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Geek Culture / NaNoWriMo '09

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AndrewT
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Posted: 24th Oct 2009 21:27 Edited at: 21st Nov 2009 15:35
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National Novel Writing Month is quickly approaching yet again, and I plan on participating for the first time.

Does anybody else plan on taking part? The only one I know of that participated last year was Seppuku, and I was hoping that this year more would be willing to join so that I wouldn't be alone.

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Blobby 101
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Posted: 24th Oct 2009 21:47
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wow - sounding like a pretty deep story there Andrew, I you can pull that ending off without it seeming tacky or pointlessly violent then kudos to you!

I'm entering this year too, not got too many ideas for the story though, will probably just sit down and start typing and see what ideas come out of it, then refine the good ones into a plot.

Good luck to everyone who takes part!

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AndrewT
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Posted: 24th Oct 2009 21:59
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Quote: "I you can pull that ending off without it seeming tacky or pointlessly violent then kudos to you!"


Yeah, that seems like it's going to present a bit of trouble, but (hopefully!) by the time I get to that part I'll have developed a way to do it.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 24th Oct 2009 22:54 Edited at: 24th Oct 2009 23:05
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IF you're going to enter...the I recommend you read this:

http://www.squidoo.com/survivngnanowrimo

I essentially wrote it to advise people on getting 50,000 words, it's doable and anyone can do it, even if you don't have much time. These were essentially tips and methods I picked up as I was doing it.


Quote: "The only one I know of that participated last year was Seppuku,"


I entered a dystopian story set in an alternate reality where a totalitarian state has distorted the realities of its people by turning them into neurotics (based on the statement "repression surfaces as something else") I called it "The Delusion Wing". It seems you and I like the element of psychology and neurosis in writing. In total I had 50,504 words and I worked my butt off to get it.

But I really enjoyed it and I'd recommend it to ANYBODY who's interested in writing - it's a good way to kick out your first draft, no matter how crap it is, but I just think of it as setting the marble for the masterpiece. I am still editing my entry from last year, so I won't be entering this year.

Good luck to Andrew and anybody else participating!

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AndrewT
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Posted: 25th Oct 2009 03:27
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Quote: "Good luck to Andrew and anybody else participating!"


Thanks, I know that I (and most other participants, I'm sure!) will need it!

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greenlig
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Posted: 25th Oct 2009 08:41
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I am seriously considering this. Sounds like a really good way to pass the time I currently have on my hands. Missed it last year due to work, and now I have a solid idea for a story.

Thanks for the heads up!

Greenlig

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tha_rami
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Posted: 25th Oct 2009 15:20
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I'm in again. Should be fun .


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AndrewT
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Posted: 27th Oct 2009 00:53
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Sweet, glad to see I'm not gonna be alone. Be sure to post your username after you've signed up so I can add you as a writing buddy. Mine is AndrewT.

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 27th Oct 2009 01:10
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I'm considering the project, just trying to think of an idea before I go ahead

Mnemonix
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AndrewT
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Posted: 1st Nov 2009 14:38
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Go!

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Dared1111
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Posted: 1st Nov 2009 17:22
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I've started. I don't know if what I have done so far (a sentance) will inspire me.

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AndrewT
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Posted: 1st Nov 2009 17:25 Edited at: 21st Nov 2009 15:35
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[EDITED]

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Darth Kiwi
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Posted: 1st Nov 2009 17:30
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Wow, this year sure went by fast: I wasn't expecting NaNoWriMo to come round again so quickly. I won't enter since I have little enough free time at uni as is, but I do want to write something over the Christmas holidays.

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Dared1111
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Posted: 1st Nov 2009 18:19
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Quote: " From my bed I observed the sun fall. I awaited the rising of day, listening to the ticking of my clock. The trees waved and leaves rustled. I tried to sleep once more, only foretelling the near failure. If the doorbell were to ring I would simply ignore it, if the window were to break or the voices to resound or sing I would forget such intrusion. I would have my rest even if I would not awake. I feared the sun would never rise again. I feared I would join them. I closed my eyes and slept heavily, praying to awake. Earth had become home to horrors. My only chance of awaking is that the owners of the house are not in, for they are probably dead.

I slept heavily, dreaming, dreaming of monsters with no jaws, creatures of torment and murder. My sleeping mind contemplating the creatures, wondering what would happen if someone killed those already murdered, if someone caused suffering those who were tormented. I remember my best friend’s jaw dropping from shock, and being shortly torn from his face.

