I'm hoping to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo in July and have been looking for a cabin, but even though I'm in one now, I feel like I don't belong (I haven't felt comfortable enough to participate yet). Looking through all the threads on the site, I don't belong with anyone…I should be fine with this by now, but unfortunately, I feel like I need support to make it through July, especially as I'm going through the withdrawals of K-pin along with everything else. It probably makes me more nervous and paranoid than usual…

I was just wondering if anyone here was participating and if you want to start a cabin?

[-jimi-]

As a yearly Nano addict, I was oblivious to this. I'm not sure at this point if I can jump in or not. Dang, I wish it had been in August.

You can join in at any time and can set your only word count goals in the "Camp" versions. Only want to try for 20,000 words or something? That's fine. I'm set at 50,000 at this point as I have two novels I plan to work on at once right now, but I can still change that. The Camps are a lot more casual than the November one is the point I'm trying to make.

[-jimi-]

So are premade stuff allowed? In that case... maybe, I have an unfinished thing. (I basically left some poor guy in a small deserted cabin in the woods hiding from aliens for 3 years now... maybe he needs out, LOL)

Like I said, I'm working on two projects at the moment. One has about 20,000 words already, the other has about 8,000 (and will hopefully have 10,000 +) by the time July starts, so that sounds perfectly fine.

For anybody else, you don't have to be writing a novel either. If you want to write a poem a day, work on revising something, or write 10,000 words or so on a play, that's fine too. I'm just looking to see if can create a cabin (like a social group) that is comfortable for me and others.

[-jimi-]

It suddenly sounds quite interesting. I still have to see if I have any Internet where I'm going to be part of that month. Last time I used mobile Internet out there I had to do with 1-8 kbits/s. (Yup you read that right!)

Well, I ended up opting out of the cabin I was in, so for now I'm not in any cabin at all so I can still create my own if you (and others) still wish to join me.

Just in reading the message board, I get this sickening feeling that I don't belong in the group and that I'm probably looked down upon just as much for not saying anything than if I had. Plus, the cabin was full and I'd hate to take a space away from someone who's wanted in the cabin for a less superficial reason.

But who am I kidding? I don't belong anywhere. At least not in my age group and most of the people older than me on there don't want children around them. Don't blame them really.

[Wren_]

how does it work? do you actually share what you've written or just that you are writing? (first i've heard of this so sorry for the questions)

The cabin is basically a message board for people to support each other. It's similar to the groups on here. Whether you want to share what you've written is up to you.

The Camp NaNoWriMo FAQs page:
Camp NaNoWriMo

There's a lot of overlap, but if you're curious, here's a link to the FAQ's of the original NaNoWriMo:
nanowrimo.org/faq

It may just be easier to start a social group on here…

Would people be more comfortable with that?

Hi

I've heard of this before on other writing sites. Could you please explain what it is, because I really don't understand. Is it for beginners? I can't imagine writing with other people's rules and boundaries all around my work.

Thank you, Tea

[-jimi-]

If I join a group I'd rather do it on their site. I never judge! All plans are just sort up in the air for the summer. If I was more sure I'd join your cabin in a flash.

The original NaNoWriMo is a "contest" of sorts to challenge yourself to write 50,000 words in a month (November, to be precise). Well, originally it was to write a novel in a month, but 50,000 words is nowhere near the length of a novel, so I'm not sure that's exactly relevant anymore.

Camp NaNoWriMo is a spin-off of the original that happens in May and July. The participant can choose their own word-count goal, but the default is still 50,000 words.

Maybe the original intention was to create this for amateur writers, but I've met professional writers in the process and I know some at least do the November contest. It's a good chance to meet writers (amateur, professional, and of all ages) and bounce ideas off of each other, support each other, etc.

If one doesn't wish to associate with amateur or unpublished writers, then this probably isn't the thing for you.

I'm sort-of a NaNo. The first year I joined I finished with over 50K words. But the last 2 years in a row, I've just pooped out after a week or so. I just couldn't seem to get anything going. (I've only participated in the November event.)

It's strange. I can write & write & write here on PC, as well as on other websites. The words just flow like the proverbial water! But I get into NaNo & I just seem to go blank... So I wasn't planning to participate in the July Camp... although I did think about it... hm-m-m-m... indecisive... I know...

[-jimi-]

Some of the best novels I have read had been kind of short.

Novels used to be much shorter on average. Now, just having 50,000 words is going to be difficult to publish. It has nothing to do with the quality. I really don't want to argue about this…

I think I'm meant to either do this alone this July or just be randomly assigned to a cabin...

[sarahblue]

Omigosh! So glad I cruised over to Social Chat from Bipolar. I am doing Camp NaNo, and I was wishing that there were some folks from here that were also doing it.

I did a novel last year for NaNoWriMo, but this summer I'm actually writing my senior thesis, which I have been postponing for way too long.

I would LOVE to have a cabin with you! If you want to create one, invite me. I'm Micarina over there.

[-jimi-]

For some reason I feel like I should not be invited, but that's OK I guess.

[PoorPrincess]

How interesting.

Best to you.
I'm sure you will do very well, with your clearly defined goals, all ready to get to work.
Enjoy.

[sarahblue]

Tea&Sympathy, just to clarify: yes there are a lot of beginners, but there are a lot of published writers who challenge themselves to write in November as well. And some good novels have come out of NaNo. Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus is one, that I read recently and enjoyed. There are a lot of professional writers who show up to cheer everyone on. Even in the winter it's really like a big camp where everyone is on the same team. It's a competition with yourself. And yes, there are rules, but rebellion is also encouraged. It's really up to you. Anyway, I really liked it. It's not everyone's cup of tea.

I wish everyone who's participating good luck and have fun

[AllonsY]

I've done NaNoWriMo in November before, what's "Camp NaNoWriMo"?

[sarahblue]

AllonsY (I love your name!), Camp NaNo is an extension of NaNoWriMo that takes place in April and again in July. It's a bit more freeform than the November event. You can pick your own word goal, and decide what you want to work on.

More at http://campnanowrimo.org/

[AllonsY]

Originally Posted by sarahblue

AllonsY (I love your name!), Camp NaNo is an extension of NaNoWriMo that takes place in April and again in July. It's a bit more freeform than the November event. You can pick your own word goal, and decide what you want to work on.

More at http://campnanowrimo.org/

Oh cool!

(And thanks :-P)

[-jimi-]

Anyone who does this I wish all the luck.

I realized very reluctantly I have no chance in hell joining. I just came back to town after 4 days away working and I'm tired as hell and I'm supposed to go on "vacation" with friends who are currently taking each others' heads off...

Oh joy.

In my next life I will be a true recluse and I will only have books as friends.