Difference between revisions of "Frequently asked questions"

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== Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel? ==
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= About NaNoWriMo =
 +
== Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel? ==
 +
Every year people around the world take the plunge and become an author during the month of November. If you've always wanted to write a novel, or try to write a novel, then this is the year to take advantage of National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo). It is a free, annual challenge that takes place every November, where novelists strive to start, write and complete the first draft of their 50,000+ word novel in just 30 days.
  
November is National Novel Writing Month, a free annual event helping to motivate writers to start and complete a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. In 2007, over 100,000 people worldwide participated. Nearly 15,000 of them successfully crossed the finish line. Last year in the Chicago Western Suburbs region (centered in Naperville) an amazing 60 out of 129 participants achieved winner status.
+
Last year over six hundred and fifty thousand people worldwide took up the challenge. In the Naperville region, which serves the western and southern suburbs of Chicago, 148 participants completed their novels in 2013. They were bolstered by online forums and local events, and had fun along the way.
  
Our region finished 47th in the world (out of 344 regions) in total word count, ahead of Detroit, France and Ottawa (in Ontario, Canada).
+
The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo, representing the cities and suburbs west of Chicago, has partnered with area libraries to offer four preparatory workshops.  
  
The fun begins Saturday, October 4th, 1-3 pm at the 95th Street Library, which will be hosting a two hour kick-off event to give people enough time to successfully prepare for their November writing marathon. NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaisons will be on hand to answer your questions and guide the preparatory exercises. Two other October events to be scheduled will focus on different aspects of your novel writing planning.
+
The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo is partnering with many area libraries to offer write-in events in November for people to use to work on their novel while others around them are working on theirs. For more information see the [[Library Crawl 2015]] page.
  
Starting midnight November 1st, you can begin the actual novel writing. The 95th Street Library will host write-in events 1-4 pm each Sunday in November. All participants and their friends and family are welcome to attend the TGIO party December 13th at the Naperville Municipal Center. Come visit http://naperwrimo.org/2008 for local event information. Fulfill your dream of becoming a novelist. See http://www.nanowrimo.org and send your questions to naperville_il -AT- nanowrimo.org.
+
All participants and their friends and family are welcome to attend the TGIO party December 5th at the Naperville Municipal Center. Come visit http://naperwrimo.org for '''[[2015 Events|more detailed event information]]'''. Fulfill your dream of becoming a novelist. See http://www.nanowrimo.org and send your questions to '''mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org'''.
  
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
+
== Past press releases ==
 +
''[[Press Release 2013-09-01]]''
  
Q: What does this cost? <br/>
+
= Frequently Asked Questions =
A: Absolutely nothing is required. Donations to cover the nanowrimo.org website and administrative costs are accepted but are not necessary.
 
  
Q: What do the winners get? <br/>
+
== Frequently Asked Questions  ==
A: A PDF file proclaiming them NaNoWriMo winners if they manage to complete at least 50,000 words in 30 days. More importantly, the happiness of completing at least 50,0000 words of a novel. In addition, Lulu.com has been giving winners a free paperback copy of their completed novel (though this sadly did not happen in 2007).
 
  
Q: 50,000 words in 30 days seems foolhardy... <br/>
+
Q: What does this cost? <br>  
A: Actually, it turns out to be roughly 1,670 words per day, which turns out to be manageable. There are some exceptionally prolific writers who produce four times that amount... but many just barely get over the hump. The NaNoWriMo website and online discussion forums provide a lot of support; and we are organizing some weekly meetings locally for participants to use for writing and discussing their work.
+
A: '''Absolutely nothing is required'''. Donations to cover the nanowrimo.org website and administrative costs are accepted but are not necessary.  
  
Q: Do I have to publish my novel? <br/>
+
Q: What do the winners get? <br>  
A: No. Some participants share their novels with other participants for critiquing; a few participants have had their NaNoWriMo novels published. There are no requirements here.
+
A: A PDF file proclaiming them NaNoWriMo winners if they manage to complete at least 50,000 words in 30 days. More importantly, the happiness of completing at least 50,0000 words of a novel.  
  
Q: What about my privacy? <br/>
+
Q: Where can I find out more information about the local events?<br/>
A: While you do have to provide an e-mail address in order to register, the NaNoWriMo forums give participants fine control over what information is made available to others. E-mail address and identity information can be concealed and the NaNoWriMo team has a strong privacy policy. E-mail addresses are not shared or sold and you have to explicitly sign up to receive e-mail announcements from the NaNo team during November.
+
A: Check out the '''[[2013 Events]]''' page for detailed information about the local events.
  
Q: How do I sign up?
+
Q: 50,000 words in 30 days seems foolhardy... <br>
A: Sign-ups can be done through the http://www.nanowrimo.org website beginning October 1, 2008. The NaNoWriMo contest proper begins at 12:01 midnight November 1st.
+
A: Actually, it turns out to be roughly 1,670 words per day, which turns out to be manageable. There are some exceptionally prolific writers who produce four times that amount... but many just barely get over the hump. The NaNoWriMo website and online discussion forums provide a lot of support; and we are organizing some weekly meetings locally for participants to use for writing and discussing their work.  
  