It was my birthday, go me. Thirty years of life. I gave myself a little clap before taking my rucksack and dashing from the house violently. The questions suddenly arose when the doors were locked with no keys, when windows were unbreakable, with opening mechanisms missing. “Is this real? Am I dreaming?” I scavenged through the house, scrambling for keys or something to break the windows open. I found torn letters, suicide notes, and a body.
The body was my own. My clothes torn in places, postured on the dining table as though I were sleeping. My throat was slit, my eyes white but open.
"



That's how mine is so far. Basically the dead have risen, to murder mankind.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 2nd Nov 2009 01:04
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Well good luck to all of you. I really want to do it again...but alas, time I spend on this is time I could be working on my short stories or my research project - being my final year, they get priority.

Keep us informed of your progress - I'd be happy to offer moral support, as I got some from you guys last year.

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demons breath
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Posted: 2nd Nov 2009 04:22
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Sounds really interesting. Doubt I'll be able to fit it in though (constant coursework). I might give it a bash next year though.

"The fools may crash down upon us in thunderous waves, but we shall Jeku slap them back from whence they came"
-BiggAdd Oct 28th 2009
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 2nd Nov 2009 05:29
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Actually, it is possible to fit it in, demons breath. I'm sure there's time in the day when you're not really doing anything - perhaps waiting for dinner to be cooked or sitting around bored. NaNoWriMo is good if you fit it in during the right points during the day...assuming you've not already filled those slots.

Timed writing is the best way I think of getting motivation - in the article I posted on my first post has a bit to do with timed writing. You might sit down and think, "right, I can spare 20 minutes, lets see how many words I can write". I found that writing 700 words in 30 minutes is an efficient method.

So don't be discouraged to give it a shot.

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lazerus
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Posted: 2nd Nov 2009 18:06
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Some friends are already kicking up a fuss about me not joining
Mainly since i know i wont have the time, but i really want to ^_^"

Time to dust off some ideas.

Good hunting.

____
-Laz


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crispex
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Posted: 2nd Nov 2009 19:11
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I started working on my novel yesterday. I've wanted to enter this for years, but unfortunately never got around to it. This year I've finally got some free time.

Temporarly away from the Phoenix Sentry.
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lazerus
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Posted: 4th Nov 2009 22:20
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Nice guide Sepp, forgot to mention, very nice guide. I need to set aside 10 days to type up what ive wrote though, so its 2.6k words a day for me.

Im going to have to use write or die. Thiers no other way around my poor time keeping. Ive lost since 3;00, thats 7:15 of nothing...

#Crys#

Well i guess ill double up tommorow.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 5th Nov 2009 05:42 Edited at: 5th Nov 2009 06:51
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Cheers for the compliment - I hope it comes of use.

Also...*sigh*...I've given in. Most of my friends are doing it this year (whereas I was a complete loner last year) so I might as well set aside time in the day to do this.

I have 5 days of writing to catch up on and I know what I'm doing. I'll use extracts for my creative practice module and somehow work it into my university work as an excuse to do it. Though I probably won't have as much dedication as last year - so if I fall behind, I won't fuel myself to catch up.

The plot I am working on. It's based around my character Alva, she's a child with leukemia, with a love for books and knowledge - she has an imagination is quite intelligent. But I am currently exploring the possibilities for what I can do in terms of what the story actually is. It's coming directly from a short story I wrote, but I am working on ideas.



It's entitled "Alva Sleeps" and is currently...1,681 words so far and the short story was 2,525 words. So I still have some catching up to do.


Small sample:

She seems really worried. I know she's trying to hide it, but it's just the way she was moving, the way she looked at me...I hope that I'm going to be okay, but...she ought not to worry, I'm going to be fine, no matter what right? I've got years ahead of me - I know Dad is waiting for the day I graduate from university - he talks about how proud of me he is and that I'm going to do well in life. Being a lecturer himself there's a lot he tells me and I always enjoy listening to him. If he's not on about ancient mythology he's looking at literature analytically. Mum often objects, she thinks I ought to be running around, but I'm happy indulging myself in books - fiction, non-fiction, it all interests me. Besides, Dad sometimes takes me out into the back-yard and kicks the ball around. A couple of weeks ago, Mum was in goal and I got Dad with a sliding tackle - I tripped him up, it was a shock to him, but I got advantage and managed to kick it straight into the goal. I suppose Fifa was to blame really - we sometimes get the XBox out and we play against each other and well - I found keep pressing the button for the sliding tackle is a great way to nick the ball, so I just had to steal ideas.
But stealing sports moves isn't always a great idea - in PE at school we were playing Softball - I was on bat, but I didn't hit it very far, so I quickly ran to first base, but I was just about to be out, so I decide to do the American baseball signature move and that's sliding so that you foot reaches the base. It's not a good idea on a dry day when your legs are bare. Two words; friction burn. It's not nice because when it heals you get this sticky substance that seems to want to heal itself into anything it comes into contact with - so removing the bandages wasn't fun. Mum soaked my legs in waters to loosen them off, but it still really hurts. I think I learned my lesson.

