Hello, everybody,
Every November, a site called NaNoWriMo.org hosts a writing challenge for anybody who wishes to participate, in which an author attempts to writes 50,000 words of fiction in one month. The... basic idea is to write one "original" novel, but the site allows all sorts of deviations--including the writing of fan fiction, and the writing 50,000 words in multiple works instead of one.
I tried two years ago to work on a Beast Wars novel, and I only ended up getting all of about 12,000 words (less than 12,000, actually) instead of 50,000 by the end of the month. But it was still one of the most interesting experiences in writing I've ever had, for one thing because 12,000 in a month is fast for me :P, and for another, because I was a part of a bigger community of authors working towards a common goal. Something about writing with others going alongside of me made the whole thing seem like a lot more fun.
NaNoWriMo also hosts an event called "Camp NaNoWriMo," which is in many ways the same thing as what happens in November. In April, and in July, people get together to write 50,000 words in a month. But there is a significant difference. During November, everything is very much regionalized by a person's geographical location. People in the same counties, near the same cities and so on get their own regional forums, have their own local leaders, and arrange to actually meet and write with one another at libraries or college campuses.
With Camp NaNoWriMo--though I speak without ever having tried it--people get assigned to virtual cabins with a maximum of 7 other writers. I believe these authors can be from all around the world and that they are allowed to request the specific authors they wish to be placed in those "cabins" with (although the site does warn that an authors' assignment to a cabin with the other specific authors they request can not be guaranteed, I'm going on the hope that, so long as those authors all request to be placed with one another, the website can't muck things up too badly).
Well, July is next month. And we've still got 13 days to plan things. So I was curious, is anybody else here interested in trying Camp NaNoWriMo for writing Redwall fan fiction or whatever else they might be in the mood for? If this sounds like fun, then the next step would be to sign up and create a username for yourself: http://www.campnanowrimo.org/sign_up
(If you've already signed up for NaNoWriMo before, then you can use the account you've already got).
Once we've put our usernames down in this thread, then we can all head over to the Cabin settings page and ask to be placed in the same cabin: http://www.campnanowrimo.org/cabin_assignment_criteria/edit
(Note: I'm guessing this link isn't going to work until you're signed in)
Looking forward to another 12,000 words with you all,
Blazemane
Do we write our own stories or stories with a collaborative effort with the other people in our cabin
EDIT: *1600th post*
We write out own stories. We just... write our own stories together.
Though what you mention is something that's been on my mind for a while. There's nothing really to stop us from making a collaborative story...
EDIT: And then Blazemane realized the implication of his words.
There's nothing really to stop us from making a collaborative story, and I have been wondering how something like that could be done, but then, I am also interested in working on the story that I had in mind for writing myself this summer. What do other people want to do?
So do we have to have at least 50,000 words, no more than 50,000 words, or EXACTLY 50,000 words?
There is no requirement for anything either way, really. The goal is to reach 50,000 words. And if you get there before the end of the month and then want to keep going, all the better! Lots of NaNoWriMo participants keep updating the public display of their word count well after they reach 50,000 words for the fun of it. I think the idea for a lot of people is to get a ton of work done in a novel, so if that work exceeds 50,000 words, then they really are getting a ton of work done.
But for someone like me who has very little hope of making 50,000 words, it can still absolutely be worth it to have just tried, because we can still end up getting more writing in than normal.
Am I answering your question?
Yes, thank you!
Was there anyone who was interested in doing this? I figure I probably want to get into some sort of cabin for Camp NaNoWriMo, so if July 1 rolls around/goes by and nobody else has said they want to do a "Redwall" cabin, I'll go ahead and sign up for something else.
Sorry. I was really interested at first, but I just don't have time to write almost 2,000 words a day :-\
Quote from: Romsca on June 26, 2013, 07:37:17 PM
Sorry. I was really interested at first, but I just don't have time to write almost 2,000 words a day :-\
No, there's nothing to be sorry for--really. :)
I joined up! If you want me in your cabin, my username is Shadowed One.
