Comments on: Are you in NaNoWriMo? Beat your writer’s block! http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/ Writing advice for superhero, fantasy & sci-fi authors Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:58:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46353 Becca Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:36:32 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46353 Yay, I somehow managed to write 4k today, and now I'm only 2k behind the target! So I think I need to write like, 1800 words a day to make it to 50k by the 30th. I'm finding NaNo surprisingly easy this year, at least the fitting it into my schedule part. Last year I did it while I was in my last year of high school, but it was a very, very low-stress school, so even that was easy. But this year I devote all my non-working time to NaNo. Fun, fun, fun. Yay, I somehow managed to write 4k today, and now I’m only 2k behind the target! So I think I need to write like, 1800 words a day to make it to 50k by the 30th. I’m finding NaNo surprisingly easy this year, at least the fitting it into my schedule part. Last year I did it while I was in my last year of high school, but it was a very, very low-stress school, so even that was easy. But this year I devote all my non-working time to NaNo. Fun, fun, fun.

]]> By: Wings http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46311 Wings Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:24:21 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46311 Sigh...I can only get into the computer lab between classes, and due to the ridiculously long login time, that's maybe 5 minutes. Maybe I could bribe my fellow carpooler to stay longer after classes...Or just skip my last class, but that's a bit difficult at a small school where everyone knows everyone. :-) Library could work, but at the nearest one I'm almost entirely sure that you have to pay to use it, and I am broke as usual. Curse my allowance! Hmm...when I have to do homework, the computer's all mine...I shall embrace this rare opportunity! Sayonara! - Wings Sigh…I can only get into the computer lab between classes, and due to the ridiculously long login time, that’s maybe 5 minutes. Maybe I could bribe my fellow carpooler to stay longer after classes…Or just skip my last class, but that’s a bit difficult at a small school where everyone knows everyone. :-)

Library could work, but at the nearest one I’m almost entirely sure that you have to pay to use it, and I am broke as usual. Curse my allowance!

Hmm…when I have to do homework, the computer’s all mine…I shall embrace this rare opportunity! Sayonara!

- Wings

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46274 B. Mac Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:26:58 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46274 Hmm. I could think of three ways to do NNWM without the ability to type at home. <br /> 1) You could write on paper and then type it up when you're at school. That'd be a hassle, though. <br /> 2) Go to a library? I can sort of understand why parents would be really strict about limiting computer time at home, but I suspect they'd be okay with taking you to the library. <br /> 3) Do all your writing on paper and participate only in spirit. Hmm. I could think of three ways to do NNWM without the ability to type at home.

1) You could write on paper and then type it up when you’re at school. That’d be a hassle, though.

2) Go to a library? I can sort of understand why parents would be really strict about limiting computer time at home, but I suspect they’d be okay with taking you to the library.

3) Do all your writing on paper and participate only in spirit.

]]> By: Wings http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46247 Wings Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:36:59 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46247 I'm on a computer ban and can only get on at school. :( I’m on a computer ban and can only get on at school. :(

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46146 B. Mac Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:50:32 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46146 If the stress of cranking out 200 pages over the course of a month isn't helping, then I would recommend reverting to a regular writer's schedule (at least seven pages a week-- that's just one page a day). That pace would give you a first draft of a manuscript within a year. I would recommend thinking of NaNoWriMo as a means to an end (productivity) rather than the end itself. If it isn't working for you, try something else. <br /> Also, I wonder why they picked November for NaNoWriMo. I don't think it suits students well because we have to prepare for finals in December and sometimes midterms in early November. Many (most?) Americans spend at least 3 days traveling or otherwise hanging out with family over Thanksgiving weekend. (I kid you not, I will be the senior staffer in my usually 10-person office on the day after Thanksgiving-- everyone else is out with family but I've already used my off days). The only type of people that really benefit from it being in November are campaign staff-- most US elections are held on the first Tuesday of November, giving them most of the month to celebrate (or drown their sorrows) after months of 60-80 hour weeks. I'd much rather do NNWM in July-- that gives students and teachers a better opportunity to participate. (And, with all due respect to campaign staff, there are a lot more students and teachers). If the stress of cranking out 200 pages over the course of a month isn’t helping, then I would recommend reverting to a regular writer’s schedule (at least seven pages a week– that’s just one page a day). That pace would give you a first draft of a manuscript within a year. I would recommend thinking of NaNoWriMo as a means to an end (productivity) rather than the end itself. If it isn’t working for you, try something else.

Also, I wonder why they picked November for NaNoWriMo. I don’t think it suits students well because we have to prepare for finals in December and sometimes midterms in early November. Many (most?) Americans spend at least 3 days traveling or otherwise hanging out with family over Thanksgiving weekend. (I kid you not, I will be the senior staffer in my usually 10-person office on the day after Thanksgiving– everyone else is out with family but I’ve already used my off days). The only type of people that really benefit from it being in November are campaign staff– most US elections are held on the first Tuesday of November, giving them most of the month to celebrate (or drown their sorrows) after months of 60-80 hour weeks. I’d much rather do NNWM in July– that gives students and teachers a better opportunity to participate. (And, with all due respect to campaign staff, there are a lot more students and teachers).

