Status as of 8:09AM
Shannon: 6340 words
Whitney: 3520 words
Jared: 2100 words (no status update since yesterday) updated 9:04PM: 4123 words
Brian: 0 words (no status update since yesterday)
The weekend is wiiiiide open!
‘NaNoWriMo’ Category
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On to Day 3
11.03.2006 by Shannon
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First Day!
11.02.2006 by Shannon
Taking a pit stop to inform the crowds of NaNoWriMo that we’ve officially picked up another team member (an potentially a few more, eh? eh?) and we’re off to a good start on our race to 50k. This is where we stand after day one:
Jared: 2100 words
Whitney: 1631 words
Shannon: 1323 words
Brian: 0 words (we haven’t heard from Brian. There’s terrible rumor he fell into the depths of PowerPoint hell at work last night, but we have utter faith he’ll pull himself like out like Indian Jones and come running up the flanks any moment now).
Keep in mind this is only day one. We have 29 more to go.
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And We’re Off!
11.01.2006 by Shannon
Participants, sharpen your pencils! Turn on your laptops! Get your creative juices flowing!
Project NaNoWriMo has officially begun!
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The More the Merrier
10.29.2006 by Shannon
A novel-writing team has formed! I’ve got two folks on board with me as part of NaNoWriMo. Please welcome:
Brian and Whitney!
Help cheer us on as we attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days.
To prove our commitment to this writing endeavor, each of us will be writing a check of a sizable amount to an organization of our choosing that is in direct opposition to our values (i.e. Traditional Family Fund, Republican Party, People Against Cute Puppies, etc.) and sealing it in a stamped, addressed envelope. We will then be handing these envelopes to an impartial person with instruction to drop in the mail if we fail to complete the 50,000 word goal. No pleading, wining or begging for financial mercy allowed.
Not Keeping Score will be tracking word count and posting updates. However, things might be pretty limited, considering words are precious commodities and will need to be hoarded. Your comments and encouragment are much appreciate, though. Stay posted!
-Shannon
Category NaNoWriMo | Tags: | 2 Comments
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Doing My Homework
10.25.2006 by Shannon
In preparation for writing my novel in November, I have
- Begun telling as many people as I can that I am participating in NaNoWriMo so that if/when I fail the mockery and embarrassment will be crushing and painful.
- Read “No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days” by Chris Baty. Thank goodness this isn’t one (a problem) because I don’t got one (a plot).
- Begun “Letters to a Young Novelist” by Mario Vargas Llosa (that showed up thoughfully in my mailbox… thank you M.W. for the inspiration).
- Purchased a lovely bright yellow notebook for, well, random notes; plan to “borrow” office accoutrements from work (if anyone from work is reading this, I do intend to put back everything I borrow…really); and have designated a favorite marking pen for outlining a plot when I actually come up with one.
Suppose I’ll have to leave the rest to spontaneity.
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In Training
10.10.2006 by Shannon
Because the rules of NaNoWriMo specifically state that no prose-writing is to begin prior to November 1, I’m doing all I can to prepare for the event. I figure that in order to successfully complete a 50,000 word novel in 30 days I’ll have to. I’m still trying to get a more routine work schedule (everybody cheer — I’m now only working an average of 11 hours a day!) and I feel the onset of a cold coming on.
I’m like a runner prepping for a marathon. Can’t starting sprinting until the Nov.1 gun goes off, but I sure as hell can train and stretch and drink all the electrolytes my stomach can, er, stomach.
So here’s what I’ve done so far:
1. I’ve signed up! I am officially registered with NaNoWriMo. So now, if I don’t complete the novel, I *officially* invite ridicule and scorn from friends and family.
2. I’ve started running again. Like, actually running — this isn’t a metaphor. I “plot” well on the treadmill, and my fingers seem to continue the rhythm of my legs once I sit down at my computer. Narrate, girl, narrate!
3. I set a schedule. Per the advice of Mr. Chris Baty (the originator of NaNoWriMo), I assessed what my necessary and unneccessary activities were, and when my best hours for writing would be. You’ll all be glad to know I’ll have no social life for the month of November and will be writing between the hours of 4am-6am.
4. I’ve started collecting fortune cookies(see last post). I’ve decided that rather than come up with any unique plot idea, my novel will be based squarely on a patchwork of fortune cookie phrases.
Plot, character & theme brainstorming all underway. And again, if you have any extra fortune cookies you don’t want, please send ‘em my way. I’m gonna need all the help I can get…
Category NaNoWriMo | Tags: | 1 Comment
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Fortune Received
10.08.2006 by Shannon
Fortune cookie eaten after fish filet lunch in the Sunset District reads, “In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.” I interpret this to be a sign of encouragement of my recent decision to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days during November as part of National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo.
Fortune cookie eaten after solo Chinese dinner last night reads, “Your charm has inspired an secret admirer.” I interpret this to be a sign that I attract those not particularly keen on grammar.
I interpret both as a sign that I eat way too much Chinese food to go.
Category NaNoWriMo | Tags: | 2 Comments
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LAUNCHED: Project NaNoWriMo
10.01.2006 by Shannon
Afraid of commitment? Me too.
But you know what they say about phobias. In true form, I’ve done a project for today’s SlinkyFest — which is the signing of the agreement below. The agreement is this: write a novel in 30 days beginning November 1st.
I am participating in National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo).
Not Keeping Score will be my headquarters in November for keeping me on track as I attempt to actually write that novel. Motivation for staying the course and ridicule for slacking both welcome. You’re my witnesses…
Form: #A30/31/50KThe Month-long Novelist Agreement and Statement of Understanding
I hereby pledge my intent to write a 50,000 word novel in one month’s time. By invoking an absurd, month-long deadline on such a enormous undertaking. I understand that notions of “craft.” “brilliance.” and “competency” are to be chucked right out the window, where they will remain, ignored, until they are retrieved for the editing process. I understand that I am a talented person, capable of heroic acts of creativity, and I will give myself enough time over the course of the next month to allow my innate gifts to come to the surface, unmolested by self-doubt, self-criticism, and other acts of self-bullying.
During the month ahead, I realize I will produce clunky, dialogue, clichéd characters, and deeply flawed plots. I agree that all of these things will be left in my rough draft, to be corrected and/or excised at a later point. I understand my right to withhold my manuscript from all readers until I deem it completed. I also acknowledge my right as author to substantially inflate both the quality of the rough draft and the rigors of the writing proves should such inflation prove useful in garnering me respect and attention, or freedom from participation in onerous household chores.
I acknowledge that the month-long, 50-000 word deadline I set for myself is absolute and unchangeable, and that any failure to meet the deadline, or any effort on my part to move the deadline once the adventure has begun, will invite well-deserved mockery from friends and family. I also acknowledge that, upon successful completion of the stated noveling objective, I am entitled to a period of gleeful celebration and revelry, the duration and intensity of which may preclude me from participating fully in workplace activities for days, if not weeks, afterward.
Signed – Shannon DeJong
Date – October 1st, 2006
Novel Start Date – November 1st, 2006
Novel Deadline – November 30th, 2006
Category NaNoWriMo, PROJECTS | Tags: | 1 Comment