Q: Who coordinates things for the Chicago Western Suburbs region? <br/>
+
Q: Do I have to publish my novel? <br>  
A: We (Tim Yao, Melinda Pfeiffer-Borucki, Meredith Brasher and Katherine Lato) are volunteer municipal liaisons for the Chicago Western Suburbs region of NaNoWriMo. We are enthusiastic participants of previous NaNo's who want to help others find the joy of completion that we've found. We organize the kick-off writing session, weekly writing sessions and the TGIO party at the end.
+
A: No. Some participants share their novels with other participants for critiquing; a few participants have had their NaNoWriMo novels published. There are no requirements here.  
  
Q: Say I join the region, what do I do next? <br />
+
Q: What about my privacy? <br>  
A: If you haven't already done so, please come to our [http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&topic_id=1028&forum=240 welcome] thread and post a note introducing yourself to the other participants. You can say something about who you are and what you are writing. There are several other threads of interest in our [http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/200 regional forum]. You can also [http://naperwrimo.org/wiki/map2008.shtml place yourself on our regional map] and [http://naperwrimo.org/wiki contribute to our regional wiki site] that is going to serve as an example of next year's official NaNo wiki engine.
+
A: While you do have to provide an e-mail address in order to register, the NaNoWriMo forums give participants fine control over what information is made available to others. E-mail address and identity information can be concealed and the NaNoWriMo team has a strong privacy policy. E-mail addresses are not shared or sold and you have to explicitly sign up to receive e-mail announcements from the NaNo team during November.  
You can also go to [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nanowrimo-west-suburbs/ the yahoogroups nanowrimo-west-suburbs e-mail list] and subscribe to it. This list is used for communications within the group during the normal year and especially for planning in preparation for the next NaNoWriMo.
 
  
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at naperville_il -AT- nanowrimo.org  
+
Q: How do I sign up? <br/>
 +
A: Sign-ups can be done through the http://www.nanowrimo.org website. The NaNoWriMo contest proper begins at 12:01 midnight November 1st.
  
== hipster PDA ==
+
Q: Who coordinates things for the Chicago Western Suburbs region? <br>
 +
A: We (Tim Yao, Katherine Lato and Frank Dahlman) are volunteer municipal liaisons for the Chicago Western Suburbs region of NaNoWriMo (Illinois::Naperville). We are enthusiastic participants of previous NaNo's who want to help others find the joy of completion that we've found. We organize the kick-off writing session, weekly writing sessions and the TGIO party at the end.
  
The [http://merlin.blogs.com/43folders/2004/09/introducing_the.html hipster PDA] is a cool, retro-low tech solution to information management. One uses a collection of blank and written 3x5 index cards bound with a binder clip or collected in a special carrier to jot down notes. Here are some pertinent links:
+
Q: Say I join the region, what do I do next? <br>
 +
A: If you haven't already done so, please come to our [http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/usa-illinois-naperville regional forum] and post a note introducing yourself to the other participants. You can say something about who you are and what you are writing.  
  
* [http://gurno.com/adam/j2/index.php?p=44 Tricking out the hipster]
+
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org
* [http://radio.weblogs.com/0114670/categories/hipsterPda/2005/06/14.html Hipster PDA: Plans, Ideas, Information ... all in the back pocket]
+
= hipster PDA =
* [http://www.douglasjohnston.net/weblog/archives/2005/06/11/diyp2_hipsterpda/ D*I*Y Planner Hipster PDA Edition]
 
* [http://www.slowburnproductions.com/2005/09/hipster-pda-tips-for-people-obsessed.html  Hipster PDA Tips for People Obsessed With Productivity Pr0n But Bad At Actual Productivity]
 
* [http://www.43folders.com/2005/01/organizing_your.html Organizing your Hipster PDA]
 
  
 +
== hipster PDA  ==
  
== Which Novel Writing Books are Recommended? ==
+
The [http://merlin.blogs.com/43folders/2004/09/introducing_the.html hipster PDA] is a cool, retro-low tech solution to information management. One uses a collection of blank and written 3x5 index cards bound with a binder clip or collected in a special carrier to jot down notes. Here are some pertinent links:
See [[Book_Recommendations]]
+
 