Awesome! Have you already completed your cabin preferences? If we were to put that in right now, I'm wondering whether or not the system would assign us to a full cabin within a day or so--in which case it might (?) be hard to include anyone else from here who says they want to join later on. Do you know how the cabin assignments work?
Yeah, what is your username on there?
My username is Blazemane.
If you've put your preferences in, I'm going to go ahead and get mine in so we don't get sent to different places.
UPDATE: The next round of cabin assignments is in 11 hours!
Double Post for sake of update.
Okieday, then. I just got assigned to a cabin this morning, but I'm not seeing you in it. So you're probably not seeing me in yours either?
Yeah, I didn't notice your post in time. Sorry!
I've tried the November NaNo and never got close to even halfway through. But looking through the Camp website, it looks like we can pick our own word count goal -- score! I'm up for attempting a Redwall fanfiction as long as all I need to manage is 50 words a day, haha. I'm not positive on the cabin process, though, would I still be able to get in the same cabin with you guys?
Quote from: Osu on June 28, 2013, 08:12:02 PMI've tried the November NaNo and never got close to even halfway through. But looking through the Camp website, it looks like we can pick our own word count goal -- score! I'm up for attempting a Redwall fanfiction as long as all I need to manage is 50 words a day, haha.
I would totally miss the 50,000 word count again, too, so I'm going to try to do 31,000--and that's probably not going to happen either. But I've got to try!
Welcome aboard!
Quote from: Osu on June 28, 2013, 08:12:02 PMI'm not positive on the cabin process, though, would I still be able to get in the same cabin with you guys?
Yeah, I think so. I can easily drop out of the cabin I was put into this morning, but I don't know how well the system can be trusted to put us all together.
I can't speak for Shadowed One, of course. Maybe he's happy with the cabin he's in.
Quote from: Shadowed One on June 28, 2013, 05:41:55 PM
Yeah, I didn't notice your post in time. Sorry!
That's alright. As I was saying, I can't speak for you, so if you're interested at all in dropping cabins and trying to meet with me and Osu, great, but if you're happy where you are, that works, too. We can still discuss novel-writing stuff here.
I'll drop out. Just tell me your username, Osu, that way I can request you.
Hey, Osu. Cabin assignments happen again in 6 hours, so if you get the chance to read this before 10/11 A.M. your time, you could try to request us on there. Otherwise, we can try to hammer everything out later on tomorrow; we've still got time.
I requested you, Blazemane.
Is it okay if we already had some of it written?
Quote from: Shadowed One on June 29, 2013, 12:24:44 PM
I requested you, Blazemane.
Hey, we actually ended up in the same cabin! But we might want to drop one more time for Romsca and Osu.
Quote from: Romsca on June 29, 2013, 02:34:02 PM
Is it okay if we already had some of it written?
It's definitely alright. Well, I've done it before, anyways. What you've already written doesn't "count" towards your in-a-month word goal, but since you can set your own goal in campnanowrimo (and since reaching the goal really isn't all that important), there really isn't much to worry about that way.
Oops, missed the last round of assignments! Okay, I'm all signed up and my username is Osu-Osu. I can't change my cabin settings to request you guys because I don't have any novel information, but when I try to create a novel I get redirected to a "the page has moved" error. Currently ferreting out information on this...
Systems says 9 hours until the next round of cabin assignments.
Edit: right, figured out the novel creation page after all and requested Blazemane + Shadowed One. Onward the buffs!
Quote from: Osu on June 30, 2013, 03:21:37 AM
Edit: right, figured out the novel creation page after all and requested Blazemane + Shadowed One. Onward the buffs!
I was just writing that I saw your novel information on your camper profile when I noticed your edit. Anyways, hurray!
O.k. I'll be dropping cabins and requesting you.
Romsca, if you get the chance to tell us your username (if you get one) within the next 9 hours, then we can request you, too.
Edit: Osu and Shadowed One--you has been requested.
