Camp NaNoWriMo - Writers Unite!

[Leela]

Now that I have a group of friends to write with, I'll be much more inspired.

Exactly! If I did it on my own, I'd just get frustrated and think 'oh well, no one will notice if I quit, maybe I'll try again another time'. But with people to write with, you can support each other during times when you want to give up. Plus, no one wants to be that one guy who has 0 words until about 25th April because they gave up straight away.

Welcome to the cabin, by the way!

 

[Beardo]

Exactly! If I did it on my own, I'd just get frustrated and think 'oh well, no one will notice if I quit, maybe I'll try again another time'. But with people to write with, you can support each other during times when you want to give up. Plus, no one wants to be that one guy who has 0 words until about 25th April because they gave up straight away.

Welcome to the cabin, by the way!

Thanks! I'm so excited

 

[Leela]

Thanks! I'm so excited

Me too!

A quick question for people who have done this before... how long did your previous novels turn out to be? My aim is 25,000 words, which I don't expect will be enough to finish my novel, but I'd like to get a good way into it. Were you able to finish (or be close to finishing) your novel within 50k words?

 

[mdchan]

Me too!

A quick question for people who have done this before... how long did your previous novels turn out to be? My aim is 25,000 words, which I don't expect will be enough to finish my novel, but I'd like to get a good way into it. Were you able to finish (or be close to finishing) your novel within 50k words?

I've never done Camp NaNo, but in the years I've done regular NaNo...it varied. The lowest word count I had was about 52k, and the highest I had was somewhere around 200k.

If you have to write another story to hit the word count, there's no rule against it! If 25k is your goal, that's a good starting point! Just aim for your goal, really, and if you surpass it, then that's even better!

 

[Leela]

I've never done Camp NaNo, but in the years I've done regular NaNo...it varied. The lowest word count I had was about 52k, and the highest I had was somewhere around 200k.

If you have to write another story to hit the word count, there's no rule against it! If 25k is your goal, that's a good starting point! Just aim for your goal, really, and if you surpass it, then that's even better!

It's good to know that I can write more than one novel! Although, I'm expecting my novel to be quite a bit longer than 25k words. I didn't want to go for 50k because of my limited availability, and also I don't want to push myself too hard on my first time. 25k words will hopefully give me a good foundation on which I can develop the novel even further and finish it come the end of Camp NaNoWriMo.

 

[Chris]

Me too!

A quick question for people who have done this before... how long did your previous novels turn out to be? My aim is 25,000 words, which I don't expect will be enough to finish my novel, but I'd like to get a good way into it. Were you able to finish (or be close to finishing) your novel within 50k words?

It differs on the story. I've had some years where I've come out of it with an almost or completely finished first draft, and other years where I've reached or exceeded the 50k goal and I still wasn't even a third of the way through the story.

To list some figures:

• Nov 2006 - wrote 52k. Complete story. I think it actually ended around 45-48k, so I added in an extra couple of chapters and dubbed them "character development", heh.
• Nov 2007 - wrote 50k. It's final total was 185k.
• Nov 2008 - wrote 50k. I think I only had to write 2-4k to finish it up.
• Nov 2009 - wrote 83k. Finished the story within the month.
• Nov 2010 - wrote 75k. It's final total was 185k.
• Nov 2011 - wrote 50k. Finished the story within the month.
• Nov 2012 - wrote 53k. Finished the story within the month.
• Nov 2013 - wrote 50k. Still a WIP.
• Nov 2014 - wrote 50k. Hard to explain this one, as it was a rebel project.

 

[Beardo]

In elementary school we used to do this. Only, we had a 12 page limit... so not very many words.

 

[Mignon]

I'm signed up, but my April goal is just 10k. I'm still not sure I'll have the time to participate, but I sure would like to try! I'm not starting a fresh project, just trying to put in some words on a story I've been sitting on for a while with a friend. We have sooooo much world building hashed and rehashed, but no story yet, haha.

Here's to a productive camp experience! u vu

 

[infinikitten]

I'm signed up, but my April goal is just 10k. I'm still not sure I'll have the time to participate, but I sure would like to try! I'm not starting a fresh project, just trying to put in some words on a story I've been sitting on for a while with a friend. We have sooooo much world building hashed and rehashed, but no story yet, haha.

Here's to a productive camp experience! u vu

Any progress is still progress! Even if you only get a basic outline down, or something, that's still material you didn't have written out beforehand. Every single word is cause for celebration as far as I'm concerned.