 +
*[http://gurno.com/adam/j2/index.php?p=44 Tricking out the hipster]
 +
*[http://radio.weblogs.com/0114670/categories/hipsterPda/2005/06/14.html Hipster PDA: Plans, Ideas, Information ... all in the back pocket]
 +
*[http://www.douglasjohnston.net/weblog/archives/2005/06/11/diyp2_hipsterpda/ D*I*Y Planner Hipster PDA Edition]
 +
*[http://www.slowburnproductions.com/2005/09/hipster-pda-tips-for-people-obsessed.html Hipster PDA Tips for People Obsessed With Productivity Pr0n But Bad At Actual Productivity]
 +
*[http://www.43folders.com/2005/01/organizing_your.html Organizing your Hipster PDA]
 +
*'''[http://hipsterpda.naperwrimo.org NaNoWriMo hipster PDA]'''
 +
 
 +
NaNoWriMo hipsterPDAs can be found at http://hipsterpda.naperwrimo.org
 +
 
 +
= Resources =
 +
== Which Novel Writing Books are Recommended? ==
 +
See [[Book Recommendations|Book_Recommendations]]
 +
 
 +
== What other resources are there? ==
 +
Glad you asked. We have a [[Useful_references_for_writers]] page where there are a lot of links collected!
 +
 
 +
== What about navigational aids for the nanowrimo site? ==
 +
You might like the [http://naperwrimo.org/reference_desk Reference desk forum index page] (that does filtering and sorting)
 +
 
 +
<headertabs />

Revision as of 08:46, 8 November 2015

[edit]

Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel?

Every year people around the world take the plunge and become an author during the month of November. If you've always wanted to write a novel, or try to write a novel, then this is the year to take advantage of National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo). It is a free, annual challenge that takes place every November, where novelists strive to start, write and complete the first draft of their 50,000+ word novel in just 30 days.

Last year over six hundred and fifty thousand people worldwide took up the challenge. In the Naperville region, which serves the western and southern suburbs of Chicago, 148 participants completed their novels in 2013. They were bolstered by online forums and local events, and had fun along the way.

The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo, representing the cities and suburbs west of Chicago, has partnered with area libraries to offer four preparatory workshops.

The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo is partnering with many area libraries to offer write-in events in November for people to use to work on their novel while others around them are working on theirs. For more information see the Library Crawl 2015 page.

All participants and their friends and family are welcome to attend the TGIO party December 5th at the Naperville Municipal Center. Come visit http://naperwrimo.org for more detailed event information. Fulfill your dream of becoming a novelist. See http://www.nanowrimo.org and send your questions to mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org.

Past press releases

Press Release 2013-09-01

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does this cost?
A: Absolutely nothing is required. Donations to cover the nanowrimo.org website and administrative costs are accepted but are not necessary.

Q: What do the winners get?
A: A PDF file proclaiming them NaNoWriMo winners if they manage to complete at least 50,000 words in 30 days. More importantly, the happiness of completing at least 50,0000 words of a novel.

Q: Where can I find out more information about the local events?
A: Check out the 2013 Events page for detailed information about the local events.

Q: 50,000 words in 30 days seems foolhardy...
A: Actually, it turns out to be roughly 1,670 words per day, which turns out to be manageable. There are some exceptionally prolific writers who produce four times that amount... but many just barely get over the hump. The NaNoWriMo website and online discussion forums provide a lot of support; and we are organizing some weekly meetings locally for participants to use for writing and discussing their work.

Q: Do I have to publish my novel?
A: No. Some participants share their novels with other participants for critiquing; a few participants have had their NaNoWriMo novels published. There are no requirements here.

Q: What about my privacy?
A: While you do have to provide an e-mail address in order to register, the NaNoWriMo forums give participants fine control over what information is made available to others. E-mail address and identity information can be concealed and the NaNoWriMo team has a strong privacy policy. E-mail addresses are not shared or sold and you have to explicitly sign up to receive e-mail announcements from the NaNo team during November.

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Sign-ups can be done through the http://www.nanowrimo.org website. The NaNoWriMo contest proper begins at 12:01 midnight November 1st.

Q: Who coordinates things for the Chicago Western Suburbs region?
A: We (Tim Yao, Katherine Lato and Frank Dahlman) are volunteer municipal liaisons for the Chicago Western Suburbs region of NaNoWriMo (Illinois::Naperville). We are enthusiastic participants of previous NaNo's who want to help others find the joy of completion that we've found. We organize the kick-off writing session, weekly writing sessions and the TGIO party at the end.

Q: Say I join the region, what do I do next?
A: If you haven't already done so, please come to our regional forum and post a note introducing yourself to the other participants. You can say something about who you are and what you are writing.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org

hipster PDA

The hipster PDA is a cool, retro-low tech solution to information management. One uses a collection of blank and written 3x5 index cards bound with a binder clip or collected in a special carrier to jot down notes. Here are some pertinent links:

NaNoWriMo hipsterPDAs can be found at http://hipsterpda.naperwrimo.org

Which Novel Writing Books are Recommended?

See Book_Recommendations

What other resources are there?

Glad you asked. We have a Useful_references_for_writers page where there are a lot of links collected!

What about navigational aids for the nanowrimo site?

You might like the Reference desk forum index page (that does filtering and sorting)