Day 144: November Writing Thing

Homer Potvin

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Hey hey! Just dropping in the announce that in November we've decided to do some version of NaNoWriMo here in Dorgland. What that will look like exactly is still being discussed, but it will run the length of November and feature the usual challenge to produce a 50K novel in 30 days. Thanks to @Tallyfire and @Luxuria were taking the ball on this one and starting the discussion, which you can check out here.

We haven't finalized anything yet, but are thinking about offering some different word counts to make it more inclusive. So far, 15K and 25K words have been tossed around in addition to the traditional 50K, as the latter is obviously a tough ask. But basically, you can write whatever you'd like to write in however much time it takes. It's a challenge, not a competition, so you can't be disqualified, incarcerated, or tarred and feathered for failing to meet word counts or anything. And there are no judges watching over your shoulder monitoring your progress. It's supposed to be fun and provide some external motivation to get writing.

We'll build out an official forum for it soon after we settle all the details, but I wanted to get the word out as soon as possible so members have some time to decide if they want to participate and gameplan a few weeks ahead of time. But whatever we do will include an area to provide updates, word counts, ask questions, encourage each other, etc. Nothing too fancy as we've never had luck doing anything with NaNoWirMo in the past, but that doesn't it mean it won't work in the future.

And need a name for the thing, with Nano being dead and the name still stinking up the writing community. I believe .com is calling theirs "WF Writes," for example. Something like that, but catchier.

I'm open to ideas and suggestions about how to make this as fun as possible. Participation is always key, so I'd also like to gauge member's general interest. Feel free to discuss here or over on the discussion thread I linked, and stay tuned to more updates.

Thank you
 
whatever we do will include an area to provide updates, word counts, ask questions, encourage each other, etc. Nothing too fancy as we've never had luck doing anything with NaNoWirMo in the past, but that doesn't it mean it won't work in the future.

Does this software allow temporary/timed sections? The NaNo forums had a place for Camp that'd only be there from I believe March to August. If possible, you could do something like that for a novel challenge section, opening it a month or two before and hiding it a month or two after. That way, no ghost towns.

I haven't caught up on the other thread yet, so forgive me if this has already been addressed.

And need a name for the thing, with Nano being dead and the name still stinking up the writing community. I believe .com is calling theirs "WF Writes," for example. Something like that, but catchier.

DorgDraft?
 
I liked @Tallyfire’s Novel Sprint for an event title. And thanks for the shout-out! :)
 
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Does this software allow temporary/timed sections?
Good question. Maybe? Either way, it's just a few mouse clicks to toggle forums on and off.

I liked @Tallyfire’s Novel Sprint for an event title. And thanks for the shout-out! :)
I'm starting to like The November Writing Thing!

NwT
 
I might still call it WriFoWriMo for fun though…
WriFiFoRum? No, that's not a serious suggestion, disregard that.

I've always thought NaNoWriMo sounds like a lot of fun, and a great way to learn to force yourself to write. I'd be happy to join!

I don't know how these things generally work. Would we be allowed to start planning/outline our novel now, or take old unfinished ideas, or are we supposed to start from absolute scratch when the bell rings?
 
I liked @Tallyfire’s Novel Sprint for an event title.
This one was actually your suggestion! My suggestion was the short form NoNo Sprint. Or maybe NoNoS? Or NovNov Sprint?

I don't know how these things generally work. Would we be allowed to start planning/outline our novel now, or take old unfinished ideas, or are we supposed to start from absolute scratch when the bell rings?
Only the word count matters. Pick a new project or continue an existing one. Plan all you like beforehand. I’ll be writing a story I‘ve already made the skeleton for.
 
Only the word count matters. Pick a new project or continue an existing one. Plan all you like beforehand. I’ll be writing a story I‘ve already made the skeleton for.
Grand! I actually have one or two newish ideas I wanted to expand on, which wouldn't fit in a short story. This is perfect.
 
Does this software allow temporary/timed sections? The NaNo forums had a place for Camp that'd only be there from I believe March to August. If possible, you could do something like that for a novel challenge section, opening it a month or two before and hiding it a month or two after. That way, no ghost towns.

I haven't caught up on the other thread yet, so forgive me if this has already been addressed.



DorgDraft?

There’s no provision for time limited fora on XF but removing a forum from view is one click in the back end so it would be easy to do manually
 
Either way, it's just a few mouse clicks to toggle forums on and off.
There’s no provision for time limited fora on XF but removing a forum from view is one click in the back end so it would be easy to do manually

That's probably what they did, realistically. It was all the same posts and stuff, just not available year-round.

Whatever works for you guys.

If you do make a section, I'm sure we could find ways to keep it active while it's there. Support threads, project declaration, progress threads. It'd be fun to have our own Nanoisms (absurd typos) thread. These could all fit into other sections, though, so I get the concern.
 
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