I requested you guys now.
Ha! Now I've got Osu and myself and together, but I don't have you (or Romsca. Are you thinking you might sign up?)
We try one more time?
Dropped out and trying once more for both of you! Next assignments coming up in 15 hours.
Quote from: Osu on June 30, 2013, 08:39:11 PM
Dropped out and trying once more for both of you!
Ditto.
Ok, I hope it works this time!
Great success!
This actually sounds like a cool idea. Too bad I'm not able to commit to it! Have a blast guys (and gals) and happy writing.
A little tip for hitting word counts- remember your descriptions and use of creative dialogue. Remember it's not what they said but how they said it that can set the mood for a story and add worthy 'bulk' to your story! Always outline your story objectives and/or points you want to highlight for each chapter and stick to them! Just some food for thought, hope it helps you!
PS--> Shadowed One: Love the name in your tagline for LOTRO ;) :o
Yeah, hope you don't mind but I do like him as a character.
Sure, why not. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery right? ;)
Anyways, don't abuse him too much and remember- HE'S MY OC!!! ;D (Though I'm not sure even Middle Earth can withstand his character- hahaha)
Thanks for the encouragement, Free Thought!
QuoteAlways outline your story objectives and/or points you want to highlight for each chapter and stick to them!
Argh. Actually, this is kind of what's killing me now. Only, not on a chapter-by-chapter basis. I had started thinking about my story a while back with a specific, central plot idea in mind. Then I realized I should probably let that one go, and I replaced it with something else.
But I'm realizing that I don't have much to "say" with what I've got right now. I still really, really want to get into this story, because I began writing it last December, and I've already poured countless hours into it, and I have enjoyed doing so, and I want to continue to enjoy doing so. But I'm scared the story, as it stands in my head right now, would seem really empty by the time it's done--bad guys come/bad guys get beat.
I'm not saying there has to be a moral--although, to be 100% honest, I do love to write with those in mind. But... just speaking about "story," this new plot doesn't drive me to exploring it and getting it out for its own sake, and I feel like maybe I need a third new plot or something.
To complicate the matter, today I got a "pep talk" from NaNoWriMo (an email from a writer doling out advice to all participating NaNoWriMo writers--Brian Jacques actually gave one a few years back) that specifically spoke against letting uncertainty about "What is my novel about?" stop one from getting into their story and writing.
Do novels have to be planned like I want mine planned? Or should I be following the "run-with-it" mentality?
Ah the age old question- HOW TO WRITE A STORY, or rather HOW TO GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD AND ON TO PAPER!!!!
Here's my advice... Do what you think is best.
Every author is different, every author approaches text differently, but importantly so do readers! No story is going to captivate an entire audience- some it will bore, others it will never cease to amaze them. So I guess in this sense, don't get hung up on the fact that someone might not like it, or think that its bland.
Also, your target readership changes that view. A story with a simple plot may be good for an intermediate reader and bore an advanced one, while an advanced story of dialect and plot construction with some gray characters thrown in there may be WAY too much for an intermediate reader to comprehend and thus turn them away. Clear as mud?
I can't really give you any simple yes/no advice, but I can help you relate to some of your material (maybe) through my experiences... So here it goes:
I've written a couple of things, here and there on FanFiction.net. I know some on this site have read them, others, not a chance (again with the whole idea of not all stories are for everyone). My first epic I wrote was what I thought a lovely story about Martin and Rose spanning 150K words and 62 chapters... of some of the biggest bad stuff I've ever spewed out. But at the time, I thought it was great. People kept reading, I kept writing. The problem is that I had this grand idea and a movie reel of events playing in my head with no sort of plan except what I wanted to say in a chapter. Chapters varied in length (shortest 500words, longest over 8000!) and some characters were developed, but others (like the baddies) were grossly under described and made the whole thing kinda... meh. Sure, it was heartbreaking in parts, but in the end, my minor characters stole the show and readership DEMANDED more of them.