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demons breath
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 03:35
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I know it's been a couple of weeks since anyone posted in this thread, but I was just wondering how everyone's doing on this?

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 05:03
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Didn't get into it this year. I thought that actually, my creativity would be best directed at my Short Stories portfolio for Uni, I noticed some of the stuff I've done need more thought put into them.

NaNoWriMo requires a lot of creativity and well...the more ideas I get, the better they're put into my Uni work.

So since my last post. 0 words. How's everybody else?

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General Jackson
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 05:30
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My sister is doing this, her word count is like 20,000 and she says she is behind

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 06:26
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21st...I imagine it'll be ~40,000 in, so you're sister is ~20,000 words behind.


She can still catch up...seriously. It's not too late.

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demons breath
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 14:46
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Catch up the 20,000 in the time she needs to also be doing the last 10,000? Man I wouldn't envy that goal...

I'm definitely up for this next year, but this year's just been hectic so far and I honestly didn't have anywhere near a good enough idea.

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AndrewT
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 15:17
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I kinda dropped out at 13,400 words Lack of time. YES, I understand that it's ALWAYS possible to make time, but in my case it was so difficult I just kinda said "screw it" and forgot about it.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 20:26 Edited at: 21st Nov 2009 20:29
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Quote: "Catch up the 20,000 in the time she needs to also be doing the last 10,000? Man I wouldn't envy that goal..."


My record from last year was 10,000 words in one day. No...you wouldn't have envied it...my brain hurt, I almost had withdrawal symptoms from caffeine and needed plenty of sleep. But I suppose, it has that sense of pride. Of course...never again will I cram so much at once.

Quote: " Lack of time. YES, I understand that it's ALWAYS possible to make time, but in my case it was so difficult I just kinda said "screw it" and forgot about it."


Ha ha, well...I'm sure you could have made some time. Kidding of course.

But it appears that everybody I know who has entered...has now quite. We best cheer on demons breath's sister...come on demons breath, you can motivate her - point her in the direction of my article (yes...I am a dirty spammer). The feeling when you click "submit" after hitting 50k is fantastic, I can't describe it really. It's worth the extra effort in the final hurdles. 8 days 30,000 words. 3750 per day. It's possible.

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demons breath
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 20:30
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It's GJ's sister not mine

& AndrewT I'm kind of disappointed that yours isn't getting finished - I liked the concept - unless you're finishing it outside the NaNo-constraints... Same for you Sepp

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 20:38 Edited at: 21st Nov 2009 20:39
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Sorry...I wasn't thinking. Come on Miss Jackson! YOU CAN DO IT!

Quote: "Same for you Sepp"


I've still go to edit my first NaNoWriMo entry...once that's done - I'll give a few snippets and attempt the horrible and soul crushing process that is getting published. I wonder if dystopia is popular right now? If so, then maybe I might have a little more luck. Given the current climate, I think people might be relating to dystopia.

My piece needs some things to really change...so I am currently restructuring it and fixing plot points and its subplots.

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lazerus
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 20:59
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22k and kicked the bucket,

Too much work to do, not enough free time. Realised i was streching myself too thin so i gave in for now.

humphh, ject youll have to wait in the forzen grass plains with turan. Noval and katen arent going anywhere.


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demons breath
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Posted: 21st Nov 2009 22:12
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Dystopian fiction's always good mate - my favourite kind of book. Get to work

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General Jackson
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2009 00:42
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I will point her to this thread, I'm sure she'll be encouraged!
I would ask her what her word count is now, but shes at work.

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Darth Kiwi
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2009 18:41
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Quote: "My record from last year was 10,000 words in one day. No...you wouldn't have envied it...my brain hurt, I almost had withdrawal symptoms from caffeine and needed plenty of sleep. But I suppose, it has that sense of pride. Of course...never again will I cram so much at once."

Over the summer I wanted to see if I could write a book in 5 days - so I did. I started writing on Monday, finished on Friday, and I had 50,000 words. So 10,000 words a day can be done - I think my peak was on day 2, when I did about 12,000 - and it can be done repeatedly if you really try.

Of course, this was during the summer holidays so time keeping wasn't an issue: I didn't have to do anything else throughout the whole day so I just sat down and wrote. Still, you could theoretically write 20,000 words every weekend.

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Dared1111
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Posted: 23rd Nov 2009 13:00
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I dropped out before reaching 2000 words.

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