 

[infinikitten]

Oh gosh. I finally joined the cabin - /waves to cabinmates

Kilo, thanks for posting this here. I seriously wouldn't have signed up to do it at all without that extra little "push", and knowing I'm writing in good company makes me so much more eager to... well, write. LOL

I have a project I've been thinking about pretty much nonstop since May 2014, and I've only written little drabbles and stuff. Looking at those now, wow, my idea of the characters themselves has changed a LOT. And now that I know where one of the main characters ends up in "endgame" in terms of development, I have no idea how I'm going to manage to write him before his heel face turn... XD

I should be sleeping but this is all I can think about, ahhhh. SO EXCITED FOR THIS. /bounces

 

[KiloPatches]

Oh gosh. I finally joined the cabin - /waves to cabinmates

Kilo, thanks for posting this here. I seriously wouldn't have signed up to do it at all without that extra little "push", and knowing I'm writing in good company makes me so much more eager to... well, write. LOL

I have a project I've been thinking about pretty much nonstop since May 2014, and I've only written little drabbles and stuff. Looking at those now, wow, my idea of the characters themselves has changed a LOT. And now that I know where one of the main characters ends up in "endgame" in terms of development, I have no idea how I'm going to manage to write him before his heel face turn... XD

I should be sleeping but this is all I can think about, ahhhh. SO EXCITED FOR THIS. /bounces

Hey.... no problem! I am glad I could do my part in bringing people together like this and inspiring people to write! I love you guys! *mwah!* I wish I could join your cabin with you as I said, but I am already in one.... But its SUPER COOL there is a TBT Cabin! You guys are AWESOME. *hugs all around* Great initiative! I hope we can communicate on here too and stay in touch and keep each other posted on our progress throughout the month - I would LOVE to hear how everyone is doing and offer my humble support <3

 

[Chris]

I'm in a bit of a rut and I was hoping that Camp could pull me out of it, but now I'm second-guessing that.

Spoiler: I just need to get this off my chest.

A few weeks before NaNoWriMo 2014 began, I found out my municipal liason had died. I had known her since November 2006. I'd even met her in person and back in November 2012 she even travelled to my college to help me with a radio programme. I found it near impossible to even click on the website without thinking of her - I was used to a new PM from her every time I logged on. It's the only year I've never really gotten involved in the community because I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I don't know if I'd have even gotten through it without the fact I had a writing project I had to complete for uni.

Anyway, I decided that Camp might be a way to try and get back into things. However, I found out a couple of days ago that another WriMo'er I've known just as long has also passed away. She taught me a lot about writing, always helped me out and followed my progress, and even dedicated one of her books to our little group. When I found out my excitement for Camp just vanished. I went to my TV writing class the next day and even that was a struggle to get through.

​

On the other hand, I think I've managed to settle on an idea. I'm just struggling to make myself sit down and write the outline.

Is anyone prepared yet?

 

[Leela]

Any progress is still progress! Even if you only get a basic outline down, or something, that's still material you didn't have written out beforehand. Every single word is cause for celebration as far as I'm concerned.

Exactly! For me, Camp NaNoWriMo is a good way to encourage me to write. Without the support and encouragement, I'd never get around to starting my novel.

I'm in a bit of a rut and I was hoping that Camp could pull me out of it, but now I'm second-guessing that.

Spoiler: I just need to get this off my chest.

A few weeks before NaNoWriMo 2014 began, I found out my municipal liason had died. I had known her since November 2006. I'd even met her in person and back in November 2012 she even travelled to my college to help me with a radio programme. I found it near impossible to even click on the website without thinking of her - I was used to a new PM from her every time I logged on. It's the only year I've never really gotten involved in the community because I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I don't know if I'd have even gotten through it without the fact I had a writing project I had to complete for uni.

Anyway, I decided that Camp might be a way to try and get back into things. However, I found out a couple of days ago that another WriMo'er I've known just as long has also passed away. She taught me a lot about writing, always helped me out and followed my progress, and even dedicated one of her books to our little group. When I found out my excitement for Camp just vanished. I went to my TV writing class the next day and even that was a struggle to get through.

​

On the other hand, I think I've managed to settle on an idea. I'm just struggling to make myself sit down and write the outline.

Is anyone prepared yet?

I am prepared Well, nearly. I've got the basic story outline planned, but I have to get down the details of subplots so I don't forget about them. I hate it when I'm reading something and a new subplot is introduced, only for it to randomly disappear without explanation and never return.

I'm sorry for your loss Maybe you could put a dedication to her in your novel this year? I don't know how close you were, but it could be a nice way to pay tribute...