After that I started experimenting with different voices and narration styles, which helped my hone my own author voice into a more convincing and real storyteller. As such, my second epic about Martin the Elder Warrior, I actually deleted and am rewriting into what I and others still following the story believe to be a much better tale. For example, I am currently on chapter 16 in that epic which was about chapter 6 in its precursor. See the lack of description and character development? Scary, huh. But that's the difference I've gotten by setting chapter objectives and fully sketching my characters.
And by character sketches, don't get me wrong, I don't sit there and write, "blue eyes, brown hair, shoots bow well"- I actually write out mini stories about them that highlight/show their qualities, which I then turn into companion pieces for my epics and 'publish' them along side the tale.
I'm digressing a bit here. Sorry. As for multiple plots- KISS method, Keep It Simple Stupid. ;) Yes, more than one is fine, but it works best if you can get them to either tie in or intersect at some point so its not like you have multiple stories in one...
Hope that helps!!!
Oh and if your stuck, do what I do- flip-write! If you have chapter objectives you can do this... like if your stuck on chapter 17, go to chapter 21 and start writing it to get your creative juices flowing!!!!
Quote from: Free Thought on July 05, 2013, 06:23:24 PM
Sure, why not. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery right? ;)
Anyways, don't abuse him too much and remember- HE'S MY OC!!! ;D (Though I'm not sure even Middle Earth can withstand his character- hahaha)
Ok.
Bump! Camp NaNo for July 2014 will soon be upon us. Is anybody participating?
I think everybody should join up and write Redwall fanfiction. *waggles eyebrows*
I will be joining, but i have yet to get an idea...
Good for you! You've got almost an entire month to think of something, there's no hurry on that front. :)
Ya! Well, ill be sure to think of an idea! :D
For those who have never tried this, but have an idea tickling the back of their mind, give it a try. The contest has just one contestant, you. Once you pass the 50K word mark, you've won. Extra points if you finish the story.
The idea is to write. Get that verbal vomit down on paper. Depending on your typing speed, the 1,700 words per day is not that hard. At just 40 WPM, you'll spend 4 hours a day. One hint is to be as flowery in your prose as possible.
Yes, I did this one year. That story was my second long book in the vermin badger series, The New Arrival. When November ended, I passed the 57K word mark. Remarkable for somebody with a max typing speed of 25 WPM.
Check out part two of this challenge. In March, there is the NANOEDMO contest. This stands for NAtional NOvel EDit MOnth. The idea is to take all that verbal vomit from November and edit it into a cohesive story. Needless to say, mine needed a lot of (censored) work. Ask if you want a good laugh.
My story went down to 35K and then expanded to its current 37K form.
Now for the big question. Would I do it again? You bet, though if I do, I'll be better prepared. I'll have it outlined and my character bios ready. Extemporaneous writings isn't my style. I'm an outline writer.
So who's doing NaNoWriMo this year, and what's your genre?
(I'm working on a Steampunk/Fantasy novel this November.)
Thinking of a Redwall - Dracula horror story. Got the idea, have a general outline, might give it a whirl. Not posting it anywhere until it goes through edits; I learned my lesson.
Since it wouldn't seem appropriate to post a horror story unless it is near Halloween, you'll have to wait until next year to see if I got anything worthwhile.
It is now November 14, 2014. Time to confess to your progress, or lack thereof, in this year's NANOWRIMO challenge.
As of last night, I have passed the 20K mark. With this week being international break for the BPL, I'm hoping to be abusing the keyboards for several additional hours. Story is unfolding.
Now let's hear from other participants. How goes the race to 50K?
Personally I would have loved to participate, but I have been so busy due to school. Your Dracula/Redwall idea is very interesting, though. Be sure to post it when it is finished! :)
I will indeed be posting it next year. Last night, passed the 30K word count.
I know the challenge has come and past. Just curious how many here who participated, officially or not, managed to surpass the 50K mark?
And now an even more important question: How goes the edits?