I did it! I did it! I did it!

[SheilaT]

I met the challenge, wrote some 51,000 words since the beginning of November. I'm a winner!

November is National Novel Writing Month and I wrote a novel. Of course, it still needs a HUGE amount of work, but I'm still pleased with myself.

Unfortunately, their site doesn't like my credit card and so I can't order the nifty t-shirt I deserve. Sigh. Oh, and the entire month I always needed to get a new log-in, because the site could never recognize mine. It was quite weird.

[nuxvomica]

1. Congratulations!

I failed, myself, due to a variety of reasons. But I won the challenge last year. Now get that sweet novel over to Authonomy and pronto! :thumbsup:

[SheilaT]

2. Authonomy?

If it's a place to publish, my "novel" (and it really deserves to be in quotes at this point) is extremely rough, needs probably ten months of steady work of additional writing, editing, and rewriting. I called it complete at 51,000 words, but there is still a LOT more of the story to be told.

And even if it's never publishable, I learned that I can just generate a lot of words every day if I simply sit down and do it. What a great feeling!

[nuxvomica]

3. Authors post unfinished novels there all the time

It's a great place to get readers and feedback. I've had my 2009 NaNoWriMo novel there since July and have made numerous revisions because of really good feedback I got there. It's supposed to be a big electronic slushpile for Harper Collins but you can use it as you like -- to polish a first draft or get more exposure for a work you are actively submitting to agents and editors, and anything in between. I'm "in-between". My novel was complete when I went there but if I had known about it earlier, I would have posted it anyway. You're only required to post a minimum of 10,000 words. I've had IRL readers who read it there. It's easier to give interested friends and family the URL for your book page there than to send them copies or make printouts.

[SheilaT]

4. I may do that after I've made a great deal more progress.

I've done enough writing to know that there is some point before which you don't show your work to just anyone. :)

[ellie]

5. Congratulations!

I won too! I didn't think I was going to make it. But I did it! WOOT!

[jotsy]

6. Not even close here.

But it's the most I've written in way too long to admit. Hard to complain.

[yellerpup]

7. Congratulations!

That is one awesome accomplishment! :applause:

[whathehell]

8. Hello Writers!....I may be on my way, but I've got a few questions

I've had two therapists (as well as friends, former teachers, etc.) tell me that I'm a "talented" writer...and that I should write my Life Story in the form of a "memoir" or autobiography (I'm NOT famous) because..well, I have had an "interesting", if problematic life (Actually, I've heard everyone's life is "interesting" enough to write a book).

Problem: I have a bit of ADD and have always found it easier to "talk" my story...I'm also not crazy about being alone IF it's with "pressure"...I wrote a good part of an emotionally wrenching screenplay once and it took everything out of me...I don't regret it, but I don't know if I could "sustain" that.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Coffee and break the task into sections

A good outline tool might help you... it does me... ADD...

If you can talk it easier than type, get a tape recorder and transcribe.

If you can write by hand, do so.

I literally break all I do into two to three page sections.

There are a few tools I use for this by the way....

But chiefly. set yourself some time, and do it... Oh and realize first drafts suck, suck royal ass.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Not this year, academic writing is so damn different

than fiction. I am lucky at times when I get in 500 words in a day... unless I include notes.