Hey.... no problem! I am glad I could do my part in bringing people together like this and inspiring people to write! I love you guys! *mwah!* I wish I could join your cabin with you as I said, but I am already in one.... But its SUPER COOL there is a TBT Cabin! You guys are AWESOME. *hugs all around* Great initiative! I hope we can communicate on here too and stay in touch and keep each other posted on our progress throughout the month - I would LOVE to hear how everyone is doing and offer my humble support <3

Thank you for making this thread! I wouldn't even know Camp NaNoWriMo existed without it. I'll post updates on my progress here every now and again!

 

[Bowie]

I'm thinking of giving it a try. Perhaps I'll write a story based on Imogen Heap's song Neglected Space, personifying a crumbling house.

 

[Leela]

I'm thinking of giving it a try. Perhaps I'll write a story based on Imogen Heap's song Neglected Space, personifying a crumbling house.

If you do give it a go, you could join our cabin

 

[infinikitten]

Imogen Heap is a wonderful musician and that song is such great inspiration for writing. Any of her songs are, I think. They're all beautiful.

 

[Leela]

I prefer to listen to instrumentals when I'm writing, otherwise I find myself concentrating too much on the lyrics and not writing. That being said, I like to listen to songs with lyrics before I write because sometimes they inspire me.

 

[mdchan]

Prepared? I'm not sure I know the meaning of the word. ;p

I've got the main characters, the victims (it's a murder mystery story), the puzzle, and a general plot.
So...sorta, I guess?

 

[KiloPatches]

I'm in a bit of a rut and I was hoping that Camp could pull me out of it, but now I'm second-guessing that.

Spoiler: I just need to get this off my chest.

A few weeks before NaNoWriMo 2014 began, I found out my municipal liason had died. I had known her since November 2006. I'd even met her in person and back in November 2012 she even travelled to my college to help me with a radio programme. I found it near impossible to even click on the website without thinking of her - I was used to a new PM from her every time I logged on. It's the only year I've never really gotten involved in the community because I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I don't know if I'd have even gotten through it without the fact I had a writing project I had to complete for uni.

Anyway, I decided that Camp might be a way to try and get back into things. However, I found out a couple of days ago that another WriMo'er I've known just as long has also passed away. She taught me a lot about writing, always helped me out and followed my progress, and even dedicated one of her books to our little group. When I found out my excitement for Camp just vanished. I went to my TV writing class the next day and even that was a struggle to get through.

​

On the other hand, I think I've managed to settle on an idea. I'm just struggling to make myself sit down and write the outline.

Is anyone prepared yet?

TINA!!!!!!!! :O
*HUGS*!!!!!!!
OMG!!!!!!!
WHAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!!
WAIT-WHAAAAAT!!!!!!!
*HUGS AGAIN*!!!!!!!
OMG!!!!!!
MY CONDOLENCES!!!!!
OH MY WORD!!!!!
AHHHHH!!!!!!
Okay..... *Deep Breath*
I have known my ML for 2 years.... Cecilia.... and she is the most peppy enthusiastic person ever.... IF SHE DIED I WOULD LOSE IT!
(And my mother died when I was 17.....)
WOW.
I AM SOOO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS(ES).
OMG. *fans eyes*
I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE.
*HUGS* (last one, I swear)
*backs away* *sniff*

*ahem*
......

Yes, I have made notes throughout the month on ideas I want to include for my novel (I am doing the full 50K)
Its a Gentleman Spy Fiction.
I have the Mission Briefing, Prologue, Rising Action and Ending all figured out. The stuff in between (Climax, Falling Action and (possibly) Epilogue) is what I am working on now.

 

[KaydeeKrunk]

I really need to force myself back into writing, I have like 11 or 12 ideas that I desperately need to get out of me, but I have starts for each of them, accompanied with extensive research for each.
The one I really want to hunker down and work on is a zombie apocalypse story where most of the world is dead already, and the zombies have starved out for the most part.
My main character is a young lady traveling the wastelands left behind searching for others who made it through, lots of traveling and surviving, not so much action as one would expect from a zombie novel, but in my head it's to the point where there are hardly any zombies left cause they did their job wiping people out, the roads and building are littered with bodies, and now the few left behind are sluggish for the most part since they've starved with the lack of humans to eat. Of course there will be a few epic zombie fights, I mean there has to be some patches of them right? Basically she'll be traveling over a few states using different methods, making lots of stops, growing as she goes, remembering good times, bad times, and when everything started, slowly explaining what happened and why it happened through her memories.
Does anybody like the idea and does it sound interesting? I have a lot more ideas that I've worked on but I always get stuck and then go back, read what I have, and then sit with the typing cursor blinking and STARING INTO MY SOUL AS I CAN'T FEED IT WORDSSS. I even bought a book that has all sorts of ideas and stuff that help you write a more interesting book from the NaNoWriMo folks. Honestly I need to just use that book to expand my ideas and get back into it...