]]> By: Banana Slug http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46110 Banana Slug Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:34:55 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46110 My schedule's always packed in November. I don't think I have the time to do NaNo. It's just becoming an extra source of guilt for me now. I know I say that every year, and I was determined to finish this year, but I don't know if I can. :( On one hand, I don't think NaNo's helping me, but on the other hand, I'm scared I'm only saying that as an excuse to chicken out. I'm really considering quitting. Besides, my constant dental appointments and that li'l run in with the swine flu are complicating things. I suppose it's all a matter of priorities now... My schedule’s always packed in November. I don’t think I have the time to do NaNo. It’s just becoming an extra source of guilt for me now. I know I say that every year, and I was determined to finish this year, but I don’t know if I can. :( On one hand, I don’t think NaNo’s helping me, but on the other hand, I’m scared I’m only saying that as an excuse to chicken out. I’m really considering quitting. Besides, my constant dental appointments and that li’l run in with the swine flu are complicating things.
I suppose it’s all a matter of priorities now…

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46068 B. Mac Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:39:12 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46068 If you have US citizenship, a college degree and a willingness to take on a really unglorious position, the government is always hiring... If you have US citizenship, a college degree and a willingness to take on a really unglorious position, the government is always hiring…

]]> By: Luna Jamnia http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46046 Luna Jamnia Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:16:11 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46046 It's making me desperately wish I had a job (shtupid economy) and I miss my laptop very much. If it's not weird to miss an inanimate object. Tithe, pay off loan, buy laptop, save! In that order. If I had money. It’s making me desperately wish I had a job (shtupid economy) and I miss my laptop very much.
If it’s not weird to miss an inanimate object.

Tithe, pay off loan, buy laptop, save! In that order. If I had money.

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46039 B. Mac Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:49:59 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46039 My sister also shared a computer with four brothers. None of us got on much. ;-) My sister also shared a computer with four brothers. None of us got on much. ;-)

]]> By: Luna Jamnia http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46031 Luna Jamnia Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:51:50 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46031 I'm at a lil' over 15k but it's not counting my words right, I have more in Word than when it 'validates' my wordcount. And I've only been writing 1k a day for a while ... because I share this computer with mom and 4 brothers. >.> My plot is nonexistent. It's all drama stuff, when I finally decided to try and force it into the direction it's supposed to be going; a bro wanted to use the computer so I had to quit. It's so frustrating! Hopefully next year there won't be so much drama and confusion and the plot will show up when it's supposed to. I’m at a lil’ over 15k but it’s not counting my words right, I have more in Word than when it ‘validates’ my wordcount. And I’ve only been writing 1k a day for a while … because I share this computer with mom and 4 brothers. >.>

My plot is nonexistent. It’s all drama stuff, when I finally decided to try and force it into the direction it’s supposed to be going; a bro wanted to use the computer so I had to quit.
It’s so frustrating! Hopefully next year there won’t be so much drama and confusion and the plot will show up when it’s supposed to.

]]> By: Ragged Boy http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-46002 Ragged Boy Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:56:50 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-46002 Unfortunately, I had to drop out before the beginning of the competition. I don't like November for NanoWriMo, it doesn't fit well into a high school seniors' schedule of applying for colleges and writing essays. Maybe next year, though. *Sigh* Would've been fun. Enjoy everyone else! Unfortunately, I had to drop out before the beginning of the competition. I don’t like November for NanoWriMo, it doesn’t fit well into a high school seniors’ schedule of applying for colleges and writing essays. Maybe next year, though. *Sigh* Would’ve been fun. Enjoy everyone else!

]]> By: Banana Slug http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-45999 Banana Slug Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:49:06 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-45999 Oog. I ended up taking multiple days off thanks to flu, sleepovers and SpongeBob SquarePants. I'm at like 6,000 words today and stuck at a fight scene. The setting is too cramped for there to be any decent action. Maybe one of them could knock down a wall during the fight... That would free up some space. :P Oog. I ended up taking multiple days off thanks to flu, sleepovers and SpongeBob SquarePants. I’m at like 6,000 words today and stuck at a fight scene. The setting is too cramped for there to be any decent action. Maybe one of them could knock down a wall during the fight… That would free up some space. :P

]]> By: Merides http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-45979 Merides Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:15:10 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-45979 Found this site THROUGH Nano, so it's a wonderful thing... I feel miserable today, though, and may not make my wordcount. 17.k and counting! Found this site THROUGH Nano, so it’s a wonderful thing… I feel miserable today, though, and may not make my wordcount. 17.k and counting!

]]> By: Wings http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-45978 Wings Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:14:08 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-45978 I feel you, Becca. Only have about 6000 words. Curse my controlling parents... - Wings I feel you, Becca. Only have about 6000 words. Curse my controlling parents…

- Wings

]]> By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2009/10/31/are-you-in-nanowrimo-beat-your-writers-block/#comment-45976 Becca Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:19:09 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=4772#comment-45976 Grrr... I was away for the first five days of NaNo so now I have ~5000 words when I should have 13000 today. Time to despair. But even if I don't finish in 30 days, I can keep going. I just won't get another shiny badge on the NaNo website :( Grrr… I was away for the first five days of NaNo so now I have ~5000 words when I should have 13000 today. Time to despair. But even if I don’t finish in 30 days, I can keep going. I just won’t get another shiny badge on the NaNo website :(

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