dozen or so search&replaces first. As in, change all the E’s, T’s, A’s, N’s, O’s, I’s, S’s etc. to W, or whatever your favorite letter is. After that, NO ONE can tell the difference between your prose and Shakespeare’s. 😉 Just make sure you save an extra copy of the novel before you do this! Otherwise you’ll never be able to un-garble it. I’m getting nowhere on my novel. Only a thousand words in and I’m already bored. It will go faster once I get the main character a job and introduce her to the interdimensional detective, but right now it’s dragging. I’m sort of glad that my guest membership on this board is almost done because I waste entirely too much time here that I should be spending writing. I’ll be back in December for sure but I can’t let distractions like this keep me from winning three times in a row. ---
**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 3, 2004, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/149 "2004-11-03T01:32:20Z")
My title right now is “Killing Mr. Cepisioty.” It sucks, but it is descriptive. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/150 "2004-11-03T04:25:44Z")
My title right now is “Photorealism”. I’m using lots of unnecessary adverbs. I find this disturbingly interesting. 3350 words down and right on track. My character met a boy! ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/151 "2004-11-03T04:51:44Z")
I’m writing mine out longhand, and I’m too lazy to type it out tonight as I’d rather watch election results. I think I have about 2500 words or so done, but I wouldn’t know. My working title is “Chicago Death” and my character has already had mind-blowing sex. Oh, **Den Mum** , nobody has yet seen my 2003 novel aside from myself. ---
**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 3, 2004, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/152 "2004-11-03T04:55:06Z")
Day two and a word total of 2321. I didn’t write much today, but Tuesday is my busiest day class-wise. At least that’s what I’ll tell myself. I’ve introduced the unforeseen roommate! (This darn election keeps distracting me from writing…) ---
**Author:** ![Den\_Mum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@Den\_Mum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Den_Mum)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/153 "2004-11-03T05:17:21Z")
> [@lel](#): > > I’m writing mine out longhand, and I’m too lazy to type it out tonight as I’d rather watch election results. I think I have about 2500 words or so done, but I wouldn’t know. > > My working title is “Chicago Death” and my character has already had mind-blowing sex. > > Oh, **Den Mum** , nobody has yet seen my 2003 novel aside from myself. I feel better already! Seeing as none of us have read your 2003 novel… it is quite possibly the best novel I have never read, bar none! Probably a classic. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/154 "2004-11-03T05:39:55Z")
I just wanted to check in and say that I did this last year, and I got more than 60,000 words. Plus in the middle of Nov. I started a full-time job. Plus I was committed to my part-time job. And I have a spouse and an elementary-school child still at home. (And two cats, but they can take care of themselves. Oh wait–last year I only had one cat.) Only one all-nighter, which was as a consequence of my part-time job. But then, I also wrote 105 pages over a three-day Labor Day weekend (now, THAT was madness). ---
**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 3, 2004, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/155 "2004-11-03T14:09:51Z")
> [@look!ninjas](#): > > **js\_africanus** - Now you just need to find a way to work your zombie taxonomy into your NaNo. Think of the wordcount! I wouldn’t know how to work it into the exposition without being totally clumsy. 😃 3,875 words to date. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/156 "2004-11-03T14:24:38Z")
5,766 words as of the time I left for work this morning. Oh, and Celts vs. Vikings is a whole _lot_ of bloody, gory, battle-y fun. ---
**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 3, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/157 "2004-11-03T15:15:14Z")
I’m such a dork. The profiles allow a 10,000 _character_ limit on exerpts. Duh, no wonder all my words to date won’t show up. :rolleyes: Don’t read it by the way. It sucks. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MindWanderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@MindWanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindWanderer)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/158 "2004-11-03T16:09:02Z")
I only wrote a bit yesterday, but I’m back on a roll today, probably getting into chapter 3 pretty soon. (I always struggle with how long to make a chapter so I’m going with 5-6 pages.) I’ve only got a lame title right now: “Design by Anger”. Its about a species that was constructed from scratch in the lab. Actually two species, but the book is from the perspective of a member of one of them. And the surprise is kinda implicit in the idea of writing a book in first person. Everything that happens is filtered through this genetically constructed main character’s biases. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/159 "2004-11-03T16:53:14Z")
Two days - 4129 words. Still on schedule. (Schedules and deadlines are a big bugaboo with me, so I’m pleased.) ---
**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 3, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081/160 "2004-11-03T23:07:22Z")
My first major change in direction. I’m switching from third person to first. I feel much better about first person for this story. Now to go back and change every “she” to “I.” _sigh_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanowrimo-support-group-for-novice-novel-writers-with-too-much-time-thread/268081.md?page=9)